Berlin
Mitte Bitte, Berlin
The river dissects Mitte’s Jekyll and Hyde character. To the south lies the grand, ostentatious face of the district, while north of the Spree the scene is more grungy, raw, and arty. […]
Germany
Austria
Europe’s just desserts, ten standout puddings
My least favourite part of a meal is dessert… unless there is something which awakens the sweet-toothed child that slumbers within. And there regularly is, no matter where we travel around Europe. […]
Hiking
A wash in the woods, the joys of forest bathing
Enter a forest and an unseen entity gently detaches your problems and deposits them at the treeline to be collected, or not, when you depart with renewed spring in your step and a glow in your heart. […]
Chile
The good, bad and ugly of hire cars and airports
A factor often connected with satisfaction levels is picking up/dropping off rental cars. The experience, good or bad, doesn’t impact on how we view a destination, but it can leave a lasting impression. […]
Food & drink
Raising a glass to the vineyards of Europe
It was the second time in just over a week we’d stayed in a vineyard. Both cases prompted thoughts of many other visits to vineyards around Europe, visits that had formed long-lasting, warm and fuzzy (not just thanks to enthusiastic tasting) memories. […]
Checking In
Hotels with personality, Waldhotel Fehrenbach in the Black Forest
I could give you a raft of reasons why the Waldhotel Fehrenbach in Alpersbach, little more than an extended meadow in Germany’s Black Forest, sticks in our minds as being a hotel with a stand out personality. […]
Bavaria
There’s no guarantee you’ll like this travel destination
There’s history as rich as anywhere, Roman ruins, golden beaches, forests, plains, scenic ridges, Moorish castles, traditional towns, sprawling vineyards, more gastronomic specialities than you’d find in a trendy London deli, the people are exceedingly friendly, and there’s the Virgin Mary on a giant mule. […]
Andros
Adjusting to rural transport around Europe
As we specialise in hiking we regularly find ourselves in areas where figuring out how we’re going to travel to, or return from, a linear walking route using whatever local transport is available can prove somewhat of a ‘suck it and see’ exercise. […]
Germany
When cash and card societies collide
Individual countries within the EU retain their own way of doing things across many aspects of life. One which is especially noticeable to visitors is when it comes to the question of paying with cash or card. […]
Europe
Up close, Alpersbach in the Black Forest
Where and what is Alpersbach? Google defines it as a river in Germany. We know it as an oasis in the depths of a dense forest – a scenic valley in the heart of the Schwarzwald (Black Forest). […]
Germany
When snow covered Germany is warmer than Tenerife
As we gingerly step from the warm train onto a freezing, sleet-blasted platform we know there’s no way we’ll escape hypothermia if we attempt the 15km route around the lake dressed as we are. […]
Bavaria
10 reasons to visit Berchtesgaden in Bavaria
Berchtesgaden’s attraction as a destination is thanks to a series of ingredients, some are wowsers, others are snippet sized. These are ten which would have us returning in a jiffy. […]
Dish of the day
Dish of the day, wild boar sausage in Freiburg
Game dishes in the Black Forest go together like sausage and mash. In this case wild boar sausage with mash potato, plus bacon, gravy, a hill of red cabbage, and, possibly to foster the illusion there’s a healthy element to all this, grapes, pear and cranberries. […]
Food & drink
A deliciously sinful German tradition, Kaffee und Kuchen
No matter how small the village was where we ended up, there was always somewhere offering kaffee und kuchen. […]
Bavaria
Why Germany is a perfect match for British travellers
During four visits to Germany in the last three years we’ve regularly repeated one phrase. “Brits would love this.” […]