Snapshots from Paris

And the Winner Is... (2015 Travel Plans & Giveaway Winner!)

Top: Source.  Bottom Left: Source.  Bottom Right: Source.

The moussaka is officially out of the bag - we're going to Greece, y'all!

After brainstorming various destination possibilities back in October, we finally made a decision and booked our flights to Athens and Thira island (commonly known as Santorini) for a spring trip.  We'll begin in Athens, explore the Parthenon and a few museums, then jet out to Santorini for caldera sunsets and island living.  As always, we won't be spending nearly as much time there as we'd like, but as our giveaway theme stated, "All Roads Lead to Bavaria", and there our Europe trip will continue with birthday bashes in Stuttgart, a weekend excursion to Paris with our German BFFs, and back to Dinkelsbühl and Bavaria for eight days with family, friends, castles, and plenty of wurst and spaetzle!  My sister-in-law is also flying into Germany for twelve days, marking her first visit in nearly ten years, and I'm excited to create some memories with her in her German hometown!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our giveaway contest to guess our travel destination!  Julie of Alone With My Tea and Joanna of Me and My Itchy Feet both correctly guessed that we're wandering our way to Greece.  Way to go, ladies!  I'm excited that two bloggers I've been following so closely over the last few months were the ones to correctly deduce our new destination, and I'm pleased to introduce them to you below:

Joanna & her family in Cinque Terre, Italy (October 2014)

Joanna of Me and My Itchy Feet
Born, raised, and living in Poland, Joanna and her itchy feet have been wandering across the world since 1994 and documenting their experiences (in both English and Polish) on her blog since 2012.  Joanna's easy manner of writing and ability to draw the reader into her family's adventures is particularly engaging.  I'm constantly inspired by her and her husband's desire to "pass the passion" of traveling on to their children - and to readers through her posts!  Check out her recent descriptions about a day in Florence or visiting the leaning tower of Toruń in Poland!

Julie & her husband

Julie of Alone with My Tea - the Giveaway Winner!

"I began alonewithmytea when I had to take a year-long break from Grad school, due to health issues. I spent most of my days home alone, drinking tea, and working on some sort of art or musical project. I realized that being alone with my tea inspired creativity. I spent time reflecting, practicing various art techniques, and just enjoying life. While this blog began as an outlet for exploring and displaying my creative attempts, it has since morphed into a travel and lifestyle blog, especially when my husband and I moved from California to Rio de Janeiro and then to the deep south (Alabama)! Follow along as I document all the adventures we find here and abroad!
XO, Julie -alonewithmytea@gmail.com "

Julie is the winner of our "All Roads Lead to Bavaria" Giveaway and will be receiving a scratch-off map to create a unique picture of the world based on their travels!  Give her blog some page-view lovin' with her posts about random conversations with taxi drivers in Rio, the Cathedral in Petropolis, or 5 Tips for Moving to Brazil.  Congratulations, Julie!

As we rev up our excitement over our Greece trip with documentaries, travel shows, and perusing blogs about other people's experiences, we'll share more details of our travel planning.  Hotels are booked, but we haven't nailed down specifics of our itineraries yet.  Any suggestions?  We're all ears!

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Have you been to Athens or Santorini?

Linking up with A Brit and a Southerner for #WeekendWanderlust!

Strasbourg, Up Close & Personal

For more on Strasbourg, see here!

Half-timbered houses

Gothic carvings

The saints on the Notre Dame of Strasbourg

Rose Window of the Cathedral

Fascinating "bone" structure in the Cathedral

Not so "up close" but my favorite shot of the half-timbered houses!

What's your favorite part about Strasbourg?

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Linking up with other travel bloggers for the #SundayTraveler!

Visiting Strasbourg Cathedral

What's 142 meters high, built from thousands of tonnes of sandstone, and boasted the tallest spire in the world for 227 years (1647-1874)?  If you guessed the Notre Dame Cathedral in Strasbourg, France, you'd be correct!

Constructed between 1015 and 1439 in the late-Gothic style, the Strasbourg Cathedral towers prominently above its picturesque town and is also visible from the Vosgues mountains over 60 kilometers away.  To say that I felt dwarfed by this massive church would be a vast understatement.

Even at ground level, the Cathedral features all the more prominently since it is surrounded by many buildings with the quintessential half-timbered look, which contrasts nicely against the church's stone facade.  The intricate carving conveys the viewers' eyes up to its spire, a literal response to their figurative reminder to cast your thoughts upward to God.

Inside the Cathedral is a marvelous astronomical clock, one of the largest in the world (18 meters tall) and a mathematical wonder of its time.  Having viewed the Prague astronomical clock in 2012, it was neat to do a mental comparison of the two. 

Unfortunately, we did not have time to climb the spire as per our tradition (we had a World Cup party to attend that evening!), but would encourage you to do so if you can.  I'm sure the views are stunning, even on an overcast day!

Have you visited Strasbourg Cathedral?

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Linking up with A Southern Gypsy for #WeekendWanderlust!

3 Must-Do's in Strasbourg

"I've never even heard of Strasbourg."

This is the most common response when mentioning this French city in a conversation with another American.  Located in the Alsace region, which borders Germany along the Rhine river, Strasbourg is just big enough to be a tourist attraction while small enough to keep the bulk of camera-wielding hordes at bay.  Whether for someone with a dubious impression of the French (based largely on stereotypes and not on firsthand experience) or for someone with a keen love for all things Teutonic, Strasbourg provides the perfect combination of both cultures: German charm and the French joie de vivre, or joy of life.

So what's so special about this city you've never heard of?  Well, here are three things you can do in Strasbourg to discover its beauties and learn its history:

1.  Explore the Notre Dame Cathedral (Strasbourg Cathedral)
Completed in 1439 in the late-Gothic style, the Strasbourg Cathedral remained the highest building in the world for nearly 230 years, finally acceding to St Nikolai Kirche in Hamburg in 1874, but still remains the tenth tallest church.  Marvel over the flying buttresses, the astronomical clock in the interior, and climb the spire for stunning views of the city.

2.  Wander the Grand Île & Munch on Flammkuchen
The historic center of Strasbourg, known as the Grand Île (Grand Island), was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988.  Its medieval lanes and half-timbered houses hearken to the town's Germanic roots.  Stop by a shop for some flammkuchen, a thin-crusted pizza topped with crème fraîche, onions, and lardons - an Alsatian specialty! - and crisscross your way over Strasbourg's many bridges for picturesque photo opportunities.

3.  Take the Water Tour
Speaking of bridges (and water!), take a boat tour of Strasbourg.  Audio commentary is available in 12 different languages for adults, and a special guide for children is available in four languages.  You'll get a waterfront view of Strasbourg's iconic buildings, including the Cathedral, palace, and glimpses of the European Parliament.  It's a great way to orient yourself to the layout of the town and map out what attractions you'd like to visit.

Have you heard of Strasbourg?  Visited yet?

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Linking up with Bonnie & other travel bloggers for #TravelTuesday!

7 Real-Life Disney Places

Books and movies possess the incredible ability to transport us to magical lands and countries.  In particular, Disney movies consistently succeed in romanticizing places and events to bring out the wonder of our inner child.  Thankfully, many of these stories take inspiration from actual places, and here are 7 Real-Life Disney places you can visit!

Ok, so the only ball I attended at Neuschwanstein Castle existed only in my imagination, but visiting the real-life inspiration for Cinderella's and Sleeping Beauty's castle was one of the highlights of our honeymoon in Germany!  From intricately decorated rooms to breathtaking natural scenery, a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle will give you a peek into what it must feel like to be a princess!

Disney Movie:  Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty
Place:  Neuschwanstein Castle located in Upper Bayern, Germany

I couldn't help keeping a wary eye out for a jealous Tinkerbell while relaxing in the real-life "Mermaid Lagoon" of Italy's Bagni della Regina Giovanna.  The stunning natural beauty of this fairly isolated and uncrowded cove located just outside Sorrento set a high standard for Mediterranean relaxation and made an indelible mark on our Italy trip this past summer.  Thankfully, the clock-swallowing crocodile of Peter Pan did not make an appearance, though!

Disney Movie:  Peter Pan

Place:  Bagni della Regina Giovanna, Sorrento, Italy

Don't begrudge your last tuppence to feed the birds at St. Paul's Cathedral in London!  Actually, there are signs indicating that you should not feed the birds, but that didn't deter me from singing a few lines as the "saints and apostles" looked down from the top of London's iconic church as I enjoyed being in one of the filming sites of Mary Poppins.

Disney Movie:  Mary Poppins

Place:  St. Paul's Cathedral, London, England

It's difficult not to be on the lookout for a vengeful Scar or hungry hyenas while on safari in Uganda's magnificent Murchison Falls National Park.  Although we did not get a glimpse of Simba or Nala, we did see a plethora of other wildlife that would warm the heart of any Lion King fan!

Disney Movie:  The Lion King

Place:  Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda

I felt like I was walking through the pages of my favorite Disney fairytale when we explored the streets of Strasbourg, located in the Alsace region of France just over the Rhine from Germany.  So much so that I half-expected to see a pony-tailed Gaston poke his head out of a pub and bellow about making Belle his wife!  While in Strasbourg, be sure to try the flammeküche, an Alsatian-style pizza featuring an onion-cream sauce.

Disney Movie:  Beauty and the Beast

Place:  Strasbourg, France

Rather than slinging pickaxes or shovels over our shoulders, we whistled our way through an auto tour of the Black Forest en route to World Cup celebrations.  Thanks to the heavy downpours and thick fog, it wasn't hard to see where the Black Forest got its name and reputation.  Perhaps the weather deceived my eyes, but I almost thought I saw a few magical creatures sneaking across the pine-forest floor...

Disney Movie:  Snow White and the Seven Dwarves

Place:  The Black Forest, Germany

Unlike the other Disney movies I've listed, I actually cannot stomach their version of Pocahontas.  Not only is it historically inaccurate (newsflash: Pocahontas never had a love interest in John Smith!), but they decided to completely misrepresent the landscape of tidewater Virginia.  There are no cliffs from which she possibly could've sung about the colors of the wind!  At any rate, whenever I visit the beautiful shores of Virginia's Northern Neck, Eastern shore, or general tidewater region, I can reflect on the real Pocahontas and the reactions of Virginia's Native Americans when the English explorers first arrived.

Disney Movie:  Pocahontas

Place:  the Northern Neck, Eastern Shore, and/or Tidewater regions of Virginia

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Where are some of your favorite Real-Life Disney locations?

Linking up with Swags, Diana, Anna, and Bonnie for #TravelTuesday!

Linking up with other travel bloggers for the #SundayTraveler!

Updated 03/28/2016 with #TravelTuesday link-up and other internal links.

Throwback Thursday: Strasbourg (2014)

Home of the European Parliament and the International Institute of Human Rights, the Alsatian city of Strasbourg charms visitors with its medieval city center and romantic houses.

Mapping My Month: August 2014

Where do I even begin?

Bagni della Regina Giovanna, Punta del Capo, Italy

July brought so many travels and adventures, beginning with a whirlwind trip through Italy's Campania and Lazio regions and ending with a more relaxed fortnight in the heart of Germany's Bavaria.  We wandered the ancient streets of Pompeii; swam in the crystal clear water of Roman ruins in Punta del Capo just outside Sorrento; ascended Mt Vesuvius and stared down her steaming throat; experienced the unforgettably packed "cattle wagon" of the Circumvesuviana train line from Naples; got our feet dusty and worn in Rome, gawking over the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, and various churches; pilgrimaged to St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican and marveled at masterpieces of artwork by Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini, and others; reached euphoric levels after having the best gelato of my life on the Piazza Navona and otherwise enjoyed many delicious (and not-so delicious!) Italian dinners.  And this was just in the first seven days!

I also made sure to leave an unforgettable impression on those around us by "throwing" pizza on the floor in Pompeii, stepping on a gooey piece of gum in Sorrento, being baptized by a bird, elbowing a waiter in the groin, frying my hairdryer and our converter at our hotel in Rome.  To just name a few things!

Deutschland ist nummer eins!!!

But we arrived in Germany just in time to experience a World Cup win!  It's becoming our tradition to watch the final matches of the World Cup with our friends in Stuttgart.  Four years ago we celebrated a third place finish for Germany, but this time we were overjoyed to see Germany earn the Weltmeister title! 

We visited Strasbourg, France; drove up windy roads in the heart of the Schwarzwald (Black Forest); ate our fill of wurst and schnitzel; celebrated the Kinderzeche, one of Germany's oldest festivals, in Danny's German home town of Dinkelsbühl; experienced the festivities of a bierzelt (beer tent) with our Stuttgarter friends; toured the aldstadt of Nuremberg; and spent blissful hours on windy Bavarian roads and, of course, testing out our rental car's engine on the autobahn!

There were a few difficult moments, even fewer downright stressful ones, but overall it was a wonderful trip.  I'm still thinking in "Deunglish," feel terribly guilty because we're not (yet) sorting our trash here, but overall I am glad to be back home in the good ol' U.S. of A.  August will be a quieter month for us in comparison.  We may go on a camping/tubing trip for my birthday or spend a few weekends on the Northern Neck, but otherwise it's time to plump our bank accounts and start dreaming of the next big trip.  And, of course, start writing more in-depth posts about July's adventures!

How was your July?  And what's on the docket for August?

30 Day Countdown

Map made via GoogleMaps

Thirty.  Trenta.  Dreißig.  Wait - did I read that right?  Only 30 days until we're skipping our merry way over to Europe for a bucket-list vacation?!  Egad!

At this point, I didn't expect to have an underlying feeling of panic in tandem with my uncontrolled excitement, but I'm definitely experiencing a wee bit of anxiety.  We've been waiting so long for this trip (it's been two years since we've taken a long vacation), and I just don't feel like we're ready yet!

Granted, I do have the big items accomplished.  We booked our flights in February, our hotels in March, and mapped out all train routes including cost estimations.  Last week I made reservations for the Vatican Museum (best way to avoid lines!), and seeing that line item on my bank statement made me positively giddy!  Yet many things remain on the to-do list, such as booking the train tickets from Naples to Rome and arranging pick-up at Dulles when we return (all good things must come to an end, I suppose).

Yesterday we double-checked our passports to make sure everything is pristine, and we'll need to make photocopies of them to take with us.  Because my mind is in a million different directions, I feel sure that I've forgotten to do something; hopefully I'll remember in time!  But I'm too busy dreaming about this...

Source.

And this...

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Oh, and these, too...

Source.

Source.

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And of course all of these things...

Stuttgart, Germany.  Source.

Dinkelsbuhl, Germany.  Source.

(c) Thrifty Gypsy

And maybe a few side trips for...

Burg Hohenzollern.  Source.

Or...

Nuremberg.  Source.

And it would be really nice to see...

Strasbourg, France.  Source.

But maybe I should get my head out of picture books and focus on tackling all our to-do lists for this trip!

Do you have a standard to-do list or packing list that you use for your travels?