Tag: summer

Germany

Hiking in the Swabian Alb: Hiking the Zipfelbachtal to the Randecker Maar and Ziegelhütte

The sun is shining, the trees are in bloom, and I find myself looking for family-friendly hikes in the region. I’m craving the mountains, but can’t commit to a long holiday. I am in luck because the area surrounding Esslingen is full of beautiful hikes with stunning views. From ridge walks and vineyard hills, or just a bit further to the Swabian Alb, there is a lot to explore! Today I want to take you to the Swabian Alb along the Zipfelbach Valley, through a volcanic crater, and finally to to a farm stand, before enjoying a country house for […]

Switzerland

Engelberg Switzerland Summer Mountain Family Holiday

There’s not much more I love than summer in the mountains, and Engelberg was no exception. With family-friendly mountain hikes, an alpine coaster, enchanting interactive playgrounds, and alpine lake hikes, Engelberg delivers. Here are our family’s favorite things to do in Engelberg in the summer. Grotzenwäldi Spielplatz: Enchanting Alpine Lake Playground I would hesitate to call Grotzenwäldi an actual spielplatz, or playground — yet it is the most idyllic spot for kids and adults: a beautiful alpine lake lined with wooden paddle-rafts and plenty of outdoor grills, tables, and firewood. Grab a stone table in the shade, then take out […]

Germany

An Evening at Esslingen’s Premier Dinner en Blanc

We had such a wonderful evening at Esslingen’s first Diner en Blanc, hosted by the Esslingen Lion’s Club. It was a beautiful evening with great company, atmosphere, food, and live jazz. We even made some new friends. Let me tell you all about it! Diner en Blanc originated in Paris and cities do their own versions. You dress all in white and bring your own three course meal for an elegant picnic at a public space in the city. The Lions Club made the Esslingen Schwörhof glow in beautiful light as they provided paper lanterns strung above, tables and chairs […]

Austria

Austrian Alpine Summer Playgrounds – Holiday with Children

I found myself craving a summer holiday with our three small children and began searching what we could possibly do that would be fun for the kids, the least amount of hassle for the adults, where we would ALL be entertained for multiple days on end, and is stroller friendly. Does this magical formula exist? I am happy to say a resounding YES, it does! I present you the Austrian alps and their glorious alpine playgrounds. Austrian Alps with Kids The Austrian alps have entered the chat! Let me tell you that the Austrian alps are the most kid friendly […]

USA

We’ve Moved…!

After an amazing five years in Stuttgart, Germany, David and I have moved back to Charleston, SC (surprise)!  It was a part of our plan to stay for about five years in Stuttgart and then return to our beloved southern city.  I had hinted about a lot of changes coming in 2020 back in this post, and after what felt like months and months of waiting around, covid shutting down most of our last trips, and covid stressing us out about being able to even move back, everything finally fell into place in June and then we essentially spent most […]

France

The Ultimate Paris Travel Guide

I present you the Ultimate Paris Travel Guide!  Based on my personal favorites from MANY Parisian trips over many years, if you stick to these suggestions I guarantee you’ll have the time of your life!  Just don’t blame me if upon return, you spend your free time trying to figure out how to move your whole life there 😉  Also, be sure to check out my personal interactive Paris map at the end (I’m very proud of this)!! Ok!  I’ve laid out this post into the categories below: Reading Paris like a Map City Views Things to Do Museums Shopping […]

Germany

Stuttgart Musings – Late Summer

Ciao ciao friends!!!  Since the epic Sardinia vacay, we celebrated David’s birthday in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Montenegro with friends, took a week back in the States for my brothers wedding (!!), and have been hanging around Stuttgart.  I started thinking that I rarely post about my daily life in Stuttgart, and need to change that asap.  Here’s a look into my daily musings around our city! Walking through my neighborhood, I tried to capture some of my favorite buildings.  The south side of Stuttgart has more historical buildings, while the north towards the Hauptbahnhof has much more modern […]

Italy

Sardinia Itinerary Part V: Cala Gonone Boat Day

When you go to Sardinia, the BEST thing you could do is rent a boat from Cala Gonone!  It’s my #1 must-do in Sardinia and was the highlight of our trip!  Spending the full day out on the water with just your crew will never get old.  Dave and I had the luxury to explore the coast as we wanted, stopping to see what caught our fancy on our own time! #freedom. Rent Your Boat To rent a boat, walk up to the Cala Gonone ferry terminal where there will be a circle of different huts selling ferry tickets and […]