Blog Archives

Berlin

3/26/2017

I had heard so much about what a cool city Berlin is and I think it led to way too high of expectations. In hindsight, I'd still recommend it because of all the history there, but it just didn't knock my socks off. I'm glad I went to eat a doner kebab, and oh yeah, visit important Holocaust memorials and learn more about the Cold War.

This memorial was a highlight of the trip because it was so well done. You actually go underground to walk through different exhibits. I would highly recommend this very moving memorial.

On ground level, this is what the memorial looks like. It's right in the middle of business buildings, which actually reminded me a bit of the 9/11 Memorial in New York.

This marks the entrance of the exhibits underneath the memorial. It gave me chills just reading it, but it's such an important and relevant message today.

Berlin does a great job of having informative exhibits right outside so you don't have to go into a museum all the time. In fact, Checkpoint Charlie was actually right outside our hotel.

This is one segment of the Berlin Wall that stuck out to me. Something that I learned on this trip is that it's a good thing I'm not a history teacher because I barely know anything about the Cold War!

If you love graffiti art, then Berlin is your city. I actually liked this one, and yes, it did make me stop and smile.

You have to try currywurst in Berlin. It's their thing! Think of curry flavored ketchup and you've got yourself currywurst. It's better than it sounds, unless you don't like curry.

I pretty much always find a way to get handmade truffle pasta when I'm in Europe. It just happens. This is from Mani in Pasta at Market Hall Nine.

Fassbender & Rausch is an upscale chocolatier in Germany, so of course I had to visit one of their stores. They're known for making huge chocolate sculptures, such as this one of Brandenburg Gate.

There is a cafe upstairs. Did I need another reason to go other than its existence? The Fassbender & Rausch cafe had great holiday ambiance, and everything we had was amazing. Do you see that small cup of hot chocolate on the left? It was pretty much decadent melted dark chocolate. Amazing.

0 Comments

Prague

3/19/2017

0 Comments

We didn't set out to visit the Czech Republic, but Prague was listed on many traveling sites as an "it" city that didn't shut down for Christmas, so Prague it was! I'm so glad we went because other than Annecy in France, Prague was my favorite city on this trip. Why? I'll show you...

Postcard worthy views during a walk through Petrin Hill.

If you love old European architecture, then you'll love wandering the cobblestone streets of Prague. There is so much history everywhere you go!

In my opinion, St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague Castle is best seen at night to experience its Gothic architecture.

Um...who knew Prague has amaaazing hot chocolate? There is a reason why they sell hot chocolate in such small sizes; it's super rich and decadent! In fact, some places will give you a spoon because it's so deliciously thick.

If you love duck, then Eastern Europe has you covered because it's fairly common. I kept reading about bread dumplings before I went, and I was excited to try them. Think of a doughy dinner roll and you've got yourself some bread dumplings. Not a fan.

What can I say? I love duck!

This beet & goat cheese appetizer looks pretty fancy, right? Guess what? We ate at Santini Garden on Christmas night and our whole meal was about $30!

Just in case you missed it, Prague has great chocolate! Chocolate bark with raspberries, rose petals, and gold flakes? Yes, please!

In my defense, I had NO idea there was a chocolate shop next to our hotel.

This was the street from right outside Hotel Neruda. Seriously, how cute are the buildings?!

I loved how our hotel room had big windows where I could sit, drink tea, and people watch. Prague really is a lovely city with so much old world charm and history. Besides, I hear they have really good chocolate ;)

0 Comments