One Year Later, Still the Weltmeister

One year ago today, Germany won the men's World Cup! In honor of that win, I'm re-blogging my piece about experiencing the win while in the heart of Germany.

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(Original post here)

When we booked our tickets last winter for a summer visit to Europe, we knew we'd be in Germany for the final matches of the World Cup.  Danny spent his childhood summers watching fuβball in Germany, cheering on FC Bayern-München and the national team, and we were hoping to recreate some of those memories with our visit this year.  But although we hoped, we never really thought we'd be so lucky as to actually be in Germany when they won the World Cup for the first time in 24 years!

After a day spent touring Strasbourg, France, and driving through the Black Forest, we made it back to Stuttgart in time to change and then do a little pre-gaming on the S-Bahn (I don't exactly look my best when mid-sentence in a buzzed state!...

We watched the game in the "fellowship hall" of a church. I can't think of many places in the U.S. that would condone any drinking where a church regularly meets -- and a Protestant one at that! This is one liberal aspect of Europe that I can fully embrace!

We had a few nail-biting moments... but ultimately exploded in celebration!  As did German fans across the globe!

Götze dank!

Full of elation (and beer!), we made our way out into the streets and towards the Königstraβe, the pedestrian-only center of the city.  Apparently, so did everyone else in Stuttgart!

There were ten times as many people out celebrating compared to the German third place finish when we were visiting in 2010!  Here we were four years ago...

...And here we are in 2014!  Same pose, same group of friends, same love for Deutschland!

A HUGE thank you to our Stuttgarter friends, D. and E. for being such wonderful hosts, and for making all the arrangements to meet up with D.F., A.W., and J.B. to continue our World Cup viewing tradition!  We can't wait to do it again in 2018!


Have you experienced a World Cup celebration like this?

The University of Virginia, UNESCO World Heritage Site

How many of you Virginians knew that the University of Virginia is one-half of a UNESCO World Heritage Site?  Anyone?

Well, now you do.

As a 2009 graduate of UVa, I must confess that I didn't realize the UNESCO status until, well, just a few months ago.  If there were an award for obliviousness, I would win it, hands down.  I walked by the UNESCO sign every single day.  But when you attend a university that screams history, it's easy to become immune.

The University of Virginia was established in 1819 and is affectionately known as Jefferson's University in honor of the man who designed the central buildings (picture above and to right).  Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe all served on the first Board of Visitors, jump-starting the University's reputation as an elite school.  Today UVa is known as a "public Ivy" and consistently ranks as the best or second best public university in the nation.

But before I lose you in a sea of alma mater nostalgia, let's focus on what makes UVa a great place for travelers.  Obviously, the UNESCO World Heritage status is one reason.  Jefferson designed the Academic Village with neoclassicism in mind.  The Rotunda dominates the Village, and those who have traveled to Rome will recognize its resemblance to the Pantheon.  Four colonnaded rows flank the terraced Lawn that extends from the Rotunda down to more academic buildings.  The student residences along the Lawn are prime real estate at UVa, but only fourth-year students with high GPAs (think, 4.0 and above) and who have shown "unselfish service to the University" can apply to live in these rooms.  Edgar Allan Poe himself lived in these rooms when he was a student at UVa for a few months in 1826 before he withdrew due to lack of funds.  His room is still on display on the West Range.

Besides Poe's footsteps, you'll also be retracing the steps of notable alumni and faculty such as Laura Ingraham, Antonin Scalia, Tina Fey, Larry Sabato, Katie Couric, Ronde and Tiki Barber, countless Kennedys, a Roosevelt, and more than a few astronauts.  Pretty cool, huh?

Poe's room on the West Range.

Be sure to check out the University Chapel located just northwest of the Rotunda.  Constructed in the 1880s, the Chapel is a great example of Gothic architecture and even features a Tiffany stained-glass window.

Finally, enjoy the serenity of the Lawn gardens tucked behind the unique serpentine brick walls before you leave Charlottesville visit Jefferson's Monticello, the other half of the UNESCO site.

Do you consider universities to be a cultural attraction worth seeing when traveling?  Which one(s) would you like to visit?

My alma mater is #pictureperfect. #LoveVA #UVa #cville #ttot

A photo posted by Thrifty Gypsy's Travels (@thriftygypsy87) on Apr 16, 2015 at 7:16am PD

Linking up for the #WeekendWanderlust!

Why You Should Visit Greece Now

With the headlines screaming dire warnings about Greece's economic crisis, many travelers have begun to reconsider summer plans to visit the birthplace of democracy due to financial and safety concerns. Having just returned from Greece only six weeks ago, I would encourage you to stop reconsidering and visit Greece as soon as you can!

Citizens vs. Tourists
Unfortunately for Greeks but fortunately for visitors, the economic situation primarily affects only the Greeks themselves. Even a Grexit from the Euro and transition to the drachma would favor tourists as the exchange rate promises to be advantageous. Even still, the euro would most likely be accepted after a switch to the drachma as businesses would prefer the stronger currency.

Used with the gracious permission of Indiana Jo.

In addition, it is unlikely that attractions such as the Parthenon, Temple of Olympian Zeus, and all the museums housing the cultural treasures of the ancient Greeks would close during this crisis, as Greece needs every tourism dollar it can elicit. Just bring enough currency to last your whole trip, be prepared to encounter logistical setbacks more commonly found in third-world countries, and enjoy the falling rates at hotels, especially on the mainland.

Island Life vs. Athens
While the Greek economy has been struggling for years, you wouldn't know it when you visit the islands. Our taxi driver on Santorini spoke of how he moved to the island because of the abundance of well-paying jobs that simply cannot be found on the mainland, and this translates to a pleasant atmosphere for those on vacation. So if you're still leery about visiting the big cities like Athens, consider doing some island hopping and skip all the cities.

How To Be Prepared
Bring cash. Even though there are currently no limits on withdrawals from foreign accounts, there's no guarantee that the banks and ATMs won't run out of currency. Credit cards may still be accepted while Greece is officially still using the Euro, but that could change at any moment.

Bring any/all medicine you might need. If you are planning to be in Greece for a long visit, make sure you have more than enough of your prescriptions and a supply of over the counter pain relievers, allergy medicines, etc. There have been runs on the pharmacies in Greece to rival the queues at the bank counters.

Bring a back-up plan. Is the ferry to Hydra not running due to a fuel shortage? Have a coastal destination on the mainland as a back-up plan to cover a delay until transportation is back in business. Leave your expectations of northern and western Europe behind as you may experience set-backs and delays more likely to be found in developing countries.


While ultimately you need to weigh your own pros and cons about visiting Greece during such a tumultuous period, remember that the media loves to disproportionately distort potential problems for a ratings boost. Take the headlines with a grain of salt, and with some careful planning, you could enjoy a budget-friendly experience at some of Greece's most amazing sites!

Have you visited Greece lately? Would you go right now if time and opportunity afforded itself?

Panorama of Oia on the island of Santorini

Other travel recommendations for visiting Greece right now:

Latest Travel Advice for Tourists Visiting Greece

Greece: Time to Cancel or Book?

Traveling to Greece During the Economic Crisis

Linking up with Lauren, Van, Isabel, and Marcella.