This is a public service announcement! Things to remember. Never, ever got to Marktkauf or any other grocery store, I would imagine, in Germany at 5:30pm. Imagine Costco a week before Christmas, with incoming snow storm of a millennium, and everything in the store is 99% off. Now, multiply this by a 100 and there […]
Boris is signed up for school that is more age appropriate. This is the courtyard of the Johannes Scharrer – Gymnasium where people go to hang out during the breaks. This school is focused mainly on Languages and Humanities. Typically the kids will take German and English and select either Latin, French or Spanish as their optional language. Boris […]
There are no other ways of describing this sighting. The original Trabant 601 DeLuxe Limousine – all in one piece. The best thing about this car was the old country sticker on the back window which read DDR with both the first D and the R faded out. This is the car that outlasted the country […]
On the outskirts of Nuremberg there is a huge forest with an old canal that was built in the 18th century. Since it wasn’t blistering hot outside we went out for an afternoon stroll in the park.
Drink a beer, have a ball, buy some wine and shop for some furniture at your local IKEA shop.
Following my intensive eating training in Italy, we have once again visited our favourite pizza place in Nuremberg – L’Osteria. I am happy to report that my earlier challenge about eating an entire pizza has been laid to rest. Not only did I mange to eat the entire pizza, but also try some of Boris’ […]
There are a lot of great things to do in Nuremberg and vicinity for a family for under $15.00. Today we went to check out the Toy Museum. There is something for everyone here. Mostly though there are some phenomenal vintage toys from the late 18 and ealy 1900s. Toy kitchens with working stoves, wind-up […]
I remember these from Poland when I was Evelina’s age.
Today we were treated to a fine 3 course meal prepared by Boris and Evelina. They planned the menu, they prepared the entire meal and served it. We were absolutely astonished not only at their zeal and dedication but also the actual planning and execution. They chopped and sliced, mixed, fried, boiled, strained and served […]
Once the kids got home from school, we had a quick lunch and went out to the pool. Its an outdoor pool which has been recently renovated. It seems that the designers have gone mad with stainless steel. The pools are stainless steel, the bottom the sides the edges all stainless steel, as are the […]
It’s 8:00 p.m. and it is finally safe to come out of the house. We decided to hit our favourite little Italian gelato place for something cool. After that a short trip to the river valley to scope out an outdoor swimming pool where tomorrow we might seek some solace from this menacing heat.
Today went out for another test drive, top down, black leather seats and the air-condition was not working. OMG! It was like staring at a supernova point blank for a thousand years!
Today marked another milestone: first day of school in Germany! You may or may not be surprised to hear that both children were EXTREMELY excited for this new adventure. They spent the weekend organizing supplies. Boris even went as far as to claim he was “sick and tired of relaxing”. After school, the two of […]
Bamberg’s historic city center is a listed UNESCO world heritage site. Sometimes, the locals refer to it as the German Venice. This truly is a beautiful little town with charming streets and shops, and two magnificent churches, set on two opposite hills. We only spent a few hours here to get a quick look at […]
Altenburg Castle is perched on top of Bamberg’s highest hill and is one of Bamberg’s major landmarks. The castle was first mentioned in 1109 and was used at this time as a refuge. In the 14th and 15th centuries it served as a richly furnished residence for Bamberg’s bishops, but was almost completely destroyed in 1553 […]
It seems that every time we turn around there is a demonstration somewhere protesting this that or the other. Today, on the demonstration agenda are the dolphins at the Nuremburg Zoo. I have to say that we much preferred the noise of the kilted musicians to the bells and chanting of the dolphin parade. After […]
I could never understand why Italians have such admiration for Alonso, Schumacher or Gilles Villeneuve – some of the great drivers that graced Ferrari with their skills. Italy produces some of the best sport cars in the world. Bugatti, Maserati, Ferrari, Lancia and Lamborghini just to name a few, but are there no Italian drivers capable […]
O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.
Built in the first century AD Arena di Verona was the third largest amphitheatre in the empire. It used to hold 30,000 people when it was completed. Today Arena di Verona is a great venue for many concerts and performances from the likes of Muse, Radiohead, The Pink Floyd and many others. There are also […]
William Shakespeare made Verona famous with its tragedies. Verona is a gorgeous city with its quiet streets, many churches, the magnificent Arena and of course Juliet’s balcony. We did a lot of walking around, a bit of shopping and a whole lot of eating as we usually do. I think we will be coming back […]
Navigating the Italian gastronomical universe is not an easy task. In the galaxy of choices that are presented on an average menu, in an average restaurant one can easily get confused and lost and ultimately regret not ordering just the right meal. The easiest way to deal with this issue is to follow my simple […]
Obvious, vulgar and loud. Or is it fat, single and ready to mingle?
Today we are doing an activity chosen by the children. It turns out that our Legoland Annual Pass also gives us a free one time access to Gardaland which is about 8 min drive from where we are staying. The entrance fee to Gardaland is €138 for a one day family pass. The place was […]
After a long drive around the lake, we went back to the old town in Lazise for a dinner and a quick stroll on the promenade in search of a new gelato place to try On the dinner menu was sturgeon, I had to try it, as I have never seen it on the menu […]
A drive around Lake Garda is slow but rewarding. One town is more beautiful than the next. Each villa is bigger and more ornate with a nicer park and a longer driveway than the next, each residence more secluded and more beautiful. Absolutely stunning and breathtaking. We are so glad that we decided take the […]
Today we are heading out to Salo, another beautiful town on Lake Garda. Then, if the weather cooperates we are planning to drive around the lake to take in the views, other smaller towns and the crazy roads and tunnels that encircle the lake. Stop for a coffee or two and buy some local […]
First, dress the part. The basic theory is to get something louder than Eddie Jordan would wear and try not too look like a clown, although that part is optional. Second, when it doubt order two main courses just to try them both – live to regret it later. I have a new plan. Today […]
After a lazy morning we went back to Garda to hang out by the lake. Feeding swans is now off of the bucket list. These swans do like the German and Italian bread, although the grey swan was kind of dumb and kept getting all of his food stolen by its sibling. Then is started […]
Evelina made a new friend today. Walking from the pool to the main house she heard a little bird chirp. Being a good soul that she is, she helped it get off the road and back into the shade in the grass where it could be cool and safe.
We are taking it easy this morning. Lazying around the pool in the middle of nowhere enjoying some sunshine and a nice breeze coming off the hills. There are few things more relaxing than watching paragliders sail above in the clouds and listening to the water drop off the infinity pool. Life is good.
Tenuta la Presa – the not so little winery hotel we are staying at is hosing a wedding this evening. The preparations started first thing this morning. Grass was being cut, the tents and tables set up, white linens covering all tables and chairs, and of course well before noon guests started arriving for tonight’s […]
By lake Garda a small family of whales was spotted wobbling towards a restaurant. It’s been at least 6 minutes since our last meal, we have done a lot of hard work, lazing around the pool and having a 3 hour nap which of course requires more nourishment. Tomorrow I will simply cut a hole […]
Lazise is a small port town with a great castle dating back to late 800s. Like most old European towns this one too has a small beautiful square a nice old church, Saint Nicolò, dating back to 1200s and beautiful painted houses. Of course the lake is the dominant feature of this little municipality so we try […]
Today is Kasia’s and Volker 16th wedding anniversary so staying at Hotel Dogana was not an option. The winery at Tenuta Le Presa was a more appropriate choice and one more befitting the occasion. To celebrate this we went out for a dinner at a local spot called Hostaria la Cross where German really is […]
Agriturismo at its best. Kasia and Volker know this little place called Tenuta La Presa. It is a winery that is also a hotel with a proper pool and marble floors and clean everything. There is a wine rack in the lobby and a set of glasses and you are free to drink and […]
PBC, PBC – Pretty Bad Call, Pretty Bad Call. We booked a quaint little place on Lake Garda Peninsula. Surround by lake views from 3 sides this seemed like an idyllic little place to relax for a bit. Well that is what the internet listing said. What is should have said is this: When […]
Lake Garda is simply stunning. Imagine Lake Louise but 52 km long. Imagine it surrounded by towering maples and skinny Tuscan cedars. Imagine it peppered with small towns and old castles and miles and miles or wineries and olive trees. That’s Lake Garda – we can’t wait to check in after a short 5 hour […]
Today we are going to Lake Garda in Italy. We are excited as hell. It is going to be about a 6 hour drive. We are staying on the south tip of the lake which is warmer, nicer and far more beautiful. We can’t wait.
My watch is trying to kill me. I have a love hate relationship with my Pebble. For the most part I love this gizmo because there is always something new you can do with it. Today, after talking about for a while, I finally tried the 7 Minute Workout on my Pebble. Two things are […]
A quick dinner and out for ice cream. Nightlife in the old town.
After dinner its ice cream time, and what better place to have it than the old town.
There is a little place outside Nuremberg where a set of home builders built a small village of homes they showcase. You have to pay to get in and see these homes €5 per family for two visits – but no one makes you take off your shoes as you go through and explore them. […]
Tilt shift is simply hours of fun and playtime.
In goes Grizzly Adams out comes Boris GQ – after a long overdue haircut.
Evelina got a new scooter. It almost rusted sitting in a box for a week with all this rain we have been having. Finally today the clouds broke and a bit of sunshine dried up the pavement so promptly she took it out for a spin. I think she is loving it.
Not as grand as Schllos Weissenstein but equally as charming and far less expansive to heat and staff is this little residence Volker’s brother calls home. This little house is a bit of work in progress, after years of neglect it is slowly being restored. Whatever the shape – the family has its palace and […]
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