"Weihnachten" (Christmas) in Germany!

It's definitely hard being away from friends and family during the holidays, and we have found the only way to make it better is to travel.  =)  And there is nothing like Christmas in Germany!  We explored the German Christmas Markets last year and knew we had to return to see them again (see last year's blog).  This time, our friends Emily and Jon joined us for the Christmas Market adventure through Bavaria, and once again, the markets didn't disappoint! 

Brian and I with Emily and Jon on our Christmas Market road trip

First, it should be noted that although Brian and I went to the same area last year on the same weekend, we didn't see any snow.  This year, there was a TON of snow on the ground everywhere we went, and the snow snowers made appearances quite a few times while we were there. 

Brian loved the "icicles on icicles"  =)

We started off in Augsburg where we enjoyed our first Gluhwein (hot mulled wine) and had sauerkrat and spatzle for lunch.  We also brought in a little culture by seeing the "Golden Room" of the city's Town Hall, which also had the added bonus of overlooking the beautiful Christmas Market.  We then headed over to the small town of Dinkelsbuhl, which I love visiting simply because of the name.  =)  Afterwards, we made our way to Rothenburg ob der Tauber where we were staying for the night.  Rothenburg is considered the quintessential Christmas Market town, and it definitely lives up to that.  The town is large, but quaint, and the Christmas decorations are stunning.  It's also home to the official Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas Store, which puts on a beautiful Christmas display and sells thousands of Christmas ornaments and other decorations.

Overlooking the Augsburg Christmas Market

Brian with his first Gluhwein of the 2010 season

Walking along the Medieval walls of Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Our next stop was Bamberg, which was honestly a bit of a disappointment, not because it didn't have a great Christmas market, but simply because of its size.  This was more of a "big city," which makes walking around and especially parking more complicated and takes away some of the quaintness we love about German Christmas Markets.  We actually found out later that the night we went was ESPECIALLY crowded because it was the "Einkaufsnacht" or "Shopping Night" when all of the stores stayed open late. 

Our cute B&B outside of Bamberg (check out all the snow!)

Our final stop was Nuremberg, home to arguably the most famous Christmas market.  We started the day off with a bit of culture by going to the Dokumentationszentrum Reichsparteitagsgelände (try saying that one without breathing in between!).  For those who don't speak German, this is the Document Center Nazi Party Rallying Grounds.  Nuremberg is of course famous for the Nuremberg trials after WWII, and it was very insightful to wander through this building and learn more about the history of this time.

Having some fun with the audio guides!  =)

We then made our way to our final Christmas Market in Nuremberg.  It actually started snowing while we were wandering through the 180 little stalls, which made it all the more beautiful! 

Emily and Jon at the Nuremberg Christmas Market

Germany holds a special place in my heart, and there is nothing like Christmas-time there.  The Christmas Markets represent everything I love about Christmas - wandering around admiring beautiful decorations and getting warm Gluhwein or Apple Cider with friends and family.  If you want to go somewhere extra special at Christmas-time, this is it.  For now though, Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Perfect Christmas scene in Germany

Beauty of Berlin and Munich

Emily, Jon and I were going to be traveling through Germany for a few days before Brian joined back up with us to explore the German Christmas Markets.  We debated between Frankfurt and Berlin, and ultimately ended up going to Berlin, which was a great decision!  As I've mentioned, I studied a lot of German history and cutlure, particulary the WWII era in school, so this city was one I wanted to visit - it was also the further north I had been in Germany since Brian and I really love the southern Bavaria area.  To be honest, I didn't think I would ever call Berlin beautiful.  I thought I would go there, check it off my list, and be done.  However, I found a beautiful city with lots of culture and great museums and sights that I definitely want to return to with Brian someday.

Berlin was miserably cold, but it actually didn't snow while we were there.  We started our first night by visiting the Berlin Wall of course.  The wall was started in 1961 and didn't come down until 1990.  It was mind-blowing to think this structure separated two different countries.  We then headed over to Checkpoint Charlie, which was the former crossing point for the Allied Forces.  The city has constructed a replica of the actual checkpoint hut and the sign you would see as you crossed from one area to the other.  It was a lot smaller than I had pictured in my mind.  That night, we finally headed over to the Reichstag, where the current German Parliament meets, but we couldn't visit it because of recent terror threats.  Going in there will definitely be one on my list for my return visit!

Checkpoint Charlie - please notice the McDonald's now also situated on the corner!

The next day, I visited the Deutches Historiches Museum that featured an amazing exhibition on Nazi Germany and the reunificiation of the two sides.  I had written a term paper on Nazi propaganda, and it was interesting to see some of this propaganda firsthand. 

After the museum, I stumbled upon my first Christmas Market of the season!  I can't even explain how special these are.  We ended up our night in Berlin at the Alexander Platz Christmas Market, where we enjoyed Gluhwein (hot mulled wine) and potato pancakes. 

Entrance to one of the main Berlin Christmas Markets

Emily and I at dinner in Berlin

The next morning, we began the train ride down to Munich, which I think has become my favorite German city.  It started snowing really hard along the train ride, and by the time we arrived in Munich, everything was covered!  It made the city that much more beautiful.  My favorite moment was coming out of the U-Bahn station into Marienplatz (the main square in Munich) and seeing snowfall along the quaint Christmas Market.  That night, we ate dinner at the famous Hofbrau Haus.  A trip to Munich just wouldn't be complete without a liter of beer and Weiner Schnitzel or Roasted Chicken there!  The next day, we did a 3-hour walking tour in the snow to learn more about the city's history.  Although I have been to Munich several times now, this was the first time I did a tour and it was very insightful and made me appreciate the city even more.

Snowfall on the train tracks as we headed to Munich

That night, we headed to the Munich Airport to pick up Brian.  More on those adventures tomorrow! 

Life of an International Grad Student

So with all of this traveling, you might be wondering if I'm still attending school.  The answer is of course yes!  =)  I actually just completed Term 5 of 8 - I can't believe how fast this 2-year program is going!  My graduation is set for August 2011, which means I will still be in school when we move home next year and when (hopefully!) I return to work.  Some people I talk to are warning me about the stresses of working while doing school, but I'm not worried at all after traveling while doing school!  I have definitely had to learn flexibility and amazing time management this past year.

First, internet is a must whenever we travel now, which sounds easy enough, but it can be quite a challenge to find, especially when we are staying in some of the smaller towns.  We have had a few times too when the hotel has said it has internet, but we show up and the internet only works in certain areas of the house.  My favorite with this was the time I did a group conference call on the steps of a Victorian B&B in the middle of the night because that was the only place I could get signal! 

I have also had to learn how to "work on the road."  I can't tell you how many papers I have written while on trains and planes.  I even worked at an airport counter one time while waiting to board a plane because I needed to post to a discussion board before we took off!  =)

International grad student at work in the Nice airport!

The other obvious challenge I have is being on a different time zone than my teammates.  MBA programs, especially the Penn State one I am doing, are generally very team-oriented.  My team has worked with me on the times, but I'm usually doing conference calls late at night to keep up with everyone after they get off of work.

Oh yeah, and finally, I of course always have my "little helper," although all she ever really does is sit underneath me or lick my homework!  Brian says she is trying to get knowledge.  =)

Lilo obviously doesn't realize she is a bit too big to do this!  =)

I'm definitely not complaining about this though - it has given me great stories, and now I know I am capable of working in a virtual, global environment, which I know will serve me well in the future.  I don't doubt that going to school with a 40-hour-a-week job will present new challenges, but I definitely feel ready and will be excited to be back in the East Coast Time Zone!  =)  For now, I am enjoying a holiday break before I jump into Term 6.  Wish me luck!

Heading South to Malaga

As we were planning our trip with Emily and Jon, we knew two things: we were starting in England and would end in Germany.  We needed somewhere in between and were trying to decide between Sweden and Spain when we found out that Malaga, Spain, has the warmest winter in Europe.  Sold!!!  =)  So we headed south for a few days to enjoy the city on the Costa del Sol ("Coast of the Sun").  Brian and I were especially excited about heading to Malaga because we had only done the big cities - Barcelona and Madrid - thus far and really wanted to see the smaller, more quaint side of Spain.

The group in the bullfighting ring in Malaga, Spain

Flan and Spanish wine in Malaga - yum!  =)

Unfortunately, the sun decided not to make an appearance our first day in Spain, but we still made the most of it.  We toured the Malaga Cathedral and of course had great tapas and Sangria for lunch and dinner.  I was nervous we wouldn't see the sun, but we woke up the next day to beautiful sunshine that lasted throughout the day!  We took advantage of it and headed outdoors to explore Alcazaba, a fortification from the 11th century that overlooks the city, and then headed up from there to Gibralfaro, a fortress 131 meters above ground.  Once at the top of the fortress, we had a snack underneath the vines.  It was an awesome day!  We now rate Malaga as our favorite city we have visited in Spain, with Barcelona a close second.  We hope to return to the Costa del Sol one day soon!

Touring Alcazaba in Malaga

Brian showing off the beautiful oranges that were everywhere in the city

We thought about jumping in the tub, but then came to our senses!  =)

Along the castle walls in Malaga

These orange trees were EVERYWHERE!

Overlooking the bullfighting ring in Malaga

Bury St. Edmunds Christmas Fayre

Christmas markets and fairs (or "fayres" as they say in the UK!) are huge in Europe.  I'm not sure why we don't do them more in the States because they are FANTASTIC.  =)  The 8th Annual Bury St. Edmunds' Christmas Fayre actually fell on Thanksgiving this year.  We were so lucky because our two good friends Emily and Jon actually flew in Thanksgiving Day.  It was our first Thanksgiving ever away from home, so it was nice to have friends here.  They even brought stuffing all the way from the States to make it feel more like home!  We had a lovely dinner of ham, mashed potatoes, roasted butternut squash, and of course croissants with honey.  =)

Emily and I at Thanksgiving dinner in Bury St. Edmunds

The day after Thanksgiving, Emily, Jon and I took a tour of the Greene King Brewery, which is located right here in Bury.  You can even buy Greene King ales all the way back in Orlando!  Then we met up with Brian for some Christmas fun at the fayre.  =)

If you've never been to one before, Christmas markets are a great mix of local vendors selling Christmas ornaments and decorations, as well as lots of other vendors where you can get great Christmas gifts.  There are also a ton of food stands and places where you can get hot drinks, which comes in handy when it's so cold outside!  Some of the markets, like Bury, even have carnival-type rides.  There's really nothing like it to get you into the Christmas spirit, especially when you visit the "Weihnachtsmarkt" or Christmas markets in Germany.  After a quick stop in Spain with Emily and Jon, we made our way over to Germany for those.  More on that adventure soon!  In the meantime, "Happy Christmas" as they say in the UK!

Tasting British ales at Greene King Brewery

At the Bury St. Edmunds Christmas Fayre

Alpacas filling in at the Nativity Scene  =)

Ferris wheel at the Bury St. Edmunds Christmas Fayre

Cool shot Brian got of the moving carousel

Bury St. Edmunds Christmas Fayre in town center 

Nice & Monaco

As I've mentioned in the past, Brian and I created a "bucket list" of sorts of places we absolutely wanted to see before we moved back home.  Monaco was the last one on my list, so this trip was very special!  After Kim and I explored Italy together, we took a train to Nice (pronounced "niece"), France, to meet back up with Brian.  When we first arrived, we saw something Brian and I hadn't seen in a while - SUNSHINE!!!


On the beach in Nice, France

Hanging outside our hotel window overlooking the center of Nice

Nice is on the Mediterranean Sea on the southeast coast of France known as the French Riviera or Cote d'Azur.  Because of its proximity to Italy, there is a heavy Italian influence.  At times, I felt like I was back in Rome or on the Amalfi Coast.  We enjoyed exploring the city by walking and taking "The Little Train" up to one of the outlook points of the city.  Nice definitely ranks up there as one of the most beautiful places we have ever been.

Beautiful fountain in Nice

Taking a ride on "The Little Train"  =)

Overlooking the French Riviera

Basking in the sunshine - not sure when I'll see it again!  =)

That weekend, we took a day trip over to Monaco, which was about an hour's bus ride away.  Monaco is the second smallest city in the world, second only to Vatican City.  It is also one of the most densely populated cities in the world, as was evident by the many high-rises overlooking the Mediterranean Sea!  It was odd though because it didn't feel crowded at all.  Everything was as opulent as you would expect; everywhere we looked, we saw the fancy cars, fancy shops, and overall wealth we anticipated seeing there.  While there, we made a special visit to the Monte Carlo Casino, although we didn't gamble.  =)  We also visited Princess Grace's gravesite - Princess Grace was an American actress who married into Monaco's royal family.

Brian, Kim, and I in front of the Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco

Kim and I in one of Monaco's opulent shopping malls

Like I said, this was a very special trip for me.  Now I feel like my adventure over here is complete.  We still have a few trips left, but those are all gravy.  I now feel like I can move back home satisfied that I saw the things I wanted to see in Europe.  =)

Spain and Italy with Kim

When Kim was planning her trip to Europe, she really didn’t have a huge interest in England, so we decided it was better for us to meet her in Barcelona, Spain, and begin our trip with her there. Brian and I took an obnoxiously early Saturday morning flight to meet Kim after her overnight trans-Atlantic flight from the U.S. to Spain. Barcelona is another one of my and Brian’s favorite destinations because of the architecture, the people, and of course tapas and Sangria!

Kim and I enjoying Sangria and tapas in Barcelona

Brian with two of his favorite tapas - Pimientos de Padrón and Patatas Bravas!

We did a great walking tour of the city on Sunday and then went to Sagrada Familia and actually were able to go inside, something Brian and I hadn’t done before. Sagrada Familia has been in the works for more than 100 years and isn’t expected to be complete until 2030. Luckily though, the Pope was just in Barcelona to consecrate the site the previous weekend, so the inside was construction-free.

On the walking tour through Barcelona

Outside Sagrada Familia

Beautiful staircase inside Sagrada Familia

The sunlight made the stained glass windows so vibrant

Brian went back to England on Sunday night. Kim and I stayed the night and then flew to Venice on Monday morning. Venice is so beautiful and special, no matter the season or the weather. Kim and I had an amazing time exploring the canal-lined streets and shopping for Venetian glass and purses! We also of course had Bellinis (known in this area) along the Grand Canal. =)

Kim and I on the Rialto Bridge in Venice

Enjoying Bellinis (a very Venetian drink) along the Grand Canal

After a couple nights in Venice, we made our way to Milan by train. Unfortunately Milan was a bit of a tough segment of our trip. The weather was miserable – it rained constantly almost the entire time we were there. Also, we learned a very important fact about Milan – unless if you’re filthy rich, you really can’t do much shopping! Luckily we did have some amazing dinners and vino. The highlight of the trip too was a visit to the Duomo, the third largest church in the world. Mass was actually being held while we were there, so it was an extra special time to see it.

Duomo in Milan

On Friday, we boarded another train and began our 7-hour adventure to Nice, France, where Brian once again joined us.

On the train to Nice

Exploring Prague

As we started getting closer to our move back to the States next year, Brian and I began making a list of destinations we absolutely still had to get to. Prague was one of my top ones because I have heard so many amazing things about it. Brian, Cassandra and I went there for a 3-day weekend this month. The first day, we took a walking tour through the city to get our bearings and learn more about its history. The tour ended by the St. Charles Bridge which overlooks Prague Castle. That night, we ventured into a traditional Czech restaurant to eat and drink like the locals. The traditional Czech meal includes pork, dumplings, and sauerkraut - of course it is washed down with a local beer!

Cassandra and I in Old Town

Overlooking the Charles Bridge at dusk

Old school vs. new school when trying to find a restaurant  =)

Enjoying a traditional Czech dinner

The next day, Cassandra left and Brian and I continued exploring by going inside the Prague Castle to see St. Vitus's Cathedral. The area around the castle was beautiful. Unfortunately though, we have seen so many castles and churches at this point that it didn’t blow me away as much as I thought it would. It probably didn’t help that we didn’t have the best weather though! That night we had dinner and then went back to our room to watch the Gator game on our Slingbox. =)

Beautiful stained glass windows inside St. Vitus's Cathedral

Outside St. Vitus's Cathedral in Prague Castle

On our last day in Prague, we ventured into the Jewish Quarter to see the historic synagogues and Jewish museums in the area. It was very moving and insightful to learn about the rich Jewish history in the city. That afternoon, we found ourselves in a Christmas market of sorts with lots of local food, including this pastry-type item that was wound around rods and then cooked over charcoal.

Yummy treat at the Christmas-type market in Prague

Overlooking the city from Prague Castle

Sunday night, we took our usual night flight home. Brian returned to work on Monday while I got ready for our next visitor. Our friend Kim was coming in less than a week! =) Our trip with her included Barcelona, Venice, Milan, Nice, and Monaco. More on that trip soon!