Stripes Blogs - Europe Traveler

Looking for a fest? The Hochheimer Markt will fill the bill

Karen Bradbury — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:22:49 +0000

Here in Germany, November isn’t typically one of the more happening months. Most towns have already held their annual fests, and it’s only toward the very end of the month that the Christmas markets begin to stir us out of the lethargy induced by colder temperatures.

Not quite a pumpkin patch, but close

Karen Bradbury — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:39:24 +0000

Is it just not Halloween for you without a pumpkin patch? If you find yourself in need of a gourd fix, head on over to what is billed at the world’s largest pumpkin exhibition, which is taking park in the Blühendes Barock Park in Ludwigsburg, Germany, through Nov. 1.

Plan your next outing with Stars and Stripes' Quick Trips

Karen Bradbury — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:00:47 +0000

Years before I began working at Stars and Stripes, back when I was based in Rome, I found myself looking for a lake not too far from the city that offered swimming, fishing and camping. I looked on a map and identified Lago di Bolsena as a possibility. A few clicks of the mouse later, I found some helpful English-language information that helped me identify a town along the shores of the lake boasting a campground, restaurants and plenty to do in the vicinity. It sounded like a congenial place, so off we ventured for what turned out to be a pleasant, laid-back weekend getaway. As I realized years later, this was my first encounter with Stars and Stripes’ Quick Trips.

Passenger rights on German Rail

Karen Bradbury — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:42:33 +0000

Because my language skills aren’t quite up to snuff, I don’t generally read much of the German press. However, while waiting for my mechanic to wind up some auto repairs a couple weeks ago, I thumbed through the Bild newspaper and stumbled upon an informative article concerning the rights of passengers traveling on German rail. Should your German be at a level allowing you to understand it, see Bild’s informative “Mit diesem Formular bekommen Sie Geld zurück”. Otherwise, here are some of the key points concerning passenger’s rights when encountering significant delays on long-distance journeys on German Rail, as I understood them.

When flying Ryanair, remember your visa stamp

Karen Bradbury — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:19:26 +0000

Prior to the spring of 2009, U.S. passport holders traveling on Ryanair flights were obliged to use the airline check-in desks. This policy has since changed, and now U.S. citizens can avail themselves of the option to check in online. Should you decide to exercise this option, be sure to print out your boarding pass prior to heading to the airport. A hefty fee awaits those who show up without the print-outs. (In all my experiences to date, when flying round trip, I was able to print out boarding passes for both outbound and homeward journeys at the same time.)

A long weekend in Zadar, Croatia

Karen Bradbury — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:46:19 +0000

Looking for a cheap and cheery holiday that won’t break the budget, and to a destination that holds the promise of decent weather until at least mid-October to boot? Follow in the footsteps of a friend and me, who recently returned from a fabulous four-day weekend in Zadar, Croatia.

More travel resources for those based in Germany

Karen Bradbury — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:13:10 +0000

Looking for a good Web site to fill in the gaps in your knowledge of your host nation? If you’re in Germany, you may already be familiar with Deutsche Welle, a good source for not only the latest headlines but also travel inspiration.

Another good place to turn for German news and a run-down of upcoming events countrywide is the recently launched The Local. This site also offers a link to ToyTown Germany, an English-language community Web site which provides a forum for readers to organize outings together or share tips on just about anything having to do with life in Germany.

A summer house in Denmark

Karen Bradbury — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:02:40 +0000

As summer slowly slips through our fingers, we can take some solace in the fact that once the kids head back to school, rates on travel, including package deals, hotel rooms, and vacation rentals, start to fall.

Midsummer celebrations

Karen Bradbury — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:48:23 +0000

Ah, June. Don’t you just love this month, with all its glorious light stretching late into the evenings? What an ideal time of year for after-work gatherings at a cafe or a hurriedly thrown-together barbeque or picnic. It won’t be long before the length of the daylight hours begins its slow but inevitable decrease, but with three months of (fingers crossed) warm summer weather ahead of us, who’s really going to complain?

There are many ways to note the passing of the summer solstice, a date that nearly coincides with celebrations held throughout much of Europe to mark St. John’s day. The saint being honored is none other than St. John the Baptist, and the day upon which he is celebrated falls just after the solstice, on June 24.

He's your captain, climb aboard

Karen Bradbury — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:28:04 +0000

If you're contemplating a trip to a Mediterranean paradise such as Turkey, Croatia, Malta, Italy or Greece, your first instinct might be to go with one of those all-inclusive package deals. You'd most likely end up with a charter flight to a busy resort offering the usual array of beaches, pool and buffet dining. That's nothing to sneeze at, but by midweek you might find yourself longing for a change of scenery or physical activity more strenuous than laps across the pool.