We brought a GPS for the trip this year, and it was our first time using this technology. We discovered that you still have to read your maps because not everything shows up on the GPS. Still, we recommend it highly, and it allowed us to get out of the road mazes within medieval cities and to have the confidence to change plans as we go.
Jim drove us across Europe, taking the scenic routes, which brought us the visual autumn beauty of all the countries we visited. Needless to say, my camera was working overtime. I might not have been sporting a diamond necklace, but around my neck at all times was my digital Rebel Canon SLR... full of visual jewels to share with everyone.
You can hire tour guides to take you through, but we chose to walk through on our own, with my camera clicking away at some of the details.
The Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten boasts an impressive collection of Baroque works by Rubens and his contemporaries, as well as pieces by 19th-century Salon artists and Modernist painters such as James Ensor and Rik Wouters.
During our visit, we noticed that the air in Antwerp is quite smoggy, and the roads and sidewalks are in very poor condition.
We decided to rent bikes to get around, but it was a frustrating and dangerous experience. Although biking is popular in the city, navigating the streets felt far less safe than in the Netherlands.
We ventured into the countryside of Belgium and found the people very friendly, and the food and beer excellent. Before our trip, Jim connected with a Belgian hockey blogger named Lode, who invited us to his home. Lode and his wife, Carilyn, were incredibly welcoming, treating us like old friends.
They took us to a local monastery brewery and restaurant for an authentic Belgian dinner.
When we returned to their home, they gifted us 30 varieties of Belgian beer. Over our five weeks of traveling, we enjoyed tasting the variety of brands from the three boxes we received. Some of the beers were heavy and thick, while others were light. Belgians take great pride in their beer and compete with other countries, claiming that Belgium produces the best.
To my surprise, I discovered that I enjoyed Belgium's refreshing fruit and berry beers. They are unlike anything we have in Canada and do not have the high sugar, sweet, or chemical taste that often characterizes our alcoholic beverages.
We recently visited a fascinating place called Axel Vervoordt Kanaal Studio. Although we weren't quite sure what to expect, it sounded intriguing, so we drove to Wijnegem. The experience was nothing short of incredible, with a captivating fusion of interior design showcased alongside collections of art, furniture, and industrial space—a photographer's dream.
This venue is vast, resembling a museum where every corner is a visual feast for photographers and interior designers alike, all set within industrial spaces. During our visit, Jim happened to meet the wife of the famous designer Axel Vervoordt in one of the rooms. Uncertain about whether Axel was still alive, he asked her, and she replied, "As far as I know, he's still breathing this morning!" We all had a good laugh, and she recognized that we were tourists exploring off the beaten path. She explained that this place undertakes world-class interior design projects.
Interestingly, we learned that Axel's son had played professional hockey with Lode, our new friend from Belgium. It's amazing how small the world can be, with connections forming in unexpected ways. If you ever find yourself in the area, I highly recommend experiencing this unique venue.
We drove out to the coast and arrived at an incredible holiday village called De Haan, located amidst Belgium's vulnerable sand dunes and seashore. The area boasts gorgeous sandy beaches that stretch for miles and features beautiful Belgian-style architecture for homes and guesthouses.
We spent the afternoon in Brugge, another incredible medieval destination. Although we arrived late in the day, we still enjoyed sampling some excellent Belgian beer. Brugge is definitely a tourist town, but it's well worth the visit.
We drove to Rotterdam to explore the newly built city and discovered some exciting and unusual architecture. Although we didn’t stay, we were glad we stopped to walk around the city.
We had another B&B reservation in Den Haag with our hostess, Francoise Poll. We enjoyed the historical rooms and the convenient walking distance to all that makes Den Haag an entertaining city.
Den Haag is a wonderful place to explore, with its vibrant city center, beautiful parks, and exceptional art museums. I highly recommend visiting this city for all it has to offer.
One must-see attraction is Escher in Het Paleis. This museum showcases the playful illusions found in Escher's artworks, making it a fascinating experience. The interactive displays highlight many of the illusions he explored in his art.
It’s definitely a must-visit! For more information, you can check out their website: http://www.escherinhetpaleis.nl/
The Hague, Art Museum Gemeente:
A room showcasing the antiquities of Holland.
The Mauritshuis, a Dutch Art Museum, houses an incredible collection of the finest Dutch paintings. The building itself is wonderful to explore, allowing visitors to get close to fine art masterpieces.
The Gemeentemuseum in The Hague features an expansive collection of works by artists ranging from masters to contemporary talents, as well as various historical displays. The architecturally designed building offers something for everyone, and you’ll need a couple of days to fully experience it.
It's a must-see destination. For more information, visit www.gemeentemuseum.nl/.
Jim decided that the next destination would be the beautiful countryside and the medieval Dutch city of Delft, known for its famous Blue and White porcelain dinnerware. This area offered us an amazing biking experience.
Our hosts at the B&B in Delft, Kiki and Ton Berendsen, provided a cozy, personal home set in a park-like setting and were delightful. You can find more about them at www.delftbedandbreakfast.com.
They lent us two bikes to explore the entire area and offered some suggestions for sights we might enjoy. The bike ride turned out to be an incredible experience—definitely the best way to discover the picturesque Dutch countryside, filled with charming villages, delicious pastries, refreshing beer, and stunning scenery!
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Schipluiden has a fantastic bakery worth visiting. You must go inside! |
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The village Schipluiden |
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Theo Hoek Brood & Banketbakkerij Bakery in Schipluiden |
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Theo Hoek Brood & Banketbakkerij Bakery Schipluiden |
Visiting Schipluiden feels like stepping into a real-life fantasy land. This charming village is home to an incredible bakery called Theo Hoek Brood & Banketbakkerij. Here, you'll find a wide selection of high-quality baked goods.
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Theo Hoek Brood & Banketbakkerij Bakery Schipluiden |
On our way home, we stopped in an old town called Maasland and visited Café De Pynas. It's definitely worth a stop for some hearty fusion food and great Dutch beer.
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Walsrode, Germany |
During our visit, we noticed that many businessmen chose to stay at the Walsroder Hof. The cobblestone streets here are uniquely designed and quite decorative. Interestingly, the sound of car tires rolling over these streets resembles the soothing sound of waves crashing on a rocky beach. All streets should sound this good!
Driving across Europe allowed us to experience the unique charm of small towns like Walsrode. It is a charming little town with elaborate cobblestone streets that made the tires sound like waves of water.
As we walked around town, we discovered many fantastic bakeries, which are my special passion, as well as interesting architecture in the roofs and front doors.
Walsrode is home to many serious music students and skilled luthiers. The town is friendly, and we loved our hotel, the Walsroder Hof, which had the most humorous host.
We enjoyed a room with a fantastic, huge bathtub, comfortable accommodations, a well-stocked breakfast, and parking—all for just $70.00 CAD.
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Cello Bar Hurst! |
After another day of traveling, we decided to take a detour into a charming town called Celle. We managed to find parking in front of a bar, where we had the chance to meet the eclectic owner and his dog, who amusingly wore a large collar to prevent him from chewing on himself. This quirky dog definitely made us laugh!
We arrive in our favorite European city, Berlin, and are staying in our friend's apartment in Steglitz. We park our car and mostly use the metro to get around.
You can find transportation and museum deals available when you purchase tickets. Fortunately, I am a CARFAC member as an artist in Canada ($55.00 annual membership), which allows me to obtain a special artist's passport for $8.00. This passport grants free entry to most museums in Europe.
The trains are an excellent way to explore the sprawling city, allowing us to get off in different areas and discover new places. Hauptbahnhof, Berlin's largest train station, serves as a hub for pickups, transfers, and drop-offs for travelers arriving from across Europe via various train services. Inside, there's also a large mall with a wide range of shops and food options for last-minute shopping.
We spent a day wandering around Potsdamer Park, which features a beautiful lake lined with sailboats and a historic castle, making it a great spot for a holiday getaway.
The castle, known as Cecilienhof, was built by architect Paul Schultze-Naumburg between 1914 and 1917 for Prince Wilhelm.
Cecilienhof is designed in the English Tudor style and is surrounded by beautiful gardens. It now operates as a hotel.
The area is quite lively, with a famous beer garden by the lake where you can relax and quench your thirst. Even in the offseason, it's a busy and vibrant place to explore.
Berlin: Sony Center
As you enter the city center of Berlin, it's hard not to admire the way the city blends its historic buildings with modern architecture. Berlin aims to be a vibrant hub for arts, music, theater, history, and architecture, and I must say, it truly is a marvelous place to explore. At the Sony Center, we watched the movie "Tropic Thunder" in English in a large theater.
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Rare Orchids in the Dahlem: Botanischer Garten |
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Many cacti are displayed for visitors to walk around to see them in their ideal climate at the Dahlem Botanical Garden. |
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Rare orchids in the Dahlem: Botanischer Garten |
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Dahlem: Botanischer Garten Expansion |
Dahlem boasts a vast garden and a botanical building that was undergoing expansion during our visit in 2008. This facility includes a section featuring rare orchids and cacti, allowing visitors to admire their remarkable beauty.
I will definitely return to see the updates and stroll through the gardens.
Be sure to pack a lunch! The outdoor area of the Botanischer Garten features a diverse array of trees from around the world, with many secluded spots to sit and meditate amid the natural surroundings.
We visited the Botanical Museum the year before, which showcases a historical collection of ancient plants. Inside the museum, they house samples of various plants, both ancient and modern, for study and preservation.
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Staatliche: Ethologisches Museum |
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Staatliche: Ethologisches Museum |
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Staatliche: Ethologisches Museum  The café at the Ethnological Museum offers excellent prices and delicious food! I have visited this museum twice and still haven't finished exploring all the displays showcasing cultures from around the world. On certain days of the week, admission is free, so it's a great opportunity to treat yourself to a coffee in the café! I was pleasantly surprised to see a feature on Vancouver, BC native artist Bill Reid, whom I have had the pleasure of meeting in the past. This museum is a fantastic place to study diverse cultures, with first-class displays that include artifacts, artworks, clothing, and more. |
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Mitte and graffiti |
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Mitte White Trash Fast Food Restaurant |
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Mitte White Trash Fast Food Restaurant |
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Mitte White Trash Fast Food Restaurant The FUNKIEST place to eat and hang out! |
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The Best Bakery in the world is in Steilglitz: The Royal Bakery Konditorei Rabien |
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Langenargen, Germany Hotel Alder: The ceramic chicken stairs. |
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Langenargen, Germany Hotel Alder: The Yellow Room |
It's time for us to travel some more, leaving certain aspects of our trip spontaneous. We arrived in a sleepy little German tourist town called Langenargen, just after the tourist season had ended. There is a quaint little castle here called Schloss Montfort.
We searched for a good rate for three nights, as we needed a place to rest our tired heads. We checked into Hotel Alder, a boutique hotel, where we found a quirky place to stay. Each room was decorated with kitschy items and had a specific color theme. We stayed in the yellow room, which offered a lovely view of the town and the water.
Upon our arrival, we were greeted by a pencil-thin woman who reminded me of Olive Oyl from Popeye. She barked orders into the kitchen, summoning her chef to carry our suitcases over his shoulder up the stairs, careful not to knock over the absurdly placed ceramic roosters that lined each step, as well as the stacked magazines, making it a somewhat hazardous route. I noticed that a few roosters had lost their heads and were glued back on—quite a strange sight!
Despite its oddities, the hotel was quiet enough for us to get some sleep.
We also watched the news on TV, which was reporting on the global financial crash, and it felt surreal. Though it wasn't the cheapest place to stay, it offered tranquility, good food, and easy access to walk around the town and the waterfront. On certain days, fresh food markets attracted a lively crowd.
Next, we planned to travel to Austria, departing in beautiful sunny weather, but were met with a terrifying drive through the Alps into an unexpected blizzard.
Castel Hoenwerfen, Bavaria
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Austria Alps surprise blizzard |
We traveled through the Austrian Alps, leaving on a sunny day but arriving in Austria during a snow blizzard. We saw several motorcyclists attempting the dangerous, steep climb, struggling to maintain control in the unexpected storm. It was quite terrifying to navigate in our new Peugeot.
Driving through the Alps in the blizzard was extremely slow. We finally reached the mountain village of Zell am See and drove up a hill in search of an open pension.
Many places were closed for the end of fall, preparing for the busy ski season ahead.
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Herbertus Pension Zell Am See |
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Mountain folded pillows and cozy beds. Herbertus Pension Zell Am See |
The rooms have all been upgraded, featuring Folk-style painting on the furniture and clean, crisp sheets and pillows that are folded into mountain shapes.
Breakfast consists of organic, locally sourced food, served in a room filled with history. Bernd will entertain you with a daily joke and engaging conversation to brighten your day. We caught the Pension during its last days of the season, just as they were preparing for a seasonal cleanup.
They kindly allowed us to stay for a few more days while they began their cleaning. The staff was incredibly delightful, and the facilities are wonderful, conveniently located near the ski run.
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| Schmitten Alps Ski Lodge Zell Am See |
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Zell Am See, Schmitten Alps skiing is closed for the season. Opening soon for winter. |
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Zell Am See lake side and walking paths. |
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Zell Am See lake and mountains. |
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Zell Am See Town Center |
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Lofer village |
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Lofer streets and village. |
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Birds of prey at the castle Hohenwerfen |
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Castle Hohenwerfen |
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Birds of prey show at the castle Hohenwerfen |
We came across a castle high in the mountains and, curious to explore, we drove up to Castle Hohensalzburg. Upon arrival, we noticed a tram that takes visitors up to the castle entrance.
You can also walk up the hill through the woods, but be prepared for a significant hike.
The castle was built in 1075 and has served as a military training ground and a hunting lodge. Inside, there is a grim prison where people are tortured.
We decided to take a guided tour with a woman who was both knowledgeable and full of humor, teaching us about the various uses and abuses this castle has endured over the years.
There was nothing shiny or glitzy about the castle; however, the most surprising and interesting experience was the Birds of Prey show. They put on an impressive display, with a variety of birds swooping down above our heads from one handler to another.
These amazing creatures in such an incredible setting made for a memorable experience, but be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes while exploring the area. After the show, we visited the Birds of Prey museum and then took the woodland pathways back to our car, enjoying the breathtaking views and getting some fresh air and much-needed exercise.
Our next trip will be to France, where we have reservations for a rental apartment in Colmar.
Alsace, Épernay
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Colmar and building details |
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Colmar rental apartment |
We made reservations in advance before arriving in Europe with a friendly woman named Leslie, who owns a rental apartment in the center of Colmar.
Colmar is a delightful village filled with history, narrow cobblestone streets, and colorful buildings. Leslie also has a fantastic bed-and-breakfast in her home, but we preferred to have our own space for the week.
This village is a shopping paradise, offering a wide variety of foods, kitchen supplies, antiques, art, fashion, and more. While we like to stick to our budget and avoid unnecessary purchases, we do indulge in searching for local foods and wines.
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Colmar building details and colors |
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Colmar village |
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Colmar's quaint architecture |
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Narrow cobblestone streets of Colmar |
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Colmar, France, is rich in history and features charming, colorful buildings with lots of wooden details and metal signs. The design of the buildings, which often appears top-heavy, has an interesting background: taxes were based on lower square footage. To avoid paying extra taxes on the upper floors, builders constructed the buildings taller, thereby increasing the living space without incurring additional costs. This village attracts a steady flow of tourists and offers numerous attractions, even during the off-season. |
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Colmar's specialty meat shop, called Tempe, offers a variety of gourmet pâtés and the famous regional pork pies. |
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BEST fresh French Local Colmar cheese shop |
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The stinky cheese is stored in the airtight refrigerator at the back. Where do you begin? There are so many cheeses and so little time to sample them all!
For the best cheese, visit Fromagerie St Nicolas. Here, you can taste a selection of the finest cheeses from various regions, guided by shop owners who will share the history of each cheese. It's an unforgettable tasting experience. |
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Alsace wine village, where the wineries sell their wines to customers. |
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Cité de l'Automobile Musée National in Mulhouse |
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Cité de l'Automobile Musée National in Mulhouse |
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Cité de l'Automobile Musée National in Mulhouse |
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Cité de l'Automobile Musée National in Mulhouse |
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Cité de l'Automobile Musée National in Mulhouse |
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Cité de l'Automobile Musée National in Mulhouse |
We took a day trip to a car collector's dream museum, the Cité de l'Automobile – Musée National, located in the village of Mulhouse.
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Soultzmatt Winery |
We went for a scenic fall drive through the French Vosges mountains and arrived in the village of Soultzmatt, which is famous for its naturally carbonated water. This carbonated water is especially beneficial for stomach aches and liver, kidney, and bladder diseases, and has been bottled since 1853.
We bought a case of lemon-flavored water and enjoyed every last drop. The village also sells wine, so we decided to stop at a local vineyard to purchase some. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by a large St. Bernard, who announced our presence. We were then welcomed by two generations of women who took us to the outdoor kitchen where they prepare meals for the field crews every day.
The women were just finishing up their cleaning when they sat us down to try their sparkling wines, called Grande Cru and Crémant. Jim attempted to speak French, which seemed to delight them, and they poured us more glasses of wine.
We ended up buying a dozen bottles and set off for dinner at our apartment in Colmar, where some pungent cheese and pork pies were waiting to be devoured!
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Epernay: Moet Chandon Champagne samples after the tour. |
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France Epernay: Moet Chandon Champagne |
Wrapping up our five-week journey, we decided to end with a visit to Champagne country, stopping overnight in Epernay, France, where we stayed at a budget-friendly IBIS Hotel. The room was adequate, but the food was the most disgusting meal I have ever eaten—truly vile. I asked the server and the cook to explain the dish. I'm not particularly picky, but we were in Champagne country, and the food was worse than prison food. They didn’t remove it from the bill but offered dessert instead. I declined and went to bed hungry, although I did have a big bar of chocolate and some sparkling lemon Soultzmatt water to wash it down.
Earlier that day, we took a tour of the Moët & Chandon Champagne winery. We purchased tickets to sample the champagne at the end of the tour, and it turned out that our guide accidentally opened the wrong, cheaper bottle. However, she ended up opening the most expensive one instead! When she asked if we minded the more expensive taste for a bargain price, we eagerly accepted.
A bit tipsy, we staggered out into the streets and walked around the beautiful landscape filled with grand wineries.
It was sad knowing that our five-week tour was ending and that we had to return the leased Peugeot at the Paris airport.
We love Europe and plan to make it our regular travel destination. Reading history in a book just isn’t the same as stepping back in time as you walk through the ancient and modern countries of Europe.
There are so many more places we want to visit, yet we would also love to return to some of the places we have already explored. Visiting museums to see art and artifacts adds richness to our trips.
We hope you have enjoyed our journey and feel inspired to seek out some of the places we visited and embark on your own adventures!
Bon Voyage, Minaz & Jim
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