Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

Today we decided to go to Luxembourg with a group of friends to explore their famous casemates and visit the Luxembourg American Cemetery Memorial.  We had gone to Luxembourg before but this time we were able to find parking!

Our first stop was the cemetery to pay our respects to the American soldiers who died in WWII.

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!

Verdun, France

After paying our respects at the Lorraine American Cemetery, we headed into the village of Verdun to see the historic battlefields.  The number of people who died here and the devastation caused by the battles are incomprehensible.  The area was so destroyed after the war (and full of leftover munitions) that the battlefield was declared a "Red Zone" and the nearby villages were unable to be rebuilt.

Our first stop in Verdun was the Douaumont Ossuary.  There is a very large (free) parking lot near the monument and it was easy to get to.  Inside you can visit the war museum and watch a video presentation (in English). However, they were closed during our visit (most everything is closed here in January).

Saint-Avold, France (Lorraine American Cemetery)

Today we had a quick day trip planned with some amazing friends of ours. Our first stop was the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial in Saint-Avold, France to pay respects to our many fallen comrades from WWII.

"The Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial in France covers 113.5 acres and contains the largest number of graves of our military dead of World War II in Europe, a total of 10,489. Their headstones are arranged in nine plots in a generally elliptical design extending over the beautiful rolling terrain of eastern Lorraine and culminating in a prominent overlook feature. Most of the dead here were killed while driving the German forces from the fortress city of Metz, France toward the Siegfried Line and the Rhine River. Initially, there were over 16,000 Americans interred in the St. Avold region in France, mostly from the U.S. Seventh Army's Infantry and Armored Divisions and its cavalry groups. St. Avold served as a vital communications center for the vast network of enemy defenses guarding the western border of the Third Reich. 

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!

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!

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!

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!)

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!

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!