It’s that time of the week again, and congratulations are in order not only to the Phillies, but more importantly to Damien, Robert, Kat and Ryan for knowing the answer to last weeks travel trivia.  The correct answer was the Neues Rathaus (or Glockenspiel tower) in Munich, with the Fraunkirche in the background.  Extra credit to Robert for knowing that the photo was taken from the Marienplatz!

This week’s question relates to the photo below:

What is the name of this famous Bavarian castle, and where is it located?

Best of luck to everyone and lets keep those guesses coming. Again, I won’t post any answers till Friday afternoon. Good Luck
-Hans Ericsson

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One of my favorite German cities is Stuttgart. Less than an hour from the Black Forest, vineyards once lined the entire lush valley where the city now lays, and some still function today. Fantastic castles and palaces still fill the area, and many are open to tour for your enjoyment and educational purposes. While in the Stuttgart region the sheer Gothic beauty of the city will entice you to take walks, cycle tours and boat trips up and down the Neckar River.

Fans of driving, history, automobiles, and engineering will love the Mercedes-Benz and Porsche museums. At both of these places visitors are treated on a chronological journey through time, all the way up to the cars of tomorrow. This pair of German car museums is a must see for car buffs.

Stuttgart is also home to the very unique Wilhelma Zoological and Botanical Garden. It is without a doubt, one of the finest gardens in the world, and you will want to make a day of it. Built from 1842 – 1853, the Wilhelma Gardens feature around 9,000 animals of almost 1,000 species, an aquarium with crocodile hall as well as a beautiful coral fish collection. There is also a monkey house, some wacky fun bears, and a petting zoo! Around 2 million people visit each year, making it a must see for any tourist. It’s so big; you will want to bring your GPS rental with you to navigate around!

Take your rental car in Stuttgart over to the Fernsehenturm, a giant television antenna. It has a delightful observation deck where viewers can snap photos of the entire city. It is open to the public and runs nearly all day. The Fernsehenturm is a pretty fun destination for those who are unafraid of heights. The reception should be pretty good too!

Right now however, the number one best reason to be in Stuttgart is the Christmas Fair. The Christmas Fair begins the second week of November, and runs through Christmas. Each year, the event attracts around 3.5 million visitors, who come to gaze at the cities beautiful decorations, peruse the 200 vendor stands selling various trinkets and homemade crafts, as well fill up on as delicious Christmas culinary delights. The Christmas Fair has been a world class festive celebration, since at least 1692, and the city keeps tradition alive and well during the season each and every year.

A car rental in Stuttgart is a great way to get around, and see all that this marvelous city has to offer. Don’t forget to check out the Opera House!

For more about what’s happening in Germany, check out our events calendar. If you have a suggestion on something I missed, please leave a comment!

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I love beer. I know it may seem strange, but it’s true. Sure, I love other things, like my special lady friend, my family, my guitar and kittens, but I also love beer. I’m not saying I love all beer. Hefeweizens and pilsners do make the top of my rather long list. I’m generally not too thrilled if the word “light” is on the label, or if it names a fruit in its title, unless it’s for desert. I think it’s fair to say that I like my beer when it’s like the weather; clear and cool with a chance of clouds.

My favorite place to drink beer is in Germany. For centuries, people have been enjoying the delicious beer of Bavaria. Beer in Germany is part of the culture, and all beer is subjected to strict purity guidelines. These guidelines, called the Reinheitsgebot, have been in place since 1516 and are the oldest form of food quality regulation in the entire world. It basically states that the only ingredients allowed to make beer are water, barley, and hops. It was slightly reformed in 1987, but many brewers have stuck to their original recipes. There are over 1,300 breweries in Germany, which is second only to the 1,500 of America!

As you may know, there are many styles of German beer. What I like about German beer is that in most cases you won’t find “non-beer” flavors, like fruit and spice, which is very common here in America. As far as variety goes, you won’t find more of it anywhere else, and it’s nearly all delicious. Light, dark, wheat, pilsner, kolsch, top fermented, bottom fermented, whatever you can think of, Germany will have what you are looking for.

Before traveling to Germany for the first time, I used to ask Germans what they thought of our beer and beer culture. From what I gathered, it appeared that some of our microbreweries produce good beer, but our beer culture is nothing when compared to Bavaria. It only took one visit to a beer garden in Munich to understand why. Visiting a beer garden is some of the most fun you can have while on vacation in Germany. They are large, open areas, usually outdoors, sometimes tented, that serve beer. A beer hall is basically the same thing, just indoors. It’s a great place to make friends, and experience delicious beer.

You will want something in your belly before consuming large amounts of beer, and in Germany, it is widely agreed that nothing goes better with a beer than a fresh pretzel or a bratwurst. Bratwurst is seasoned sausage, which can be soaked in beer for hours before cooking. Brat’s can be pan-fried, roasted, grilled or boiled. They are eaten with sauerkraut and/or potatoes, or in a roll with spicy mustard. Pretzels are generally large, fresh, and chewy, a nice break from the hard crunchy ones we are so used to. Most beer halls/gardens will have these available, or you may bring your own food.

There are some important things to remember when drinking at a beer garden in Germany. Make sure you have time to spend there to truly enjoy it. You don’t want to feel rushed. The beers are huge there, so know your limits and pace yourself. The smallest beer you will be able to get is a half liter, although full liter beers are very popular. There can be close to 5,000 people in some of the larger gardens/halls. It’s going to be loud, so while you won’t need ear plugs, you will need to speak loudly to communicate. You will most likely be sharing the table you are at with strangers, and that makes for part of the fun. People are generally in good spirits and will let you know if the seat is taken. When in doubt just ask someone, and they usually will help you out.

By being social and acting friendly, you will be sure to have a great time at a beer garden on your next German vacation. Prost!

Hans

Have a beer garden story? Tell us about it by leaving a comment!

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Congratulations Patty!  You had the correct answer to last weeks Travel Trivia.  Robert the Bruce allegedly brought the Blarney Stone over to Ireland from Scotland.  And yes Patty, my pumpkin gabs with the best of them over pints of ale!  Now, on to this weeks photo.

The building with the large tower in this photo has over 400 rooms.

Q. What city was this photo taken in, and what is the name of the building?
Bonus: What are the towers in the background with the green tops?

Good luck to everyone!
-Hans

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Wine production has a long history in France. For thousands of years, wineries of all shapes and sizes have established a tradition of producing some of the world’s best wine. To date France produces more wine than any other country on earth. Beautiful chateaus and vineyards pepper the countryside, and many are available for public tours. There is nothing quite like experiencing a French winery on a crisp fall day. While I can’t get nearly as in depth as I would like to, here is a quick overview of the main wine producing areas of France.

The Alsace Region mainly produces white wine, and borders Germany. It has changed hands between the two countries numerous times, and the German influence is clearly seen when touring the region.
Bordeaux, located on the Atlantic coast exports and produces mostly red wines that bear the same name as the region. There are over 9,000 chateaus producing wine annually, and the area is filled with beautiful architecture.
In Burgundy, red and white wines are equally produced. Beaujolais, in the south produces mostly reds while Chablis in the north grows mainly white. Burgundy produces some of the world’s most expensive wine, due to the rarity of certain grapes.
Champagne is the coldest region located about 100 miles east of Paris. The in order for sparkling wine to bear its name, it must come from this region. There are other wines produced in this region, but Champagne remains the most popular export.
Jura, located close to Switzerland is famous for dark red wines. This region attracts many visitors each year due to its location in the Alps.
Languedoc-Roussillon, produces more wine than any other region, and is known for selling in bulk. It is said that the grapes that grow in this area have been around longer than the existence of humans!
The Loire Valley is a primarily white-wine region and produces a lot of Savigon Blanc. Many of the chateaus here are giant castles, built hundreds of years ago, by owners who felt the need to protect their wine stashes with fortresses.
Provence, in southeast France rests on the Mediterranean produces reds and whites, however is known for its famous rose wine.
The Rhone Valley is primarily a red wine region. Syrah, or Shiraz comes from this region is very popular.  This region has over 6,000 registered wine growing properties.
The South West Region produces white and reds alike, and rests on over 40,000 acres of vineyards!

As you can see despite its size, France offers more than most can handle in a single vacation when it comes to touring the chateaus.  When on tours, you will want to stop by the nearest farm, to grab one of the local cheeses. As you know, cheese and wine go hand in hand. French cheese is known as being some of the finest in the world, and the cheese of each region usually compliments the wine being produced there.

Beaufort is named after a small town in the French Alps. This cheese commonly comes in large wheels, and goes great with some smoked salmon and a nice glass of Chablis.
Brie de Meaux is one of the best cheeses in the world, and is extremely smooth. It matches perfectly with a glass Champagne.
Made famous by an approval from Napoleon, Camembert is matured to the core, and has a delicate salty taste. Enjoy with a baguette and a glass of Red Bordeaux.
The Munster in France is not what we are used to in the US. Alsace Munster has a strong and powerful smell, and goes great with potatoes Pinot Noir. Munster can also be enjoyed with beer.
Pont l’Eveque is a very rich, soft cheese. It has a decadent creamy, full-bodied flavor, and is best enjoyed at room temperature with a glass of Pinot Noir.
Reblochon has a softer texture than Brie, with a nutty after taste. Melt some of this on a baked potato and enjoy with a glass of Savoie white wine.
Saint Marcellin takes a while to mature but you will find that it is well worth the wait. This complex flavor is best enjoyed with a Red wine from Rhone Valley.

Enjoying a plate of cheese with a bottle of wine is a great way to spend afternoons in the country. You could say that cheese and wine in France are like apple pie in America:  delicious tradition worth looking into.

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Wembley Stadium is an English institution. It ranks as one of the largest stadiums in the world, and is home to the England national soccer team. Recently rebuilt, Wembley has 90,000 covered seats, and can hold over 130,000 for concerts. Wembley has showcased many major events and concerts throughout its prestigious history. This tradition continues this Sunday, when the San Diego Chargers meet the New Orleans Saints in front of English fans at Wembley Stadium.

There has only been one regular season NFL game in the UK, which was held last year and featured the New York Giants versus the Miami Dolphins. There were many concerns going into the first NFL game on English soil. Would English fans be able to warm up to American football? Would the pace be to slow for a crowd used to watching soccer? Would anyone show up? Well, as anyone who was there will tell you, it was a great success. The first block of 40,000 tickets for the game sold-out in just 90 minutes. The second and third blocks of tickets went just as fast, and it was clear getting people into the stadium would not be a problem.

Truckloads of merchandise were brought in and jerseys from every team were purchased by fans. Images of the crowd showed all NFL teams represented. “God Save the Queen”, the British national anthem was played before the game, as that is the tradition in England. English fans don’t just sing along, they belt it out at the top of their lungs, something you don’t normally see in the US. It is quite intense, and the roar of the crowd must get every player ready. By kick off, it was clear that these fans were ready for some (American) football. Even though the weather was a cold wet drizzle, they stuck in there, cheering whenever possible. Granted, not all the cheering was at the proper moments (all punts got huge ovations, regardless of circumstance), but the spirit of the NFL was alive and well in these English fans. Overall, it was a complete success, despite the fact that the rain had turned the field into a slippery mud bowl.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodel has publicly discussed the idea of possibly holding the Super Bowl at Wembley Stadium. There is also talk of extending the NFL season by one game, specifically for international play. This would be a treat for fans in Europe, as well as the die hards; who would make the trip across the pond, body paint and all. Given the state of things now, the travel industry would be more than willing to accommodate a few extra passengers.

Major cities that could potentially host games include: Amsterdam, Dusseldorf, Edinburgh Barcelona, Berlin, Frankfurt, London, Paris and Dublin just to name a few. Where in Europe would you like to see your favorite NFL team play?

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I don’t know who Damien or Todd are, but congratulations on knowing the answer to last weeks travel trivia. Everyone else had good guesses, but the building is Saint Basil’s Cathedral in the Red Square.

In the spirit of Halloween, we are going to take a break from our traditional trivia, and present you with something a little different.

The photo featured below is an illuminated carved pumpkin (fashioned by yours truly), which has a nickname you are probably familiar with. The nickname comes from a country in Europe that has a famous castle, with an even more famous stone.

Q. Who brought said stone to this famous castle?

Any questions? Good luck!
-Hans

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Fall is a great time to travel as costs are lower, temperatures are cooler, and lines to see the local attractions are always shorter.  It is also the time of year when many European cities hold food and wine festivals. They range in variety from general culinary delights, to specific ingredients, such as Chocolate.  While in Europe this fall, you won’t want to miss these delightful festivals.  Take a break from the norms, and you might end up trying something new that you didn’t even know about!

Truffle Festival, Alba, Italy
4 October-9 November
White truffle season begins at the beginning of October. For the next six weeks, you can learn all you want to about the mysterious truffle, as well as sample some of the finest available . See some of the world’s most famous chefs salivating at the invitation-only truffle auction, where some of these fungi will sell for up to $3000 per kilo! The Truffle Market, which takes place each weekend, offers stalls selling all kinds of truffle-related products. Most restaurants in the area will allow you to take a fresh truffle with you to dinner, and they will grate it onto your meal.  Many consider this the preferred way to consume and enjoy these tasty morsels.

Paris Chocolate Festival, Paris, France
29 October-2 November
Chocoholics rejoice! Paris’ Chocolate Festival is just around the corner, and will be held in the large convention center beneath the Louvre. This years event will feature over 400 exhibitors from throughout the world. Visitors will have the chance to learn about the cocoa-producing lifestyles of countries such as Venezuela and Mexico as well as view delicious chocolate demonstrations from top chefs.   If you miss it in Paris, the traveling chocolate show also makes stops in New York, Tokyo, Beijing and Moscow.  There was something about there being lots of samples available, but I was too busy day-dreaming about the land of chocolate to read any further.

Envies Culinaires, Lille, France
31 October-3 November
Lille has long been known as a great place to enjoy world class cuisine, with its fabulous restaurants and weekly markets. The Envies Culinaires brings it to a whole new level, with a four-day expo celebration to all things gourmet. Held annually at Lille’s Grand Palace, attendees can sample treats of all kinds, from snails to fresh lobster. There are desert and international stalls available to sample a wide range of food. Wine tastings, cooking demonstrations and conversation can be found all weekend, throughout the Grand Palace.

Wine Fair, Munich, Germany
7 November-9 November
This weekend is all about wine in the Bavarian capital. A month after Oktoberfest ends, Munich celebrates the regional wine with a preview of what’s to come in the new year. Wineries from all over come to showcase their wines, sparkling wines, spirits, specialties, delicacies, chocolate, cheeses, cellar equipment, accessories, literature and online services. During the Wine Fair, you can meet up with some of Europe’s most notable wine intellectuals, for tastings, seminars, and discussions. Prost!

Merano Wine Festival, Merano, Italy
8 November-10 November
The South Tyrol, with its mixed Italian and Austrian heritage, is a great place for a food fiend to visit at any time of year and if you read my last blog, you will know I am a huge fan of this region. This festival showcases traditional alpine noodle dishes, such as dumplings and strudel, as well as delicious hand-made pastas and strong cheeses. Different regions have different booths, and major wine producers from all over Italy use this festival as an excuse break out the good stuff. Ah, to be in Italy with a plate of lamb, veal, and some good old wine; that is the life for me!

Whatever your taste, Europe in the fall has much to offer and can be enjoyed by anyone who enjoys food. Whatever region you plan on traveling into, you won’t be disappointed with the culinary delights.

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With the closing of this year’s Oktoberfest, I have had some time to think about the other beer and wine producing areas throughout Europe. Many people plan vacations themed around visiting the many breweries and wineries peppered all over the continent. I for one am in support of this idea, as these locations not only produce world class spirits, but are rich in culture and historical value.

There’s nothing quite like a trip to an Italian winery. The hills call you to explore as grapevines grow in unison with olive trees. Buildings that have stood for centuries are still in use today. Grapes grow in nearly every region of Italy, so finding delicious local wines is never a problem. Even in ancient times, the Italians were efficient and organized in their wine making, and these traditions still carry on, even now. Italy generally produces more wine per year than any other country on the planet, except sometimes France. The country of Italy, though relatively small, has 20 different wine producing regions, each with sub regions producing their own distinct brands. Let’s take a look at a few.

Tuscany produces some of the finest red wine the world has ever tasted, including the well known Chianti. One of the oldest and most renowned wineries is the Castello di Fonterutoli, and is located just south of Castellina in Chianti. Having been in the Mazzei family since 1435, the Castello di Fonterutoli has kept its original form for hundreds of years. It is considered one of the most important companies in all of Italy, and is always striving for perfection and quality in its grapes, production methods, and wines alike. There are many different wineries producing Chianti, so tours of the region are popular. Chianti goes great with spiced pork, or a sweet Asiago cheese, but can be eaten with many other foods as well. You can find fine Tuscan wines in all the cities of the region, including Florence, Pisa, and Siena.

The Aosta Valley in northwest Italy produces mostly red wines, such as pinot noir. The elevated vineyards are nearly four thousand feet above sea level. This region has many kinds of grapes that grow, so it can produce up to 25 different kinds of wines! If you see Valle d’Aosta on the label, it could be many things, all delicious. There are many wineries in this area and most offer tours and tastings, all are worth seeing.

Fans of Marsala will want to head south to Sicily, to sample the local vineyards. Well known for this sweet wine, Sicily is home to acres of grapes and olives to boot! Grab a bottle and some spicy cheese, like a parmesan or gorgonzola and set up a mid afternoon picnic on the hillside for a truly unique Italian experience.

The Provence of Bolzano, or South Tyrol, produces only 7% of Italy’s wine; however it is often award winning and of a very high quality. Many local chefs are eager to prepare meals that harmonize with the delicious wines of the region. The famous Gewürtraminer grape comes mainly from this region, and delicious wines stem from it. Winery tours are available and many of the local wine producers will invite you in for a real hands on experience in wine production. The tastings are very well organized, and there are experts available to help you gain a better understanding of wine. If you are there in November, you will want to check out the Merano International Wine Festival which is held from the 8th to the 10th. There you can sample over 400 wines from all over Italy!

I’ll be the first to admit that there are far too many different wineries and styles of wine for me to cover in a single blog post. If you search on the internet, you will find many websites dedicated to Italian Wine.  You can also call your local travel agent, who can set you up with a personalized itenary for your own wine tour.  Think about driving your car rental in Italy over to some vineyards; just make sure to have a designated driver!

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Congratulations to Kat for getting the last weeks travel trivia question.  The correct answer was Kensington Gardens in London (which does lie to the next to Hyde Park).  Ryan’s second guess was also correct.  Here’s another easy one, so I will wait to publish the correct answers until next week.

What is the name and location of the building, and the colorful city center in the photo above?

Good luck!

-H

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