Pumpkin Spice bread on Thanksgiving table Sticky post

Pumpkin Spice holiday bread

It’s a slow rainy day just before Thanksgiving. I am fortunate to be able stay at home and devote my time to baking This morning I was looking through my cupboard and to my surprise, I had all the ingredients for a Pumpkin Spice holiday bread or cake. Since we were so close to the holidays I decided to bake this afternoon The spices you … Continue reading Pumpkin Spice holiday bread

Hohenschwangau castle Sticky post

King Ludwig II childhood castle, Hohenschwangau

My daughter and I enjoyed some beautiful, sunny days early October in the vicinity of Füssen near the King Ludwig II castles. Since Neuschwanstein was under renovation, we were looking forward to take a tour through Hohenschwangau castle, which was also Ludwig’s and Otto’s childhood home. After buying our tour tickets we proceeded to take a horse buggy up a semi- steep hill, with the … Continue reading King Ludwig II childhood castle, Hohenschwangau

Historic half-timbered homes in Idstein Sticky post

Idstein has a well preserved Altstadt

While staying at a hotel west of Frankfurt, I realized the next town over was Idstein in the state of Hesse. I grabbed a brochure at the Hotel reception and read it has a well preserved historical Altstadt (Old Town). I was looking forward to see it for myself. Idstein is part of the Deutsche Fachwerkstraße (Timber-Frame Road), connecting towns with fine Fachwerk buildings and houses. The König-Adolf-Platz (on … Continue reading Idstein has a well preserved Altstadt

Patricia on the Zugspitze Sticky post

The Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain

In the first week in October 2023, my daughter and I spent five days in Oberammergau in the Bavarian Alps. It was a Saturday, an especially warm and clear day with blue skies. I have tried several times to reach the Zugspitze which is in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, but the weather was not ideal, but today were perfect conditions We started out at the Bahnhof in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, … Continue reading The Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain

Travel essentials, frogs traveling

My recommended Travel essentials

Through the years of my travels, there are items I bought beforehand, online or in stores, which served me well being abroad. I am confident you’ll be happy with my choices. More items are added occasional, so check this page in often. Disclosure: As an Amazon Affiliate I earn a small commission if you click through and make qualifying purchases with no additional cost to … Continue reading My recommended Travel essentials

Viehscheid, bringing the cows down to the valley

Watching the Almabtrieb spectacle in Austria

The Almabtrieb is an annual event in the Alpine region of southern Europe which takes place in late September, early October. It refers to a cattle drive that brings the cow herd down from the mountain pastures to their barns in the valley During summer, cattle herds feed on alpine pastures high up in the mountains. This practice known as Transhumance, meaning the action of moving livestock … Continue reading Watching the Almabtrieb spectacle in Austria

An iconic landmark, the Felsenkirche of Idar-Oberstein

The Felsenkirche in Idar-Oberstein, Germany, is an iconic landmark in the region and has a rich history that dates back several centuries. The Chapel was established around 1350 a.D. to serve as a place of worship for the miners working in the nearby gemstone mines. The church is perched on a rocky outcrop, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The actual church was built … Continue reading An iconic landmark, the Felsenkirche of Idar-Oberstein