Beau and I had a mission, to reach Paris on the 6th of November. It is a long trip from Prague and we didn't want to do it in one go, so, we had a look at what was in the middle. Germany and Luxembourg.
I emailed my lj buddy, thebatsmeow, and asked her for recommendations. She lives in Wittlich, a town in the Mosel Valley, near the border with Luxembourg. She suggested that we stop in Trier, the nearby University town. We'd never heard of it, but when we looked in our trusty guidebook there was actually quite a lot of information! More sights than Frankfurt in fact! An electorate of the Holy Roman Empire, this is the city with the most Roman ruins north of the Alps. Also, she said she'd take us to lunch in a "truckstop" that had over 12 types of Schnitzel! We were sold.
The train from Frankfurt to Trier travels along the banks of the Rhine and then along the banks of the Mosel. We had beautiful views of the vineyard covered riverbanks all the way there. The whole region was putting on a gorgeous autumn show with brilliant yellows and oranges, a huge treat for Kiwis like us (native New Zealand trees are almost all deciduous).
When we got to Trier and booked into our hotel (splurging, I know, but we actually got a great deal). We then walked walked along the river bank to the town centre. There stands the Porta Nigra, a Roman gate. We also went along the Marketplatz, had dinner and did a bit of shopping. Was nice and relaxing. I had a good long bath when we got back too. The joys of having a hotel room :)
The next day we met up with thebatsmeow and then the real touristing began! First we went to the Dom, the Cathedral of Trier (which btw has JCs robes, gifted to it by Constantine's mother back in the day). It's cool and peaceful in there. thebatsmeow told us that it gets really crowded in summer there when all the shoppers pop in for a rest ;) Next the "pink palace" aka Constantine's Basilica, where her hubby used to work. Then on to the Kaiserthermen (imperial baths) another big ruin and on to the Amphitheatre. This one had the floor restored and you could go down steps to the area where they kept the animals, gladiators etc.
Her husband then joined us and we went off to lunch at the infamous "truckstop". Yup, all that *before* lunch! I had jagerschnitzel, which was schnitzel with a mushroom sauce, and Beau didn't have schnitzel at all. I think he had venison. We also both tried the local apple cider.
After that we headed over to St Matthias. It is church and monastery, but more importantly, the church houses the tomb of St Matthew. You know, the Matthew that was in JC's posse? We've collected two of that set now (St James was spotted in Santiago).
Then we had a bit of a drive to Wittlich. thebatsmeow and I visited the local wool shop and were strong and didn't buy anything. When they heard I was from NZ though, they said they had some of our wool. lol. I should get back into knitting. I still have that half a scarf of Mum's I started over 2 years ago. Thinking I should undo it and restart... digressing.
We had caken at a local Wittlich shop. They are very generous with their cake sizes. I was pretty much stuffed. After that we all got back into the car and drove over to her friend's place to pick up her son, aka the Bug. He is awesome! 6 years old and full of pep, vim and all those other small and energetic words.
We went to their house and just talked and talked and looked at (and coveted) her gorgeous corsets (I first "met" her on an online corsetmakers community). Beau had fun bugging the Bug. I really wish I'd gotten a photo of when the Bug wanted a drink, but wouldn't fetch it himself and so Beau marched into the room he was playing in, picked him up, all wrapped in a blanket, and carried him into the kitchen! Totally as snug as a bug in a rug.
We also drank beer, lots of yummy german beer. There may also have been some Apfel Brand. Not necessarily such a good idea.
It was so great meeting not only thebatsmeow, but her family as well. We were really looked after and made to feel so welcome.
Also, Beau found and bought some trousers. We take our miracles when and where we find them.
The next day we went to Luxembourg city. Only stayed there one night. Wandered around a lot, did laundry. It is a *pretty* city. Large and cool fortifications all the way around. In the "high season" you can get in to some of them. Of course, that ended with October. It is still pretty neat. Plus, I got to speak French for the first time. So what if I'm crap at it. I'm better at French than German, Spanish, Italian and especially better at it that Czech or Hungarian! It's so good to have some kind of understanding as to what people are saying to you. Ahhhh.
Point of Fashion: The t-shirt I bought in Trier.
Current Obsession: Hospitality, we've been so blessed in what we've received.