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. 

Colmar

We stayed at the Ibis and it was a great location.  In Colmar, they make this dish called a Rosti.  It is delish and made with potato and Munster cheese.  Schwendi Bier Winstub is the place where we go when we are in Colmar for this special dish.  Also, a visit to the area known as Petite Venice is also worth a walk to.  Just don't pay for the "gondola ride" unless you never plan on visiting the real Venice!



Colmar



Me enjoying the Rosti!

London

2008- Our first trip to London was for Brian's work.  He did a week long training while I visited every single stop in Rick Steves Guidebook (which I would highly recommend for anyone visiting).  Stay at a place close to a metro stop and you'll be fine.  The Hop On/Off bus is a good thing to do here as there are so many things to do/see in London.  We did the London Eye, but I'm not sure it would make my personal to do list.  The Tower of London would as well as most museums and almost everything on Rick Steves to do list.  Get some Lebanese food at a place right across from Harrod's and the sushi is pretty good at either Harrod's (although quite pricey) and at Paddington Station.


2010-  Our trip to London in July was for Brian's work.  We just extended it a little and made it into a mini vacation.  I spent a day in Cambridge, while Brian was working.  Cambridge in the UK is very similar to Cambridge, MA.  Beautiful landscaping and lovely Universities.  Unfortunately, I did not have our camera, so there are no pictures to share.  The next day, when Brian's meetings were over, we took the train into London.

Having already been to London and done all the touristy things..I asked a friend who had lived there for years to recommend some more local type stuff to do.  We explored Primrose Hill, which is a lovely area where some famous people, Kate Moss, Jude Law, to name a few, live.  There's a nice park with a great view of the city.  We enjoyed the nice summer weather.  We also went over to the ultra trendy Soho Hotel for High Tea.  SO MUCH FUN!  I love tea and everything little that goes along with it.  We also stopped by Portabello Road, which is one of my must do's every time I'm there.  We actually stayed in Notting Hill this trip, which is a great area of London.

Strasbourg

Strasbourg is one of my favorite cities to take visitors to.  One being that it is so close to where we live.  Two, is that the best biscuits in the world are here!  La Cure Gourmande Alpes makes the best biscuits ever!  Their shop is right near the Cathedral.  We have climbed to the top of the Cathedral, which is a really nice climb with lovely views.  Also, I would recommend doing the riverboat cruise.  It departs frequently and has English automated tour as you ride.