When you talk to people about the sites they really want to see in Germany, Neuschwanstein Castle is often at the top of the list. The iconic structure built by King Ludwig II seems to symbolize Fairy Tale Germany to so many. It’s on the cover of Tour Books, on Calendars, Tea Towels, and Puzzles. Walt Disney loved the castle…
Author: karenanne
My Month in Germany- And I STILL haven’t Seen it All!
I walked through my front door yesterday, almost exactly one month after I left for Germany. A MONTH in Germany seems like a long time, in fact it IS a long time, and yet I still didn’t see and do everything that was on my list. Still, I did manage to see quite a bit. This trip was part work,…
Some Basic Tips for Driving in Germany
People are sometimes amazed or surprised that I rent a car when I visit Germany. I hear “aren’t the street signs confusing?” and even more often, “isn’t it scary driving at those high speeds?“. The truth is, driving in Germany might seem intimidating, but because people tend to follow the rules of the road, it’s actually fairly straightforward. Still, there…
Nightwatchman Tour In Rothenburg ob der Tauber
The Altstadt or old town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is virtually unchanged from the Middle Ages… well… the facades of the buildings look the same, as they did way back then… but now there are more Ice Cream shops. Still, if you squint a bit, and ignore the cars and tourists, you could be back 500 years ago. To…
Money Exchange in Germany- It’s as Easy as Your ATM at Home
It’s travel season, so I’m getting a lot of questions about money exchange in Germany. Cash is still king in Germany! Around 80% of all transactions happen with CASH, so you should get used to walking around with bills. Changing money used to be a hassle… long lines at money changers who charged high fees. Today, getting Euros, the currency…
Bremerhaven Tourist Attractions- What to See in Bremerhaven
When I learned I was going to Bremerhaven, I was a little bit concerned. After all, Bremerhaven has a reputation for just being a working class city with a big port. (Sort of like Oakland, California). Many years ago I visited Bremerhaven, and at the time, it didn’t leave much of an impression (unless you like boats). But now I…
The Biergarten- A Bavarian Cultural Essential!
With the rise in popularity of craft beers, there has been a notable increase in the number of Biergarten around the world. But are they Biergarten? Or Beer Gardens? Is it just a spot next to a brewery with tables? Is it a patio carved out next to a bar? What is a Biergarten? And what makes them so special?…
Kaltschale Recipe – Chilled Fruit Soup for Hot Days
When I was growing up in Southern California, my Mother would make a cool and delicious “beat the heat” meal: Kaltschale, a Chilled Fruit Soup. The soup wasn’t dessert. It was the meal. And so refreshing. Over the past few days, we’ve experienced a heat wave in my part of the world, and I’ve started craving this cold and satisfying…
What was Peasant Life Like? Our Daily Bread: German Village Life 1500-1850
Our Daily Bread: German Village Life, 1500-1850 Most history books give you plain facts… you learn about wars, you learn who was king, and where the borders changed. What you don’t usually get, is what was it LIKE to be a peasant and have battles raging around you? To actually struggle to feed a family? What was German Village life…
St Paulus Dom in Münster- A Small Cathedral with an AMAZING Clock
Unfortunately, the St Paulus Dom Münster seldom makes it onto anyone’s must-see bucket list. It’s just not very big (compared to the Cologne Cathedral, it’s downright small). And, it has a lot of competition in Münster! As churches go, it takes second place to the much more famous Lamberti Kirche. (Face it, cages hanging off of the spire will lure…