Baden Baden Christmas market

Baden Baden is a very pretty town to cruise in. Spring, summer, fall and even winter under a foot of fresh snow, it is just so pretty. You won’t like the snow filled street if you don’t like snow, but… I found it that it is one of my favorite cities in the area. It is a little … Snob, for my taste, but… I am sure it is to the liking of some people’s wallet (not mine though, LOL) "Some people like meat pie, well when you don't have anything else, just eat snow pie"
It took us a LONG time to arrive, probably because it was the LAST weekend of the Christmas Market, and that people were merry and enjoying their family. It was a Christmas wonderland all around. The going around with the car SUCKED, but.. Once we were on our feet walking around it was just fun. So many opportunities for cool pictures. We even got the chance to go to the “Bath house” and get some much needed warmth!!"Morgane tried her best to stay all bundled up and warm, but it didn't work that well!"

We took Miss Charm and her visiting little brother Alan, and we had a good time. Making him taste the local "delicious" food (Bratwurst) and the so delicious Gluhwein (and HOT chocolate)

De blog

Michelstadt Christmas Market

Awww, let me talk to you about Michelstadt. I have heard about this little town since we arrived in Germany. And people have told me to go there several times. I knew of a pretty impressive Easter Market, but also that the Christmas Market was a MUST to go too! So… guess what?? Well we went! LOL"All the cute smokers decoration (I really need to start collecting those)"

"Even Free mouthful of snow"
And, it didn’t disappoint us a bit. It was so cool, well first we went with good friends, so… what else do one have to ask for? But they had some Yummy snacks and of course the eternal Gluhwein with lots of different shot of liquor. The guys had a blessed time!! And it was a good thing that I was driving too he?

"Rathaus"

Anyway, here is a little adventure to the Michelstadt Market. Snow, snowball fight with Miss Charm’s window (remember Larry?) and lot of warm beverage!!And a very needed WARM Charming Sandwich!!!

De blog

Bad Wimpfen Search of Christmas Market

The Neckar River valley has a lot of wonderful little towns and castles, but few sights along the way compare with the ridge-top town of Bad Wimpfen. We took our self out on a search to the Christmas market of Bad Wimpfen and were very impressed by its city wall still intact, and sporting a very medieval appearance. It was a very interesting day, as we didn’t expect THAT much snow on the ground (or at least we were hoping for street that would have been somewhat cleanup!) We were amazed of the fact that shovels don’t seem to be working that good in Germany, I mean, we used to live in NE and IA, and if you don’t clean your sidewalk or driveway,
you get somebody complaining about it. And the funny part to me is that Germans are supposed to be very… picky about their surroundings. Their yard are clean, the street in front of their house is cleaned (well at least in summer time).

I guess that when it snow it is another story! But... It was fun walking in the snow covered street, with no cars running around. We were kind of wondering about it, since we were supposed to be coming for the Market, and discovered that the market ended the weekend prior to our visit! AH!! That’s typical us! Showing up 1 week late for something! Well, it was OK, we enjoyed cruising around the town, snowballs fight and discovering beautiful views and buildings!! Just way too cool!!!
A definitely “Must go back” on our list for this next year season!

De blog

Schwetzingen First Snow

I am having a love affair with the Schwetzingen castle ground
(mind you I NEVER visited the inside of the castle as yet! LOL) So when I saw this beautiful sunshine after our first “real” snow, I took my camera, put on my boots, drove to the parking and walked around for 2 hours. I LOVE this place. I Love it even better when I don’t have to share it with anyone. And for whatever reason, I guess the Germans don’t like to go out in the snow!! I LOVE it!!
I even was surprised by meeting a little girl that I know!! Of course she was just showing the garden to her Grandmother who came all the way from California to visit for the winter!! But it was fun to run into Shaunna and Aurora and their guest!!
I am pretty sure Shaunna took some amazing pictures are well!! Typical artist that she is, you can even go and see it yourself: Captivus: Winter in Germany

De blog

Heidelberg Christmas Market

Christmas Market Season is kicking in!! I really love this time of year.

Not for the Cold walk in crowded street, but just because it is an opportunity for me
to take some pictures. And eat Crepes! LOL

So we took the kids and went to discover Heidelberg Christmas Market. And while we drove there, it started to snow! Yep… So imagine, we are all bundled up, but it was not THAT cold when we left home, and… we left, with snow all over!! So cool!! (and cold)

Lucky Santa was in a HEATED cabin, waiting for the kids to come and sit on his laps! Just took a quick picture before he spotted me and put me on the VIP NAUGHTY List! LOL

Awwwww!!! Yummy Crepes!!! Look at those Nutella Jars on the fridge in the back!
Rafael ask for one! LOL He is such a European boy for that!Last picture I took while waiting for Matt to come back from his MANY Gluewein refill stops!

De blog

Speyer Pre-Christmas Market

Speyer is a beautiful town to walk around. I really like it.
I also LOVE the history and the building of the town. It is just amazing.
On a Sunday afternoon just before Thanksgiving we went out on our “weekly outing” to Speyer.
I will only speak a little about the pictures, because I thought they were kind of funny.
On the Christmas market you can find a Telephone to Call Santa (How cool is that?)
Even though is it still Fall, look at those gorgeous yellow leafs, you can see how the German are ready to celebrate the Christmas holiday season with all the decoration at their windows.

Coffee and Cake, what else do you need on a cold day?The deserted Christmas Market area
(one week later, and it will be impossible to walk without stepping on toes!)

De blog

Dilsberg on the Neckar Valley

We are trying our best to go around the Heidelberg area and to visit little town that you kind of know that they are there, but don’t know what is it all about! So one day we took our kids and decided to go to Dilsberg. The drive there was gorgeous, we had a beautiful Fall afternoon and the temperature were so nice. No need of coats or umbrella! What else do we need to ask right?

Dilsberg is a classical example of a dual-town -- the touristic part of town that it physically separate and draws hordes of people, and the really, really sleepy peaceful town that everybody ignores but whose residents seem very content. We went around the Walled city and were lucky that there weren’t HORDES of people, in the contrary. It was almost deserted (Which I LOVE)! ;-)Went to see the Burgruine (Castle Ruins) that sit on the highest ground.
It was a very nice afternoon with the kids, no car in sight.

Even found a future restaurant that Matt seem VERY interested into… I guess it could be a perfect place to do business!! But… I don’t think so! LOL

De blog