Amsterdam, Netherlands

We just got back from a fun-filled weekend in Amsterdam!

Bernkastel Kues, Germany (Christmas Market)

Just got back from an impromptu girl's trip with my friend, Maria!

We took our littlest ones to Bernkastel Kues to sip on some gluhwein and check out their Christmas market.  The village is located on the Mosel River and is about the cutest darn thing I have ever seen in my life!

Kaiserslautern, Germany (Christmas Market)

Took the family to K-Town to enjoy their Christmas market on a rainy, Saturday afternoon!

The market is held in their downtown shopping area and is centered around the Gothic church on Schillerplatz square.  There were more than 50 vendors offering a variety of items, but let's face it...we went for the food!

Athens, Greece

We just got back from a four day trip to Athens so I could run my first marathon...and had an AMAZING time!  Check out my race adventure at http://melrunsamarathon.blogspot.de/.

Cochem, Germany (Medieval Castle Tour)

We took the kids to Cochem, Germany to go on the Medieval Dinner and Castle Tour through RTT today.  While we had a memorable time, the tour and dinner were not what we expected.

We had been wanting to take the kids to the Reichsburg Castle for a while now (specifically for the "Knight's Meal"); however, they are always in German.  We assumed (wrongly) that this tour/dinner was the same thing offered by the castle, just geared toward children and in English.

Nope.

Kaiserslautern, Germany (Dino Park)

We took the kids for a "Family Fun Day" at the Gartenschau in Kaiserslautern, Germany, today.  The weather was perfect for being outside and we had a blast!

Dachau and Berchtesgaden, Germany (Eagle's Nest)

We were very (lucky) and excited to visit the Eagle's Nest while in Berchtesgaden!

You can read more about the history of the Kehlsteinhaus HERE.

Dachau and Berchtesgaden, Germany (Berchtesgaden)

After our visit at the Dachau Concentration Camp, we hopped back into the car and headed for Berchtesgaden, Germany.  I really love this entire region of Germany. To say it is beautiful is a complete understatement!

Dachau and Berchtesgaden, Germany (Dachau)

This past October we took a weekend trip and went to the Bavarian region of Germany.  Two things we really wanted to see were the Dachau Concentration Camp and Hitler's Eagle's Nest.

We debated on whether to take the kids to see Dachau. However, they behaved with respect and although they asked questions (and we answered truthfully) they didn't seem to comprehend what happened here and why. I'm not sure I will ever comprehend it. 

Never Forget

Trier, Germany (Elephant Parade)

We went to Trier, Germany to see the Elephant Parade today!

We have been to Trier before to see Porta Nigra, but this time we had the Roman Baths and some elephants on our radar...

Champagne Region of France (Reims, Epernay)

Enjoyed a wonderful day in the champagne region of France with my friend, Sarah today!

We took a tour offer through RTT Travel.  I can't say we were very impressed with the "tour" (it was basically just an informational bus ride).  But, the stops in Epernay and Reims where very enjoyable!

Hitcsherhof Pumpkin Festival, Germany

Spent the day at the Hitcsherhof Pumpkin Festival!

There were tons of vendors in the farmer's and craft markets, a place to pick your own flowers, a place for the kids to play in the hay, a corn field labyrinth...

Luxembourg American Cemetery, Luxembourg

Today we went to the American Cemetery and Memorial in Luxembourg to pay our respects to the soldiers who perished in the Battle of the Bulge.

Cologne, Germany

Had a fantastic "Family Fun Day" exploring the city of Cologne with the kiddos!

Cologne (Koln) is an amazing little city (well...actually, it is the largest city on the Rhine River but, whatevs).

Bad Sobernheim, Germany (Barefoot Path)

After a fun morning in Idar-Oberstein, we headed to Bad Sobernheim to check out the Barefoot Path!

We thought the kids would really enjoy all the different textured pathways...however, they were not impressed with walking in "poop water."

Idar-Oberstein, Germany (Gem Mining)

We had a busy fun-filled day planned today!  It all started with gem-mining in the lovely town of Idar-Oberstein...

Bastogne, Belgium

We had an amazing time exploring Bastogne, Belgium today.  My husband (a history buff) especially enjoyed this trip!

Stockholm, Sweden (MSC Baltic Cruise)

"The capital and largest city in Sweden, Stockholm is built on 14 islands located between the Baltic Sea and Lake Malaren.  Connected by over 50 bridges crossing open bays and narrow channels, it is often referred to as the "Venice of the North." This attractive city is filled with lush parks, wide boulevards and majestic structures of contrasting colors.  Ancient dark, stone buildings sit next to modern sky-scrapers of glass and block.  Add the onion domes, red washed houses, painted roofs, persimmon spires and curved garbles make this modern city an architectural delight."

Copenhagen, Denmark (MSC Baltic Cruise)

"Copenhagen is the premier capital of Northern Europe and the centre of the most dynamic region in Europe, the Oresund Region. The city is one of Europe's oldest capitals with a royal touch - the monarchy in Denmark is the oldest in the world! Discover Copenhagen through the walls of the Black Diamond, but also pay attention to all those historical architectural pearls such as the Royal Castle Amalienborg and the Church of Our Savior. Visit Louisiana, Arken, and Glyptotek - they are considered the best art museums in Europe; take a walk towards the Gefion Fountain, Copenhagen's own Trevi Fountain, or maybe visit Tivoli, the classy amusement park, located in the middle of the city. These are truly exciting, cool, and very enjoyable places to visit."

Kiel, Germany (MSC Baltic Cruise)

We headed to Kiel this weekend to get ready to board our first cruise!  Kiel was a quaint little town full of shops, restaurants, parks and really nice people...

We had a little time before boarding so we drove around to try to find the famous U 995 (the only surviving type VII submarine in the world).  However, our GPS did not like any address or coordinates that we tried to put in for the U-boat so we eventually gave up and headed back to our port....

Triberg, Germany (Black Forrest)

Took the kids on a USO Tour to the Black Forest today! After several disappointing tours with RTT, I was pleasantly pleased with the USO!  The tour guide was wonderful and the itinerary was well-planned.  (I can't stand paying for a tour that turns out to just be a bus ride to a location I can drive to myself for a third of the cost...arg).

(Photo captured by Maria Frutiger Photography.
Check her out HERE...she's amazing!)

Landstuhl, Germany (Sickingen Fair)

We went to Lanstuhl today to check out the annual Sickingen May Market Fair.  The festival is not very big, but it had a few kids rides and yummy food...and that is what we go for!

Tongeren, Belgium (Antique Market)

Went with a lovely group of ladies to Tongeren, Belgium to check out their famous antique market!

Homburg, Germany (Homburg Caves)

We took the kids to explore the Schlossberg Caves in Homburg today.  The caves were originally part of the Hohenburg Castle  and are the largest sandstone caves in Europe...you can also soak in an amazing view of Homburg from the top!

Berlin, Germany (Hop-On/Hop-Off City Circle Tour)

This morning we woke up early to be at the City-Circle Tour pick-up point at the Alexanderplatz before the tour buses arrived (and maybe so we could stop at Dunkin Donuts on the way)!

We specifically got there super-early so we would be first in line for the bus and the kids could get the "good seat" in the front of the top of the bus.  We even split up so that my husband would be first in line if they opened the back door and I would be first in line if they opened the front door.  What really ticked me off was when a French couple at the end of the line (who had seen us waiting for at least 15 min.) directed their kids to get in front of us!  I am normally not a rude person but I shook my head no and placed my hand along the door so they couldn't cut us.  Then, when they did open the doors they tried to push past my kids to get in front of them.  I got in front of them again and told my kids to go get their seats and then blocked the path again so I could show the driver our tickets (and make sure those kids didn't try to take our seats)!  I was so angry!  They ended up sitting right behind us too and at one point even came in front of us to take pictures...breathe, Mel, breathe...

Berlin, Germany ("Field of Stelae")

After a yummy breakfast buffet we packed up an left Tropical Islands and headed the hour we had left to get to Berlin!

(Photo:  www.novotel.com)

The drive went quickly and we had reserved underground parking at our hotel so that made things easy once we got into Berlin.  We stayed in a family room at the Novotel Berlin Mitte.  It was a nice little hotel, nothing fancy-smancy.  The staff was friendly and helpful and the place was clean and modern looking.  A breakfast buffet was included in our room rate (202 EUR).  Although it was a little bit of a walk to either the Alexanderplatz or Potsdamer Platz, it was conveniently located in between them and there was ready access to public transport and we would stay here again.

Krausnick, Germany (Tropical Islands)

After saying one last goodbye to Prague this morning we hopped in the car and (on a cold, rainy day) headed to the constantly "sunny" Tropical Islands just outside of Berlin!

Come in and discover the delights of Tropical Islands.  Stroll along the sandy beach by the Tropical Sea, join an expedition through the Tropical Rainforest, relax in the Tropical Sauna and Spa Complex, taste the wonderful food and enjoy some first-class entertainment...

Yeah, I don't know.   Did we have fun?  Yes.  Would I go back?  More than likely not.

Prague, Czech Republic (Castle District)

Once we got back "into" Prague from a fun morning of exploration on Petrin Hill, we headed to Hradcany (the Castle District) to see the Prague Castle, visit St. Vitus Cathedral, and shoot a crossbow down Golden Lane!

Getting to the Castle District might have been easier had we had an English map or used public transportation (and for the life of me I don't remember why we didn't but we didn't).  But, we eventually found it...you just go UP!

Prague, Czech Republic (John Lennon Peace Wall & Petrin Hill)

On the agenda this morning...the John Lennon Peace Wall and Petrin Hill!

After an early breakfast in our apartment we headed to the Charles Bridge (the main pedestrian route connecting Old Town with Mala Strana).  The bridge is beautiful and full of street artists, musicians, lovebirds, tourists, and locals!

Prague, Czech Republic (Stare Mesto)

After a fun morning in Nuremberg we hopped back into the car to head to the Czech Republic.  Destination:  Prague!

We stayed in a quiet little apartment near Old Town (Old Town Apartments) that had a very convenient beer garden beneath it!  The apartment was nice, it had two bedrooms, a kitchen/dining room, bathroom/laundry room, and a living room and only cost 285 EUR for three days (which sounds a lot less than 7,552.50 CZK, lol!).

Nuremberg, Germany

Handewerkerhof Nurnberg (Craftman's Yard)

After a fun morning playing in Playmobil Park we drove into Nuremburg, Germany to check into our hotel (A&O Nurnberger Hauptbahnhof). The hotel was great (for a hostel).  We had our own private bathroom and the kids had a bunk bed (which they thought was "the COOLEST"), plus it only cost 51 EUR for the night and had private parking on site!

Zindorf, Germany (Playmobil Park)

For Spring Break we decided to take the kids on a road trip through Germany! Our first stop...Playmobil Park near Nuremberg!

We got up early and drove straight into Zindorf (about 3 hrs) to get there shortly after they opened.  The drive was easy and there was a huge parking garage right next to the park for only 4 EUR!

Kaiserslautern, Germany (Burgruine Hohenecken)

Went with our friends on a "hike" up to the Hohenecken castle ruins in Kaiserslautern today.  The kids had a blast pretending to "storm Bowser's castle!"