<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[a facetious guide]]></title><description><![CDATA[A travel blog with a bit of history and a pinch of snark. Also offering custom tours of Georgia, and Belgium.]]></description><link>https://www.saintfacetious.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Thu, 11 Jun 2026 16:10:01 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.saintfacetious.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Mtatsminda: Soviet Relics and Deep-Fried Goodness]]></title><description><![CDATA[Mtatsminda is a high-altitude collision of Soviet-era remnants, bizarre carnival kitsch, and the best views in Tbilisi. Bring your camera and your appetite.]]></description><link>https://www.saintfacetious.com/post/mtatsminda-park-tbilisi-guide</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a240e5cf64e529b409ecff9</guid><category><![CDATA[Georgia]]></category><category><![CDATA[Travel with a Kid]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 07 Jun 2026 12:28:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b06c7_d6eed8dac3514be4b44be83131ad6bd9~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shawn Basey</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Borjomi: Georgia’s Salty, Lukewarm, Soviet Spa Town Unfiltered]]></title><description><![CDATA[You’re going to stand in Borjomi Central Park and drink water that tastes like a handful of wet copper pennies. It’s the legendary hangover-killing magic of the Caucasus, provided you don't mind the sulfur smell or the crowd of gaping tourists. From the Romanov’s imperial hangover to the 19 Lari hotel beers you should never buy, here is the gritty reality of Georgia’s favorite spa town.]]></description><link>https://www.saintfacetious.com/post/borjomi-georgia-s-salty-lukewarm-soviet-spa-town-unfiltered</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a0a1e8cd7b330c99a6355a0</guid><category><![CDATA[Georgia]]></category><category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 19:20:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b06c7_afe46abe598240a9a858560e806759b9~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shawn Basey</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Tbilisi's Natural Swimming Holes]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you don’t mind getting your feet a bit dirty, Tbilisi has some of the best natural watering holes around, and you really get the feeling of the city's unique relationship with nature.]]></description><link>https://www.saintfacetious.com/post/tbilisi-s-natural-swimming-holes</link><guid isPermaLink="false">688e1662a5b0119cd166c2d7</guid><category><![CDATA[Georgia]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 19 Aug 2025 06:01:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b06c7_f8a4ab2bf08f40d49bc575db1a325a5e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shawn Basey</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Dive into Tbilisi: Fighting the heat]]></title><description><![CDATA[Summers can be brutal in Tbilisi. It can easily get to the upper 30s (that’s around 100 in Americanese) and it has a touch of humidity or smog or whatever unregulated thing is hanging in the air, creating a kind of oven effect. Luckily, unlike most places in Europe, restaurants and cafes often have air conditioning, so it’s never too horrendous.]]></description><link>https://www.saintfacetious.com/post/swimming-in-tbilisi</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68867f77e2fb1aad706d967f</guid><category><![CDATA[Georgia]]></category><category><![CDATA[Travel with a Kid]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 04 Aug 2025 04:24:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b06c7_510170a353e44007a855cd648bfdb583~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shawn Basey</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Belgian National Day]]></title><description><![CDATA[Belgian National Day, celebrated annually on July 21, is a vibrant public holiday marked by parades, family fairs, and either fireworks,...]]></description><link>https://www.saintfacetious.com/post/belgian-national-day</link><guid isPermaLink="false">687550100be91a1929eba7fc</guid><category><![CDATA[Belgium]]></category><category><![CDATA[Brussels]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 14 Jul 2025 19:20:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b06c7_74f01fb54a82440393773f5729d6edc6~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shawn Basey</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Jans of Prague and the 1st defenestration]]></title><description><![CDATA[Discover the history behind Jan Hus Day, celebrated in Prague and Czechia every July 6th.]]></description><link>https://www.saintfacetious.com/post/jans-hus-%C5%BEi%C5%BEka-and-the-1st-defenestration-of-prague</link><guid isPermaLink="false">685f8d3f4cc67cb11b89a771</guid><category><![CDATA[Czechia]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 30 Jun 2025 19:45:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b06c7_bf9062fb756f47e38d50e0ccfe163510~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shawn Basey</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Street khatchapuri: More than cheesy bread]]></title><description><![CDATA[The street food vendors can be somewhat of a mystery. But they can also serve the best khatchapuri and lobiani in town. Read the blog to learn what to order.]]></description><link>https://www.saintfacetious.com/post/street-khatchapuri-georgian-food</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68557e4181a65c997a914419</guid><category><![CDATA[Georgia]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 23 Jun 2025 12:27:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b06c7_6e2dae0efa50487ca5c5551db8419d5b~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shawn Basey</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Taking advantage of Brussels sun: Guinguettes!]]></title><description><![CDATA[When sun hits Brussels, find the best guinguettes. Your guide to the city's pop-up park bars for summer, from their history to finding a perfect Belgian beer.]]></description><link>https://www.saintfacetious.com/post/taking-advantage-of-brussels-sun-guinguettes</link><guid isPermaLink="false">664e62e31fbd6a21fd8f3beb</guid><category><![CDATA[Brussels]]></category><category><![CDATA[Belgium]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 17 Jun 2025 05:14:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b06c7_12f75248213e4a2a8e8935be2cd82883~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shawn Basey</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[5 Most Surprising Things About Moving to Tbilisi]]></title><description><![CDATA[Now that we’re situated back in Tbilisi, I’ve had some time to stretch out, explore, reconnect, and get to know the city again. It’s...]]></description><link>https://www.saintfacetious.com/post/5-most-surprising-things-about-moving-to-tbilisi</link><guid isPermaLink="false">683ff06ec81ffc3560e8fb2e</guid><category><![CDATA[Georgia]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 09 Jun 2025 06:36:03 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b06c7_c9d034f1670147d390a0b870059053c2~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shawn Basey</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Discovering the Best Coffee in Tbilisi: Your Ultimate Guide]]></title><description><![CDATA[Wondering where to get a proper cup of coffee in the Caucasian capital? Wonder no more. Years ago, getting a decent coffee in Tbilisi was a ]]></description><link>https://www.saintfacetious.com/post/11-best-coffeeshops-in-tbilisi</link><guid isPermaLink="false">5e009ba85146530017b58a6c</guid><category><![CDATA[Georgia]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 26 May 2025 14:36:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b06c7_a8d1cc7a70c34593b01f70dcd45e8486~mv2_d_4036_2692_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shawn Basey</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Going Medieval in Brussels]]></title><description><![CDATA[For one weekend only, from May 30th to June 1st, the monumental Cinquantenaire Park takes everyone back to the medieval times with the Marche Medieval (medieval market). Neo-folk musicians, beer stands, amusement rides, tight rope walkers, HEMA sword fights, tons of food stalls, and more fill up the park.]]></description><link>https://www.saintfacetious.com/post/going-medieval-in-brussels</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6832e7782c9701be822b8a14</guid><category><![CDATA[Belgium]]></category><category><![CDATA[Brussels]]></category><category><![CDATA[Travel with a Kid]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 26 May 2025 14:03:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b06c7_44f166b7df3f4ca095835c5e2c334f07~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shawn Basey</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Trinity of Mtskheta]]></title><description><![CDATA[Light shines through the window openings inside, illuminating the drifting dust particles; one monk-priest chants while another sits quietly, observing people dropping coins into a small box and taking candles for their own prayers. It’s the standard gentle chaos of a Georgian church, and in a place where the age itself makes for the mysticism, as the murals have long faded and the outer walls long crumbled.]]></description><link>https://www.saintfacetious.com/post/jvari-monastery-of-mtskheta</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6824dc72039c397a6a5f7911</guid><category><![CDATA[Georgia]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 14 May 2025 19:50:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b06c7_268b493d42a044c4b4cfe881859ae98d~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shawn Basey</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Coming to Tbilisi (Again)]]></title><description><![CDATA[Life in Tbilisi! Empty flats, toddler chaos &#38; coin-operated lifts?! Read our (mis)adventures adjusting to Georgia. ]]></description><link>https://www.saintfacetious.com/post/coming-to-tbilisi-again</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67f6c1e40dcb644c5a20f733</guid><category><![CDATA[Georgia]]></category><category><![CDATA[Travel with a Kid]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 07 May 2025 05:41:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b06c7_b95538e63a9b4c26bc74b25b9f25fd63~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shawn Basey</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Moving out of Brussels (and into the chaos)]]></title><description><![CDATA[Leaving a city for good leaves one with all kinds of feelings. Here we dive into leaving Brussels, the process and the feels.]]></description><link>https://www.saintfacetious.com/post/leaving-brussels</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67d65ef67f6f9dfc82709cd6</guid><category><![CDATA[Brussels]]></category><category><![CDATA[Belgium]]></category><category><![CDATA[Travel with a Kid]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 18 Mar 2025 04:49:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b06c7_194af56745df40909e113de1b9cfa790~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shawn Basey</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Brussels vs. Prague ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Comparing Prague and Brussels. Which was better to live in? To visit? I've got your answers here.]]></description><link>https://www.saintfacetious.com/post/brussels-vs-prague</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67bed67e593af992b6e9de9e</guid><category><![CDATA[Brussels]]></category><category><![CDATA[Belgium]]></category><category><![CDATA[Czechia]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 27 Feb 2025 08:34:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b06c7_bd81938f08984d5dbf2c7fe871365ac1~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_630,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shawn Basey</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Dealing with Tantrums on Travels]]></title><description><![CDATA[The kid roared. And our own senses of shame and embarrassment were growing by the second. What causes a tantrum and how to deal with it.]]></description><link>https://www.saintfacetious.com/post/dealing-with-tantrums-on-travels</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67b4bdfe10889e1584518b11</guid><category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category><category><![CDATA[Travel with a Kid]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 19 Feb 2025 16:04:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b06c7_5c4ef7edd5ce4b66a1cdefe59db16ed0~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shawn Basey</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Bombs of Bastogne]]></title><description><![CDATA[A visit to the 101st Airborne Museum in Bastogne is a true experience of the senses. From life-sized dioramas to a bombing simulator. ]]></description><link>https://www.saintfacetious.com/post/the-bombs-of-bastogne</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67ace9412b9b3f61767e7123</guid><category><![CDATA[Belgium]]></category><category><![CDATA[Brussels]]></category><category><![CDATA[USA]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 12 Feb 2025 20:43:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b06c7_2a0e65b3698d46fc8cc0a9dfab4595af~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shawn Basey</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Troll Forest of Belgium]]></title><description><![CDATA[Of course, I told my kid, the trolls need screws in their wood to keep their skin together. ]]></description><link>https://www.saintfacetious.com/post/the-troll-forest-of-belgium</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67a11a21e9a1a4c190aff91a</guid><category><![CDATA[Travel with a Kid]]></category><category><![CDATA[Belgium]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 05 Feb 2025 14:07:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b06c7_105f722ab2844d809858c36a8d3f6d6c~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shawn Basey</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Nightmare Airport of Istanbul]]></title><description><![CDATA[A hilarious account of a travel meltdown at Istanbul Airport, where a "family-friendly" design almost derailed our vacation. ]]></description><link>https://www.saintfacetious.com/post/the-nightmare-airport-of-istanbul-where-family-friendly-means-designed-to-make-you-lose-your-min</link><guid isPermaLink="false">679a00fa2c49332bc4039b89</guid><category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category><category><![CDATA[Travel with a Kid]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 29 Jan 2025 10:42:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b06c7_0c87e33c479f4baabf40de43f13cc572~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_863,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shawn Basey</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Jet Lag Blues]]></title><description><![CDATA[When we came back from this latest trip, I thought I had mastered jetlag. I had ultimately abandoned all of my well-thought out...]]></description><link>https://www.saintfacetious.com/post/jet-lag-blues</link><guid isPermaLink="false">678a42a15e293231a974cb91</guid><category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category><category><![CDATA[Travel with a Kid]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 20 Jan 2025 14:21:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8b06c7_ed3879b93a5c4c469e59357371a21df9~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shawn Basey</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>