Museum tours of Europe are very popular, and with good reason. There are thousands of Museums there, all different in their own ways. When most people think of museums in Europe, they automatically think of the Louvre.  Museums like The Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Prado in Madrid, London’s British Museum, and Berlin’s Museum Island are some of the finest in the world.

The Louvre located in Paris, France originally opened in 1793 and contains over 400,000 works of art. On average, 15,000 people visit the museum every day. The most popular works there are the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. While it would be easy to dedicate an entire years worth of blog posts to the Louvre, let’s take a look at some lesser known museums that may spark your interest!

The Tate Modern Museum in London, housed in a former power station is Britain’s national museum of international modern art. Opened in 2000, it enjoys visitors from all over the world who wish to see modern art styles such as abstraction, expressionism, constructivism, cubism, and pop art. This museum contains works by such artists as Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, and Claude Monet.

The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Brussels, Belgium is a unique look at musical instruments throughout the ages. For a five euro admission fee, you get a head set, which automatically plays the instrument you are looking at when you walk close to it. Hundreds of instruments that you’ve probably never heard of fill these halls. There is also a restaurant on the roof that offers fantastic views of the entire city! A must see for fans of all kinds of music.

If you’re like me and get distracted by shiny things, a visit Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens, Austria will take all day! Set in a “cave” format, you can wander through the rooms set up to provide you with beautiful displays, light shows, and information about crystals. People from all walks of life enjoy this breathtaking museum. The gift shop allows you to take home a wide variety of beautiful crystal ornaments, jewelry, and other pieces of art.

For those who are young at heart, the Nuremberg Toy Museum in Germany will be just what you are looking for. This high quality collection covers hundreds of years of toys, focusing mainly on the past two centuries. Different floors offer various themes such as wooden toys, dolls and doll houses, tin toys, vehicles, toy train sets, steam engines, technical toys and the high-tech toys of today. The museum also host collectors meetings, as well as seminars and puppet shows.

Of course there are many more clever fun museums, but we can’t list them all. Whatever museums you decide to see, a rental car in Europe is a great way to tour the country!

Do you know of any fun museums we could add to this list? If so leave a comment and tell us about it!

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!

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.

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!

A woman I was showing around Paris once told me, “The food in Paris is so terrible… it’s a good thing that they have American fast food here.” Cringe! Eating fast food while in Europe is one of the biggest mistakes a traveler could possibly make. Why pile on McEmpty calories when you can load up on the richest cheeses, meats, breads and of course pastries, each unlike anything you’d find anywhere else in the world? Eating pain au chocolat for breakfast in Paris is one of the most luscious experiences one could ever hope for. Taking a baguette, some assorted cheeses (Auvergne, Camembert, and Muenster) and a bottle of Bordeaux down to the Siene for a picnic lunch is not only nourishing for the body, it nourishes the mind and soul as well! So the question is, why would this woman believe that the food in Paris sucks?

After promising her that if she sticks with me, she’s sure to learn otherwise, I asked what gave her this preposterous idea in the first place? To this she responded by telling me about a big sandwich she picked up at the cafe near the Pompedeu, which was almost completely made of bread, and the greasy crepe from the stand on the corner by Notre Dame, and then her eyes lit up when she told me about the gelato she had for a snack after her day at the Louvre. I laughed. It didn’t sound like she thought that the food was terrible at all, only perhaps terrible FOR her.

It’s true, the French tend to believe that bread can be the main course for any meal, they use a lot of butter and cheese and really don’t skimp when it comes to dessert. But look at them, they are thin! This is because… well, there are a few reasons. First, you’ll find most Parisians walking and biking everywhere they go. Secondly, the portions of food they eat are about half the size of an American meal. Third, cheese, butter and pastries are not the ONLY foods they eat.

Take a moment to wander off the beaten path and venture more deeply into the neighborhoods where the people of Paris actually live. There, you’ll find many markets filled with fresh vegetables and fruit. You don’t need a fast food joint or your own kitchen to put together a salad. Combine romaine lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes and green beans, then sprinkle them with fleur de sel, olive oil and a squirt of lemon juice, and voila, you’ll think that you died and went to heaven. It’s part of the Parisian experience. Plus, eating a meal or two like this each day could be easier on your middle and on your pocketbook. But don’t forget, you’re on vacation! It would be an absolute pity to waste the rare opportunity to savor the flavor of everything this magical city has to offer.

“Indulge!” I tell her as we stop into the best gelato shop in the Sixth. We finish every last bite and then we commence to, once again, walk our butts off.

I love wine. This is why, when asked the best time to travel to Germany, I often reply, “Mosel Weinfest!” Maybe I’m just a bit thirsty, but I believe that the wine fest is one of the best reasons to travel to Germany. It is my firm belief that celebrations and festivals make excellent travel memories. I find that visiting a place during a celebration brings out the best in locals. They are showing off what they do best, and are doing it not only for tourists, but for each other. The Mosel Weinfest – which takes place from May all the way through October – is no exception. The long date range makes the Mosel Weinfest perfect for busy travelers who have a hard time scheduling their summer travel plans.

Throughout the summer, hundreds of wine festivals are held across the Mosel River Valley in celebration of the region’s wine producing culture. (Hint: don’t miss the most famous of the region’s varietals: the Riesling). But these festivals don’t only focus on wine; they also feature live music, food and locally produced arts and craft sales. I find there’s no better place to buy thoughtful gifts or one-of -a-kind home decorations than in festivals like this. You’re sure to discover something that no one else you know will have.

Another reason I recommend visiting Germany during the Mosel Weinfest is that it is a fun, beautiful, “off the beaten path” destination. Small, romantic towns dot the river banks and friendly faces pour liberal glasses of wine. There are amazing castles (don’t miss the Eltz Castle) and other historic landmarks to visit along the way. Best of all, it is a place where you can create a vacation that is all yours – no official itinerary necessary. Just make sure to pack a handy language translator, as fewer locals speak fluent English in the Mosel Valley than they do in larger metropolitan areas.

No matter where or when you visit Germany, be sure to raise a glass of fine German wine to your lips and heartily declare, in the spirit of the locals, “prost!”

(That’s like “cheers!” …didn’t I say to remember your translator?)

Isabel

The Travel Guide