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!