I've already told everyone on my Facebook page, but I just want to tell you all that I am moving from Germany next Summer. The location is top secret until we have our orders lol. Don't any of you who knows ruin it!!! As much as I want to travel all over Europe money, unfortunately does not grow on trees. I am fortunate to have traveled where I have, though! And I loved every minute of it. Over Thanksgiving, we will be on a jet plane to Scotland and London!!! Thanksgiving reminds me of my brother's death...I want to be distracted and with my older brother and his family.
While seeing as much of Europe as possible is important, I also think it's important to see all the sites I possibly can around Germany. Last summer, me and my three went to Northern Germany by the Baltic Sea, we also went to Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich, we've been to Munich and Frankfurt a few times, but I love both cities so much why not go as many times I can before leaving? I will probably not see either for many many years. I want these trips apart of my children's memories. They really enjoyed Berlin and ask to go back often. That was a 6 hour car ride! My butt was numb!!! But sheesh it was worth it!!! I asked my facebook page how they save on trips and they gave some great tips. I also learned great ways to save for trips in my math class!! I am NOT selling that book. I am keeping it for future reference. At our next location my husband has his 5 places we will go to. We didn't do that here, which why we probably didn't see as much as we wanted to. Check out the tags of some of the places we've enjoyed. I am really enjoying the drive to the Stuttgart a lot. The next place we will hit there is their famous zoo. You guys seemed to really like the Ludwigsburg post! I have some friends by Trier so I will definitely share our trip there, too. I went my first weekend in Germany. And with an old douche boyfriend...both trips were a bit of a blur, but going with the family it will stick I think.
OK now on to the Cologne trip. WE went to Cologne last March. My husband and I made a list of places in Germany we wanted to visit before leaving Germany and Cologne was on the top of the list. Though, I believe Cologne is the best place to visit during the Christmas season. http://www.worldwideticketing.com/images/special-events/germany-market/market-cologne.jpg
We went to Cologne a week after Karneval. It's like Mardi Gras.
Germans really know how to party. I will miss this aspect of Germany a lot. http://www.taz.de/!30800/
Cologne is a bit on the expensive side. I thought since Berlin was relatively inexpensive that we'd luck out in another big city. I guess because it was around Karneval season, prices were a bit inflated. We found a nice Apartment to stay that wasn't overly expensive. I noticed a lot of times apartments are cheaper than hotels. We also went with the youngest two, as my eldest was with his family.
We hit up the Koeln Dom (Cologne Cathedral) it's the tallest building n Europe. It had a cool spookiness about it while also being breathtakingly beautiful.
My loves in front of the Cathedral. Our apartment was about 500m from the Cathedral. And still pretty inexpensive.
At night
Now on to the Chocolate Factory/Museum. Check out the website: http://www.chocolatemuseum-cologne.com/ We went on a Saturday and got there about an hour early and there was a long line! It's opened during the week from 10am to 6pm and on weekends and holidays from 11am to 7pm. Like most placed in Germany you can not go the last minute it's closed to entries an hour before. We went there from the Koeln Dom via the most uncomfortable train ride. But if you have little ones, they will really enjoy it. This city really is gorgeous. So happy we made an effort to go.
The tickets cost us 20euro. There isn't much parking by the museum. So this is the best way to go IMO.
Now the Chocolate Museum
There were all kinds of interactive exhibits. The history of cocoa. A bit depressing with slave trade etc. I am happy after the exhibits there was a chocolate fountain! I learned a lot and am very picky about my chocolate. Drown your sorrows in Chocolate.
Now to some edible stuff!! I LOVE LINDT.
If you have chocolate lovers they will love this place.
My children, my youngest particularly will miss Kinder Eggs. They are prohibited from the US due to the small toys...CRAZY!!!! WE usually chuck the toys. We've never had a problem with Kinder Eggs.
For you nutella lovers, there is also an exhibit about that. I am not a big fan of nutella but my youngest of course is.I din;t know nutella was around for so many years. They celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2006. I remember my husband eating some when we first met over 6 years ago and I was afraid to try it because it looked like marmite lol.
HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS POST AND MAKE IT THERE IF YOU'RE ABLE TO!!!!
My next post will be about my home!!!! And how pinterest inspired me to make it a home. I am off from school for ten days so no excuses. Plus more inspiration to clean. Yes, I am moving in about 8 months, but I am still obsessed with making this home cozy.
