Zurich

Zurich is a big city and requires not only a full day, but also a full tank of energy.  It's a lovely city, although having been to Lake Konstanz in Germany, Brian and I both like that better.


But, if you're in Zurich, there's one thing you need to do.  Stop at the Confiserie Sprüngli for some  Luxembourgers, a delish confection that melts in your mouth.  We go there every time we're in Zurich.

Prague

Prague was a great long weekend trip.  We enjoyed walking around the city, which is all cobblestone and visiting the Charles Bridge.  It's not as inexpensive as I had hoped, but still worth a trip.  Go to the Jewish Cemetery and the Lesser Quarter.  In the Lesser Quarter, you'll find the Absinth Shop with flavored icecream.  Hike all the way up the hill, past all the Embassies and you'll get to Prague Castle.  We did not pay the entrance fee, but chose to walk around outside and through the gardens taking tons of photos.

Prague Castle in the Background

Nürnberg

The best thing about this city is the wurst!  They are special to this region and are much sweeter than a brotwurst.  It's served with weinkraut and is just delish. It's a beautiful, old, walled in city and very much doable on foot.  Just stay by a metro stop and you'll be fine without a car.

Barcelona

We stayed with our friends when we went to Barcelona.  We were there for a week.  The Hop On/Off bus wasn't anything to write home about, but it was good to use as a way of transportation.  We did a lot of shopping.  And we went downtown for tapas and sangria.  You must visit Las Ramblas and stop in the market area for a fresh juice..so yummy!!  We took a side trip to Sitges, which I would really recommend if you have a rental car.  It's a beautiful town right on the sea.  We had the best paella ever here!

Dublin

Dublin is a great city for a long weekend trip.  Otherwise, rent a car and explore more of the country.  If you stay in Dublin though, I would recommend the combo pass you can get at the airport.  It's part Hop On/Off Bus as well as working with the public buses.  The Hop On bus is a good one to do here.  Some cities, it's not worth the price, but here in Dublin, I thought it was.  Visit the Jameson Whiskey and Guinness Factories.  We stayed outside the downtown area, but right near a bus stop.  It worked out perfectly and saved us some cash.

Garmisch

When we go to Garmisch we like to take a drive into the neighboring towns in Germany and in Austria.  Lermoos is a super cute little town in Austria about 15 min. away.  Ettal has a great monastery and a delish restaurant right across the street..get the Käsespätzle..it's amazing!  Mittenwald is a beautiful town, probably my favorite, and has a really good bierhaus.  SO YUMMY!  Walk around the center of town and admire the homes, with their beautifully painted scenes.

I've ridden the gondola up the Zugspitz twice now.  So worth the $$!  And don't take the train, the gondola is much more fun although it is a bit scary.  But I made it, so that's saying a lot.  Once on top, there is of course, a beer garden!  Enjoy a beer and some apple cake and take in the scenery.  You can even cross over to the top of the Austrian side in Tyrol.

The gorge is a must do as well and you're not far at all from Linderhof.  It's about a 90 min. ride to Neuschwanstein Castle.

Dachau is not a far drive from Garmisch.  I'd recommend a visit if you're interested in that.  Very sobering and makes for an emotionally draining day.

Black Forest

2008-  Wanting to see the foliage, we thought this lovely Saturday was a great day to take a drive to the Black Forest and enjoy the fall colors.







2009- We decided to take the motorcycle for a ride through the Black Forest to a castle for cake and coffee.  (Clearly the only reason I went along!)

The view from our table.