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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 …

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DrinkEatGermanyRhine RiverWestern Europe

The Secret Life of Vinegar

by Sandy
written by Sandy

Raw, organic and unfiltered, drinking vinegar is everywhere!   And, unlike the current celery juice craze, this is one trend I really want to embrace.  Sour and spicy, this pantry staple is one of the most useful ingredients in my kitchen.   But, after sampling several versions of the wellness drink, I never really found the right drinking vinegar for me.   Until Doktorenhof.

Unassumingly positioned on a beautiful tree-lined street in Venningen, Germany, Doktorenhof is a bewitching estate complete with candles, cloaks and choir music.   Owner Georg Wiedemann is dedicated to the “sour arts” and produces only the finest vinegar with passion and panache.  Here, vinegar is produced by hand.

After a warm greeting in the charming, cherub-filled courtyard, I was invited …

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CoffeeDrinkGermanyRhine RiverRudesheimTravel AwesomeWestern Europe

Rüdesheim Coffee: The Most Famous Coffee You’ve Never Heard Of.

by Sandy
written by Sandy

Caution:  Flames are involved.

Located smack in the middle of Riesling country — that precise region along the banks of the Rhine where Riesling grapes grow in abundance — you’ll find Rüdesheim, Germany.  And, while the Riesling produced here is the best in the world, the one drink you definitely should not miss is the one drink you’ve probably never even heard of:  Rüdesheim Coffee.

To be honest, until my ship docked here, I’d never heard of it either.  In fact, if it hadn’t been for Louisa’s careful briefing during our ship talk the day before, I might have missed it entirely.

So, what is Rüdesheim Coffee exactly and how did it become so famous?

In 1892, Hugo Asbach began …

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