A Magical Place...

"Sometimes we get caught up in our troubles and our problems and we let life slip away, but life is precious, all of life, and one must try to take in as much of it as possible." - Yanni

It's one of my many favorite sayings, and I love it. We don't know how long we are here.   My goal is to see as much as what the world and it's cultures have to offer.  A lot of poeple say that I have the soul of a gipsy. Could be.
 
The following is one of my favorite Burgs I recommend that you try to see at least once in your life

Every time I go to this Burg, I go in the off-season. The journey will take you off the autobahn, and wind you into quaint towns in the boarding Eiffel region.  You will easily find your way, as it's marked with many signs.  No problem there.  The journey itself - is quite breathtaking.  What Burg is this ...you ask?

Burg Eltz : http://burg-eltz.de/

The burg is a medieval castle which is nestled in the hills above the Moselle River (the German wine region).  This is between Koblez and Trier - about an 1.5 hours away from Köln.  I believe what makes it really amazing is the fact it's still owned by the same family that has lived there since the 12 century - 33 generation ago!!!  It's never been destroyed, and has been kept quite intact.


Many favorite castle websites/tv show documentaries - will show Burg Eltz within the top 10 castles to visit within Germany.  Watch Rick Steves's episode: https://youtu.be/mnaTBf2Izaw

Now, I'm not sure if it's MY favorite castle in Europe...as Steve says it's his...but it's definitely topping my list.

They are not lying.  I have never even toured this castle on the inside, but it's in my "Top Picks."  In my opinion - this even beats Neuschwanstein, and I took the tour at Neuschwanstein!!!!

You have two options during the "off-season." You can take the trail down OR *if it's in the off time* the concrete road - where the bus would noramlly travel in the "on-season."  My recommendation, if it's the off season, is to take the trail down first.  It will take you around 15-20 minutes to reach the castle by foot, so make sure you go with enough daylight left, and wear appropriate hiking shoes.   There is nothing like turning the corner, and seeing the right side of the castle.  It's amazing.

Continue down to the front. After viewing the castle, use the shuttle bus pathway to walk up into a beautiful overlook.    If you are lucky, the temperature will be right, and snow.   If you go in the off-season - most likely nobody will be there -

and if it starts to snow - it's just ....  well you can fill in the blank.  Just make sure not only you, but your car has also has appropriate gear.

Personally, I don't want to ruin the picture in my head with what Burg Eltz could look like in the peak season.  I love seeing it with nobody there.  It's beautiful, and serene.   I seem to go back - every year during the off-season.  It's ..romantic. =) I play Loreena McKennitt in my head. It's a 10/10.

I love the fact that I have been given this amazing opportunity not just to live and work in Germany, but to also be able to travel, and experience such amazing things.  I hope you, too, can experience - and with my recommendations - have an amazing time.

 

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The Netherlands - Part II: Into the fog...

The Netherlands : Part II

Entering The Netherlands!  Yes, that's the sign!

What lies beyond the fog - you ask?  Beauty, and a fun day!

A couple of old colleagues from the USA visited Germany a few weeks back, and of course I thought - what better way to catch up with them than to drag them with me to a Schloss..or two ..or a few? 

One weekend, I decided to search for something different.  Something that had a tour.  I have been to so many now - that the ones with tours are becoming sparse.  The ones that are left are only viewing the buildings, possibly walking in, and losing yourself in a beautiful Schlosspark.  I wanted to go somewhere new, but I also wanted to show my colleague my hobby.  It was reporting to be a beautiful, sunny Sunday.  I decided to take a good friend of mine into the Netherlands for an adventure.  Sadly, it was sunny/w clouds in Germany which quickly turned to fog going North and then going into Netherlands. I was sad, and disappointed, but it started to clear!

First up...Kasteel Doorwerth - http://www.glk.nl/82/locatie/?locatie=9

When I researched - this castle spoke to me.  Originally built from wood in 1260, it was burnt to the ground, and was rebuilt in 1280 out of stone.  You will see it was sadly many more times burnt down, and re-built.  That day offered a special program.  A few rooms had period people in them - meaning when you walked in - they talked to you about the time period they were from of course relating to the castle or region.

Some interesting facts...
The previous owners used to stretch a chain across the Rhein river, and demand taxes from the travelers or they could not continue down the river!  Later, with the invention of being able to store paint in tubes, this area became very popular to landscape artists.  Painters were no longer confined to sketching landscapes, and having go back into their studios and fill in their drawings with hand mixed, fresh paint - they were now free to go anywhere - away from Paris - and paint. Later we learned...the castle was occupied by the SS, and was involved in the Battle of Arnhem.  It was destroyed by both sides.  The only part standing was the original thick square walls, and later rebuilt.

How interesting!!!  It also offered a few rooms with exhibits as well.  I rate this castle a 8.5.  It's quite nice.  Parking was not a problem.  The staff were super friendly, and not to mention - into their castle. The program for the day was also great.  Please note that this castle offers different exhibits on different days! Be sure to check their website to confirm when things happen.  Meanwhile..please enjoy my pictures from that day....and the other Kasteel...

This is where the original door to the castle was...please note the thickness of the walls - these were the original.

A toilet!!!

The opening on the bottom right was used by knights to enter the castle by the the river!

The next Kasteel of the day was...Kasteel Biljoen.  It turns out you can't tour it..but it's on your way back into Germany, so why not check it out!?! It's also quite beautiful.

This day trip was great.  It's turned out beautiful, and was also a learning experience.  

Another recommendation for sure!  =)

The Netherlands - Part I: An Untapped Resource..until now!

The Netherlands : Part I

I find another beautiful country to take a look into is the Netherlands.  I have been to Amsterdam, the North Sea, and not to mention shopping at Roemond, but after reflecting back on that, I thought..I wonder what this picturesque country full of windmills, canals, and super friendly people has to offer my hobby. It's silly to be so close, and not take a chance!  The border being roughly an hour and a half away from the Köln area provides a great resource of new castles/fortresses to discover.  You are probably thinking...Have I run out of them in Germany?  Of course not!  But sometimes, I feel even more adventurous, and dare to cross the border to see what other countries have to offer.

After doing some research during my Christmas vacation, I decided to pass the German city of Aachen, and venture into the southern portion of the NLs.  Three castles or in Dutch - "Kastelen" were on my list that day.

Kasteel Hoensbroek - http://www.kasteelhoensbroek.nl/

Dating back to 1250, Kasteel Hoensbroek will offer you a really nice Sunday.  It's open almost all year round - except for a few major holidays (please check their website for current schedule). There are absolutely no issues finding a parking space - as they have a huge parking lot to the side.  For adults, tickets can be bought for roughly € 8.25.  I was so lucky the day I went.  It was just after Christmas and provided me with an excellent winter's day - beautiful blue sky, and cold.  When I arrived - there was hardly anyone there!  I walked around and snapped a few pictures, and purchased my ticket.  I was off!

To my surprise - I seemed to be the only one in the castle.  It was exciting, but eerie at the same time. Everything is in Dutch, but they do offer papers to bring with you in various languages, though it seems if you know German/English - you can make out words, and get around.  Being by myself and walking up the spiraling tower - that barely fit my height and width - triggered my claustrophobia, but I pressed on.  Walking from room to room takes you back in time.  It's amazing.

Kasteel Hoensbroek

I definitely recommend this!!!

Secret passageway to a hidden room!

Now, on my way to find Kasteel Schaleon..I ran into an unexpected find!  Kasteel Wijnandsrade - http://www.kasteelwijnandsrade.nl/.   There is also a huge parking lot next to the Kasteel, and a restaurant inside the walls.  I parked, jumped out, and took a quick look inside....

 

..and continued my journey.

I found both, Kasteel Schaloen and Kasteel Gonhoes, not too far away.

Kasteel Schaloen is just simply beautiful.  It offers a nice trail, as well as a hotel/restaurant.

Kasteel Schaloen

Now Kasteel Gonhoes is within walking distance, but I did not venture directly up to it (being so cold) but did manage a few pictures.

  

It was a long/rewarding day.

Kasteel Gonhoes

Part I of my.... report into the Netherlands....simply beautiful.  Enjoy your time - relax on these finds!

(Take note that Kasteel Hoensbroek has made my "Top Pick" list!! )

Tune in next time..when I travel north in the NLs towards Arnhem to meet, and speak with period people at Kasteel Doorwerth...