It’s no secret that Germany’s Moselle area is one of the most romantic places in all of Europe. It just has a magical, fairy-tale charm to it that bewitches people and draws them in. Nowhere else can you find such a breathtaking combination of castles, half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, rolling hills, and gorgeous river views. And while there are dozens of adorable villages worthy of a day trip, only one bears the nicknames “The Sleeping Beauty of the Moselle” and “The Mini-Rothenberg.” The Sleeping Beauty of the Moselle I can only describe Beilstein as something out of a movie. A Disney movie to be exact. Which is why it’s so surprising…
The Ultimate Eifel Bucket List
For the past year, I’ve been teaching at a university here in Germany. It has been amazing in so many ways, and it’s been really interesting to experience all of the differences between German and American higher education – seriously, you have no idea how different they are! But, what I’ve always enjoyed the most about teaching is getting to know the students. I recently had a rather *cough* enlightening conversation with a student who is originally from Berlin. We talked about cultural differences, struggles with learning the two languages, and how both of us ended up so far from home, and then this student asked me what part of Germany I…
What to Do in Vianden, Luxembourg
Everything to See & Do in Vianden Although the picturesque village of Vianden is one of the main tourist attractions in the country, Luxembourg itself is often overlooked by travelers. And that makes Vianden a special place. It’s a tourist attraction that’s also a hidden gem. It’s hands-down one of the prettiest villages in Luxembourg. It has everything – cobblestone streets, ornate houses, a fairytale castle, and a direct connection to one of the most famous authors in history. If you have the chance to spend time in Vianden but choose to skip it, you’re really missing out! How to Get to Vianden To get to Vianden, you basically have…
Five Things You Never Knew About the Eifel
The Eifel Has a lot of Claims to Fame You might know some of them already. For example, the Eifel is home to the Nürburgring, which is the most famous race track in the world. The Eifel-Moselle boasts Germany’s oldest city (Trier), as well as Germany’s oldest wine festival (Winningen). They gave us Bitburger beer and Gerolsteiner mineral water – beautiful cities like Monschau and romantic castles like Burg Eltz. But, I’m willing to bet there are a least a few claims to fame that you don’t know about. In fact, I bet I can give you four claims to fame you’ve never heard before and one that only a…
A Walking Guide to the High Fens Nature Reserve
The High Fens are home to one of the most unique landscapes in Europe. When you think of the Eifel, what’s the first word that comes to mind? I’m guessing for most of you it’s something along the lines of nature, forests, or farmland. Raise your hand if you said, “bogs.” Nobody? I’m not surprised! Bogs and moors are typically not images most people associate with the Eifel. And that’s exactly why I was so intrigued when I learned about The High Fens Nature Reserve. The High Fens: A Brief Overview The High Fens Nature Reserve (which is also called Hohes Venn in German and Hautes Fagnes in French) is…
Romantic Restaurants on the Moselle
Not too long ago, National Geographic released their list of the 17 Most Romantic Destinations in the world. Among those that made the cut were the French Riviera, Venice, and our very own Moselle region. For all of my expat readers stationed at Spangdahlem – congratulations! You live next to one of THE most romantic places in the world! There is so much magic and charm to the Moselle area, and there’s so much you can do there – especially with your significant other. Don’t know where to start? No problem. I’ll help you make the absolute most out of a date night on the Moselle. This week, in the…
16 Things to do in Trier
Trier is my all-time favorite city in Germany. It’s beautiful, it’s charming, and it’s friendly. I know a lot of people plan day-trips into this historical city, but once they see the highlights, they don’t often go back. The Porta Nigra, Basilika, Kaiserthermen, Dom, and Roman Ampitheater are definitely worth visiting, and I would recommend anyone who hasn’t been to Trier before to go to these sites. But, I get it, they’re not exactly things that you would want to visit over and over again. Like I said, I love Trier, and I spend at least two weekends out of every month there. So, here is my list of things…
5 Reasons You Should Visit Villa Borg
When most people think about Germany, I’m guessing they don’t usually think of Romans. Autobahns and beer, sure. But not Romans. And that’s exactly how I was, too, until moving here in 2015. Living so close to Trier, though, and having a husband who is super interested in the Roman history of the area, I’ve been introduced to the vast and rich history of Romans in Germany. Unfortunately, though, I’ve never been much of a museum person, so looking at Roman artifacts behind glass cases or peering down into ruins is not one of my favorite things to do. But, like I said, I have a husband who is super interested in…
Staying Cool in the German Summer
Summers in Germany can be rough. I mean, really rough. I used to think it was laughable when my husband would complain about the 85 degree weather in Germany when I was dealing with 110 degree weather in Texas. But don’t let those numbers fool you. I’ve come to learn that 85 degrees in Germany does not feel like 85 degrees in Texas. And when you’re used to having every house, store, and restaurant cooled to a constant 68 degrees, not having anywhere to escape from that heat to can be a nightmare. So, before you start calling for me to turn in my Texas card, here are ten ways…
Lions and Tigers and Hookers….Oh my!
Germany is beautiful. I mean, really beautiful. The landscape in the Eifel is like something out of a fairytale. Beautiful forests, bright blooming flowers, powerful rivers snaking their way through hillsides dotted with tiny villages. The colors of everything are more vibrant. The grass is greener, the sky is bluer, the flowers are bolder. And as much as I love Texas, it’s got nothing on the forests here. So, I’m pretty fascinated by them. Our village actually sits on the edge of a forest, and I can see it from our living room window. We also drive through it pretty regularly, and I’m always amazed at how dense and dark…
