2016: A Year in Review

2016 has been another wonderful year, unfortunately it flew by so fast I actually felt like I didn’t have time to take it all in, soak up every moment and enjoy every minute. I certainly tried as best as I could to enjoy every single day and to slow down the time, but that is something completely out of my hands.

This year was a big year for us that had PLENTY of happy, joyous moments, many new adventures and lots of opportunities for which we are incredibly lucky to have had. So I want to take the time to show my gratitude to this beautiful life we live that has given us the chance to travel Europe. And I especially want to show my gratitude to my new husband who has been the most wonderful travel partner I could have ever asked for!

With each passing year, I feel that our lives continuously improve and grow and while there is so much more to be done, I know that for now, we should only focus on the here and now, but I can’t help but feel excitement for 2017 that will be filled with many new adventures, laughter, happiness and growth.

While I shouldn’t look to far into the future, I don’t want to look to far back into the past either. There were plenty of ups and downs throughout the year, on and off the camera, but that is no reason to dwell in the past either.

But a recap of our amazing year certainly doesn’t hurt that left us with long lasting impressions that turned us into story tellers and left pieces of our hearts everywhere we went.

Strasbourg is THE “City of Christmas”

If ever there was one place in the world that embodied the spirit of Christmas, it would most definitely be Strasbourg, France. Historically known as the town which held the very first Christmas Market in 1570, making it the oldest market in Europe.

Since 1570, the “Christkindelsmärik” (market of the Infant Jesus) has grown exponentially and today caters to some 2 million visitors every year, with hotels being booked a year in advance and selling out quickly.

The whole city is lit up with festive Christmas lights and half-timbered houses are extravagantly decorated, creating that extra holly jolly Christmas spirit. The smell of sweet mulled wine (here called Vin Chaud) wafts through the air, the mouth-watering smell of warm crepes entice you to be naughty and off in the distance someone is playing Christmas music on an accordion.

A Taste of Europe Bucket List

Let’s admit it, half of the reason why we have an addiction to travel is so that we can try new authentic foods that we can’t get at home (of equal deliciousness). PLUS, they say that “when you travel, calories don’t count“, riggght?

For some, trying new foods helps people to understand a culture better than visiting any ol’ tourist landmark. You wouldn’t have truly experienced a new city if you didn’t try the food. You would be missing out on some of the most jaw-dropping mmm, mmm, mmmmms.

I know that for Hans and I, whenever we travel anywhere, we always want to eat local cuisine. We either look for the place that has the most people which clearly signals good food, or we look on TripAdvisor for some of the top rated restaurants. Other times, I research either in my travel guides (DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Germany) or I ask around for MUST-TRY food! After all, I don’t want to deny my taste buds a cultural experience of delicious food!

Living & Traveling in Europe Despite the Terrorism Threat

Recently, I have seen an influx of warnings from the U.S. State Department for Americans traveling abroad to Europe this summer, encouraging tourists to proceed with caution in the wake of deadly terror attacks across parts of Europe.

Therefore, I felt the need to express my feelings and experiences about living and traveling around Europe. Especially since November 2015 there have been three big terror attacks that have shocked Europeans to their core. There have been attacks in Paris, Brussels and even a massive sexual assault scandal in Cologne on New Years Eve. Not to mention the largest migration of people since the Second World War making their way to Europe, predominantly, right here in Germany. 

Superlatives of 2015

Every year has its ups and its downs, the highlights and the negatives from which we grow and learn or we can’t wait to do again. When traveling, these positives and negatives can make or break a vacation. With each trip you book,  you learn something new for the next holiday. No matter how we look at it though, they are memories we will look back on and cherish and we will either say “I can’t wait to do that again!” or “I wish I had known better!”

Here are the best and the worst memories and everything in between from our travels in 2015.

Top 10 Most Adorable Towns in Europe

If you were to ask me what my favorite town was, I would have a very hard time giving you an answer. Each city, town and village is so unique and special, no two are the same. But I would have to say that my favorite towns are the ones bursting with color that make it look like a rainbow exploded over the whole town, like  artist’s canvas come to life.

The Beauty of Strasbourg, France

Situated in one of the most beautiful regions between France and Germany, Strasbourg straddles the border between the two countries, following the Rhine. This region’s beauty has switched nationalities four times since 1871 as the two countries have long played tug-of-war over this area, leaving behind both architectural and cultural aspects.

Strasbourg is a medieval city center mixed with a modern day metropolitan city. This town has many names it is known by, “Capital of Alsace”, “”Official seat of the European Union” as well as “Home to Europe’s oldest Christmas Market”.

King Ludwig II of Bavaria’s Schloss Linderhof

There are many stunning castles and palaces throughout Bavaria, with the most popular all built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. You might know his most romantic and popular castle, Schloss Neuschwanstein perched high up on a hill in Schwangau or the palace he built on Chiemsee which is dedicated to his idol, King Louis XV of France, a smaller replica of the Palace of Versailles called Schloss Herrenchiemsee. If you have visited either of these castles, you might have left feeling a bit unsatisfied as both castles were not completed by the time of King Ludwig II’s untimely death in 1886. But fear not!

Schloss Linderhof was the only palace that the King lived to see to be completed and had the chance to live in for eight years! Again, this palace was inspired by the Palace of Versailles in Paris and you can see the stunning artwork in honor of the French monarchy. While it might lack in size, as it is the smallest palace built by King Ludwig II, it packs a punch and it well worth the visit!

85 Movies to Inspire You To Travel to Europe

As we all know, I am a huge movie buff and love anything that has to do with traveling around Europe at any point in history. I love all types of films as long as they aren’t horror films! Romantic, Comedies, Historic, you name it, I will watch it! Before I go on vacation somewhere, I usually try to find a movie or read a book that takes place where I am going!

Here is my list of movies you should definitely check out before coming on a trip to Europe which includes both chick-flicks and action-flicks for those nights you and your special someone are looking for something to watch!

Amazing Views Over Europe!

 Every new city I travel, it is my goal to climb at least one tower or find a viewing platform in the form of a castle perched on a hill, hiking a mountain or taking a c able car to truly see the entire city from a birds eye view! Here is my list of places around Europe that you can check out for the best views on your trip and where to find them!

Austria

Salzburg

View from the Hohensalzburg Fortress