Author: Melissa Allen

Woke up to a beautiful day in Bundaberg Australia, a small city of 70,000 people. Located slightly inland from the coast and along the Burnett River. The city is known for producing two things Australians love – Ginger Beer and Bundaberg Rum. We spent the morning visiting both Bundaberg Rum Distillery and Bundaberg Ginger Beer Factory.

Australians have nicknames for everything. Their rum is no different. They affectionately call the distillery and the rum itself “Bundy.” The Bundaberg Rum Distillery has been recognized all over the world for both the rum they produce as well as the Best Distillery Experience. There is an awesome museum that details the history of rum in Australia and around the world as well as how “Bundy” is produced today. After visiting the museum we were taken on a guided tour of the distillery including watching the cane train pull in, visiting the molasses vats, getting a view of the distillers, a full explanation of each of the products they make and ending with two drinks of our choice.  

Given the opportunity to try a glass from a $180 bottle of “The Best Rum in the World “,  we took it. “Bundy” Blenders Edition was grabbed the top honor of world’s best rum in 2015 and their Master Distiller’s Collection won best dark rum in the world in 2017.   We ended the visit with a good ol’ Dark and Stormy (rum and ginger beer) drink.

Just one mile down the street from “Bundy” is the Bundaberg Brewed Drinks Factory. The Barrel is their visitors center which features a store, a factory experience and a free tasting bar. We opted to do only the taste test of all 13 drink favors. While they are best known for their ginger beer, their other favors are great too. We really liked the guava, blood orange, pineapple-coconut and apple cider. It is definitely worth a visit when passing through.

Following our morning in Bundaberg, we drove for what seemed like forever through very rural, but very beautiful areas. We made a quick stop in the “Beef Capital of Australia”, Rockhampton. This town is internationally known for their high quality beef and is where you cross the Tropic of Capricorn.

Continuing to push our travels making for a long day, we pulled into Airlie Beach just before sunset. The weather was much warmer and therefore the number of tourists significantly increased. We were hard pressed to find a park with space for the night but we managed to squeeze in to a non-powered packed site. It was worth the craziness of the caravan park because the next morning we signed up for a 2.5 hour jetski  tour of the Whitsunday Islands. Both Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands are very popular vacation spots for people from all over the world. It is an awesome beach town and one of our favorite stops in Australia. Vacationers can spend days there, never running short of fun things to do. Our jetski tour gave Robert his first taste of the excitement and power of the rapid glide across the open water. The Whitsunday Islands are beautiful but a bit beat up from the 2016 Cyclone that caused tremendous damage to the area. We had a blast jetting from one island to the next.

After an amazing morning on the water, we drove that afternoon and the next morning until we reached Townsville. While we weren’t able to stay there for an extended period of time to enjoy all the fun activities, we did visit the Billabong Wildlife Sanctuary. Just a few miles south of Townsville, the sanctuary offers visitors a chance to see and interact with many types of Australian wildlife. Most of the animals that live within the sanctuary were rescued from road accidents or because they were a danger to humans. When purchasing an entrance ticket, they offer a large bag of animal food for $2 that can be used throughout park. We picked one up and made great use of it during our visit. As I have mentioned before,  I LOVE animals. The Billabong Wildlife Sanctuary was a great opportunity for me to be up close and person with many of them, including cuddling a koala!

Throughout the afternoon, the rangers offer presentations about the different animals. Immediately following you can touch or hold many of them which is included in the price of the ticket. Of course, holding a koala is extra but it was worth it! I got to the cuddle the koala for several minutes. Maybe you’re wondering if it smelled… the answer is no. The animals are very well cared for and “Tami” was very well behaved. Fun Fact – Queensland is the only state in Australia where it is legal to hold a koala and they have strict rules about how much human interaction they can have per day/week.

Below are some other animals we saw during our walk through the sanctuary.

Our visit was a blast. Billabong Wildlife Sanctuary is a wonderful time for the whole family.

As we near our last 5 days of our road trip through Australia, we will venture into the Daintree Rainforest, Port Douglas, Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef. Are you prone to sea sickness?

Our road trip continued up the east coast north of Sydney. On suggestion from my brother, Michael, we steered the van toward Hunter Valley Wine Region. Located just 2 hours north of Sydney, it is a popular place for Aussies to go to on their free time. We drove in on a Saturday morning and although there were crowds there were also some cool events going on too. We stopped at several vineyards for tastings.

My research pinpointed some that have received awards and such. Audrey Wilkinson vineyards has a beautiful cellar door (tasting room) with gorgeous views overlooking the valley. The tasting was not free but was waived with the purchase of a bottle to take home. With a few cellar door stops in between, we ended our day of tasting at McGuigan Wines. They are best known for their internationally award winning, Semillon. It is a white wine we had not tried before. It was light, crisp and refreshing. We had a chance to taste several other wines there as well. Their McGuigan Farms Shiraz was wonderful.

After a full day of wine tasting we picked a holiday park near Diamond Beach. The next day we spent all the daylight hours we had driving north along the coast. We stopped to rest in some awesome towns along the way including , Stuart Beach, Coffs Harbour and Emerald Beach.

Our final stop of the day was at a beachside campsite in Yuraygir National Park. It was the best of all the places we stayed so far because our spot was right on the beach. There were tons of kangaroos hopping around the area, as well as on the beach. Many different types of birds were singing in the trees. We made a campfire in the evening and roasted marshmallows. Breakfast overlooking the sunrise on the beach with kangaroos was a huge highlight for us. We even got to see a joey in the kangaroo pouch!

 

We had a leisurely morning and then continued driving north a second day until dusk, making it to the city of Tweed. This time we stayed at a caravan park, a completely different experience than the last place but we had flushing toilets and showers. With a refreshing night of sleep and a hot shower to get us started, we drove up to Mt. Tamborine (just west of Gold Coast).  On top of the mountain there are many activities for travelers of all ages. My foot was giving me some trouble so I wasn’t able to do all I wanted. We visited the Cedar Creek Vineyard for a tasting. On their property they also offer caves tours to see glow worms as well as a frog hollow with local frog species.  There are also several lookout points and picnic areas to enjoy as well.

In the early afternoon we continued north toward the small town of Yatala. Our friend Clo told us to make a stop there if we could. It is Queensland landmark making meat pies for over 130 years. When we arrived, the parking lot and the street parking all around the area was packed. It wasn’t hard to tell that people just love these meat pies. The lines were out the door and all the seats were full. We didn’t let the lines scare us away. The service is quick and their prices are very reasonable. We went for the full Aussie meal – meat pie, smashed peas, potatoes and gravy. It was so yummy!

Bellies full we drove farther north around the outskirts of Brisbane. The rain started again in the afternoon and kept on for almost 2 days. It didn’t allow us much of a chance to enjoy the outdoor activities around Brisbane or farther north at Noosa Heads. Along the drive we saw many surfers taking advantage of the heavy waves. When we arrived in Noosa Heads in was pouring down rain. We stopped for the night and hunkered down in our campervan to wait out the rain.

The next morning, we ventured into the town of Noosa Heads. It is a cute beach town with a lot to offer for people looking for a great place to enjoy the beach. The streets near the water offer cafes and shops.  Noosa National Park is along the coast and has a chalk board display of which animals were spotted on the trails and where to find them. That is why were went there in search of Koalas. Unfortunately, they were all hiding due to the cold weather and the rain. We hope to have a chance to return and stay a while in Noosa Heads someday.

Having little to do in the pouring down rain we just continued driving north. We made a detour along the way to check out Hervey Bay. Another coastal town, this one is known for the whales that come to breed in the bay. The rain let up a little so we stopped a few times along the water and watched for whales. We weren’t able to see very far in the rain so we didn’t spot any. The height of the whale season in Hervey Bay is August when the locals say you can see them the whales from the shoreline.

We ended our day at a campground in Bundaberg. A small community on the Burnett River is known for two things… Rum and Ginger Beer.

 

We pulled into Murramarang National Park right at dusk hoping to spend the night at the at the park beach camp. However, there was no one there and the ranger station was closed. Watching for kangaroos on the move we drove a short distance to a caravan park. Luckily the owners were in and we were able to get a campsite for the night, even though we were the only campers there. We were greeted by kangaroos. They were all over the park. After eating dinner, we had a visit from a friendly brushtail possum.

I woke up early the next morning really excited to see the kangaroos at the beach. While packing up our campsite, a large pandemonium of Australian King Parrots flew into the trees. Their bright red and green feathers are so vivid. We stood there for a while just watching them all eat the berries out of the trees above our heads.  The parrots finally took off in search of another great food spot and we took off to Pebbly Beach.

Located inside the Murramarang National Park along the coast is a beautiful beach where kangaroos like to spend their time. We counted 14 kangaroos the day we visited.

It is a very cool experience to wander with the kangaroos while feeling the cool ocean breeze on your face. While kangaroos cannot swim, they do soak up the sand and sun. There is a long-standing myth in Australia that kangaroos can swim because someone took a picture of one enjoying the surf along the beach. That myth has since been discredited, but hope we caught your interest!

Two hours farther up the coast is the coastal town of Kiama. There is much to do and see in that area including Shoalhaven Coastal Wine Region, beautiful beaches and the Kiama Blowhole. On recommendation from our friend Di, we stopped at Crooked River Wines just south of Kiama. The wines are very good and a little different from Adelaide Hills because of the sea air on the grapes.

After a tasting, we continued toward Kiama and stopped for the night at a beachside campground. We set up our campervan and went for a walk on the beach. We had a view of a gorgeous sunset and the lighthouse.

 

On our way north in the morning we stopped on our way out of town at the Kiama Blowhole. The Big Blowhole is a narrow opening that has been carved into the rocks over time by the crashing waves. When the waves slam against this particular opening, water shoots into the air. Under the right conditions (high tide and heavy waves), the blowhole shoots water up to 25 meters (82 feet). We didn’t see it at high tide but it was still pretty awesome.

A longer drive of 4.5 hours headed inland and northwest took us into the Blue Mountains. Located to the west of Sydney, it is a huge tourist destination for day trips from the city. It was the first time on our road trip that we ran into any traffic or tourist congestion. We did our best to avoid the toll road but got on one by accident. We are still struggling with how to pay it since there are no toll booths and our plate is not registering on their website. It’s one of those traveler issues we just have to figure out. We have been to Sydney before as well, so we didn’t go into the city but kept on the outskirts toward the Blue Mountains. The scenery is spectacular and there are tons of hiking trails, some that end at waterfalls.

We took a hike to view the Wentworth Falls. The falls weren’t that impressive but the drop into the canyon was. The view of the whole landscape of the Blue Mountains was awesome. After hiking we visited the most famous attraction in the Blue Mountains, The Three Sisters. It is a rock formation of three peaks that stand alone on the edge of the canyon. There is no charge to go to the viewing platform or take on any of the hikes but the parking is $4 AUD for the day. The place was packed. We enjoyed seeing the Three Sisters but it didn’t take long. A 40-minute stop is about all you need.

When we left Kiama that morning our intention was to camp somewhere in the Blue Mountains. What we found out as I researched during our drive was that there are very few places to stay in the mountains and most of them require self-contained vehicles (bathrooms on board). We don’t have that so we were forced to drive several hours northeast until we were quite far north Sydney. A little panicking later I located a holiday park that would take us in after hours. We were so thankful and happy to pull in around 8:00pm. We were a spectacle for the permanent residents when we backed our van off the end of the concrete pad in the dark. Quick thinking and problem solving helped us build a ramp using our firewood to get the van back on the concrete pad. Luckily no harm was done and we were finally able to call it a day. It’s all part of the adventure!

Next we are headed north into the Hunter Valley Wine Region.

Rain continued to follow us as we left Mt. Gambier and drove to Warrnambool to start our drive along the Great Ocean Road. As the raindrops fell we just kept hoping for an hour or two no rain. There are many places to stop and hike along the coast. The recommend spots are indicated by the  information signs along the drive.

We got our wish for a dry sky as we wound around the twists and turns that lead to Loch Ard Gorge. Excited to see the beautiful red cliffs, we jumped out of the car and followed the pathways to the lookout points. The wind was strong and the waves were heavy. The break in the rain offered us a dramatic view.

Just a few kilometers further north is the most famous point along the Great Ocean Road, The Twelve Apostles.

There is a huge parking lot, a visitor center and pathways that lead to the view point. There is no charge to park or go to the viewpoints. We walked all the way to the end of the pathway stopping at each lookout to get the best view possible. It was amazing! For those that have seen the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, it is equally fantastic.

The Twelve Apostles have been on our bucket list of years, a we weren’t disappointed. I could have stood out there for hours just watching the waves crash against the rocks but the torrential rain was headed our way again.

 As we drove, I researched where we would stop for the night using an app that was recommended to us by an Aussie couple we met in Vietnam. It is called WikiCamps and it can be purchased on the app store for $4.99 USD. It has been an awesome tool because it not only offers and interactive map and list of campsite but also points of interest, tourist stops, rest areas, picnic spots, etc. The app has reviews from other travelers, comments about how much things cost and what amenities are offered at each stop. We stopped for the night outside of Geelong (southwest of Melbourne).

 

The next morning, the rain had stopped and we were excited to do some hiking with hopes of sighting the elusive Koalas. You Yangs National Park was very close to where we stayed and has some great hiking trails. Visiting the park is free for both the trails and the picnic areas. We set out on a hike but unfortunately, we did not find any Koalas. We were happy to see many other types wildlife.

 

Since we have been to Melbourne before, we did not venture downtown in our campervan. Instead we went around the south side on the “rural route” to avoid the heavy traffic and toll roads. We enjoy seeing the countryside which is very green and full of cows. Our destination was Phillip Island, home to a very large colony of fairy penguins. Fairy penguins are the smallest species of penguins in the world and are blue and white rather than the normal black and white. Every night visitors can experience the completely natural phenomenon of the Penguin Parade. There are up to 5,000 penguins that live on the shores of Phillip Island. They come in from the ocean about 30 minutes after the sun sets. It is safer from them to make it to their burrows under the cover of darkness. In the winter the water is colder and less food is near the shore forcing the penguins to swim out father to find food.

Their search can take up to weeks at a time which is why the number of penguins parading home each night changes throughout the year. There were just under 400 penguins the night we visited. We were not allowed to take photos during our visit because the light of the phones and cameras disorientates the penguins.

On Phillip Island there are other attractions to see as well including The Nobbies, whale watching and surfing. The Nobbies is the farthest western point of the island. A long boardwalk system has been built along the cliffs, as well as an information center and Antarctic film display. A small rock island can be seen from The Nobbies boardwalk. It is referred to as Seal Island, home to as many as 30,000 seals. Eco boat trips can be taken to around Seal Island to get a closer view. We enjoyed the boardwalk trails and the beautiful weather.

 After our morning visit to The Nobbies, we continued making our way around the southeast coast. Throughout the long day of driving we enjoyed the views of both the farmlands and the coast. Stopping for the night at a beautiful little spot in the town of Lakes Entrance. Our campsite was right on the water allowing us to soak in the overwater sunset and sunrise. We were visited in the morning by a family of black swans. They were tapping their beaks against our van door looking for food. I love seeing the animals!  

Another full day of driving takes us to Pebbly Beach. We were excited to see kangaroos. Can kangaroos swim?

Three flights and two days after leaving the USA, we arrived in Adelaide, Australia. We were greeted by our Aussie friend, Clo. She graciously hosted us for our first three days. In preparation for our visit she put together an action-packed itinerary and made tons of delicious food. So, when she picked us up at the airport, we went straight for downtown Adelaide for some sightseeing and lunch. Located on the south-central coast of Australia, in the state of South Australia, it is the fifth largest city in the country with a population over 1.3 million people. The city is beautiful and surrounded by parklands which include many sports fields, a fair ground, a botanical garden, a zoo and several museums. After visiting the city center, we went out to the suburb of Port Adelaide. There are shops and restaurants out by the port which support the fishing industry as well as the cruise ships that dock. Just before dark we made it to Mount Lofty for a view over the city with a beautiful sunset.  

We rounded out first night with some proper Australian eats, quince paste (fruit spread), pasty (pastry shell with meat and veggie filling) and meat pie (exactly what it sounds like). All were very much enjoyed and we were sufficiently stuffed. Not being able to keep our eyes open anymore since we had been awake for more than 24 hours, we went to bed for some much needed sleep.

Our second day with Clo was just as fun-packed as the first day. The small town Clo lives in is on the edge of one of Australia’s largest wine region, McLaren Vale in Adelaide Hills. Howard Vineyards was our first stop. The wines were wonderful and the tastings are FREE! Clo picked out a few different stops that would give us a taste of the variety of wines produced in the area. We had a ball driving through the beautiful countryside and visiting the local wineries.

The last day in Adelaide area, Clo took us to a variety of places. We started in Murray Bridge and a visit to the mouth of the Murray River.  Then ventured down to the wonderful little town of Strathlabyn. We stopped for lunch at a local fish and chips shop, Flying Fish Restaurant and Café. Continued along the coast ending in Victor Harbor. In the center of town is a bridge to Granite Island. A small island that is home to fairy penguins and seals. The penguins can only be seen at night when they come home from a full day of fishing. We were able to enjoy the spectacular views of the coast.

Our time with Clo had to come to an end as she dropped us off at the campervan rental depot. She sent us on our way with lots of food and goodies to get us started.

The weather has been rainy since we arrived. So we set out on our 3,000 mile camping road trip across east Australia in the rain. We sent our first night at a free camp site near town of Mount Gambier. A free campsite means of course there is no charge but there are also no facility except a “long drop toilet.” It was clean and waking up the next morning in the beautiful forest was worth it.  

 

 

Our Australian road trip adventure continues on the Great Ocean Road…

The last stop on our central European road trip was Munich, Germany. With an abundance of history and a very lively nightlife, it was a great place to end that part of our trip. There is so much to do and see in the city. We only had 2 days to see as much as possible. The first morning we joined a free tour that started in Marienplatz at 10:40am. Many cities have free walking tours that can be booked at www.freetour.com. Marienplatz is home to the Glockenspiel, an enormous clock with 30 life-sized figures that display a wedding scene set to music and bells at 11:00am and 12:00pm everyday. It was built in the early 20th century. While it’s purpose it to amuse people, it was voted to second most overrated tourist attraction in Europe.

Our free tour guide was wonderful, offering us tons of information about the city and the historical events that took place there. We walked throughout the downtown area to see the Viktualienmarket – an open-air market,  Hofbrauhaus – a famous beer hall, the high shopping street of Maximillianstrasse, the opera house and the Old Royal Palace. The walking tour lasted four hours but the time flew by as we were captivated by history that surrounded us.

In the Viktualienmarket there are very expensive fresh fruit and veggie stalls. Skip those and head for the beer garden in the middle. The beer stand rotates beer from  different national breweries each month (or until they run out). A large mug of brew can be enjoyed while listening to live music and enjoying the atmosphere with other people both locals and tourists.

The Maypole stands just next to the beer garden celebrating parts of the Bavarian culture. At the bottom a message proudly displays a law that was passed in 1516 which states there can only be three ingredients in beer; water, barley and hops. Yeast was later added to the list once it was discovered by scientists hundreds of years later.

As most the city was destroyed during World War II, what we see today is replicas of the historical buildings that stood in downtown. The people of Munich have taken the rebuild very seriously and spent as much time and money as needed to complete it just as it was. That is why there is still rebuilding going on today.

In the evenings we jumped at the chance to check out the famous beer halls. The first night we went to the Hofbrauhaus, likely the most famous of them all. For tourists it is a famous beer hall with live music and a beer garden. However, it played a huge part in the history of World War II.  It was in the upstairs room where Hitler gave his first speeches to the organization now know as the Third Reich. We visited on our walking tour which offered us an insight into the events that took place there, as well as in the evening for some live music and huge beers. 

The locals told us that Hofbrauhaus is where the tourists go but Augustiner is the beer that locals drink. Across the street from Hofbrauhaus is the Augustiner restaurant. They have great food and yummy beer. We went to the restaurant for lunch and the Augustiner-Keller beer hall in the evening. It is a bit out of the central down town but worth the cab ride to get there.

Outside there is a huge beer garden with lots of seating. The service is better at Augustiner and the menu is slightly cheaper than Hofbrauhaus. Augustiner-Brau is Munich’s oldest independent brewery, first mentioned in 1328. They believe in only serving the freshest beer, so they do not add any preservatives to it and therefore do not ship it out of the country.  

Our time was almost at an end but before we drove back to Frankfurt to fly back to the States, we stopped outside the city of Munich to visit Nymphenburg Palace. The incredibly huge palace once served as the summer residence of the rulers of Bavaria. Building of the palace started in 1664 and has been expanded many times of the years.

Many of the rooms can be visited along with the expansive gardens.  As well as all the buildings within the gardens and the stables where the royal carriages are on display. There is so much to see, you could spend a huge day exploring.

After making the 4 hour drive back to Frankfurt, we took a flight back the USA to see family. Then it is off to the wonderful country of Australia. We will catch up with you from the land down under…

During our road trip through Central Europe we took the chance to visit the very small country of Liechtenstein. From the moment we crossed the border the landscape around us was mesmerizing. The mountains reached high into the sky and the fields were the brightest shade of green. We made our way into the capital city of Vaduz. While the population is just over 5,000 people, it is where the majority of the country’s citizens live. The city feels like a movie set complete with a castle on the hill. The streets are incredibly clean, the homes are perfectly manicured, the streets are lined with artwork and there are many small shops and cafes to enjoy.

As with most of our time in Central Europe, this time around it rained, a lot. We didn’t let it deter us from taking in the beautiful city. Umbrellas in hand we roamed the streets and alley ways to the outside of the city which rewarded us with a beautiful view from the top of the hill.

Before we jumped back into the Touran and continued on our way we made sure to capture some of the sites from the small but wonderful city of Vaduz.

We were so glad we took the time to spend the afternoon in the small country of Liechtenstein. If ever given the opportunity for a visit, make the most of it. You won’t regret it!

Our next and last stop in Europe is Munich, Germany.

Our trip down the Rhine River continued with a short stop in Baden-Baden, Germany. It is a quaint town on the northern tip of the Black Forest. The pedestrian street is lined with shops and cafes. We arrived in the morning and most things were still closed. It is a nice town to visit for a few hours or stay a little longer and visit one of the many spas. The waters in the spa flow from a series of 12 twelve springs 2,000 meters below ground. We did not take time out for the spa but we were able to test the water from a natural fountain. The water was very hot!

Our next overnight spot was in Strasbourg, France. We rented a two bedroom flat for a few nights just outside of Strasbourg Old Town. It was very easy to get around as the city has an awesome park & ride system. Many of the tram stops offer a bundle price of 4 Euros for one day of parking and a tram pass for all passengers of the vehicle. We took advantage of this offer and rode the tram to Old Town.

The main attraction in the old city is the Strasbourg Cathedral also known as Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg. The steeple towers above the other buildings in the area. As you approach the Cathedral the immense details of the outside it astounding. From 1647 to 1874 the Cathedral was the tallest building in the world. Over the centuries many churches have been built on the very same site. Remains of the previous buildings have been found at the site which date back to the 4th century A.D.

The current structure was first started in 1225 and took hundreds of years to complete. The gothic architecture carries inside of the Cathedral. Light streams in through beautiful stain glass windows.

Probably the most famous thing about the Strasbourg Cathedral is the Astronomical Clock. The first clock was built in the cathedral in 1352 but stopped working in the early 1600s. The clock that is on display today dates back to 1842. It was under renovation during our visit so we were not able to see it in action. The daily automatons occur at 12:30pm.  The clock presents images of the stages of life; child, teenager, adult and old man. The passing of the old man is represented by the flapping of wing and call of a rooster at the top of the clock.

Following our lovely visit to Strasbourg we headed further south to Switzerland. We stayed near Lake Constance in a renovated barn. The area was beautiful and offers many options for water sports in the warmer months. Since it wasn’t quite swimming season, we opted for a visit to Rhine Falls.

Europe’s largest waterfall does not compare to the “big ones” like Iguazu and Victoria Falls but it is worth a visit. Two of the things I love the most are waterfalls and castles. This site has them both. Sitting high on the cliff above the fall is Schloss Laufen. References to this castle date back to 858 A.D. While visiting the falls, we visited the inside of the castle on the same ticket. Today the main building of the castle is a museum about the falls and the history of the castle. Other areas are used as a restaurant and wedding venue.

From the castle on the cliff, we took an elevator down to a walkway over the water. There are several levels of platforms offering different viewpoints of the falls. We made sure to visit them all, except the island in the middle that is only reachable by boat.

Several boat trip options are available. Separate tickets can be purchased at the very bottom of the walkway. My mom overcame her motion sickness to take the short boat ride up to the falls. At the closest point to the falls, the mist was completely surrounding us. It was a fun day trip adventure from Lake Constance.

The weather wasn’t cooperating with us very well in the past week and it rained almost every day. We did our best to see as much as could despite the rain. Next we travel to the Austrian Alps. There are very few places as beautiful as the Alps in the spring…

Frankfurt was the start of our road trip on the Rhine River. While we wish we had time to drive the entire Rhine River Road, we only had two weeks with my Mom and Ken and a lot we wanted to see. We rented a car in Frankfurt and drove 2 hours to the small village of St. Goar. It was truly picturesque, complete with the castle on the hill, the beautiful German homes that line the water and the local pubs where we went for beer and bratwurst. We stayed at a Bed and Breakfast with a view of the Rhine. It was the perfect way to kick off the trip.

We didn’t let the rain on our first day stop us from visiting the Rheinfels Castle in St. Goar. The oldest part of the castle was built in 1245. It was the largest castle on the Rhine River historically five times the size of what stands today.  Inside the castle is a small museum which displays the history of the area and the castle through artifacts, pictures and models.

During our stay in St. Goar we took a few side trips to other villages and sites in the area. Just down the river is Loreley Rock which boast a statue of Loreley, a maiden of folklore. The local legend is of a beautiful young woman who threw herself into the waters of the Rhine because she was distraught over an unfaithful lover. She transformed into the siren who lured boatman to their deaths long the sharp turn and shallow part of the Rhine.

A thirty minute drive from St. Goar is another small village of Braubach. High on the hill overlooking the village along the Rhine is Marksburg Castle. The history of the castle dates back 1283. It was used as a fortress rather than a residence. It is the only castle along the Rhine that was never conquered. The inside of the castle can only be visited with a guide. It is a wonderful castle to visit as many of the rooms are on display with historical furnishing which offers a taste of what the castle would have been like hundreds of years ago.

The next day we continued our travels south along the Rhine and made a stop in the city of Mainz. It is much larger than many of the other towns and villages we visited along the way. Mainz is the capital of Rhineland-Palatinate. The view of downtown is dominated by St. Martin’s Cathedral. It is free to visit and worth a peek inside. The city center is great for a stroll to enjoy shopping and locals eats. We were lucky to arrive during a market in the main square.

Further down the Rhine, we made our next stop in the very important city of Worms. This city holds great importance in the The Reformation. Martin Luther posted 95 thesis on the door of the church in Whittenberg, Germany in 1517 which lists 95 objections he had with the practices of the Roman Catholic Church. Several years later, in 1521, he was brought before the Diet of Worms on charges of heresy. When he refused to recant his 95 thesis he was excommunicated for the church. This started The Reformation which led to many changes throughout Europe and was the beginning of all Protestant Christian denominations we know today. During our visit to Worms we visited many of the important Martin Luther sites.

The city of Worms has done a nice job providing information in several languages at the important Martin Luther sites. The purple signage is easy to spot throughout the downtown.

Trinity Lutheran Church was built 200 years after the trial of Martin Luther very near the spot where the trail took place. It was lost in the bombings of World War II. The church was rebuilt in the 1990s in a more modern way while maintaining some of it’s original elements.

There is a memorial to Martin Luther that was dedicated in 1868. It is the largest Reformation Memorial in the world. The memorial features Martin Luther in the center mounted higher than the other figures. The other people included in the memorial where famous Reformers that supported Martin Luther’s preaching.

After our amazing stop in Worms, we made the short drive to famous tourist city of Heidelberg. It is more touristy than others because of its close distance

Frankfurt, but there is a reason so many people come to walk around Old Town. The instant you walk into Old Town you know you are in Germany by the architecture, the shops sell pretzels and the dominating view of the Heidelberg Castle. There is so much to see, but we only had one day take in the sights.

The Church of the Holy Spirit was first mentioned in 1239. Over the course of history the church has been used by both Catholics and Protestants. It has played an important role throughout its time. It was once part of the Heidelberg University as well as the birthplace of the Heidelberg Catechism.

We entered the church at the right moment and were able to catch the last few minutes of an English service being held midday.

After enjoying the sights, smells and sounds of Old Town we headed for the Heidelberg Castle. We decided to skip the 20 minute walk up hill and took the funicular instead. The funicular makes three stops along the way. The first is the castle stop and the other two are look out points. At the second stop you must change funiculars to the 100+ year old original to get to the very top. We did that first to take in the amazing views of the city and the Neckar River.

We took the funicular back down to the castle stop so we could visit the rooms and museums within the Heidelberg Castle.  The remains of the castle buildings are in quite good condition and are very impressive. There is a Apothecary museum which is very interesting about what medicines were practiced in the castle. The castle also contains the world’s largest barrel of wine. It hold 22,000 liters of wine and stands over 3 meters high.

After visiting the sites in Heidelberg we returned to the place we parked our car. As we approached we instantly noticed… our car was gone! Sure enough after some investigating we found out that our car had been towed. Bummer!!! We were lucky that within 90 minutes we were able to take a taxi to the tow lot and retrieve our car but only after paying the 160 Euro ticket. Tip for the anyone renting a car in Germany – Don’t park on the street unless you can pay a meter and leave a ticket in the window.

We didn’t let the towing of our car ruin our fun. So, we ventured forward and ended our awesome day with a stay in a very small village outside Heidelberg. It was a truly authentic German experience. We spent the evening playing cards and drinking beer in a local pub. We walked across the street to stay at Roter Lowe, an amazing Bed and Breakfast .

Our road trip through central Europe will continue as we travel south to Strasbourg, France.

One of my lifelong dreams has been to visit the sacred cities of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. The lucky day arrived that we were able to tour the sites of these two cities. Our ship docked in the port city of Ashdod and we took a bus inland toward Jerusalem. We stopped to take in the view of Old City Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives.

The drive continued until we reached the border gate between Israel and Palestine. As tourist we had no problem passing over the border. We had a guide from Palestine join our group to escort us during our time in the city of Bethlehem.

Church of the Nativity was built over the spot Jesus was born. The first church was built in 326 A.D. by the ruler Constantine’s mother. That church was destroyed in 530 A.D. Soon after another church was built in the spot in which it still stands today. During the rule of the Ottomans the church was neglected and much of the decoration was covered by plaster. Today, after years of constant restoration a hidden treasurer was revealed, another mosaic angel was discovered under the plaster.

The Church on the site has three different parts which are controlled by three different groups. The main alter and center section of the church is Greek Orthodox. The Greek section is the oldest part of the church that is currently being restored. The columns that line each side display paintings from the Crusaders of Saints and the Virgin Mary.

 

The two other sections of the Church of the Nativity are Roman Catholic and Armenian. The Armenian section the boasts entrance to the cave which contains the site of Jesus birth and the manger. During Jesus’ time homes and shops were built in front of the caves in the hills around Bethlehem. Livestock was kept in the caves behind the homes. Therefore, the spot Jesus was born was in a cave. The Armenian part of the church sits directly over the cave.

The Roman Catholic section of the church is much more modern with an inner courtyard and stain glass windows. It also sit on top of the same cave system where Jesus was born as well as the cave where St. Jerome lived while translating the Bible into Latin so God’s Word could be shared with the rest of the world.

While it was hard to leave this sacred place, our tour had to move on. We drove back to Jerusalem and then started our walk by entering the Old City through the Jaffa Gate. 

The narrow streets are filled with shops and restaurants. It is packed with people from three major religious groups who are in the city to see their sacred sites. Jerusalem is very holy for Christians because it is the place Jesus lived, preached and died on the cross. It is holy for Jews because it is the place where the oldest Temples in the world were built with the last remaining wall still standing within the Old City, The Western Wall. It is also the third most holy city on Earth for Muslims because it is the site where Mohammed ascended into heaven.

Our tour focused on the footsteps of Jesus by walking down Via Dolorosa and seeing the stations of the cross. Out of the 14 total stations of the cross, we saw 10. It was tremendously moving and emotional experience, especially in the Church of the Sepulcher on the spot of Jesus death.

The final 5 stations of the cross are inside of the Church of the Sepulcher. The church was built in 326 A.D. by Constantine the Great on the mount where Jesus was crucified. As with the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, this church is also controlled by same three Christian groups (Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Armenians). Each has control of different stations of the cross within the church.

An interesting fact about the Church of the Sepulcher is that for many generations, two Muslim families have taken care of the operation of the church site. The families have the keys to the church and are responsible for opening it each morning and closing it at night.

Our last stop on our walk through Jerusalem was the Wailing Wall  as called by westerners or as the Jewish call it, the Western Wall. It is the most holy site to Jewish people because it is the last piece of the wall that supported the Second Temple built around 20 B.C. It was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. Westerners call it the Wailing Wall because those that have come to visit see pilgrims line the wall with their hands pressed flush against it with tears flowing down their cheeks.

The Second Jewish Temple is the same temple that is mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible where Jesus often visited and turned over the tables.

Jewish and Christian people make pilgrimages to Jerusalem and visit the Wailing Wall. Men and women are required to approach it in different areas. Men must cover their heads and are offered a yamaka.  Many people leave notes and prayers to God within the space between stones of the wall.

Just behind the wall lies the Dome on the Rock, a very holy site for Muslims. The center of the Dome is the spot where the Prophet Mohammed started his Night Journey to heaven.

The very same rock inside the dome is extremely important to Jewish and Christian people as well. It is believed that the rock is the Foundation Stone from which the world began. It is from that rock that God used the dust to create Adam, the first human.

Non-Muslim people are allowed to enter the site under the supervision  of the Muslim people. They are not allowed to take anything with them, including books, phones or electronics of any kind.

The experience of walking in Jesus footsteps and seeing the important places of our world’s history was a truly amazing experience that has been unmatched in our travels. While the streets are absolutely packed and it can be overwhelming at times, I can’t wait for a chance to return to Israel again.