As snow melts and flowers bloom, May is perfect for exploring the Alps. These mountains, spanning Switzerland and Italy, promise stunning views and diverse activities. Adventure, relaxation, or cultural immersion—whatever you seek, the Swiss and Italian Alps deliver.
Swiss Alps Highlights
Start in Switzerland’s Bernese Oberland. Picture-perfect towns like Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, and Grindelwald await amidst snowy peaks. Hike lush meadows or board a train to Jungfraujoch, dubbed the “Top of Europe.”
Don’t miss Zermatt, a car-free haven. Wander its streets or board the Gornergrat Railway for Matterhorn views. Seeking relaxation? Luxurious alpine spas offer natural rejuvenation.
Italian Alpine Adventures
Venture to Italy’s Valle d’Aosta. Experience alpine hospitality in Aosta, Courmayeur, and La Thuile. Savor regional dishes: polenta, cheese fondue, and homemade gnocchi.
Outdoor lovers, rejoice. Diverse hiking trails reveal breathtaking vistas. Gran Paradiso National Park offers paths for all skill levels.
Why Visit in May?
The Alps in May present a unique blend, you will experience both spring’s freshness and winter’s remnants. Fewer tourists mean peaceful, uncrowded trails. Plus, May’s weather is ideal. Alpine flowers bloom, painting colorful mountainsides. The temperatures are perfect for hiking and sightseeing.
Conclusion
The Swiss and Italian Alps in May promise unmatched adventures. Vibrant landscapes, friendly towns, and diverse activities make this journey truly magical. Experience Europe’s majestic mountains at their finest.
Christmas markets in Europe are a magical experience for people of all ages. And what better way to enjoy these festive markets than with your grandkids? If you’re planning a trip to Europe during the holiday season, make sure to include a visit to the Christmas markets in Copenhagen, Cologne, Strasbourg, Vienna, and Prague. These cities are known for their beautiful markets and are perfect for creating lasting memories with your grandchildren.
Copenhagen
Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is a charming city that truly comes alive during the Christmas season. The city’s main market, located in the historic Tivoli Gardens, is a must-visit. With its twinkling lights, festive decorations, and delicious food stalls, you and your grandkids will be transported to a winter wonderland. Don’t forget to try the traditional Danish treats, such as æbleskiver and gløgg, a warm mulled wine.
Cologne
Next stop, Cologne, Germany. The Cologne Christmas market is one of the oldest and largest in Europe, attracting millions of visitors each year. The market stretches across several locations in the city, offering a wide variety of goods and activities. Your grandkids will love exploring the toy stalls, riding the carousel, and visiting the ice skating rink. Make sure to try the local specialty, a hot spiced wine called Glühwein.
Strasbourg
Strasbourg, in France, is home to one of the most picturesque Christmas markets in Europe. The city’s historic center transforms into a fairytale village, with hundreds of chalets selling crafts, decorations, and delicious Alsatian treats. Take a stroll through the enchanting streets with your grandkids and let the magic of Christmas surround you. Don’t miss out on trying some traditional gingerbread or a piping hot pretzel.
Vienna
Vienna, Austria, is known for its elegant architecture, classical music, and of course, its stunning Christmas markets. The grandest of them all is the Viennese Christmas Dream, held in front of the city hall. Your grandkids will be captivated by the carousel, ice skating rink, and the miniature train that weaves through the market. Make sure to indulge in some Austrian delicacies like apple strudel and roasted chestnuts.
Prague
Finally, the Christmas markets in Prague, Czech Republic, are a true hidden gem. The city’s markets are less crowded than some of the larger European cities, allowing you to enjoy a more intimate experience with your grandkids. The Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square are the main locations for the markets, offering a mix of traditional Czech crafts and festive treats. Don’t leave without trying trdelník, a sweet pastry rolled in cinnamon and sugar.
Visiting the Christmas markets in Copenhagen, Cologne, Strasbourg, Vienna, and Prague with your grandkids will create memories that will last a lifetime. The festive atmosphere, delicious food, and unique crafts make these markets a truly special experience. So why not plan a magical trip to Europe this holiday season and share the joy of Christmas with your loved ones?\
Europe, with its rich tapestry of cultures, history, and landscapes, has always been a magnet for travelers worldwide. While cities like Paris, London, and Rome might dominate most travel itineraries, they often come with a hefty price tag. But there’s good news for those on a budget! Europe boasts numerous stunning yet affordable destinations that remain relatively untapped. Dive into our top five cheap European destinations that offer unforgettable experiences without denting your savings.
1. Porto, Portugal
A Glimpse into Iberian Elegance
Nestled along the Douro River’s banks, Porto’s enchanting cobblestoned streets, iconic blue-tiled churches, and historic wine cellars make it a haven for travelers. Relish the exquisite flavors of Portuguese cuisine at local tascas that won’t break the bank. And of course, a visit to Porto is incomplete without tasting its renowned Port Wine in one of the traditional wine cellars.
Pro-tip: Opt for a river cruise on the Douro for a unique perspective of the city without spending a fortune.
2. Budapest, Hungary
Where Thermal Baths Meet Gothic Grandeur
Straddling the Danube, Budapest is a city of captivating history, remarkable architecture, and natural allure. Buda, with its hills, and Pest, with its plains, each lend a distinct charm to the city. Discover the majesty of the Buda Castle, marvel at the neo-Gothic Parliament, or immerse yourself in relaxation at the Széchenyi Thermal Bath. Satisfy your palate with affordable local delicacies like chimney cake and goulash.
Pro-tip: Leverage Budapest’s excellent public transport system to explore the city’s nooks and crannies.
3. Rila Monastery, Bulgaria
A Dive into Eastern Orthodox Splendor
Bulgaria, a nation of profound history and picturesque landscapes, remains a hidden gem. The Rila Monastery, cocooned amidst the serene Rila Mountains, epitomizes Bulgaria’s artistic and spiritual legacy. Its vibrant frescoes, awe-inspiring architecture, and tranquil surroundings make it a haven for travelers. Indulge in the nation’s local dishes that tantalize the taste buds and are surprisingly affordable.
Pro-tip: Opt for local guesthouses to experience authentic Bulgarian hospitality without a lavish expense.
4. Valletta, Malta
A Mediterranean Odyssey
Malta, a sun-drenched island ensconced in the Mediterranean’s heart, offers a unique blend of European and North African heritages. Valletta, its capital and a UNESCO World Heritage city, boasts golden-hued stone edifices, inviting cafés, and intricate alleyways. Relish local Maltese dishes like pastizzi and rabbit stew, which offer a gastronomic delight without a premium price.
Pro-tip: Use Malta’s extensive bus system to uncover the island’s secluded beaches and historical wonders economically.
5. Gdańsk, Poland
The Baltic Beauty
Located on Poland’s Baltic coast, Gdańsk is a city of rich maritime history and stunning architecture. Wander through its old town with colorful facades, explore the medieval Gdańsk Crane over the Motława River, or indulge in amber shopping in this northern gem. Traditional Polish dishes like pierogi and żurek are not only delicious but also incredibly wallet-friendly.
Pro-tip: Explore the nearby Sopot and Gdynia, part of the Tri-City, for an extended Polish Baltic experience without splurging.
Conclusion
Europe offers a plethora of experiences that don’t necessarily come with an exorbitant price tag. From the wine-infused corners of Porto to the thermal sanctuaries of Budapest, these cheap European destinations ensure a wealth of experiences for every budget traveler. So why wait? Ignite your wanderlust, pack those bags, and set forth on a European journey that won’t leave your finances gasping.
Welcome to an enchanting odyssey through the less-explored corners of Europe, where the true charm and allure thrive. In the smaller cities and quaint towns, not in the bustling capitals, these hidden gems hold the authentic heart and soul of Europe, waiting to be discovered.
Imagine wandering through cobblestone corridors of history, losing yourself in serpentine alleyways, and stumbling upon picturesque squares that serve as stages for daily life. These are the scenes that shape the extraordinary tapestry of these remarkable places – the pulse of a continent that beats strongest in its most unassuming corners.
In this narrative, we invite you to join us on a journey beyond the usual tourist trails and into the genuine spirit of Europe. As we traverse these unseen paths, we will uncover captivating stories whispered through the ages, unique cultures that have been shaped by centuries of civilization, and irresistible attractions that hold the power to transform any traveler into a local.
Experience life like a Local
Each of these hidden gems offers an authentic European experience that is far removed from the typical fare. This is not just about visiting; it’s about immersing yourself in the culture, tasting the local cuisine, engaging in conversation with the locals, and understanding their way of life. It’s about discovering the essence of Europe, one hidden gem at a time.
Available on Amazon
Now, here’s a little request from me to you. If this book piques your interest, and you feel inspired to embark on this journey, consider purchasing a copy on Amazon. Whether you choose the Kindle version, a paperback, or a hardcover, any version will serve as your guide to these breathtaking locales.
And if you do decide to go on this adventure with us, I would be incredibly grateful if you could take a moment to leave an honest review on Amazon. Your feedback not only helps me, but it also serves to guide other explorers who might be contemplating a similar journey. It’s a small favor, but one that makes a world of difference. Thank you, and happy travels!
When I start planning a trip to Europe, I have a sort of order that I follow, and specifics that I look for to make the trip less expensive, more enjoyable and easy to execute. I start with finding a flight and car rental, then where we will stay, and then the local things we want to do and see.
Booking the flight and car
I start looking for a flight usually with Google flights. I put in my departure airport, click on the map and see the cheapest destinations over the next 6 months. You can make this more specific by choosing dates, number of passengers, etc. Google then gives a list of flights sorted by price, and takes you to where to book it. Some sites where you book the flight, you can also add a rental car as a package deal. This usually saves you some money by booking the 2 together. They will also offer to include a hotel in the package, but I don’t do that. I get my places to stay mostly from AirBnB or VRBO. By booking the flight first, you set the location and dates for everything else.
Timing
You want to book in advance, but not too far in advance. For flights to Europe, 4 to 6 months before is the sweet spot for the best prices. Any longer, the airlines are not concerned with getting those flights booked and have a standard price on everything. Shorter timeframe, the airlines are now filling up and if you need to get on that flight, you can, but at a premium. Last minute deals can be the best prices of all, but you have to be ready to go, now!
The Rental Car
To begin, I want to point out, I like to drive. I do not, however, want to drive in a large European city with one way, narrow streets that I have no idea where I’m going. I have booked rental cars and places to stay based on this. We have been to London, Dublin and Paris and I have avoided driving in any of them.
In Dublin, we stayed at one rental apartment the first 2 nights and another for the last 2 nights of our trip, and rented the car between those stays. After the first 2 nights, we took the airport bus to the airport, rented our car and drove off into the countryside. on our return, we dropped off the car at the airport and rode the bus in to town for our last 2 nights.
London and Paris were after we already had a car, so I found places to stay that were outside the city, but close to a train station for quick, easy access in to the hustle and bustle of the big city.
Be sure your car is big enough for your people and all their stuff! This may sound like a no brainer, but it may not be. We had an SUV in Ireland with 2 checked bags and 4 people, guess where the second check bag rode for over 1000 miles? In the middle of the back seat, between two people! The back of the car was not big enough to fit both checked bags, so the second one became the fifth passenger. On the other hand, you don’t want a car that is too big either. Remember that other than the major highways, most roads in Europe are smaller than what we are used to here in the States.
Where to stay
When planning your trip to Europe try to find unique places to stay that are not in the mainstream, or off the beaten path, if you like. I use AirBnB most of the time, and there is a wealth of places that are interesting, relaxing and totally unique. Nobody but locals ever heard of Doon in County Limerick, Ireland, Norton-Disney, Lincolnshire, England, or Verrières, France. AirBnB has taken us to all of those places and more.
Doon, IrelandNorton Disney, EnglandVerrières, France
We have found that by renting a whole house for a few days, it gets us closer to the community, allows us to stay in places we couldn’t in a hotel, and it is much cheaper than hotels. For example, when we went to Ireland, we stayed in 5 AirBnB properties and 1 hotel. Our AirBnB stays averaged $42.67 per person, per night. The one hotel was $132.75 per person per night! Granted, that 1 hotel was a castle that Gram requested, so we splurged. The castle was wonderful and worth every penny, but the savings by staying at AirBnB’s made it possible.
Gram and I also visited 5 countries on a trip, stayed in 5 AirBnB’s and 1 hotel, and the results were similar. The hotel cost more per night than the average for the rest of the trip. I couldn’t believe it, but our 3 stays in France were the least expensive. Salzburg, Austria cost the most per night, even more than Switzerland, of our non-hotel stays.
We have learned that staying in 6 places for 2 or 3 nights each is hard work. It is much better to find a central location that you can day trip from, rather than moving to everything you want to see every day or every other day. On our most recent trip, we spent 9 days in England and stayed in only 2 different locations. We still drove over 800 miles, but it was a lot of day trips and runs to a pub here or a supermarket there.
Seeing the sights
After you have your place to stay, you need things to do. For the major cities, we have booked Big Bus Tours to get a look at the major attractions. Big Bus Tours is a hop on, hop off bus that runs a set route through the most popular sites and attractions of a city. If you want to visit the Guinness brewhouse in Dublin, or the Eiffel Tower in Paris, or Westminster Abbey in London, Big bus will take you there, drop you off, and pick you up again after you are done at the attraction. You can also just ride the whole loop that the bus takes and see all the sights, then decide which ones you want to go back to, and ride the bus to that stop.
Guinness, St. James Gate, DublinEiffel Tower, ParisWestminster Abbey, London
Big Bus Tours also has a wide range of add on attractions that you can do at a lot of the stops. They have guided tours, river cruises, private hires, and other things depending on the city.
Big Bus Tours are a great way to get the overall view of a city, but sometimes it’s not the most efficient. In London, we had a pub tour scheduled and it was getting close to the start time. We were on the bus, slowly moving through the busy traffic and realized that we were not going to make it at the pace we were moving.
At the next stop, we hopped off, walked a half a block to the nearest underground station, and in about 15 minutes we were at the start point for our pub tour. I was thoroughly impressed with the efficiency of the London Underground. You can get anywhere in London with a 5 minute walk and one or two train changes along the way. Google maps helps a lot with this. Using the public mode, just search like you would for driving or walking and it will tell you which train lines to take, which stop to get off, and which platform and train are next.
Trains
Train access goes hand in hand with AirBnB selection. Both London and Paris trips, we stayed outside the city and rode the train in. In Paris we stayed in a garden guest apartment in the suburb of Bagneux, a couple of blocks from a train station and rode the Sorties du Métro directly to Saint-Michel Notre-Dame station in the heart of Paris. For London, we stayed in a converted thatched roof barn in Rotherwick, which was a 5 minute drive to the Hook train station. We rode the South Western Railway train to Waterloo station, London. Both train rides were enjoyable and I didn’t have to drive in either of these large cities.
We have done several walking tours in many of the places we have visited. A beer Safari in Dusseldorf, a chocolate tour in Brussels, Hidden Pubs Tour and Jack the Ripper Tour in London. You can find walking tours, guided bus tours, day trips and many other activities at almost any destination at viator.com.
Exploring
There always seems to be so much to do and see, and you want to book all the tours and excursions that you can, but don’t. I’m not saying don’t book things to do, just don’t try to do too much. Leave yourself some free time unbooked to take a drive to a small village nearby, or to take yourself on a self guided tour of that castle ruin, or to visit a winery along the way. There are so many things that are not on a booking schedule or bus tour, all across Europe, that you just happen on to in your travels. For me, these are some of the most enjoyable activities and some of my most treasured memories.
French Champagne
Driving through the countryside in France, we happened on a champagne winery on the roadside and stopped in. There were 2 ladies there, one who spoke English and one who didn’t. The one who spoke English became our private guide to the converted monastery that had been producing champagne since the 1200’s! We obviously left there with a few bottles of the real thing, as we were in the Champagne region of France, which is the only place on earth that they make true Champagne.
England Day Trip
While in the Midlands of England, staying at the little crossroads village of Norton Disney, we planned a day trip to the market town of Bakewell. We also planned to stop in Sherwood Forest along the way. Nothing was booked, no scheduled itinerary, just a drive through the English countryside with a couple of stops along the way. Sherwood Forest was magnificent with it’s ancient oak trees all along the path to the largest and oldest, the Major Oak. Bakewell is famous for a happy accident that created the Bakewell pudding and Bakewell tart. Gram and I shared a Bakewell pudding, and it was unique and delicious.
The Major Oak, Sherwood ForestBakewell PuddingBakewell Pudding Shop, Bakewell, UK
Walking Tours in London
We learned that one walking tour per day is enough, and two is too many. I booked what I could in London for 2 days, giving us enough time to get to each event. Bad planning on my part.
I scheduled our Pub tour, which ran from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The Jack the Ripper tour from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. After we finished walking around the City of London and then Whitechapel, we didn’t want to walk again for a week. We still had to get back across town to a 50 minute train ride back to Hook. Then we had to drive back to our stay. This turned out to be a very long day.
I would not have wanted to miss anything we did, it just would have been better if I had planned it for 2 days instead of one. The next morning we slept in and skipped a couple of things we had booked. We still went in to London, we just self guided ourselves using the Underground to get around, and did some really cool stuff on our own.
Put it all together and GO!
To plan your next (or first!) trip to Europe, book your flight, book your stays, add a few tours if you like, not too many, and by all means leave yourself some time to “stop and smell the roses” along the way. You will create memories of a lifetime!
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Let’s head out on our next day trip and take the 30 minute drive to Aachen, Germany. Our first stop and primary destination is Aachener Dom. Aachener Dom is the first cathedral we visited and also the first cathedral in northern Europe. Built by the Emperor Charlemagne beginning in 796 and consecrated in 805 by Pope Leo III. Aachener Dom is a UNESCO world heritage site.
I took a ton of pictures here, however, again I can’t find them so I borrowed a few. The photo on the left is looking up into the octagon central structure of the Aachener Dom cathedral. In the center is the view from the back looking through the octagon at the golden altar and Karlsschrein, or Shrine of Charlemagne. The photo on the right is the Karlsschrein which contains the remains of Charlemagne. The remains were moved from their former resting place, in a sarcophagus beneath the floor, and placed in the gold and silver shrine and sealed by the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick II in 1215.
After exploring Aachener Dom cathedral and walking the streets of the old city, we stopped in to our new favorite restaurant called Rose Am Dom.
Gram and I shared our dinner by one of us ordering Schnitzel Rose and the other ordering käsespätzle. We then split each one and each had half. The food was delicious and the place was full of authentic old world charm. Of course we had a beer or 2 to go with the food.
Cologne, Germany
Our next day trip was to Cologne, Germany on New Year’s Eve. We visited Kölner Dom, or Cologne cathedral. The cathedral in Cologne is the tallest twin-spired church in the world. Construction of Cologne Cathedral began in 1248 and was not completed until 1880, a span of 632 years!!! Kölner Dom is also a UNESCO world heritage site.
Time For a Beer
After the cathedral we stopped at Früh Am Dom for a few beers. Cologne, like Dusseldorf, has it’s own local style of beer, Kölsch. These 2 cities are only a 40 minute drive from each other and both are fiercely loyal to their respective beer style. Kölsch is traditionally served in a cylindrical 6 to 8 ounce glass. The server, called a Köbes, carries eight or ten glasses in a circular tray resembling a crown or wreath.
You don’t order a refill, instead, the Köbes replaces your empty glass with a full one, marking a tick on the coaster under each glass. If you do not want another refill, you place the coaster on top of the empty glass and pay for the number of beers marked on the coaster. We had 3 or 4 beers before we headed back to my brother’s house to ring in the New Year.
New Year’s Eve
We were counting down to 2018, drinking beer and enjoying ourselves and it turned out that I was the only one to remain standing until midnight. My brother made a valiant effort, but passed out on me about 10 minutes too soon.
Fireworks!!!
I had been hearing fireworks going off outside so with no one else to welcome in the new year with me, I went to find the source of the fireworks. At least I should be able to see them. As I walked out of the overhead garage door, the small street party outside became very obvious. I walked toward the sound of the partiers, and as I rounded the corner of the building, I heard the garage door behind me closing! Oh well, I’m out now, may as well join in the fun.
Locked Out
As it turned out, my brother had gotten up and with no one around, secured the house, closing the garage door, and my only return access, and went to bed. The source of the fireworks outside was the neighbors next door, who gladly accepted me into their party and we welcomed in the new year with beer and fireworks! After some time had passed, it was time for me to find a way back in to my brother’s house.
Getting Back In
There was a small, fenced in patio outside Gram and my bedroom, so let’s see if I can climb over the fence. Just as I was weighing the options of dropping into the dark unknown of the patio or finding a different way in, the door opened. Gram scolded me with “what the hell are you doing?” and I explained myself, to the best of my ability. She decided it would be best if she opened the garage for me instead of me dropping in over the fence. Good choice! I found out in the morning just how good that choice was. If I had completed my fence jump, most likely I would have ended up tangled up in empty coolers, a few gardening tools and other miscellaneous stored items hidden to me by the darkness.
Brussels, Belgium
For our last full day on this trip, we drove to Brussels to see the Grand Place and take a chocolate tour. We also spent the night in a hotel because our flight left from Brussels to return home the next day.
The Grand Place
The Grand Place is the central square of the City of Brussels. There are many historic buildings which create the walls of this cobbled courtyard, including the City Hall, Guild houses and the Maison du Roi. The Maison du Roi translates to King’s Household and was the Royal household of the King of France. Several of these buildings are decorated in gold, or at least what looks like gold.
Chocolate Tour
Our chocolate Tour was to meet in front of the Godiva chocolate shop in The Grand Place, and we didn’t go in! Apparently, Godiva is way too widespread and commercial for this tour. We were given a historic walking tour where we visited 5 high end chocolate boutiques, explored the streets of the old city and made a selection of our own chocolates at a maker’s workshop. All five of the shops we visited had outstanding chocolate treats for us to try. One specialized in hot chocolate and other drinks. Another had small bars with tons of real ingredients covered in chocolate. The last shop we visited was simply called Mary. Mary has been an exclusive chocolate supplier to the King since 1942!
Elisabeth Chocolatier Brussels, Belgium
After the chocolate tour, we wandered in to a nearby restaurant and got dinner and a couple of beers before heading off to our hotel for the night. The next morning, it was up and off to the airport for our trip home.
I hope you have enjoyed my trip down memory lane as much as I have, and I am working on more to come!
After visiting Valkenburg, we continued to my brother’s house and got a good night’s sleep. The next morning it was time for a road trip. We started off by taking a 15 minute ride to the small city of Sittard. Our first stop was an ATM machine. When traveling to Europe, the best currency exchange rate we have found is our own bank at a local ATM. Then we walked through the open air market with local produce, meat vendors, cheese shops and other stands. This was like going to the grocery store back home, except it was set up like a flea market all around a pedestrian only market square.
After browsing through the market, we stopped in a small cafe for lunch. Cappuccino is extremely popular all over Europe, and we had our first real cappuccino. I think we had gotten a paper cup, push button machine one as we exited the airport, but this was hand made, ceramic cup the size of a cereal bowl, real cappuccino. Excellent!! I ordered mushroom croquettes for my lunch, that may not be what they were called on the menu, but that’s what they were.
About half way through the first one, I bit into something hard. This is not unusual for me, I’m the guy that always gets the single bone or knuckle in the chicken salad, but mushrooms don’t have bones or knuckles! It turned out to be the connection end of a bright yellow zip tie!! Fresh, handmade from local produce, something came zip tied and when the zip tie got cut, that end got lost in the mix. No harm, no foul, but it left me with a lasting memory.
Dreilandenpunt, Henri-Chapelle and Val Dieu
Dreilandenpunt
After lunch, we traveled to the southernmost tip of the Netherlands to a point where the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany all meet called Dreilandenpunt. There is a small obelisk that stands on the point where the borders meet, and you can stand in all three countries at once.
Dreilandenpunt obelisk
I had a lot more pictures of this area, but now I can’t seem to locate them. At the time of writing this, we were on this trip 5½ years ago, 3 or 4 computers ago and 3 or 4 phones ago. That is still no excuse to not keep better track of the photos from our trips. So, after doing the digital gymnastics trying to find all the pictures from trips in the past, I went and bought a flash drive, specifically to store photos. Now I will probably lose the flash drive.
At this location there is an observation tower that we rode the elevator to the top, and took in the views. It was very windy, cold and snowing when we got to the top, but we walked around the observation deck and looked out over the landscape of all 3 countries. On the Netherlands side there is a maze that you can see between my elbow and the frosty binoculars in the photo of Gram and me.
Looking out at the Germany side, you can see the skyline of the city of Aachen, which we will get to a bit later. To the southwest is Belgium where you can see the Ardennes Forest and Henri-Chapelle, which is where we are heading next.
Henri-Chapelle, Belgium
Henri-Chapelle is an American military cemetery and memorial where 7992 US soldiers are buried. These troops were mostly killed in the Battle of the Bulge in WWII in the local area. There is a certain feeling that you get at places like this. I have felt it at very few places, Gettysburg battlefield, Arlington National Cemetery, Ground Zero in New York City, the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Pa and of course, here at Henri-Chapelle, Belgium. It’s that haunted, solemn, eerie feeling that is hard to describe, but when you feel it, you know.
Val Dieu, Aubel, Belgium
A short distance from Henri-Chapelle is Val-Dieu Abbey. This Cistercian monastery was founded in 1216 by monks who moved to the uninhabited valley and began clearing the land to establish their remote community. The last 3 monks at Val-Dieu left in 2001, but the abbey is still run and maintained by a Christian community associated with the Cistercian Order.
In Belgium, monks, abbeys and monasteries mean beer! That is why we are here. We visited the chapel first, which being the first church we visited, seemed like a cathedral. That assumption would soon be shattered when we visited some actual cathedrals later on in the trip. After our self-guided tour of the chapel, we headed to the basement for a snack and a beer.
My brother and I both went for the Grand Cru. The name Grand Cru goes back to a grading system for champagne and essentially means the best, or highest quality. Val-Dieu Grand Cru is a dark strong ale weighing in at a whopping 10.5% ABV! In side by side comparisons, it is definitely the best, in my opinion. They also produce a blonde ale, a seasonal Christmas ale, and a Trippel. All are very good, but Grand Cru is, well, Grand Cru. Between the four of us we sampled a meat and cheese plate, made at the Abbey, and some dessert crepes also made on site with chocolate and caramel drizzled on top.
Gulpener BrouwLokaal
After Val-Dieu, we stopped for dinner in Gulpen, NL, at a brewery/restaurant called Gulpener BrouwLokaal. This business sources all of its ingredients from producers within 30 miles of its location. Everything is very fresh and delicious. They make the Gulpener brand of beer on site and have a good selection of food on the menu. When we were there they offered a “Brewer’s recommendation” dinner for 2, but that is all the information you get. It’s a mystery daily special, so my brother and I “rolled the dice” and it was awesome! 3 or 4 different meats, 2 or 3 different potato dishes, and sides too. I don’t remember exactly what we got, but I do know, if I ever go back, I will order that again!
Dusseldorf, Germany
Day 3 we headed out for Dusseldorf, Germany. We had a walking tour scheduled for the evening with Altbier Safari tours. Before the beer tour, we visited what remained of the Christmas Market.
Weihnachtsmarkt
This open air market had booths that completely filled the Marktplatz (market place). It was 4 days after Christmas, so most of the stands were closed, but a few were still open. The Glühwein (Mulled wine) stand was my favorite. They had a huge pot on a turkey fryer burner that was filled with gallons of delicious spiced red wine. Served in a little snowman shaped souvenir cup, it warmed your hands and your insides.
The Aldstadt is the old city, this is the area of Dusseldorf that we visited. It has many very old buildings, cobblestone streets and plazas and sits tight up to the Rhine River. We looked around, took pictures and then made our way to get some dinner before the beer tour.
Altbier walking tour
Altbier is the local style of beer in Dusseldorf, and we are off on a walking tour to show us more about it. This tour took us to 5 different brewpubs that all make the same style of beer, Altbier. They all have their own method of brewing, and each beer is a bit different from the others, even though they are all the same style of beer. We did a lot of walking that evening, but apparently not a lot of picture taking. The only one I could find was this one of me in a beer tent at a table full of Germans.
I want to get this one posted, so there is going to be a part 3 of Our First Trip to Europe. In that one hopefully I can wrap this trip up. After that is Ireland, some more from Germany (a second trip), Switzerland, France, Austria and England for Europe. I am also planning on writing about trips we have done here in the States as well. Stay Tuned!!
Several factors influenced our decision to take that first trip to Europe. My brother was living and working in The Netherlands, and invited us to come visit. We had always wanted to travel the world, and our youngest child had just moved out of our house, leaving us as “empty nesters” for the first time in 20+ years. The biggest influence, I believe, was that Gram (Lorrie) had a heart attack. Our plan had always been to do more and bigger travel when we retired. With the health issues, we started to realize that plans made for the future are not guaranteed. Tomorrow is not certain. So we started planning for now.
As Lorrie’s health improved, we put the wheels in motion. We got our passports, took them on a test drive to all 5 of the Great Lakes through Canada, just to make sure the passports were functional, then we started looking for plane tickets.
Hitting the jackpot
I booked a flight and rental car through Travelocity, and when I landed on the page to select the car, the first few selections gave me a negative price per day!! We only planned to use the car to travel between the airport in Brussels and my brothers residence in Brunssum, NL, so I picked the smallest car with the largest negative price and sure enough, around $250 came off the total price! Big Win!! But it gets better.
My brother and I were talking and I mentioned the rental car deal to him. He said we didn’t need the car and it would be difficult where he lived because of limited parking space. He suggested that I cancel the car, but I was worried that my price would go back up. Reluctantly, I went in to cancel the car and when I did, Travelocity notified me that my form of payment would be credited over $300!!!! I was shocked!! I was ready to start rental car hacking everywhere I went. However, I have never found that kind of price reduction on the rental car page since that one time. I don’t know how it happened, but I hit the lottery with that one.
Getting there
We left Pittsburgh on 12/26/2017 and flew to Brussels with a stopover at JFK in New York. That leads to our first lesson. Since that trip I have avoided JFK like the plague. I absolutely hate JFK airport. To me it seems like they expect you to know exactly how to navigate through the airport, where to go, what to do and when to do it. Asking questions doesn’t help, and it was even worse on the return trip when we had to deal with US Customs, with even more of the “you should know how this works” attitude.
Our arrival in Brussels was so much more friendly and enjoyable. We walked up to the Customs officer, hand him our passport, a couple of questions about our trip and we are on our way.
If you have flown to Europe, you know that most flights leave the US in the afternoon or evening and arrive the next morning. I don’t get much rest on a flight, so I am usually tired on arrival. Second lesson, don’t let that flight fatigue waste your first day. It would have been very easy to go find a bed and sleep that first day away, but you don’t transition into the time difference as well if you do that. Besides, there is so much to see and do, and a limited amount of time to see and do it. Power through it, suck it up and do something. Luckily, my brother already knew this and had things planned for us to acclimate.
Our first day in Europe
Valkenburg Castle Ruins
On the way from the airport to Brunssum, there is the small town of Valkenburg, which is just to the east of Maastricht. We visited the Kasteelruïne Valkenburg, which is the ruins of the only hilltop castle in the Netherlands.
Fortifications were originally built in the 12th century, with destructions and rebuilds continuing through 1672 when the castle was blown up to prevent it from falling into French hands. The castle was never rebuilt after that, and has been a tourist attraction since 1863.
After climbing up and down the castle ruins, we went next door to the Velvet Cave. The Velvet Cave is a series of underground rooms that were created as the local marlstone was mined. The cave is directly beneath the castle, and some of the stone was used to build the castle. There are even hidden passageways that were used as escape routes from the castle into the cave.
We took the tour of the cave which was narrated entirely in Dutch by our tour guide, so we didn’t get much of the story he was telling. The cave itself was awesome, with wall murals that are unique in the way they were made. Artists through the years had built fires inside the cave next to the wall they wanted to “paint”. The fire would create soot on the wall. The artist would then create the artwork by carving away into the soft marlstone. Along with some of the rock, this removed the soot and left some really beautiful work.
After the tour we completed the trip to our first stay in Europe, at my brother’s house in Brunssum. By going back in my memory, assisted by pictures that we took and looking up history of the places we went, the story of our first travel to Europe is much bigger than I thought. I am going to end this first part here and make this a multi-part series. Part 2 of Our First Trip to Europe can be found here.
