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Aix-en-Provence: Discovering Southern France’s Charming City

Aix-en-Provence: Discovering Southern France’s Charming City

How to Visit the Cherry Blossom Trees in Bonn, Germany

How to Visit the Cherry Blossom Trees in Bonn, Germany

Rothenburg ob der Tauber Top Things to Do

Rothenburg ob der Tauber Top Things to Do

Weekend Getaway to Germany’s Black Forest (Part 2)

Weekend Getaway to Germany’s Black Forest (Part 2)

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hellograciemo

***ONLY HAPPENING FOR TWO WEEKENDS IN DECEMBER****

***ONLY HAPPENING FOR TWO WEEKENDS IN DECEMBER***** see dates below ⬇️
For an authentic, interactive, and magical celebration, the French town of Ribeauvillé, one of the oldest medieval towns in Alsace, offers an extremely charming Medieval Christmas Market, one I recommend not missing out on!
The Medieval Christmas market takes you back in time with activities and shows!
This was a very animated Christmas market with jugglers, dancers, live animals like camels and geese, delicious food/delicacies, and more!
It felt like we were in a real-life Disney village and taken back in time to the Middle Ages!
But, it only happens for 2 weekends in December! This year, 2023, the dates are:
December 2, 3, 9, & 10
So I recommend getting there early! And, it’s free to enter :)
Don’t Miss:
↠ The live camels
↠ The live dancing and singing around the markets
↠ Vin Chaud (mulled wine) or fresh apple cider
↠ Foodie Tip: I highly recommend trying the wild boar sandwich you can find near the Place de l’Hotel de Ville, you can’t miss the wild boar on a rotating fire pit.
↠ All the food
↠ Shopping the booths
↠ Admiring all the half timbered buildings and decorations
↠ Admire the castle above the hill
↠ Find more on my blog under my blogpost : An Overview of Ribeauvillé’s Medieval Christmas Market ↠ link in bio
↠ Where is the market?
All along the Grand Rue (Main Street). We started our walk along the Jardin de Ville and walked all along the Grand Rue taking little detours along small squares to check out all the booths and stores. At the market’s end, we turned back around and walked back along the Grand Rue so we had a second chance to make the loop for anything we missed.
Are you adding this to your bucket list? Let me know in the comments ⬇️
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Ribeauvillé • Medieval Christmas Market • Alsace

November rain in Istanbul 🇹🇷 We escaped to

November rain in Istanbul 🇹🇷
We escaped to Türkiye 🇹🇷 over Thanksgiving week.
Wind, cold, and rain… not a great weather combo for travel and not how we wanted to start our trip in Istanbul, but that didn’t stop us from exploring.
We stuck to our itinerary as best we could and snuck inside buildings when we had the chance for warmth and dryness.
We knew we only had a limited amount of time to see this big city.
We came prepared with rain coats, extra socks, and umbrellas, but nothing prepared me for the wind and extreme cold. But, we survived and did the best we could with what we’ve got.
I always tell myself, “there no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”- Alfred Wainright and Rick Steve’s
So, embrace the weather, enjoy exploring, and dress appropriately :)
What tips do you have for rainy day travels? I’d love to hear them!
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#istanbul #rainingistanbul

Grateful, Thankful, Blessed. Happy Thanksgiving!

Grateful, Thankful, Blessed.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Just a perfect Thanksgiving complete with a Thanksgiving spread in another country spent with good family friends. The sun and warmth was added bonus!
Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours! 🦃
📸 August 2023 📍 Mehlinger Heide, Germany
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#thanksgiving
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The best view in the house, a birds-eye view of th

The best view in the house, a birds-eye view of the Streizelmarkt Christmas Market in Dresden, Germany.
You can find this view on top of the 📍 Kreuzkirche tower (the Church of the Holy cross).
Pay to climb the 256 steps tower, we paid €8 in 2022 for a family entry fee. Then, enjoy the view from above. It’s cold but worth the shot!
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Are you adding this to your Dresden Christmas Market trip?
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#dresden

🎄 A list of Dresden’s Christmas Markets 🎄

🎄 A list of Dresden’s Christmas Markets 🎄
There are several Christmas Markets within the city of Dresden, including one of the oldest Christmas markets in the world!
Here is a list of the Christmas Markets in Dresden, there’s a few more I’ve listed that is not in the reel:
🔔 Augustmarkt
🔔 Streizelmarkt *the oldest Christmas market*
🔔 Dresden Winterlichter
🔔 Mittelalter Weihnacht Stallhof Dresden (Medieval Christmas Market
🔔 Christmas Market at the Frauenkirche
🔔 Advent auf dem Neumarkt
🔔 Romantic Christmas Market
🔔 Alpine Hut Magic on the Postplatz
Dresden is a must for the markets. Our favorites are: the Striezelmarkt, Advent auf dem Neumarkt, the Medieval Christmas Market, and Augustmarkt for its international flair.
**** I also have a blogpost on Dresden’s Christmas Markets if you’re interested in reading about each of the markets listed and when they’ll be taking place. Link in bio under linktree. ***
Are you adding Dresden to your Christmas Market bucket list? You should 🎄!
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#dresden #dresdenchristmasmarket
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Dresden • German Christmas Markets

Craving some of that Greek Ionian island sunshine

Craving some of that Greek Ionian island sunshine from this summer 🫶🏻
This dreary, November weather in Germany is not for me.
So, I’m mentally picturing myself back at the islands.
I haven’t yet shared our trip from our weeklong island-hopping adventure through the Ionians after our 4-day stint in Albania this summer.
Here’s a brief clip from our visit to the Ionian Greek islands.
I’ll be sharing our Greek island-hopping adventure soon!
Follow along our adventures ↠ ↠ ↠ ↠ @hellograciemo
Are you mentally somewhere else too?
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#ionianisland #greekislands #islandhopping
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Greece • Island Hopping • Ionian Islands
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Pretty little 📍 Wissembourg, France. After our

Pretty little 📍 Wissembourg, France.
After our morning at the thermal spa at Bad Bergzabern, we were only a 15min drive from the French border, so we took the opportunity to visit a town I’ve had on my list for awhile… 📍 Wissembourg.
Cute little Alsatian town that’s worth pairing with other things to do in the area.
We just meandered around the town, visited the cathedral, ate some baked goods from the bakery, admired all the half-timbered buildings, and got excited to see the Christmas tree and few stalls already set up for the Christmas market that begins November 24.
Such a fun way to end our Friday day date.
Wissembourg • France • Alsace

It’s never too early to start planning your Chri

It’s never too early to start planning your Christmas Market visits!
At the end of November, the holiday season in Europe begins, and the Christmas Markets are in full swing.
My favorite area to visit the Christmas Markets is in the Alsace Region of France.
With its many picturesque villages and towns, it’s easy to see why the Alsace Region is magical in every way possible during the holidays.
Here are some of our favorite Christmas Markets in Alsace that we have visited:
↠ Ribeauville’s Medieval
Christmas Market
Date: only two weekends in
December: December 2, 3 &
December 9, 10
** Highly recommend not missing this one***
↠ Colmar Christmas Market:
Date: November 23-December
29, 2023
↠ Eguisheim Christmas Market
Date: November 24- December
30, 2023
↠ Riquewihr Christmas Market:
Date: November 25, 2023-
December 20, 2023
↠ For more Christmas Markets in
Alsace, you can find more, here:
https://www.christmas.alsace/
the-christmas-markets/
↠ I’ve also got a blog post on a
Quick Guide to the Alsace
Christmas Markets I have listed
above, you can find that link in
bio under the linktree tab.
Are you adding the Alsace region to your Christmas Market List?
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Alsace Christmas Markets • Christmas Markets in France • Christmas in Europe

Solo Fall escape to 📍 Heidelberg. Trained to t

Solo Fall escape to 📍 Heidelberg.
Trained to the city for a Friday day trip adventure last week.
Heidelberg never gets old.
This was my family and mine’s first train adventure when we first started venturing around Germany our first year here.
And this time, I came back to enjoy the fall colors at my own pace.
My favorite spots to find Fall colors:
↠ Philosophenweg (Philosopher’s way) on the other side of the bridge to find the best views of the city
↠ Schloss Heidelberg- free to walk around the grounds outside the castle
↠ around the Alstadt (Old City) you can find random streets and buildings with picturesque views
↠ Alte Brücke
↠ just meander around and enjoy the scenery and the city.
Are you adding Heidelberg to your Fall leaf peeping bucket list?
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Heidelberg | Fall Daytrips | Fall in Germany

**Best Leaf Peeping locations at 📍 BernKastel-K

**Best Leaf Peeping locations at 📍 BernKastel-Kues…
I think this weekend will be the best weekend for leaf peeping in the Mosel River Valley in Rheinland-Pfalz.
The colors are at their peak!
Here’s where we went leaf peeping in 📍 BernKastel-Kues.
↠ Sky Walk Kurpark BernKastel-Kues (Google Map Name) ↠ this is new, and it wasn’t quite open yet for visitors, but the location is perfect for the views of BernKastel-Kues and the vineyards. There’s a nice, paved pathway directly under it, where you can hike around the vineyards. It’s a nice walk.
↠ Also, right beneath the Sky Walk is the 📍 Treppen durch die Weinberge (Google Map Name). A paved stair that leads to the vineyards. You can take the stairs to access the vineyards below.
↠ We parked at this open parkplatz GPS location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/98eGPqhjk2gwM9pt7?g_st=ic and found a trail leading to the woods that led to the Skywalk.
↠ Next is📍 BernKastle-Kues Waterfall. A small waterfall with well-developed pathways. It’s also not far from Burg Landshut. Easy hike, very short, and very beautiful!
↠ Finally, 📍 Burg Landshut.
This castle ruin is free to visit, and from it are the perfect views of BernKastle-Kues and the Mosel River from above. Parking is free, and you have to walk from the parking lot to get to the castle, but it’s not far.
There are many other places to go leaf peeping in and around BernKastel-Kues and other Mosel Valley towns.
We made this a quick day trip to go leaf peeping this past weekend (October 28, 2023); the colors were starting to turn. This weekend (November 3) will be perfect!
Let me know if you have questions!
Are you going leaf peeping this weekend?
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BernKastel-Kues • Mosel • Rhineland-Palatinate • Fall Colors

**Watch till the end to see the views** The sun c

**Watch till the end to see the views**
The sun came out just long enough for us to enjoy a quick leaf peep over the weekend 🍁
We almost didn’t go to the Mosel for some leaf peeping, the rain has been keeping us indoors lately.
Plus, I’m a homebody when it’s raining outside, so I’ve had to learn to roll with it here because of the never ending rain.
However, after a quick push from the husband, I’m so glad we decided to go.
As soon as we arrived the rain stopped long enough for us to enjoy views of Bern Kastel-Kues over the vineyards.
So, don’t let the rain stop you from exploring. And this past weekend was perfect!
However, I think this coming weekend (November 4-5) will be close to perfect for the Fall colors in the Mosel near Bern Kastel-Kues. :)
Comment below, are you one to stay indoors when it rains or do you risk the rain and explore?
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#FallinGermany #exploregermany #Mosel
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Mosel • Fall Colors • Leaf Peeping

Favorite Fall Destinations | Baden Baden, Germany

Favorite Fall Destinations | Baden Baden, Germany
Best place to get a view of Baden Baden and the fall colors is from the 📍 Paradies Garden (aka das Paradies).
This garden is free to enter.
It’s also the perfect photo op location for a great view of Baden Baden.
Built in the 1920s as part of a project, this park is located in a residential area of Baden Baden.
📍 To reach this location, park at Friedrichshöhe street or on Markgrafenstrasse. You can also walk to the location.
📍 Here is the GPS location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/meHkcoF6XFMT1TxZ9
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#falldestination #badenbaden #paradiesbadenbaden

In my Fall Era 🍁 Just some good ole Autumn Da

In my Fall Era 🍁
Just some good ole Autumn Days, but make it Taylor’s Version @taylorswift
Love this time of the year 🍁🍁🍁
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#fall #autumn #taylorswiftfallvibes #fallingermany🍁

Albanian Riviera | Best Beaches The best beaches

Albanian Riviera | Best Beaches
The best beaches on the Albanian Riveria are surprisingly not in Ksamil or Sarandë, in my opinion.
Go North.
Beyond Sarandë are better, clearer beaches, quieter, and less touristy.
The downfall…it’s not all developed yet, which is both a good and bad thing, but I think Albania is working to get there.
Me? I prefer quiet, not touristy beaches. But that’s just me.
I had a long list of beaches to beach hop to on our last day in Albania, and sadly, we didn’t get to hit all but 2; the second one I won’t really recommend is in Himare.
***The beach my family loved the most that we spent all day at was 📍 Drymades Beach in Dhermi. A beautiful setting at the foot hills of the Albanian mountains.
Go to Dhermi… they have good beaches there.
Be warned, they had construction (July 2023) around that area when we went. Otherwise, we still enjoyed the beach.
Here are all the other beaches I had on my list we had hoped to visit had we had more time on our final day (Day 4) there:
↠ Palase near Drymades Beach (they are close to each other)
↠ Drymades Beach (our favorite) ❤️❤️
↠ Gjipe Beach (you’ll have to walk 35-45 min. to get there from the parking lot) I read. Otherwise, if you drive, it’s a very narrow road, and one car can only fit that road.
↠ Jale Beach (I really wanted to visit this one), easy access and can get to the next beach nearby 1/5 km walk (next listed)
↠ Livadi Beach near Jale
↠ Gjiri e Akuariumit was high on my list to visit near Jale Beach
↠ Queparo Beach
↠ Borsch Beach
Though we didn’t get to visit all the beaches on my list, Drymades did not disappoint. I don’t think we wasted our last day enjoying this beach in Dhermi.
The beach was clear with pebbles; we rented four beach chairs with umbrellas for €20 near the Sarajet Beach Hotel Bar. Bathrooms nearby.
Add this to your Albanian Riviera list!
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#dhermi #drymadesbeach #albanianriviera
Albania • Albania Riviera • Drymades Beach

Stills from 📍 Gjirokaster, Albania… **Blog p

Stills from 📍 Gjirokaster, Albania…
**Blog post is up on the blog from our Day 3 inland Albania trip to Gjirokaster***
**link in bio***
Very charming and quaint, highly recommend visiting this well-preserved ancient city in Southern Albania, a perfect day trip from Sarandë!
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Trip Circa July 2023
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Let me know if you have any questions!
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Comment below if this city piqued your interest ❤️
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#gjirokaster #albania

Fall Tradition | Pick your own Pumpkin Patch from

Fall Tradition | Pick your own Pumpkin Patch from the vines in Germany 🇩🇪
Location below ⬇️
Every year we try to keep our tradition of finding a self-pick-your-own-pumpkins-from-the-vines pumpkin patch.
We have a few near us, but have heard they have been apparently way too crowded, so we ventured further out into the German countryside and found this small gem.
📍 Located between Konken and Wahnwegen, Germany is this cute, small, family-owned pumpkin patch.
It’s called the Familie Schneider Self Pick Pumpkin Patch.
It’s a self-pick, honor system patch. And, you pay by the size of your pumpkins. There are shears and a measuring ruler to measure your pumpkins.
Price:
Small pumpkins: €4
Medium: €6
Large: €10
Don’t have cash? Don’t worry, they have included a QR code with their PayPal information so you can pay for your pumpkins.
Additionally, across the road is another self-pick gourd patch, where you can also pick your Hokkaido (these are the pumpkins I make my pumpkin soup and pumpkin pies with) and butternut squash. The Hokkaidos are €1 a piece, the butternut squash are €3. Pay either by the self-pay kiosk or PayPal.
GPS location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Vses44dTf4mHZxRp8?g_st=ic
Additionally, you can also enjoy watching their chickens nearby. But, the eggs are not for sale here; you can buy the eggs from a local store near Konken that I hear is located near the church.
We went October 15, 2023.
Still looking for pumpkins? This is the perfect patch without the crowds.
Disclaimer: most of the pumpkins have been removed from their vines due to their readiness, there are a few out there still attached to the vines though, and we found ours still attached :).
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Please respect their property, it’s a family owned patch.
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Where’s your favorite pumpkin patch near you?
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#fallingermany #germany #selfpickpumpkinpatch

Just your annual, obligatory pumpkin patch family

Just your annual, obligatory pumpkin patch family photos :)
Happy Fall Y’all!
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#pumpkinpatch #fallfun

Just a Fall Friday evening picnic at the park. T

Just a Fall Friday evening picnic at the park.
Taking advantage of all the beautiful Fall days before the weather in Germany turns cold.
No fancy picnic packed like I normally do, just take out pizza which was perfect ❤️.
How are you enjoying your nice Fall days?
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#germany #fallingermany

Favorite Fall Destinations | 📍 Giethoorn, Nethe

Favorite Fall Destinations | 📍 Giethoorn, Netherlands
Have you heard of the “Venice of the North?” or the “Dutch Venice?”
There is a charming, idyllic, picturesque canal village in the Netherlands, and it is adorable
The village of Giethoorn is a car-free village only accessible by boat, on foot, or bicycle.
The lands are connected by around 200 small bridges and hand-dug canals.
The canals are surrounded by little plots of lush, hilly, well-kept green lawns.
And, on these lawns are some of the most cutest homes, roof-thatched farmhouses and peat houses as old as the 18th and 19th centuries.
They’re a sight to see and all so very picturesque in every way possible!
Giethoorn is a day trip from Amsterdam and can easily be explored in a few hours. But, it would be nice to stay overnight and live like the locals.
We rented a “whisper boat” with @smitgiethoorn and putted around the canals and Natural Reserves.
We paid €35 for 2 hours (this was in 2021; prices may be different now).
You don’t need a license to man the boat. The boats are easy to maneuver.
We visited mid-November on a Sunday morning and had the canals ourselves!
Highly recommend this village! It’s the perfect Fall destination!
Circa November 2021
Have you heard of Giethoorn?
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#giethoorn #netherlands
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Netherlands - Giethoorn - Lovely Canal Village - Dutch Venice

🎃 Pumpkin Farm in Deutschland 🇩🇪 | 📍 B

🎃 Pumpkin Farm in Deutschland 🇩🇪 | 📍 Bauer Lipp
New to us pumpkin farm. Alittle further up the road, but totally worth the day trip that’s giving me all the Fall vibes!
📍 Bauer Lipp in Weiterstadt, Germany
Things to know:
↠ Bring cash (€) to enter
↠ Credit cards are accepted at the food kiosk (for more than €10), cash is recommended
↠ Parking is free
↠ They have playgrounds, a small bounce area to jump on, a water play area, small tractor racer for kids (not sure if you have to pay extra for this), corn maze (small and pay extra), admire the livestock animals.
↠ Lots of pumpkins to choose from
↠ Admire ALL THE PUMPKIN displays and all the Fall decor 😍😍😍
↠ Lots of photo ops
↠ Food kiosk (***try the oven baked pumpkin/squash dish with a tzatziki- type of sauce on top-it’s delish!***)
Pumpkin soup is our second fave!
And the soft, large cinnamon rolls are 🧑‍🍳 😘
↠ This is officially our favorite pumpkin farm! We have another favorite in Rheinland Pfalz!
↠ Enjoy the local foods and homemade delicacies at the store.
↠Watch them make taffy, lollipops, and cookies at the store.
↠ They take Credit cards at the store.
↠ You can buy the pumpkin soup, mason jar canned pumpkins, fresh cinnamon rolls, pumpkin secco, and more at the store.
↠ ***Buy the cinnamon sugar roasted pumpkin seeds (so good)!
↠ Take lots of family photos!
↠ It’s a fun farm to enjoy the fall season!
↠ Location: Steinbrücker Hof, Orfelder Rod 1, 64331 Weiterstadt
↠ Opening Days and Hours: Monday-Sundays 10am-7pm
↠ Entrance price:
Adults: €4
Children: €3
They also have a season pass
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Highly recommend!
Where is your favorite pumpkin farm?
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#bauerlipp #pumpkinfarm🎃 #fallingermany🍁
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Bauer Lipp • Pumpkin Farm • Fall in Germany

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