Okay, guys. Raise your hand if you’re totally obsessed with Antiques Roadshow. It’s an interesting paradox, isn’t it? A TV show that you would only expect your grandma to watch that is somehow utterly fascinating. I’m a huge fan of Antiques Roadshow and not ashamed at all to admit that I spent many Saturday afternoons binge-watching back in Texas. So, where am I going with this? Well, what if I told you that there is an equally fascinating German show that has a very real, very special connection to the Eifel? Ah, now I’ve got your attention! Allow Me to Introduce Eifel Antik If you’re like me and love programs like Antiques Roadshow,…
Monreal: One of the Eifel’s Best-Kept Secrets
In the heart of the Eifel lies the most enchanting little village. Replete with all of the makings of a fairy tale, this tiny hamlet is one of the region’s best-kept secrets. A Real-Life Storybook Not too long ago, I found myself in the middle of a conversation with several Germans who are big fans of the Eifel region. Some of them lived there, too, but most of them actually didn’t. For them, the Eifel was their most beloved vacation spot. Of course, the Eifel is bigger than you might realize, and so I found that they all had different preferences for the specific parts of the Eifel that they…
This Expat’s New Year’s Resolutions (And How I Plan to Keep Them)
Mark Twain once wrote, “New Year’s Day: now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.” Ouch. Kind of harsh, right? But if there was ever anyone who didn’t hesitate to tell it like it is, it was Mark Twain. (And that’s why we love him.) The crazy thing about his statement, though, is that it was written in 1863 – which means that we’ve been making and abandoning New Year’s Resolutions for more than 150 years. Now, a lot of people like to ask why that is. Just do a quick Google search and you’ll…
A Foodie’s Guide to the Trier Christmas Market
For me, Christmas Markets are all about the food and alcohol. I know, I know. There’s way more to them than that. But no matter how many Christmas Markets I go to, I always end up at the same places – the food and alcohol stands. And this is where it’s nice not just to have a husband who’s also a total foodie, but a German husband who knows which things one should eat and drink to fully enjoy the German Christmas Market experience. This past weekend, we started off the Christmas Market season with my husband’s all-time favorite, Trier. What to Eat & Drink My husband and I seem…
All Your Questions About Knecht Ruprecht & Krampus: Answered!
For a lot of people, Germany is the Christmas capital of the world. And not just because of the Christmas markets, Glühwein, and snow. No. They LOVE the fact that Germany also has this dark side to Christmas where ghoulish and menacing figures terrorize people under the happy twinkle of Christmas lights. But who, exactly, is doing the terrorizing? Knecht Ruprecht & Krampus: Your FAQ A quick note before we begin. The Knecht Ruprecht/Krampus figure has more names and variations than just these two. And it exists in other countries besides Germany. However, this post only deals with Germany. Who the heck is Knecht Ruprecht? Short answer –…
Top 10 Things to do in Beilstein
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…
