Hechingen, Germany (Burg Hohenzollern)

(Photo from www.burg-hohenzollern.com)

We went on an impromptu trip to Hechingen, Germany today to check out the Castle of Hohenzollern. The castle is the ancestral seat of the Prussian Royal House and of the Hohenzollern Princes...and does not disappoint!  Even in foggy, cold weather!

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.

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!

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!"

London, England (Kensington Palace)

We couldn't leave England without having tea at least once...so what better place to do that than The Orangery at Kensington Palace!

Little Mama was super excited about the whole real-life "tea party" (and not going to lie, so was I)!  Especially having tea at such a historical place!

London, England (Changing of the Guard)

We woke up this morning and headed to Whitehall in Westminster to see the Horse Guards Parade and Changing of the Guard ceremony...

At the heart of Whitehall, it was the traditional entrance to the Royal Palaces and is still guarded by mounted sentries from the Queen's Household Cavalry. Changing the Guard takes place here every morning - 11am Monday to Saturday and 10am on Sundays - and lasts 30 minutes. It is at this time that twelve mounted troops in traditional costume arrive from their Hyde Park Barracks. At the Guard Changing ceremony, the Old Guard forms up on the north side of the Horse Guards Parade enclosure and the New Guard on the south side.

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"

Rome, Italy (Castel Sant'Angelo)

We divided up our days in Rome by destination to maximize our time...and today was Vatican Day!  Our first stop was Castel Sant'Angelo so the kids could run around and explore (and get some energy out!) with our final stop of the evening being the Vatican.

We arrived at Castel Sant'Angelo early (there was no queue) and unfortunately used our Roma Pass for free entry (in hindsight we would have paid regular price to enter and use the ability to bypass a line at another site).  Lessons learned.  

St. Goar & Assmanshausen, Germany (Rhine River Cruise)

Today was Mother's Day and I was so thankful that I got to spend it with my wonderful mama here in Germany!  We spent a perfect day cruising down the Rhine River, touring a castle, wine tasting, and checking out some quaint, little villages along the way!

The tour was offered through the local USO office.  After an early bus ride we arrived at Burg Rheinstein where we were given a brief introduction of the castle's history by an English-speaking employee.  We were then free to tour the refurbished castle, grounds and gift shop on our own.

Landstuhl, Germany (Burg Nanstein)

Grandma is in town!  A trip to Germany would not be complete without touring at least one castle, so we took her to see the nearby ruins of Burg Nanstein.

The castle is nestled on a wooded hill above the village of Landstuhl.  You can see the castle from the village below (it is especially pretty at night) but the best view of the castle is up close and personal.

Heidelberg, Germany (Schloss Heidelberg)

Some awesome friends of ours asked if they could watch the kiddos for the day...we happily agreed...and then hopped on a train bound for Heidelberg!

We had no earthly idea what we were going to do but we've heard nothing but good things about the area so we thought we would be pretty successful at winging it...

Erlenbach, Germany (Berwarstein Castle)

Once everyone loaded back up on the bus in Annweiler, all full from chestnut bratwurst and neuer wein, we headed for the village of Erlenbach for a guided tour of the Berwarstein Castle.  By this point, however, our little ones were about toured out and my daughter was very upset at the fact the castles we were seeing were not the "princess" castles from Walt Disney.  Oiy.

The castle was really interesting though (and I think if we would have gone here first they would have enjoyed it more).  You can read more about the history of it HERE.  

Annweiler, Germany (Trifels Castle)

Today we went on our first big sightseeing adventure since arriving in Europe!  We had a blast checking out two amazing castles and a nearby chestnut festival through a guided USO tour...a much needed break from the stresses of moving overseas and living in a cramped hotel room for a month with two small children!

Our first stop on the tour was to Trifels Castle in the Palatinate Forest.