We enjoy Eastern Europe for many reasons. For one, they are far less concerned with rules and constraints. Why? Maybe they prefer a mellow, easygoing lifestyle. More likely, though, they have an underdeveloped tort system, so no one worries much about being sued. At moments, this approach proves problematic like when there’s a gaping hole in the road with no signs to warn you or barriers to block you. Other times, it’s the best. The absolute best. No greater example of this exists than visiting the ruins of Eastern European castles. For the price of admission, you literally get run of the castle. You can go anywhere. You can climb on anything. It is the manifestation of all of our childhood dreams. At Devín Castle outside Bratislava, Slovakia, they even provided us with replica equipment—swords, shields, helmets, maces, etc.—to make...

We haven’t been everywhere in the world. But, we have collected a few stamps on the old passport. Budapest ranks high on G@H’s Favorite Cities list. Here’s why. 1. Buda Castle As children, we daydreamed about repelling invaders from a castle fortress. That vision became reality on a January day in Budapest. Buda Castle, a World Heritage Site and the Royal Palace, hosted the most epic of snowball fights. We, four adult men, bombarded a mob of Hungarian children milling about below the citadel walls. Admittedly, ours was a preventive maneuver. But, these little delinquents surely meant ill. Winter, summer, spring or autumn, visit Buda Castle. Beware of tour guides with walrus mustaches, though. One approached us pitching his service. When we politely declined, he called us “idiot American monkeys.” He was both rude and probably correct. 2. St. Stephan...

We at G@H are admirers of Eastern Europe. Our Gentleman-in-Chief served two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in the region. We appreciate the beauty of Baroque architecture. We enjoy the homemade wine and plum brandy. We respect the mustaches. We love the schnitzel. No, I mean we really love schnitzel. It’s like a chicken fried steak but more sophisticated, more refined. More, well, European. Unless you have a Hungarian grandmother, you likely struggle to find good schnitzel in America. Here’s a recipe. Attempt at your own peril, though. We tried frying one up and burnt the hell out of our hand. It made for a rotten train ride. Luckily, Yankee Candle lets us experience the comforting aroma of schnitzel without the risk of bodily harm. It is perfect. Okay, almost perfect. We’d substitute the noodles for pommes frites with...