Marché de Noël in Metz, France 2015

Today we went to Metz, France for the Christmas market there. When we went to Paris we took the train from Metz so we had been there before but we hadn't checked out the city. Metz is about and hour and a half from where we live so it made for a quick day trip to see a Christmas market in another country besides Germany. We got there around 11:30am and we had a bit of a walk from our car to the first section of the market but it wasn't bad. The market was spread out over 8 different sections and we made it to 6 of them because we couldn't find the others and being in another country we didn't have cell data to look it up.

Neither Bill or I speak French but I know enough to get me through a conversation. Bill doesn't feel as comfortable with his pronunciation so I do most of the talking when we are in a French speaking country. It seemed like a lot of the people in Metz don't speak english or they don't know it very well because we ended up having to do hand signals with most people we tried to communicate with. The first section of the market that we found had an ice skating rink and a building filled with disney ice sculptures. The ice sculpture exhibit wasn't free and we are going to one in Belgium next week so we decided to skip it. Around the city had maps of the market and showed where you were on the map but it didn't show any directional markers so we ended up going in the wrong direction a few times.

We finally made it to the next section of the market where they had food and wine stands and people selling the usual Christmas market items. Since being in Europe Bill has found a love for macarons. We have had them in Paris and in Brussels so when Bill saw a stand selling macarons he jumped on the opportunity to get some. 

The next section of the market was in front of the Metz Cathedral a historic Roman Catholic cathedral that was built in 1220. This section had a huge ferris wheel that Bill tried to convince me to go on but I'm afraid of heights. after looking around this section we were starting to get hungry so we went to the next area which was all food stands to see what they had. We couldn't read the signs so we mostly looked at what others were eating and none of it looked like it was up our alley. So we decided to go to the McDonalds we saw while walking to part of the market. With how expensive the street food was and not knowing if we were going to like it this was our best bet.

After lunch we made our way to the rest of the market. We were walking down this road and it didn't seem like we were going to find the market but according to the map we were going the right way so we kept on walking and eventually in the distance we saw the carousel. This was the largest section of the market that we saw and it had many food and wine stands and vendors selling items. Up to this point we hadn't seen anyone with a glühwein mug and it seemed like none of the stands were selling them. On our second walk around the area I saw a stand that had the mugs. The guy didn't speak any english but we managed to get the mug we wanted and Bill got some glühwein. This glühwein had chunks of fruit in it and Bill said it was really good.

While Bill drank his glühwein we made our way back up the markets to the first one we saw. We did one last lap around to make sure we saw all that we could and then we headed for the car. surprisingly we had no trouble finding our way back to the car. We ended up being there about 3 hours. It takes us longer at the markets that are spread out around a city because your doing a lot of walking between them. It was a nice quick trip to see how another country celebrates the holiday season.

Cochem and Koblenz Weihnachtsmarkt 2015

We started off our day by going to the Cochem Christmas market. We've been to Cochem before to see the castle there. So since we have already been there we knew exactly where to park. After parking we walked over to where the market was. We were not impressed by it at all. It was so small and definitely not worth the hour we drove to see it. We got there around 11:30 so we grabbed a käsewurst which is a bratwurst with cheese inside for lunch. After we ate I grabbed a kinderpunsch so I could get my Cochem Christmas market collectable mug. We walked around hoping that the market was bigger and we were just missing the rest of it but after an hour we hadn't found anything so we decided to head to another market that wasn't to far away from Cochem so our day wasn't a waste.

One of the only pictures I took in Cochem since the market was so small

Koblenz was about a 45 minute drive from Cochem. Koblenz is a bigger city but we had no trouble finding a parking garage with available parking. We had about a 10 minute walk from the car to the first part of the market. The market was spread out over about 6 different sections of the city.

I had to make sure I got my kinderpunsch at the Koblenz market as well so I could get my mug. It was definitely not the weather to need a hot beverage. It was a beautiful 55 degrees today in Germany.

We walked around each section of the market they had the usual items for sale. Food, wine, cheese, winter gear and Christmas decor.

They sell mostly the same items at each market but the atmosphere and extras are different. The market in Kobelnz had an ice skating rink and rides for little kids.

We saw each section of the market and each section was slightly different but some stands were selling the same items. Bill got some chocolate that is in the shape of power tools. We got similar chocolate when we were in Belgium. Right next to part of the market was a huge mall so before we left the market we went in and did a little window shopping. It was so packed considering its less then a week till Christmas. We ended up spending 2 and a half hours at the market which is a really long time for us. Some of that had to do with having to walk to each section of the market. I was glad we were able to salvage our day by going to a different market but it made for a long day trip.

Luxembourg Christmas market 2015

Today we went to our first Christmas market outside of Germany. Luxembourg City, Luxembourg is about an hour from where we live. We got to Lux with no problem and I had directions to a parking garage in our GPS. We turned down the road for the parking garage and Bill saw signs for other garages so he turned instead of going straight into the garage I had listed. We then found a parking lot next to what seemed like a circus so we pulled in the lot and drove around but couldn't find an open space so we left the lot and we decided to drive back to the original garage. By the time we drove back to the garage there was no more parking left so I directed us to another garage that I had an address for. This garage also was full. So 45 minutes later we finally found a garage with parking that was a 30 minute walk to the market, but after driving an hour to Lux and another 45 minute to find parking we weren't going to attempt to find anything closer. We followed signs that lead us to the city center which is where the market was.

The first thing we did when we got to the market was find a bathroom and then get something to eat. It was around 1:30 when we finally got to the market so we were starving. We each got a mettwurst for lunch which was so type of sausage. We have never had a bad sausage in Europe and this one was as delicious as all the others.

After we ate we walked around to check out the market. I had read that it spread across 4 sections. We found two areas that were the standard Christmas market with all the stands selling items and food then another smaller areas that had a few rides and a couple stands. The last area we saw was an ice skating rink. Im not sure if these were the four areas but it is all we saw.

One of the main areas had a huge ferris wheel all light up. Im sure it would have been beautiful in the dark. We usually get glühwein when at Christmas markets because I like to collect the mugs they come in. Each market has a different mug some markets have multiple mugs. Here they sold the mugs without having to buy glühwein so we just did that.

We got their version of a chimney cake. It wasn't hot like the one in Sankt Wendel but this one was covered in chocolate. We shared the cake instead of each getting one since we had just eaten lunch. We walked around the market for about an hour and a half. It was a drizzly day in Luxembourg and we still had a 30 minute walk back to the car so we decided to head out. After finally getting to the market we enjoyed it but it wasn't the best market we have been to so far.

Sankt Wendel Weihnachtsmarkt 2015

Today we went to the Sankt Wendel Christmas market. We had previously gone to the Easter market in Sankt Wendel and enjoyed it and had heard the Christmas market was even better so we had to check it out.

Our first stop when we arrived was to find a bathroom since the market was about an hour from our house. After the bathroom we got lunch since we arrived at the market just after 12. Bill and I each got a cheese stuffed bratwurst which was absolutely delicious. We then started walking around the market taking a look at all the stands had to offer.

We then came upon the best stand of all where they sell Chimney cakes which is a dough that is cooked on a metal rod or hot coals until the outside is crispy and the inside is soft. We got our in cinnamon and sugar. We had these when we went to the Easter market and it was Bill's favorite.

 While we ate our chimney cakes we walked around the market. At the end of one of the streets the market was on was a little gated area you could go into and it just happened to be a Gnome village. Inside they had scenes set up of little gnomes in their houses and at the grocery store and such. It was kind of odd but also interesting at the same time. Some other attractions they had was Santa's sleigh with live reindeer.

 At the Easter market they had the famous Easter dragon so of course at the Christmas market they had to have the Christmas sheep.

Bill and I each got Kinderglühwein which is a children's warm punch. It is similar to glühwein but it is non-alcoholic. I like to collect the glühwein mugs from each Christmas market we go to. It took us about an hour to walk around the main area of the Chritmas market where they had stands selling food, winter wear and Christmas decor. I had heard they had a Medieval section to the market as well but none of what we looked at seemed medieval. I managed to find the sign that lead to the medieval area.

The medieval area had a lot of interesting things. They had a sledding hill for children on one side. The medieval area everyone was dressed up and they had performers but we didn't know what they were saying since it was in German. They had stands selling handcrafted items like wooden bowls and pottery and stands selling items you would find back in the medieval times. They had the three wise men and camels as well. This area of the market was smaller and took us about half an hour to walk through.

This was our favorite market so far. We spent just about two hours there which is a long time for us to be at a Christmas market. It had a lot to offer and we enjoyed the food a lot. We are hoping to go back to the Easter market and Christmas market next year.

Trier Christmas market and shopping 2015

We went to the Trier Christmas market last year and had no plans to return this year but we had to get ugly holiday sweaters for a Christmas party we are attending and the local stores in our area didn't have any and Trier has a nice selection of stores.

The Christmas market is right in the walkplatz and that is where all the stores are so we decided to kill two birds with one stone and do both. We got to the market around lunch time so the first thing we did was grab a bratwurst for lunch. Usually bratwurst are served on a crusty roll but these had a nice soft roll and it was a delicious change. After we at our lunch we walked around and checked out some of the stands. While making our round about the market Bill grabbed some glühwein. 

Once we saw all that the market had to offer we started our clothing shopping. The first store we hit was H&M and it was a success. Both bill and I were able to find the ugly sweaters we are going to wear to the party. The next store we checked out was TK-Maxx which is the same thing as TJ-Maxx in the states. We bought a few things from there as well. We ended up spending two hours in Trier which is a long time for us. We are usually in and out of a Christmas market in about an hour. When we were getting ready to leave the market and the stores were crowded. That was our cue to leave since we are both not a fan of crowds.

Weihnachtsmarkt Dudeldorf 2015

Today we went to the Christmas market in Dudeldorf which is a small town near where we live. Dudeldorf is a small town so for the market you just park along the street. We didn't have a problem finding parking which was one of our concerns when going there.

 Like usual when we got there we did a lap around the market to check everything out. The market was in the center of town and down a few streets. People were selling stuff out of their garages and basements.

 Our favorite thing about Christmas markets is the food. We always get a bratwurst and at this market they had huge bratwurst. They were so delicious. Bill and I each got one. Bill was able to completely finish his but I wasn't so he finished mine as well. They definitely were filling.

After lunch we walked around and did some shopping. The stands were selling the usual wine, honey, Christmas decor and outerwear. We would have loved to have gotten a sweet treat but we were stuffed from our bratwurst. We spent about an hour at the market looking around. Even though it was a smaller market and didn't have the Christmas displays like some of the bigger ones it was still a nice market that was close to home. 

Traben-Trarbach Christmas Market 2015

Today we decided to go to a Christmas market later in the day so we could be there when it was all lit up. Usually we like to get there as soon as they open to avoid crowds. The market we went to today was in Traben-Trarbach which is about 45 minutes from where we live. Traben-Trarbach in on the Mosel River and is a wine town. We got there and found parking with no problems but we couldn't see where the market was so we decided to follow a group of people that seemed like they were walking with a purpose. Following them ended up being a great idea because they lead us straight to the market.

 The market is inside wine cellars under the town. The first wine cellar we went into didn't have any Christmas items but showed the equipment used to make wine.

 After we looked inside a few cellars we decided to get a bratwurst for dinner. After dinner we walked around the market that is above ground. There are over 10 different sections to the market.

Inside the wine cellars they had various stands selling cheeses, wine, christmas decor and winter items. After we saw all the stands we went and Bill got glühwein which is a hot wine and we watched as a group of people dressed up with torches standing about. We think it might have been a parade or something but we went into another cellar and when we got back out they were gone so were unsure about that. We then decided it was time to head back home so we walked across the bridge over the Mosel back to our car. It was really cool to go to a market inside wine cellars and it kept us nice and warm on this cold night.

Bernkastel-Kues Christmas Market 2015

Today we went to our first Christmas market of the season. We went to the market in Bernkastel-Kues  which is about 45 minutes from us. We got there just after the market opened because we have found that the crowds are less when festivals first open. Bernkastel is a traditional German town with lots of small streets. The market was spread out around the town square and the side streets around it.

When we first got to the market we walked around and check out all the stands. After our first walk around Bill decided to get some glühwein which is a hot wine and then we grabbed some bratwurst for lunch.

Weihnachtspyramide or Christmas pyramid

In the center of town this house is decorated to look like an Advent calendar.

After we walked around the market we decided to climb up the massive hill to see Burg Landshut. Its currently under construction so we could only see it from the outside. The view of the Mosel river from the top of the hill was absolutely breath taking. The walk back down from the Burg was a lot easier then the walk up. We went back to the market after that and got a donut like pastry that was kind of shaped like a cinnamon bun but it had apples inside and cinnamon sugar on the outside. Then it started pouring rain so we made our way to the car and headed home. It was a nice small Christmas market to get us started for this season.

Cologne, Germany 2015

Today we went to Cologne or Köln, Germany to celebrate our three year wedding anniversary. Cologne is about 2 hours from our house and our plan was to get there around lunch so we could grab lunch at Hard Rock Cafe. We ate at Hard Rock in Niagara Falls for our honeymoon so we decided to eat there again.

 We had a bit of an issue getting to the parking garage but nothing major. I was trying to get to Hard Rock around when it opened so we wouldn't have to wait but we ended up leaving the house late and with having difficulties finding the parking garage we got there about 30 minutes later then i had planned for. We were told it was a 25 minute wait but we only waited about 15 minutes. Bill and I both go the twisted mac and cheese which is the only thing I ever get from Hard Rock. It is so good. We also got a souvenir cup. We've decided that Hard Rcok is going to be our thing at least while we are here. So far we've been to one in Brussels and now the one in Cologne.

 After lunch we went back to the cathedral where we parked and checked it out. The Cologne cathedral or Kölner Dom in German was first constructed in 1248 but was left unfinished and then finally finished in 1880. It is the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe and has the second largest spires.

The Cathedral is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture and is a world heritage site. It is Germany's most visited landmark.

 After we made our way to the Imhoff- Schokoladenmuseum or Imhoff Chocolate museum. It was about a 20 minute walk to the museum from the cathedral so we decided to walk instead of driving. When walking around new cities we use the walk function on our iPhones. Well after we crossed a road the gps on our phone went haywire and we went the wrong direction and almost walked across a huge bridge. We realized we were going the wrong direction and managed to find our way to the museum. Inside the museum they had chocolate boxes from all over the world and from different decades. We also got to see how chocolate was on production line. We got a few samples while walking around.

We walked through a mini rainforest setting like where cocoa beans are grown. We learned the history of chocolate and about the harvesting process of cocoa beans. After walking around the museum we stopped in the chocolate shop and picked up some chocolate to bring home. After the Chocolate museum we decided to head hack to the car and make our way home. On our way out of the city we saw a huge group of people marching down the street shouting and holding signs and flags. We're not positive what it was but we think it might have been a protest of some sort and with that we knew it was definitely time to get out of there. We had a great time and lunch while in Cologne. We did everything we wanted to do and it was a great day trip and way to spend our anniversary.

Hitscherhof Pumpkin festival 2015

On Sunday we went to the Hitscherhof pumpkin festival. The festival was about and hour and half drive from our house but is one of the only pumpkin festivals near us. We got there just after it opened so that the crowd would be light while everyone was still in church. Since everything is usually closed on Sundays if a festival is on a Sunday it tends to be busy.

 When we first arrived we walked around all the stands to see what they had to offer after we did a couple rounds we decided to get lunch. We both had a pumpkin bratwurst. It was pretty good. I couldn't really taste the pumpkin but it did have pumpkin seeds inside it.

 They had a corn maze and a hay bales to play in but we didn't do either of them. I had heard from someone that the corn maze wasn't worth the cost.

The festival had pumpkin everything. You could get pumpkin bratwurst, pumpkin spice latte, pumpkin wine and pumpkin juice which was a cocktail. The one pumpkin item that I was determined to get was pumpkin soup. Inside the building the line for pumpkin soup was so long and neither of us wanted to stand in the line. While looking around the building people were selling crafts and antiques. I got a salt glazed pottery piece that is made and is popular in our region of Germany and Bill got old chemist bottles. We brought our purchases to the car so we wouldn't have to carry them around with us. We then took a look at a garage sale that was around the corner from the festival. When walking through the stands again I saw a tent selling pumpkin soup and they had no line. I was able to walk right up and get my soup and it was delicious. Im so glad I wad able to get my soup. After I had my soup we made one last lap around the festival and then decided to head out. It was a great festival with lots of stands and things to eat and do. This is something we would definitely go back to and we hope to be able to make it next year.

Reichsburg Cochem 2015

Today we went on a day trip to Cochem, Germany to see the castle there. Cochem is about an hour away from our house. We put the directions to the castle into our gps and it brought us to the base of the castle. Only problem was there was no parking available anywhere near the castle. So I messaged a friend and she gave me directions to a parking lot in Cochem. We finally got to the parking lot and then found out it was a 20 minute walk mostly uphill to the castle. After our trek we made it to the castle grounds.

We went into the ticket office and paid our entrance fee which was 6 euro per person. It was a guided tour and we didn't have to wait long for the next tour to start. The castle was originally built in 1000A.D and was totally destroyed in 1689 by French soldiers. After 200 years it was reconstructed according to original plans but was furnished as a nineteenth century chateau. since 1978 the castle has belonged to the town of Cochem.

The first room we visited was the dinning hall the entire tour was in German but we received english translation sheets so we could follow along. 

The Knights' hall is the largest room in the castle. The furniture in this room was custom made for the castle.

From the balcony you had a beautiful view of the Moselle River below.

The tour was about 40 minutes long and even though it was in German and I had no idea what the guide was saying it was still a good time. I usually prefer to not take tours but the only way to see the inside of the castle is to take a tour. The walk back to the car wasn't as bad since it was downhill. It was a great way to spend a Saturday.

                     

Disneyland Paris 2015

Bill and I went on a bus trip to Disneyland Paris on July 25th. Ive been to Disneyworld a few times but Bill has never been to a Disney Park so I was excited for him to experience it. The bus left at 5am and we arrived from Germany to the park around 10:45am. When we first arrived at the park the first thing we did was take the Disneyland railroad from Main Street, U.S.A. to the main section of the park which is Fantasyland.

 When we arrived in Fantasyland we went through Alice's curious labyrinth, which is a hedge maze like from the movie. Inside the maze they had the cards and the queen of hearts that would pop up from around the maze.

 At the very middle of the maze was a tower you could climb up. It had a slide attached to it but it was closed while we were there. After the maze we went and got lunch at Au chalet de la marionnette. I had a hot dog that was on a pretzel bun and toped with currywurst sauce and Bill had a burger that was on bagel. The food was pretty good.

 After lunch we made our way to "It's a small world" we thought the line might be long and you have to go on it. The line wasn't long at all and we waited 15 minutes tops to get on the boat.

 We were trying to find another ride in Fantasyland but went a little to far and ended up in Discoveryland there were a few rides that we wanted to do but they all had pretty long lines so we decided to go back later but on our way out we say that Buzz Lightyear laser blast ride only had a 30 minute wait and since it is a very popular ride we decided that was the time to do it. Well we waited over and hour and Bill wasn't impressed with it.

 We went to check out sleeping beauty castle. Inside the castle they had a few shops one was all crystal and the other was all Christmas decorations. I had to get an Olaf ornament for our Christmas tree next year.

 Upstairs of the castle was a display of sleeping beauty movie scenes and they had beautiful stained glass windows surrounding the entire  castle.

 We were on our way to Frontierland and we ran into someone from our bus trip so we asked them to take a picture of us in front of the castle. We got to Frontierland and the major ride in the area Big Thunder Mountain had an hour wait time so we decided to skip it. We then went and did Phantom Manor which had a 45 minute wait but we only waited about 30 minutes. We had about 40 minutes before our dinner reservation so we went to buy souvenirs. Bill and I each got an Olaf bowl and mug. I prepared for this trip quit well I brought sunblock and an umbrella even bandaids and tylenol. The one thing I didn't pack for us was jackets and it was a very cold 65-70º day with a lot of wind so we eventually both go a hoodie. Bill got an R2D2 one and I got one that said Disneyland Paris with Mickey on it.

We had dinner at Silver Spur Steakhouse. Bill had a buffalo burger and sweet potato fries. Bill has never had buffalo but he thought it was good the only complaint he had was the bun wasn't a normal bun we think it might have been pumpernickel which he wasn't a fan of. I had a three course meal of sweet corn coup which was amazing, skirt steak with fries which was cooked perfectly and a brownie sundae that I shared with Bill. I really enjoyed our dinner and would definitely recommend the restaurant.

 We went back to Discorveryland since it was a bit later and we figured the lines would be shorter. We did Star Tours which is a spaceflight simulator and it really feels like your moving this was Bills favorite ride. After that we went into the Star wars store and Bill got two lightsabers because you can't have just one because then how would you battle.

 This is a picture of Space mountain 2 we didn't make it on this ride since the line was really long and in Disneyland Paris they don't have a place to put your bags while on a ride so we had all of our souvenirs and stuff. We finally made our way to the last area of the park which is Adventureland the only thing we did in this area was Pirates of the Caribbean ride which we had a horrible time finding. We both enjoyed this ride and the wait wasn't very long either. At this point we had about two and a half hour left in the park so we just picked things from each area that we'd like to do and go and see how the line was. We went under the castle and saw the dragon in the cave then we did the Snow White ride and Pinocchio ride which are just cars on a track that bring you through the story, the lines were short and thats why we did them even though we had no idea what was going on since the stories were in french. Most rides had the stuff in both french and english but since these were small rides it was all in french. Our last ride of the night was the Mad Hatters's Tea Cups. We did a walk through of a submarine and then started our way towards the front of the park since the fireworks were suppose to start at 10pm.

On our way we caught the Frozen sing-a-long. All the songs were in french but it was still interesting since Frozen is my favorite Disney movie. We walked to the front and sat on a bench waiting for the fireworks, well 10 came and went and we were suppose to be back to the bus at 11pm so around 10:15 we left. We ended up walking the wrong way and getting kind of lost getting to the bus but we ended up finding our way eventually. It turns out that the fireworks didn't start till 11pm. We could still hear the songs and see the fireworks from the bus so it wasn't a big deal to me. The bus drove through the night and we got back home around 4:30am. It was a long and tiring day but it was a blast and I can't wait to go to other Disney parks. We didn't have enough time to do every thing we wanted to but we did a majority of the things and we had a great time.