The anticipation was thick in the air when we arrived mid-morning for our very first peek deep into Germany’s Black Forest where Carnival comes alive! Not the Carnival you may be thinking of with drunkenness and bead-throwing like in New Orleans, but a traditional type that has been going for centuries in the forests of Germany. This carnival, deep in the Black Forest, is a
A visit to the Black Forest in Germany may bring you sounds you may remember from your childhood: "Cuckoo, Cuckoo, Cuckoo!" that Cuckoo Clock Sound. Remember from an episode of the Carol Burnett show or even "In the Pink of the Night" by the Pink Panther (if you are old enough!) Are you able to bring to mind an awareness of when the Pink Panther
The Ultimate Guide to Lederhosen Contrary to popular belief, Oktoberfest celebrates the Bavarian culture, not necessarily that of Germany as a whole. All of the beer consumed at Oktoberfest is exclusively made in Munich, to further celebrate the Bavarian culture. During the early years of this festival, lederhosen outfits were worn, yet no alcohol was served. Which is unlike the tons of beer consumed
Start reading to learn about traditional German foods and an accumulated list of what to eat in Germany while you are there! As you know, Germany is nestled between the Alps, lakes, and the seas, as well as among other countries in central and western Europe. Germany is the land of poets like the famous Grimm brothers near the Black Forest and master thinkers like
Germany is the seventh-largest country in Europe and has a population of 81 million people. It shares borders with 9 European countries and has 16 states, each with their own constitution! Who knew it was that large? I certainly didn’t when I had a chance to visit Germany on my historic Germany tour. But I can say that I learned a lot about Germany on
No visit to Germany is complete unless you get a chance to visit a few of its famous German Landmarks. Germany has such an abundance of age-old landmarks thanks to its rich history dating back more than two millenniums. I have created a list of must-see palaces, cathedrals, castles, ruins, medieval towns, walls, forests, bridges, and even Christmas markets to visit. German Landmarks Being filled
From Berlin to Frankfurt, I made my way through Germany via train, planes, and automobiles! Why? So that I could get a chance to visit the gorgeous historical cities of Potsdam, Erfurt, Wurzburg, and Heidelberg and learn their historical significance, as well as experience their culture and food. I have traveled throughout Germany many times but had never made my way through this historic route
You can almost hear those sleigh bells ringing in your ears as the Christmas season approaches your world. The sound of Santa Claus' “HO, HO, HO” can be heard on the radio, television, in social media, and even as you you shop on the city streets. So let me tell you, there is no better time to visit a European Christmas Market than like the
Above photo by: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en People from around the world visit Germany for its historical significance, delicious food, and, of course, in late November and all of December for its Christmas Markets. The famous tradition of hosting Christmas Markets originated in Germany during the 14th century, so this country is inundated with wonderful Christmas Markets. I would say that almost every major city in Germany has
By Cacinda Maloney Berlin Graffiti I have a hard time with the city of Berlin and have expressed my views quite frequently, but that does not mean that I do not want to go back, in fact, I do. After looking over some photographs of Berlin Wall graffiti, I thought I would share a photo collage of this complex city. Just like people can be
Have you ever wanted to take a Christmas Cruise? I just returned from a Viking Christmas and Danube River Cruise. It was delightful! Here are my thoughts: Visions of sugar plums danced in my head the first time I even heard the words "Christmas Market Cruise". I didn’t even know they existed until one day reading a travel blog and I came across an article
This poem, which has been called “arguably the best –known verses ever written by an American" describes perfectly the way I felt before going on my Christmas Market Cruise. Twas the Night Before Christmas Staring at the words on the page, I could hardly believe it, almost like a visit from Santa himself. But yet, there it was: You have been invited… on
Da-Bach-na-Fahrt Raft Race, going "Wild on the Water!" As an American, I had never even heard of Schramberg, Germany much less any of the shenanigans going on during their famous Carnival river raft races. What on earth had I missed? Apparentlly people come from all over Europe just to see and experience such a fun carnival river raft race known as the Da-Bach-na-Fahrt Raft Race. Literally
Carnival Black Forest Germany Carnival - Enchanting creatures lurking in the Black Forest Ding, Ding, Ding! “What was that?” I hear it again. Ding, Ding, Ding! I glance over at the clock in the pitch-black hotel room and try to remember where I am. “It is 5 am!” I have been on a whirlwind tour of the Black Forest in Germany and being
What's it REALLY like aboard a Viking River Cruises? Let's peek through the window with fascination and find out what it is like experiencing every detail of Viking Cruises. I had heard they were the "jewel of the sea" with their ever-changing views of the majestic scenery. I had heard about the "unpack once" scenario, but what are the nitty-gritty details I need to know
There is no doubt that if you are looking to be wined and dined on your next vacation, then Crystal Cruises is the company you are looking for. This exclusive cruise company makes you feel as if you are staying in a luxury hotel, only it floats on majestic waterways! At least the Grand Europe Crystal Mahler ship does, it floats along the shores of
It was a foggy morning close to the Black Forest near Breisach, Germany where we had gotten up early to catch the bus to go into the southwest state of Baden-Wurttemberg, near Bavaria. Along the way, we saw many church steeples and stork nests, where on one steeple they actually had their own stork webcam. I have posted it here for you to view and see if
I had heard about the best Christmas markets in Europe (Christkindlmarket) for years but I wanted to find out for myself exactly what they were like. I had no idea what to expect. Now I know and I can share with you the best Christmas markets in Europe along the Rhine River. I took a Christmas Market Cruise on the Viking River Cruise ship TOR
Regensburg, Germany is a Bavarian medieval city along the Danube River in southeast Germany. It is well known for its well-preserved medieval old town. It also has a famous 12th-century Stone Bridge that has 16 arches that cross the Danube River to the old town center. Located in the south of Germany, Regensburg is a popular day trip from Munich. An atmospheric and charming town,
Carnival in the Black Forest of Germany (Part 1 link) Carnival - Enchanting creatures lurking in the Black Forest Snap, Whip, Crack! The parade has begun with over 4000 “fools” who have gathered at the entrance to the old Black Gate and make their way down the parade route. The characters of the Black Forest begin to come alive as they perform a
Black Forest, Germany (Schluvchsee) Have you heard of Black Forest, Germany’s traditional Bollenhut Hat? I hadn’t either until my first visit there. Once you see it, you will be very curious about it, as it is quite unusual. Black Forest, Germany’s Traditional Bollenhut Hat People all over the world who have been to the Black Forest know the hat as
Berlin, Germany Berlin, Germany Karma Travel: I believe in karma. Not in an Indian religious sense, although they have a good concept: any "action" or "deed" causes the cycle of cause and effect to occur. It seems that whatever I give to the universe, it usually gives it back to me in one way or another! This lesson comes as a result of karma travel.
The German dance floor of Clarchens Ballhaus has seen it all, from the tango in 1913 to the Cuban Rumba (banned by the Nazis) to the Macarena and, more recently, was actually used as a set for a Quentin Tarantino film! But in all honestly, it was one of the best experiences I ever had while in Berlin traveling. Truly, it is one of the
Berlin Tourism What a cold, dark place Berlin is. Dull grey is its color. I got a similar feeling on my recent trip to Munich, in fact, not even writing about it, as I wasn't sure what I was going to say. I don't like conflict, so this is a hard truth for me to write. I don't want to offend anyone, but I have
Wall of Berlin “There are four kinds of people in the world, Ms. Harper. Those who build walls. Those who protect walls. Those who breach walls. And those who tear down walls. Much of life is discovering who you are. When you find out, you also realize there are places you can no longer go, things you can no longer do, words you can no
