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...

Heidelberg, Germany Old Bridge Fest

July 16, 2016-

Jeremy and I decided to meet up in the exciting city of Heidelberg since I was in Landstuhl for training for the next 2 weeks and off the weekends. This is a good meeting point between us. Plus they were having a fest for the weekend. Live music, beer, right next to the Old bridge. Perfect setting with sunshine and no rain which makes our day even better!

Jeremy rode his motorcycle and we met at the campground. I am sure he is loving riding for the 2 weeks we are apart, despite the rain. It was a beautiful setting right on the Nekar river. We set up the tent and then headed to Heidelberg, the campsite was 2 km from city center or there was a bus stop right by the campsite which was perfect for our way home that night.

First stop lunch and margaritas at Adelitas. We had a nice lunch with great people watching right on the main street in the city center. We wandered around the city before sitting down to listen to music and drink wine by the Old Bridge. Heidelberg City Hall, Rathaus, is located right in the Market square with the flowers and the sunshine it was beautiful today. To the right you can see the world famous Castle ruins. The Rathaus the focal point for local politics and the headquarters for city administration.  

Next stop, the Old Bridge, Carl Theodor Bridge, named after the man who had it built. The first bridge was dates back to 1284 was actually a wooden bridge, but the bridge you see today and been reconstructed since then. The wooden bridge was destroyed by the high water and ice which prompted new plans to be put in motion. In 1784 Prince Theodor built the first stone bridge with raised bents that allow the water to run off. 

Vampire Ball in Heidelberg, Germany

February 6-7, 2016-

Road trip to Heidelberg with Jeremy, Eric, Bianca, and Shawn. Great group making the car ride fly by as the anticipation of visiting another new city built! The Vampire ball was the main event Saturday night, costumes packed and tickets bought we still had time before the ball that day to explore the city of Heidelberg. New to us, but Bianca and Eric had lived there for 7 years so definitively were awesome tour guides for us. Once we arrived, we settled in to Hotel Zur Alten Brucke and then set out to walk the town. The sunshine was out and the city was hopping. Heidelberg is a popular tourist destination due to its romantic and picturesque city skyline, including Heidelberg Castle and the baroque style old town. Also, home to the oldest University, dating back to the 17th Century but due to the bombing during the war was rebuilt in the 18th Century. We stayed right in Old town next to the Alte Brucke, the old bridge, a beautiful 18th Century bridge with towers on the end referred to as the "student jail". Built as long ago as the 16th Century, it was used to keep mischievous students of the streets for three days to a month at a time. Now days the student with the best grades is selected to stay there for the semester.

We had delicious Korean food for lunch. I did love the wide variety of foods that Heidelberg has to offer, versus the standard German, Italian of Amberg. After exploring for the day we went to dinner at Palmbrau Gasse, excellent German food and beer. http://palmbraeugasse.de/en/

The Ball of the Vampires (Ball der Vampire) is the celebration of Fasching, Germany's Mardi Gras or Carnival. The historic Congress building, Kongresshaus Stadthalle Heidelberg, was the perfect, eerie, spooky setting for the ball with a maze of different rooms featuring a live band in each one. Dancing and drinks were flowing. We had a wonderful time with a fun group of people to celebrate the night with. After the ball we stopped in a couple bars on our short walk back to the hotel. 

The next day we went to breakfast and then walked the ridge with panoramic views of the city, the ridge walk is called Philosophenweg Heidelberg. The trail is paved and very well marked. Many stopping points with benches along the way. Incredible, breath taking, and stunning views. 

Near the river, Neckar, on the North side of the Old Bridge there is a really cool monument, the Heidelberger Liebesstein, made of Odenwald stone. We put our heads through and people have added locks on either end proclaiming their love for forever.  As the legend goes, couples can fix an engraved lock to the stone to seal their eternal love for one another. According to the old tradition, couples close the lock together and throw the key into the river. If you look through the love stone you can see the romantic landmark of the city- the Heidelberg Castle!http://www.heidelberg-marketing.de/en/experience/sights/liebesstein

We tried our first Bock beer of the season at Kulturbrauerei Brewery right in Old town before heading back to Amberg. They renovated the old Schaaf brewery resulting in a great mix of the old brew-house and new modern day brewery. The building has also been turned into a hotel and restaurant. http://www.heidelberger-kulturbrauerei.de/en/ We will be back to this gorgeous city!