The Venn Diagram of reader recommendations and travel plans overlapped neatly this year, allowing me to include Wartburg Castle in Eisenach on the itinerary. And I’m so glad. The Wartburg Castle Tour takes you on a journey through history from the 11th century to the end of the 19th century. There are rough and ready rooms for knights, as well…
Author: karenanne
What is a Kaffeeklatsch? Therapy with laughter and Coffee
Americans missed out on a good thing by not adopting the “Kaffeeklatsch”. Honestly, meeting friends at Starbucks for a sippy cup of coffee on a tiny table just isn’t the same thing. Kaffeeklatsch, where friends come together for coffee and maybe some cake, and (esentially) a good conversation, is a lovely way to spend a few hours. In Germany, the…
Burning Beethoven: The Eradication of German Culture in the United States during World War I
I get messages all the time from people lamenting the lack of German shops and Restaurants, worries from readers because the German clubs are getting fewer, sadness from people wondering why German isn’t taught in their schools, regret that they never learned the language from parents or Grandparents, and that it was even “forbidden” in the home. I understand it’s…
Spreewald Kahnfahrt and a Visit to the Open-Air Museum in Lehde
South and slightly east of Berlin, you’ll find one of Germany’s more unusual UNESCO sites, the Spreewald Biosphere Reserve. Formed during the last Ice Age, this inland delta of the Spree River, crisscrossed by 200 water channels and streams through bogland, forest, and meadows, is home to a group of traditional Sorbs, or Wends, whose families have been making a…
How to Apply to German Universities- Resources and Tips for a Successful Application
Studying abroad is a life changing experience. It opens our eyes to the rest of the world, and allows us to experience living in another place outside our regular comfort zone. And for many students.. it’s just flat out cheaper than studying at an American University. But getting over that first hurdle, trying to figure out How to Apply to…
Suppengruen- A Flavor Base for German Cooking
You’ll find an ingredient set at the base of every culture’s cuisine that adds a specific flavor profile to many dishes. This building block sets up a solid base for other ingredients. It’s seldom the star of the show, but the dish wouldn’t be right without it. In German cooking, this base is known as Suppengrün or Suppengemüse. A trio…
German License Plate Stickers and Magnets
Add some fun to your car, laptop, refrigerator, or door with these German License Plate Stickers and Magnets! They also make a great gift for German family and friends. The high quality weatherproof stickers will last outside without fading for years. The stickers measure just over 10.5 inches by 2 inches (it is smaller than a standard German License Plate) Worried…
The Train to Crystal City review- German Families Locked Up in WW2
I recently read about the Democratic Representative from Texas Joaquin Castros Congressional Bill: The Wartime Violation of German American Civil Liberties Act of 2022. Like many American school children, I learned about the Internment of thousands of Japanese who lived in the US, but my teachers never told us about the over 11,000 German Americans locked up at the same…
German Goulash Recipe- A Love Letter From the Kitchen
Goulash is a family favorite. Why not? My mom’s recipe tastes delicious. Warm and flavorful, it’s a delicious love letter from the kitchen. It’s a tasty family dinner, and it’s “nice” enough for company. When served over everyone’s favorite homemade Spätzle, Goulash is a crowd pleaser. I can hear it now, “Goulash isn’t German, it’s Hungarian”. Well, I’m sure that…
Weltenburg Abbey- Come for the Beer, Stay for the History
Sitting somewhat precariously on the shores of the Danube not too far from Regensburg, you’ll find Weltenburg Abbey. I visited on a warm July day. The plan was to tour the Brewery, but I was delighted to learn that there is much more to see at the Benedictine Abbey than just big vats of beer (not that big vats of…