Home DestinationsWestern Europe Germany

Germany

Black ForestCakeEatFairy Tale RouteFoodieGermanyRoad TrippingWestern Europe

Hungry Like the Wolf: My Search for the Best Black Forest Cake in the Black Forest!

by Sandy
written by Sandy

Exploring the Black Forest requires stamina, y’all!  You have to park the car, get out of the car, walk through insanely picturesque villages and towns, sometimes strolling beside — gasp! — spectacular riverbeds, get back in the car and then drive to the next dazzling destination. Nightmarish indeed!

How’s a girl supposed to find the staying power to manage such Herculean feats?  By eating Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte of course! That’s right, y’all.   While driving the famed Fairy Tale Route, I began a crusade to find the best Black Forest Cake in the Black Forest!

At this point, you might be asking yourself, Sandy, why do they call it Black Forest Cake?  Excellent question!  So, before I reveal the results of my

…
0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
BeethovenBonnComposersDrinkEatGermanyIconsRoad TrippingWestern Europe

Beethoven’s Bewitching Bonn!

by Sandy
written by Sandy

Germany is celebrated for many things.  From fairy tales and fast cars to castles and classical music, you’re spoiled for choice on where to begin your German adventure and what to include. So spoiled, in fact, that designing an itinerary that covers everything you want to see, taste and experience can be a serious dilemma.

The solution?  A kick-ass road trip!

Late summer and early fall are my favorite times of the year to visit Europe. The crowds are leaving, the temperatures are cooler and, historically, the rates are a bit more favorable. Unsurprisingly, I want to cram as much as humanly possible into the two months I’ve allotted for my latest German adventure, chronicling my antics all along the

…
0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
CologneGermanyRhine RiverShoppingWestern Europe

The 411 on 4711: Buying Cologne in Cologne

by Sandy
written by Sandy

A few minutes’ walk from the Cologne Cathedral stands the House of 4711.  Home to the original 4711 Eau de Cologne, this beautiful perfume boutique is located on the corner of Glockengasse, directly opposite the Opera House.   The building itself is striking.  Granted, it took me more than a few minutes to find it (what, with the Black Forest Cake and Cathedral stops!), but it was well worth the effort to discover the history behind the storied cologne.

Pulling back the large glass and gold doors, I was struck by the sheer number of bottles on display.  Products for sale also include soaps, scented candles and even teeshirts and gift wrapping service is offered for purchases.

Friendly, helpful and eager …

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
BerlinEast BerlinEatGermany

Konnopke’s Imbiss: The Best of the Wurst!

by Sandy
written by Sandy
Located under the U-Bahn track in Prenzlauer Berg, you’ll find Konnopke’s Imbiss.  An institution in East Berlin, this small food stand has been serving up currywurst since the Konnopke family began selling sausages and frankfurters here in 1931.  Over the years, the business has grown from a simple table to a wooden booth and then ultimately into a permanent stand with electricity, water and propane gas.
So, what is currywurst?  Currywurst is a hugely popular and traditional German fast food found at food stands all across Berlin.  The dish is comprised of steamed, then fried pork sausage, which is cut into pieces and slathered with curry ketchup and curry powder.   Usually served with french fries, I decided to go with
…
0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
GermanyRecommended ReadingScotlandUrban LegendsWestern Europe

Struwwelpeter: The Creepiest Book You’ll See Today

by Sandy
written by Sandy

As I rounded the corner to visit Scotland’s Brodie Castle, the last person I expected to meet was Struwwelpeter. Yet mixed among the fine art, antique furniture and centuries of history in this magnificent turreted castle, there he was.  Staring at me from, appropriately enough, the shelf in the former nursery!

Truth is, until that very moment, I’d never even heard of Struwwelpeter.  But, with a cover illustration equal parts bewitching and bewildering, I was desperate to learn more and made a mental note of the book’s title as interior photography was not allowed.  Immediately upon my return to Edinburgh later that week, I scoured every secondhand bookstore in town until I finally unearthed this beautiful 1940 hardback edition.…

0 comment
2 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts