Metz, France

July 24, 2016-

We arrive in Metz, France early Sunday morning and are able to park for free right by the Saint- Etienne Cathedral. The town is quiet, a few tourist are out, the organ is playing for the mass service. Since it is Sunday most shops are closed, except a few tourist stores. For us, it is a great morning to walk around and explore Metz without a lot of tourist. The tourist information center is open and we grab a map to get started. We find a local market on our way for a few breakfast snacks to hold us over until lunch time. The cathedral is amazing and we plan to go inside later in the afternoon to not disturb the Sunday service. A little history, the cathedral was built between the 13th and 16th centuries. It was created by bringing together the Bishop's Church, the cathedral, the canon's church, and Notre-Dame-la-Ronde, which explains its unusual plan. The tallest nave of this cathedral is 42 meters, making it one of the tallest Gothic buildings in Europe. As we were driving into the city we could see it from miles away.

This small town is easy to navigate and we are able to walk to all major tourist sights. Crossing the river we find the Temple Neuf. It was built in the 20th century with a medieval look. The temple was designed for a civil community and remains a place of worship. It is used to host cultural events and has a wonderful garden surrounding the building.

The Opera theatre, which is the oldest working theatre in France. Built between 1738 and 1752, its architecture is typical to the 18th century.

Saint Maximin church built between the 12th and 15th centuries still has the stained glass windows made by famous French artist, Jean Cocteau in the 1960's.

The Porte des Allemands, nicknamed the "German Door" is named after the Teutonic knights who had a hospital nearby. This medieval remains were built between the 13th and 16th centuries. It reminds us our small town of Amberg with the two large towers as you enter the walled medieval town.

The centerpiece of the Nouvelle Ville was built in accordance with the wishes of Kaiser Wilhelm II in the early 20th Century. This functioning train station has dimensions that were intended to allow easy transportation of goods and civilians and facilitate the movement of troops, equipment, and animals in record time of 24 hours. All of the cutting edge techniques of the time were used in its making.

The arsenal was completed under Napolean III reign in 1864. The great hall is known for its acoustics and today is used as a music hall that hosts multiple types of venues. Saint Pierre-aux-Nonnains Church is one of the oldest monuments in Metz, an architectural reminder of 2000 years of history. Today Saint Pierre-aux-Nonnains is part of the Arsenal complex and offers a magnificent setting for concerts, conferences, and exhibitions. So much history, excellent french cuisine, and easy to walk around the town for a day with beautiful weather.

Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

July 23, 2016-

Our loop continues to Luxembourg City from Trier, approximately 40 minutes by car. We are camping for one night a little south of the city, so we set up our tent and then take the bus into town. On Saturdays the bus is free and is walking distance from the campsite to the city center. We are excited for the live music since the Blues and Jazz fest is happening this weekend. There are over 230 musicians playing at different band stands that are set up throughout the city. We figured we would be able to explore the city and catch some of the live music!

In the center we grab a map from the tourist information point and find a place to eat. We settle on this Mexican restaurant nearby since Germany does not have the best options for this, it was good. They did provide chips and salsa free of charge which is unique to Europe from what we have experienced. The Palace of the Grand Dukes and the Cathedral Notre-Dame are both in the central square. The Cathedral was built between 1613 and 1621 by the Jesuits to serve as a church to their college, now the national library. The North gate is characteristic of the semi-Reniassance, semi-Barroque style of the period.

We begin the circular walk, Wenzel Luxembourg, which winds along the river up a steep hill for amazing views from the top and to listen to music along the way. The acoustics are amazing from this point high above the band stands, since the valley is below and the sound is resonating of the walls. Our plan works out perfectly as we head to the Bock Casemates there is no entrance fee since one of the bands was getting set up and ready to play within these historical alcoves. The casemates is a UNESCO World Heritage site and full of mystery. While they were getting set up, we toured the massive underground passageways and tunnels that were the military's defense system. The first casemates were built in 1644, under Spanish domination. This fortress which was a foundation for the European military architecture, has changed owners multiple times throughout its existence. Italian, Spanish, Belgium, France, Austrian, Dutch, and Prussian engineers took part in the gradual extension of this fortification. The defense system carved out a depth of 40 meters. During both World Wars, the casemates served as a shelter with the capacity to protect 35,000 people. Since 1933, the casemates have been open to the public. There are multiple ammunition points with breathtaking panoramic views of the city.

After the casemates we follow the trail towards the bridge and the largest live music band stand that you can see from above. Crossing under this really old bridge, which you can also access from the bock casemates. The bridge dates back to 1735 and both cars and pedestrians can walk through the under side of this double bridge. 

As night fall approached we had gorgeous views of the sun setting and then jumped around to multiple venues to listen to live music and have a few drinks. The number of people increased at nightfall. I believe the bands played until 0300, but we did not make it that late. It was a great setting with awesome acoustics since the city sits in a valley. 

Although our day spent in Luxembourg was short and more about the music scene than tourist sights we feel that we were able to take in some of the tourist history and sights while heading from one band to the next! We are lucky to have visited this small country in Europe. Next stop will be Metz, France as our loop continues. 3 countries in 2 days, not bad...

Trier, Germany

July 23, 2016-

Today we will visit the historic town of Trier, Germany. Nicknamed the Roman Empire in Germany. Trier is Germany's oldest city, founded by the Romans in 16 B.C. Constantine the Great became emperor of the western region of the Roman Empire and moved to Trier, the capital of the western front. This significant leader would control the entire Empire and adopt Christianity. Several Roman ruins are present today in Trier, most of them attributed to Constantine. Most famous is our first stop, and by the tourist information center- Porta Nigra. This "black gate" was built around 180 A.D. is one of the best preserved Roman gates in the world! Tours are provided and you can enter the gate for a small fee.

Although most of St. Peter's Cathedral is medieval, this site sits on the remains of Trier's early Roman structures, including Constantine's gigantic palace and basilica complex. A tour does explore the excavated underground site to see columns, reliefs, and tombs. This is considered the oldest bishop's church in Germany, dating back to the 4th Century. The Cathedral is home to the most precious relic-the Holy Tunic, supposedly worn by Jesus shortly before his crucifixion and later brought to Trier by Constantine's mother, Helena. Church of Our Lady, Liebfrauenkirche, is connected to St. Peter's. This smaller church is still impressive in size when you walk in. This 13th Century church is considered the earliest Gothic church in Germany.

The Basilica of Constantine was constructed in the 4th Century as his audience hall or throne room for Emperor Constantine the Great. It is very impressive in size and window optical illusion which portray the emperor as larger than his audience. Today this building is a church.

Roman amphitheater dates back to at least the second century, 160-200 A.D. and is one of the few Roman amphitheaters utilized for open air events. Originally it was capable of seating 20,000. It was used for Gladiator fights, musical recitals, religious festivals, executions, and animal battles. The supporting cement masonry was mixed with limestone locks. The side walls of the vaulted passages were also reinforced against the earth pressure with semi-circular relieving arches. The basement below the arena is still intact with holding cells and hallways used to confine animals and prisoners during events. When the Roman domination and culture came to an end, the amphitheater lost its function.

Imperial Baths of Trier, Kaiserthermen, are one of the most well preserved and largest examples outside of Rome. Like the luxurious baths today, Romans constructed bath houses as both hygienic and social gathering places. Heated water and heated floors with different temperature baths within rooms is amazing engineering and plumbing advances for this time.

Barbara Baths, Barbarathermen, dating back to the second Century this massive complex is well preserved with baths in the lower levels and a walking path elevated above so you are able to look down into what was the sections of the bath rooms.

Roman Bridge, Romerbrucke, is the oldest bridge north of the Alps, pylons from Roman times, 2nd Century arches. The bridge is still intact, able to drive, walk, and cycle across to cross the Mosel River.

Next stop, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg. In only 40 minutes by car we are in another country! 

Freinsheim Stadtmauerfest

July 17, 2016-

We are off to explore a new city to us. Freinsheim, Germany. Freinsheim is a smaller town in the Bad Durkheim region. It is a really cute, quaint wine village. We arrived early and the town was quite and the fest had not yet begun. We walked around the winding roads within the city walls discovering vines everywhere covering doorways and old towers, stumbling across pieces of history, and window shopping. We ate brunch at cafe. The Stadtmauerfest begun that Sunday afternoon, the Town Wall Festival. It is held the third weekend of July every year where the historical gates are opened and lots of local wines are served at different areas within the walled city. This is one of the largest wine festivals in the region.

We even made some friends while sitting down with a glass of wine listening to live music. This family is German but there daughter in law is Polish and her son is the one sitting by me. They even invited us to their home for homemade perogies! We are looking forward to this day. 

Our day ended with a stroll through the near by plum orchard and a gorgeous sunset before we parted ways back home and me to Landstuhl. We will be back to Freinsheim, we loved this small city and they do have a lot of fests throughout the year. Maybe even the Christmas Market, Weihnachtsmarkt, this year.. they are known for their Nativity scene where they use live animals!