Ladies and Gentlemen, the countdown begins, Christmas is just around the corner and the Christmas Markets will soon be open! Not sure where to go? No worries, here are a few personal recommendations for you from me.  I hope that my list will help you organize your

The Westvleteren 12 Trappist beer, brewed by the monks at the St. Sixtus Abbey, is one of the most coveted beers in the world by beer connoisseurs. It is also one of the most exclusive beers in the world, as the only place authorized to sell the beer is at the St. Sixtus Abbey in West Flanders,

You may call us crazy, but last month we decided to take our kids to Disneyland in Paris. I do have to add, our kids are 19 and 15, but they had been bugging to going back to Disney for years now. So what do good parents do? You eventually give in, sit

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Keukenhof has to be one of the most popular destinations in the Netherlands during springtime. It is one of the

Dull, rumbling calls are carried over the exhibition farm at the Wilhelma. Through trees and branches, spotted fur and impressive antlers are visible. The new arrival at the Persian fallow deer is making for a magnificent sight. The newcomer has loudly proclaimed the start of

The official start to the Christmas season here in Germany has to be the lighting of the first candle on the Advent wreath, which is usually also the time that most of the big Christmas markets open up. The Christmas markets have to be one of the most anticipated

Bad Wimpfen and Burg Guttenberg are located in the beautiful Neckar Plain about an hour by car from Stuttgart or 1,5 hours from Kaiserslautern. Take the first exit on the highway A6 going towards Mannheim, the exit Neckarsulm and then head toward Mosbach. But beware – there

If you ever lived in the Rhein-Neckar region, then you know that one of the summer highlights is the Heidelberg castle illumination. Three times every year during the summer months (June, July and September, right after nightfall), the spectacle attracts thousands of

“The magical journey begins at dusk” - that’s the theme the Wilhelma will go by when the Christmas Garden Stuttgart opens their doors to visitors on

During the 4 weeks of Advent (roughly four weeks prior to Christmas) the Christmas Markets – Weihnachtsmärkte - open their doors.

They originated in German-speaking part of Europe & in the Eastern regions of France in the Late Middle

Every year a different German city has the honor of hosting the national garden show. This year the task has fallen upon Heilbronn. Each city designs and sets-up a huge public garden with their hometown’s touch. Those

The Stuttgart spring fest starts with a 4 day weekend into its 79^th year. This year it is opening right in time to celebrate the end of fasting on the Saturday before Easter. Old and young visitors can look forward to 3 eventful weeks in the capital of

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Germany's Largest Seasonal Theme Park with over 14 roller coasters, water rides, and a number of exciting theatrical shows! Experience the sights, sounds,

I'm sure you've all heard of Mardi Gras in New Orleans or Carnival in Venice, and well, Fasching is Germany's Mardi Gras or Carnival. It officially began on 11.11.11 – meaning, the 11^th of November (the 11^th Month) at 11:11 AM, 2016, and it will end at the stroke of midnight on Fat Tuesday (or Shrove

Surprised? Yes, even Germany has beaches. I know it’s a well-hidden secret. Since most Americans are kind of concentrated in the center and south of Germany, the North is often left out. But that’s just where the oceans

Almost 3 years after the last birth in the Gorilla group, this year’s addition brings their number to 12. On January 11th, 2018 animal caretakers where thrilled to discover the, so far unknown gender, gorilla infant.

Today most Germans are usually not very superstitious, black cats, broken mirrors, or Friday the 13th doesn’t faze them anymore. Nevertheless, Germany is a place where you often feel, time standing still. Town centers can take you back to the middle ages and dark

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Entering the parking area of the New England style hotel “Bell Rock” at the Europa Park was like entering a different era, especially once we parked and

Hear ye, Hear ye!!

In just one month the gates for the famous Horb knight games will open. Horb, located 35 miles south of Stuttgart at the A81, is one of the largest medieval markets in the Europe. This medieval festival doesn’t just lure its visitors in with an

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On May 25, 2019, Duesseldorf, the traditional stronghold of Japanese business in Europe, is

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The legendary festival along Lake Constance, August 12th, 2017

And you can win tickets! Our friends of the festival were so kind to

Do you want to experience a nice day with the family?

Fun, adventure, interesting facts, tranquility, shopping, and enjoyment. All that can be found at the Landesgartenschau in Öhringen! For the adults, there are suggestions for your own garden, gardens that delight the eye, music and a beach bar that invite you to relax. For children there are several playgrounds, hands-on

The Wilhelma visitors are almost mesmerized by the sight of him. Will he do it or not? Spectators gather by every Indian peacock and wait anxiously if he will show of his legendary display of tail feathers. Right now, is the best time of the year to observe the cock with the most

Christmas markets are one of the most popular attractions during the winter month in Germany. Every larger city has one and everyone has their own little perks. One of the most charming markets has to be the medieval Christmas market in Esslingen. The market is located

The people that know me would probably all agree that I am not a work out kind of girl… so let’s just say I was more than surprised when I was told to check out a fitness place… oh dear, poor me. So, off I went to see what the big hype was about.

The Sunshine Pumpkin Farm is located in Gerhardsbrunn, a short 20 minute drive from Ramstein Air Base. Every year Familie Guhl opens up their pumpkin patch to families in the KMC area! Their fantastic pumpkin patch is so much fun; it's the perfect place to pick

Rhine Fall is a year-round, freely-accessible attraction; be sure to check opening hours, as they can change with the season.

Rhine Fall Schaffhausen opening hours and prices: http://www.rheinfall.ch/en

After the Rhine has left Lake Constance, it rushes through the

Schaffhausen is a beautiful city with a vault cellar right in the city center. Located right next to the train station starts the inner city of Schaffhausen. In addition to cusps, old buildings and their facades, the old facility Munot located right next to the Rhine Fall which offers a secret highlight.

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The “Gartenschau” garden show in Kaiserslautern is reopening its gates on March 30, 2019. Known as one of the most popular outdoor hang outs in the area, this place is perfect for a family with younger children. The garden show is laid

“Visitors are amazed when I say that Sigmaringen is Germany’s most important castle,” the guide says with a smile. “But this castle belonged to, and still belongs to, the Hohenzollern dynasty that played a vital role in German history.” Towering on a

As many of you are going through the PCS madness, I know- just about now, you are writing a mental list of last minute shopping trips of things to bring back to the states. Your parents want something from Germany, Auntie Maggie made sure to remind you on your last phone

With May come the big fairs with rides, games, beer tents and great food. The city of Stuttgart kicks off with the Fruehlingsfest on the Wasen, the big fairground in the city. In Kaiserslautern, one of the biggest fairgrounds in the Palatinian region opens its doors, the Lauterer May

The squirrel monkeys at the Wilhelma are showing off their three little ones. Responsible is: Frenchman Illamp;, the current male, joined the little popular monkey group on the sub-tropical terraces, after moving here from the southern French zoo de La Barben. Now the first results

For all of you who are new to Stuttgart, or not just new to Stuttgart, but new to Germany – Welcome, to Germany and to Stuttgart. Stuttgart is not only my hometown, but, with over 620,000 residents, the largest city in the state of Baden-Wuertemberg. It is also the B-W

The German Father’s Day and Mother’s Day are right around the corner, perfect time for a little day trip. Gondwana, das Praehistorium is offering an amazing deal to celebrate those special holidays with

It won’t take long to realize that the Esslingen market is different from other markets you may visit in Europe.  Visiting the Esslingen Christmas market is like stepping back into the medieval ages.  The market is surrounded by half-timbered wooden houses dating back from the 13^th to

If you ask around, one of the “must-see”

Don't miss your last chance to visit the Japanese Gardens in Kaiserslautern this year!

Two hours from Stuttgart or one and a half hours from Kaiserslautern - located in the French Lembach - is the fortress "Four a chaux" - lime kiln of the Maginot line. It got its name from the formerly located lime kiln in the neighborhood.

The Maginot Line extends

After the freezing temperatures, mild weather is finally on the radar and with that comes not only the bloom of the snowdrops.  We finally get to see the 3 new additions of the meerkats; peeking out of their holes at the Wilhelma. The

The Brezel Fest is a long-standing tradition in Speyer. It was originally born out of an idea to bring money into the city in 1910, when the merchants and bakers were suffering. The city council founded the tourism

The Stuttgart TV Tower started its service in 1956, it was the first of its kind and it has since been an example for other towers which were built worldwide. During its construction period, the project Stuttgart

For 12 days Stuttgart will be celebrating wine and great food. Local specialties, sweets and over 250 different wines are there to represent the area.

The Stuttgart zoo is one of the largest and well-known zoos within Germany, it draws in over 2.1 million visitors every year. The park covers an area of almost 70 acres, about the size of 40 football fields and is bordered by the Neckar river and

If you take the B27 south of Stuttgart, driving through Reutlingen and Pfullingen, you'll eventually reach Lichtenstein. It's a rather short drive, 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic, and after Pfullingen you'll

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Spring is moving in quickly at the Wilhelma; the milder weather has caused the blossoms of the Azaleas to literally explode inside

Fall brings change, and well, winter brings the colder days and nights. While you may want to hibernate throughout the winter in your flannel pajamas while binge watching those shows your friends won't stop talking about, here are three great winter vacation

Germany is a beautiful country, I´ll say it time and time again. I´m a child of mixed cultures, and I may have been born in America, but deep in my heart, Germany is my home: the lush green country side, the mountains, rivers and lakes, the castles, festivals, food, beer, soccer, it´s churches,

The picturesque village of Annweiler in the state Rheinland Palatine is home to a stunning reconstructed castle, Trifels.  The castle is sitting at an elevation of 500 meters (1600ft), on the peak of the typical sandstone mountain, Sonnenberg. The Sonnenberg mountain has 2 lower peaks,

The Marxzell Car Museum is an hour drive from Stuttgart or 1.5 hours from Kaiserslautern. Coming from Stuttgart, take the exit Karlsbad on the A8 to Karlsruhe. At the exit turn left, and then you're only 20 minutes away from the museum. From Kaiserslautern go via Neustadt to Karlsruhe,

During the warm summer months and especially during summer break, Germans have festivals and celebrations all over. Particularly popular are village or town celebrations.  The festivals are usually hosted by the city, while in smaller communities, clubs and villages get

It’s admittingly hard to travel back into the past, if you are lacking a time travel device. But there is a city you can visit, where such a device is not necessary. You can get there all on your own, back to the Middle Ages, back when the night watchman

If you are looking for a great place to spend one of Germany`s many rainy days or are bored at home on a Sunday, why not check out the Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart.

One of the things Germany is

The Stuttgarter or more specifically Canstatter Volksfest is one of the largest beer festivals, second only to the Oktoberfest in Munich. Even the Stuttgart natives don’t say they are going “to the festival” (auf´s Volksfest) but instead say they are

Frankfurt Bonobo baby is finding a family at the Wilhelma. When Grandma had to fix it. Hopes are that the reunion with his grannie Kombote will be the fix for the little Bonobo from Frankfurt. Xhosa will receive his second chance to grow up with his kind in the zoologic-botanical

Located right on the French-German border is the picturesque town of Wissembourg. Wissembourg is only 45 miles away from Kaiserslautern or 75 miles away from Stuttgart.
Founded in the 7^th century as an Abbey, the town had grown into a fortified

The Bongos in the Wilhelma seem to be enjoying their enclosure, that was renovated in 2016, very much. Those extremely rare forest antelopes, here in the Stuttgart zoologic-botanic garden, had a baby again this year…just like 2017. Mother Asante gave birth to a calf on March