Our staycation series continues with day trip suggestions within the north and western reaches of the Rhineland-Palatinate, an area blessed with beautiful nature and its fair share of quirky attractions. Mid-week finds us border-hopping into next-door Saarland.
Collecting souvenirs is an important part of travelling for most people. But how do you avoid tacky figurines of famous landmarks? I found that the best way to get souvenirs that you actually like is to focus your search on a few themes.
Stay-at-home evenings might have become the new normal, but that doesn’t mean each and every one of them has to revolve around the same old drill. On the hunt for a new activity to share amongst a small circle of friends that doesn’t involve the TV or the grill?
Hours of sight-seeing have made you ravenous, so you’ve taken a break to down some pommes frites and a foamy beverage. But you’re not in France-- you’re in Belgium, where the locals still dispute the origin of “French” fries and crafting beer is a fine art, hundreds of years in the making.
Imagine an activity that combines the joy of discovery of an Easter-egg hunt, the creative satisfaction of a painting session and the health benefits of a long walk.
For those who love Jägermeister, there may be a deeper dimension, unknown to many, for further enjoyment of that dark liqueur from the deep forest-green bottles. Yes, many enjoy it as a digestive or taken ice-cold seconds before a meal to make the first bite even more wonderful.
Let’s be honest, going through all the work to cook for two people or less can be a hassle. There are so many days it is much easier to just pick up something frozen at the store or eat out rather than mess up the entire kitchen to make such a small portion.
For many, Easter is a sacred holiday for commemorating Christ’s resurrection. It’s also viewed as a chance to welcome spring. In Germany, that is no different than in the United States. However, our host nation offers its own customs and traditions. Here are some you may experience.
Halloween shenanigans aren’t just an American thing anymore. Over the past few decades, the creeptacular holiday has made its way across the pond and infiltrated European towns and cities.
I lived half my childhood in the big city and half in the sticks. When we moved to “the sticks” (rural Oklahoma) there really wasn’t anywhere to go trick-or-treating. So my parents made the best of it by grabbing bags of popcorn and candy and watching a scary (but not too scary) movie.
Entertaining energetic children while also finding something you like can be a challenge. Hiking is a fabulous way to see some of the astounding beauty Austria has to offer. It gets you away from the inner city and into some of nature’s most splendid landscapes.
Fulfill little wonders and satisfy curiosities. Push past signs reading ‘Please Do Not Touch’ and seek out genuinely kid-friendly museums. Most European museums will offer an English version or explanation. Check with the information desk for free handouts as well as kids activity sheets.
Love to fish? World-class fly-fishing, deep-sea fishing and “river monster” wrestling adventures await you. In fact, U.S. servicemembers who are outdoor enthusiasts can hunt, fish and shoot for sport as long as they gain the right training and certifications.
Munich’s Oktoberfest is the epitome of German beer festivals. Considered the largest fair in the world, 6 million people are drawn to the Bavarian capital every fall from all over the globe. But popularity isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be.
