Speyer, Germany (Renaissance Festival)

We went with a friend of ours to Speyer, Germany today to check out what we thought would be a small town medieval festival...we ended up going to "the largest traveling Medieval Cultural Festival in the world!"

(Photo:  http://www.spectaculum.de)

Travel to Speyer was easy, it was mostly all autobahn and only took an hour.  We got there just in time for a "traditional German" lunch at the Domhof Hausbrauerei (and a few yummy home brews) and walk the main square before heading into the festival...

Hanau, Germany (Schloss Philippsruhe)

Took a quick day trip to Hanau to see the baroque palace, Schloss Phillppsruhe.

The two-story main building, or corps de logis, is flanked by two one-story wings on each side.  Schloss Phillppsruhe is one of the most important architectural and cultural monuments in Hessen. It's location on the banks of the river Main, the large park behind the castle, the museum, the fairy tale festival and the restaurant terrace make the palace a favourite destination for locals and visitors from all over Hessen, Germany, and the world"

Brussels, Belgium (Flower Carpet)

After a fun day "exploring" Mini-Europe we headed into downtown Brussels to find our hotel and check out the Flower Carpet!

We stayed at the Chelton Hotel, which was not within walking distance of the Flower Carpet but was withing walking distance to the Schuman Metro Station.  It was 93 EUR for one night (including parking but excluding breakfast) and the staff was friendly and the hotel was clean.

Brussels, Belgium (Mini-Europe)

This weekend we decided to head to Belgium to check out their Flower Carpet!  On the way there we stopped by Mini-Europe to let the kids burn off some energy....

Mini Europe awesome!  It's located just outside of Brussels and shares a huge parking area (5 EUR per day) with the water park Oceade and the Atomium.

Wachenheim, Germany (Kurpfalz Park)

Took the kids on a day trip to Kurpfalz Park today!

We all had a blast tackling the slides and toboggan run, playing in the playgrounds, and checking out the animals!