FUN-photos: Driving Germany, Poland & the Netherlands

September 3, 2014 by · Comments Off on FUN-photos: Driving Germany, Poland & the Netherlands 

We landed at the Berlin Airport in the late afternoon of July 15th and spent the night at the Mercure Airport hotel so we could get a car first thing in the morning. Our stops included Kraków, Auschwitz and Wroclaw, Poland before returning to spend time in Berlin. Then late on July 20th we headed to Warnemünde, Germany to board our 11 day Baltic Sea Cruise on Princess.

We returned to the same port on the morning of July 31st where we picked up another car. Our stops included Bremen & Cologne, Germany before dropping the car in Amsterdam where we stayed until August 6th. The highlight was having Cinzia (Chris’ sister) & Fabio from Trieste, Italy join us in Amsterdam!

FUN-travel: Cologne, Germany to Amsterdam, Holland

August 22, 2014 by · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Cologne, Germany to Amsterdam, Holland 

Day 34 – Sunday, August 3 – Cologne, Germany to Amsterdam, Netherlands – full sun – high 70’s

What I LIKE

  • 7:30 – Chris gives me last Via – I’m so spoiled
  • 8:30 – check out – Hilton Cologne says self parking is 28 Euro
  • – but they park it for you at no additional charge
  • 9:00 – both navigations work
  • Sunday morning & no traffic – blast out of city
Bremen, Germany 2014 19

Bremen, Germany

  • 10:30 – McDonalds’ for toilet & cappuccino w/add shot – not bad
  • Only takes 1 min to get ipod to connect to station!
  • No tolls on any roads
  • 12:15 – arrive Doubletree – great location next to central station
  • – drop bags
  • 12:45 – head to Hertz downtown – only 20 mins
  • *Auto Europe tells where Hertz is & where to get gas
  • 1:30 – drop car
  • 1:40 – catch tram 2.80 Euro one way (7.50 for 24 hr)
  • 2:25 – lunch @ B&B – chain restaurant w/fresh salads & sandwiches
Bremen, Germany 2014 22

Bremen

  • – 1 smoked chicken & 1 tuna fish salad w/2 Heinekens = 27 Euro
  • 3:00 – room check in
  • 4:20 – internet is free & fast
  • MY EMAIL WORKS!
  • Room R & R – awaiting arrival of Cinzia (Chris’ half sister) & Fabio her new love
  • – so excited to see her again
  • 6:45 – go to concierge to call Cinzia
  • – no answer – discuss dinner options
  • 7:00 – try to call her again – she is standing behind me!
Cologne, Germany 2014 2

Cologne

  • 8:00 – walk to dinner – Noordwest – 8:30 reservation
  • – suggested by hotel – 4 glasses sparkling wine on house
  • – dorado & pulpo salad – French red wine (forgot my notepad) – 102 Euro
  • 11:00 – walk back

What I DON’T LIKE

  • 11:15 – traffic @ standstill – 2 lanes to 1 – accident clearing
  • Germany has terrible graffiti problem
  • *address #’s don’t match across street (silly me for assuming that)
  • Should have gotten their flight info to check arrival
Amsterdam, Netherlands 2014 35

Amsterdam

FUN-fact – We have been carrying “good weather karma” since we started this trip. We never had any rain other than a few sprinkles when we were out and about. When it did rain, we were inside.

Major FUN-fact – We will never drive in a foreign country again! We’re done! We had a 5 door, full size, automatic Opal and it was one of the most uncomfortable cars we have ever been in. The VW we drove in Scotland in 2011 was the best and the Ford we just had in Berlin wasn’t bad.

More FF – We love the freedom of having a car but hate the expense of it. We had to pay a 350 Euro drop fee in Amsterdam and as expensive as it was it was cheaper than the train. Unless you buy a Eurail pass and plan on riding it a lot, it just doesn’t pencil out. It’s cheaper to fly these days.

FYI – Enterprise has been the best value for pick up & return same city, same day.

Not so FF – We’ve never had a rental car that had a USB port like our Tundra which makes using the Ipod a whole lot easier.

Amsterdam, Netherlands 2014 20

FUN-travel: Cologne, Germany – Full Day

August 21, 2014 by · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Cologne, Germany – Full Day 

Day 33 – Saturday, August 2 – Cologne, Germany – full sun – high 70’s

Cologne, Germany 2014 12

DOM Side View

Cologne, Germany 2014 9

DOM

What I LIKE

  • 8:30 – slept great – no pill – almost 10 hrs
  • Via in room – no breakfast – way too expensive
  • 10:00 – explore city
  • 1st stop – DOM – go inside – it’s free
  • 10:30 – Starbuck’s – 2 capps & water = 10 Euro
  • Nespresso next door – no instant coffee
  • Around corner fresh made bacon & cheese baguette = 1.55 Euro
  • 11:00 – walk across bridge from DOM
  • – covered w/1000’s of locks – sun makes them all glitter
  • – then down along bank to Deutzer bridge – cross & discover old medieval city
  • – back up to Franken Wharf
  • 12:00 – lunch – Nakhon Thai – pad thai & vegetables in red curry – good & spicy
  • 12:50 – look for wine shop – start on Hohe Strassa
  • – biggest main shopping street loaded w/ gobs of people
  • Galleria in basement of Kaufhof
  • Wine dept – nice selection from around world
  • 20 Barrels Cono Sur Cabernet – Chile 2010 = 22 Euro – VG!
  • Boschendal Cecil John Reserve Shiraz – 2010 South African = 17 Euro – good too
  • 2:00 – back to Hilton for R & R
  • Good choice as rain starts
  • Ask front desk about Indian Restaurant & they suggest Jaipur across the street
  • 7:00 – arrive & they’re slammed w/2 big parties & garden patio is full
  • Only 2 options (other than German which isn’t an option) Italian Merlot or French Bordeaux – go for the Bordeaux
  • I think we should have got the wine in our room & paid a corkage fee

FUN-food – Jaipur had “Tandori to die for” wonderfully moist & seasoned chicken – lamb vindaloo – garlic naan – bread & chicken cooked in dining room & both the best we ever had! – 65 Euro

  • 9:45 – back to hotel
  • 10:45 – need to get to sleep for big FUN day tomorrow w/Chris’ sister Cinzia & her new lover Fabio!
Cologne, Germany 2014 13

Locks on Bridge

What I DON’T LIKE

  • German Starbuck’s don’t sell Via – Nescafe just not good
  • 12:00 – no Singha beer – have to drink German
  • Told “no video allowed” when filming Galleria
  • WKW – Chris can’t find a wine on the menu he likes – he poo poo’s my idea on the Bordeaux

WKW – (Who’s Kidding Who)

Cologne, Germany 2014 17

FUN-fact – Kaufhof is a huge upscale department store like a Bloomingdale’s. The Galleria is in the basement and is filled with groceries and gourmet foods both fresh and pre-packaged. They have separate meat, fish, cheese, bread, etc. display cases and counters filled with locals eating and drinking. The wine section is rather large and offers tastings.

Not so FF – We were sorry we hadn’t found this before lunch as it looked really good and it would have been great to have such a local experience!

Cologne, Germany 2014 1

Church Across Street From Hilton

FUN-travel: Bremen to Cologne, Germany

August 7, 2014 by · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Bremen to Cologne, Germany 

Cologne, Germany 2014 6

DOM

Day 32 – Friday, August 1 – Bremen to Cologne, Germany – full sun – high 70’s

What I LIKE

  • 7:00 – wake up – good night sleep
  • 8:00 – get up for good hot coffee
  • 9:30 – breakfast – great variety & selections – sandwich to go
  • 10:00 – ready & load car
  • 10:30 – rental car has navigation
  • – Chris figures it out
  • – Garmin works after being turned off
  • 10:55 – have 2 navigation systems & Ipod works! incredible
  • 12:00 – find 1 more cigarette lighter!
  • 12:45 – gas & toilet stop
  • 12:55 – hilarious! time spent trying to figure out gas door
  • 1:30 – traffic moves better – all about merging 4 lanes to 3 then 2
  • 3:00 – arrive Hilton Cologne – right near city center & Dom (gigantic cathedral)
  • Wifi works @ Hilton! – free in lobby
  • – & it’s Ibahn like the Marriott Berlin – go figure
  • More unbelievable weather!
  • 5:00 – walk to Dom – city center filled w/lots of outdoor cafés
  • 5:30 – happy hour – Lederer for beer (1 liter) & French fries = $12 Euro – what a deal!
  • 6:30 – walk to Rhine river for stroll along banks
  • 2 nice German ladies ask to sit at table – strike up conversation

FUN-food – Funkhaus – on plaza just up from Lederer – salmon on basil mashed potato w/tomato & zucchini – spinach, goat cheese (more like a brie), fig, bell pepper, tomato, endive – Gougenheim 2010 Malbec, Mendoza = $61 Euro

Cologne, Germany 2014 7

  • 8:30 – stroll back thru Dom plaza
  • – lots of people out & about – cathedral lit up

What I DON’T LIKECologne, Germany 2014 20

  • 10:30 – GPS frozen – Satellites not found
  • 11:55 – GPS not charging
  • – cigarette lighter on dash doesn’t work
  • – need 1 for GPS & 1 for Ipod
  • 12:45 – can’t figure out how to open gas cap door
  • – can’t read manual in German
  • – ask man w/an Opel car like ours – doesn’t know either
  • – finally get another man who can read
  • – all doors have to be unlocked for it to work
  • – have to pay .70 Euro for toilet – get .50 back to spend in overpriced store
  • 1:10 – traffic comes to complete standstill
  • 2:45 – both navigation showing different exits – go figure!
  • Wifi costs $20 Euro for 24 hrs in room

FUN-fact – The only reason to stay at Hiltons is for creature comforts. You know what you’ll get. A nice big room & bed with an English speaking staff. We prefer boutique hotels but there’s a lot to be said for knowing you’ll have AC when there’s a heat wave going on.

FUN-travel: Warnemünde to Bremen, Germany

August 6, 2014 by · Comments Off on FUN-travel: Warnemünde to Bremen, Germany 

Day 31 – Thursday, July 31 – Warnemünde to Bremen, Germany – full sun w/light wispy clouds – high 70’s

Bremen, Germany 2014 6

What I LIKE Bremen, Germany 2014 11

  • 8:40 – Hertz is just across street – little bit of a line
  • 9:10 – luggage loaded & GPS works
  • 9:55 – finally figure out radio & get Ipod music
  • More unbelievable weather! Sunshine & mid 70’s – clouds come & go
  • 12:30 – nice drive & arrive Walter Hotel in Bremen
  • Free parking on street across from hotel
  • #1 rated on TA
  • OOPSIE! – forgot to check for AC & elevator
  • Room has French doors to patio & 2 windows
  • – open all and get good air flow
  • Wifi works at hotel!
  • – really more like B & B
  • Unbelievable! Skyped & computered for 5 hrs!
  • 5:30 – explore city by foot
  • – only 15 min walk to main square on river
  • What a sweet jewel of a city!
  • – old & quaint w/beautiful facades w/statues & gold adornments
  • – green top spired churches
  • Ask for wine shop – finally find it after walking past it 2 times
  • Weinkontor St. Petrus off main square down narrow little alley on way to Radisson Blu
  • – ask for fruit forward wine – suggests
  • – Tarapaca 2010 Maipo Chile red blend = $12 Euro – take to go

Bremen, Germany 2014 17

FUN-food: Malbec Wine Bar & Tapas – sweet little spot on Langenstrassa just off main square –Bremen, Germany 2014 20 sparkle water – tapas = 4 small square plates inside 1 big square plate – ordered what other customer had – have no idea what it is –  but tastes good! – 2012 Septima Malbec = $45 Euro – Waiter Ollie is the best!

  • 9:15 – walk back to hotel
  • 10:30 – take sleeping pill

What I DON’T LIKE

  • Have to haggle w/Hertz over extra charges – takes 10 mins
  • – all the added insurance over $250 Euros
  • – we have to pay $350 Euro for drop charge in Amsterdam
  • (still cheaper than taking the train)
  • 9:20 – GPS stuck on recalculating
  • Have no idea how to get radio off the preset buttons
  • Email doesn’t send & receive
  • Only english on TV is bad movie & BBC (been watching that for last 11 days)

FUN-fact – My other travel motto is, “Its 5 o’clock somewhere and I want to be somewhere by 5 o’clock. The original plan was to drive to Cologne today and then on to Weimer to see Buchenwald and then to Bremen. I feel like I have seen enough concentration camps in the last year and having only a short 3 hour drive is so much more enjoyable! We changed the plan to one night in Bremen and 2 nights in Cologne.

Bremen, Germany 2014 7

Next Page »