Search Results for: MUNICH

Biking: The Best Way To Experience The Magic Of Alsace, France
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Biking: The Best Way To Experience The Magic Of Alsace, France

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Have you ever been somewhere and upon arriving, felt as if you were dropped into a movie set? If you have, then you will know exactly how it feels to arrive in the Alsace region of France. Nestled along the border of France and Germany, the Alsace area is home to fields of crops, gorgeous vineyards, amazing cheese, medieval fortress ruins and a string of towns and villages that look as if they are plucked straight from a fairytale. As this region has gone back and forth in ownership between France and Germany over the past several centuries, the area speaks to a beautiful blend of French and German influence with their architecture, food, history and even language. With many of the towns having survived the bombings of WWI & WWII, much of the architecture and castles date back to medieval times, providing layers upon layers of rich cultural history sprinkled among the agricultural landscape. Beyond just their architecture and history though, Alsace is particularly known for their cheeses, white storks nesting on rooftops and their  “wine route” which strings together vineyards, towns and villages in an easily bike able sequence. With so much to see, here are….

Tour Bike Makeover: How To Paint A Bike
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Tour Bike Makeover: How To Paint A Bike

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With so many cities and towns accessible by paths, lanes and walkways, bicycling is ingrained into European living. Having grown up in South Carolina enjoying biking from a recreational point of view, I now see bikes as both opportunities for recreation and primary means of transportation. After moving, Charlie and I instantly knew that we wanted to get bikes to travel around Munich, however the prices and process of coming by a bike became greater hurdles than we originally had expected. After researching and scouring the area, we determined our best bet to get a bike quickly was second hand through flea markets, Facebook marketplace or, as we ended up with, from bike tour companies. Tour companies that offer bikes for rent often cycle bikes out over time and frequently are willing to part with an older, but still in relatively good condition, bike for a significantly reduced price. While this was exactly the deal I was looking for, riding a bike that proclaimed “Mike’s Bikes Tours” wasn’t exactly the look I had in mind, and thus became inspired to give my bike a little makeover. If you have found an old bike, were given a hand me down or just want to freshen yours up, here are a few of the things…

How To Spend A Weekend In Salzburg, Austria (Including Top Highlights You Can't Miss!)
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How To Spend A Weekend In Salzburg (Including Top Highlights You Can’t Miss!)

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If last week’s post of St. Gilgen was perfect for the culture loving outdoor adventurer, then this week’s “part two” introducing Salzburg embodies everything else you might think of to enjoy on a European trip. Winding lanes of shops. Horse led carriage rides through the city. Museums. Churches. Bakeries. Renowned musical performances. Fortresses. Fountain graced plazas. Salzburg, Austria is filled with charm and is a worthy addition to any trip itinerary. As a former hub of the Austrian Hungarian empire made rich over the years through a wealth of salt, Salzburg is overflowing with unique musical, artistic and cultural experiences. With so much to experience, I believe at….

Three Amazing Experiences To Enjoy When Spending A Day In St. Gilgen Austria
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Three Amazing Experiences To Enjoy When Spending A Day In St. Gilgen, Austria

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With spectacular alpine, lakeside and country landscape views at nearly every turn, I once read that visiting the whole of Austria is like stepping into one large national park. While I have not visited all of Austria to confirm this, my most recent experiences of St. Gilgen and Salzburg do confirm the beauty of this country. Austria holds many little picturesque towns and with a population just under 4,000 people, St. Gilgen is….

9 Helpful German Phrases To Know For European Travels
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9 Helpful German Phrases To Know For European Travels

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After living here in Munich for two weeks, I have an ever increasing desire to learn the German language. As I previously started Duolingo and Babbel before ever arriving and now have begun taking German classes, I can see small steps of progress, but flowing conversation still feels miles away. Thankfully (and most impressively!), many people in the city speak English and have been able to understand my flustered mix of broken German and English phrases. But even with some flustering, isn’t that part of the joy of traveling? Exposure to another culture and language and seeing the beauty that the Lord has established in people groups all over the world? I certainly think so. And in general, even for all of my mistakes, the German people have been very kind and encouraging about the effort to…

Oushak, Persian And Turkish, Oh My! Important Questions To Keep In Mind When Shopping For Antique Rugs
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Oushak, Persian And Turkish, Oh My! Important Questions To Keep In Mind When Shopping For Antique Rugs

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Having been officially living in Germany for exactly one week now, I am starting to settle in with a plethora of suitcases and Ikea furniture cardboard boxes littering the floor as evidence. Thankfully, Charlie already had several pieces put together when I arrived which has prevented total chaos, however some items are really better suited for the help of two people. Ikea is a furniture store favorite over here in Munich and while they do have many great items that we have added to our home as well, I haven’t wanted our house to feel as though we simply picked up the Ikea showroom and set it in our house. Seeing this, just days after my arrival, Charlie and I went scouring antique stores and flea markets to find pieces full of character. While these can be hit or miss, one of the most exciting purchases of the weekend was an approximately 9 foot long antique runner that now sits proudly in our hallway. We might still have boxes and suitcases galore, but this first fabulous rug find gives such a personal touch that instantly makes our apartment feel more like a home. See, that is the power of….

Making The Most Out Of Long Haul Flights
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Making The Most Out Of Long Haul Flights

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Growing up, I cannot say that I took many flights. In fact, up until college, I don’t believe I had ever had longer than a three hour flight. That being said, since beginning the process of moving to Munich, I have taken five, 9 or 10 hour, international long haul flights in the last four months, with my most recent one completed just this morning. While I have not embarked on long haul flights to Africa or Asia, I wanted to share a few of the tips, resources and treasures that I have gained from these recent experiences to perhaps help you in preparing for a long distance flight as well. Whether boarding First Class or Main cabin, with Delta or American Airlines, these factors have been crucial for…. 

Stuck Between Seasons? My Favorite Ways To Create Timeless Décor
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Stuck Between Seasons? My Favorite Ways To Create Timeless Décor

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It’s no secret that the months following Christmas and New Year’s before spring fully emerges are quite hard. The weather is normally dismal, schedules can feel abrupt to adapt to again and overall, the mood feels challenging. Even if you absolutely love Valentine’s Day (which many people don’t!), there doesn’t feel like much to celebrate or a season to decorate for. When Charlie and I visited Munich a few weeks ago, we even discovered that it was traditional for many Germans to leave their Christmas décor until the beginning of February to brighten spirits and add cheer to this overcast time of year. While on this side of the pond, I might not join in on leaving up my Christmas décor, I do appreciate the sentiment of establishing a way to decorate for the months of January, February and March before the weather has fully committed to spring. So, if you feel stuck between seasons, here are my favorite ways to create timeless décor to cheer yourself up without….