Day Trips with British Airways

I have an epic case of itchy feet.  I want to go to all the places, all the time.  But Matt has it much worse.  He loves loves loves to travel!  Even the not so fun things like airports and flying (I still really hate flying.), he loves this stuff.  This is a man who has a spreadsheet showing every flight he's ever taken (over 600) and exactly how many miles he's flown (over a million).  He's even been known to fly out in the morning and return in the evening, just so he can go somewhere.  In fact, he's taken several day trips like this.  It's usually with his mates because I've been reluctant to suffer two flights in one day.  But I did join him for his latest trip to Hamburg, Germany.  So, I'll let him tell you all about taking a day trip with British Airways and I'll show you some photos from our time in Hamburg.

Berlin, Germany City Break

I previously posted some photos from Berlin and our annual Christmas Market trip. We were only in this vibrant city for a few days and most of our time was spent at the markets.  But you can't visit Berlin and not see some of the famous sites like Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall.  So, here are a few more photos of the city from our visit. 

Berlin Christmas Markets 2015

If you celebrate Christmas, I hope that you had a wonderful one!  Apologies for the past few weeks of silence on the blog.  It's been one helluva year and as it came to an end, we were both just not really feeling like going all out.  We didn't even put up a tree or decorate at all.  Not in a Bah Humbug way but just in a quiet, restful way.  We had a very relaxed Christmas which is just what we needed. 

Aachen, Germany

As you already know, Matt and I both suffer from severe wanderlust.  We're itching to take another big trip but it looks like it might be next year before that happens.  In the mean time, we just can't resist getting away on the weekends.  Even a few days someplace new is exciting and so worth the effort.  

I'm not sure how Aachen happened.  I'd never heard of it before, to be honest.  But, when we sat down to look at Eurostar destinations, we settled on Germany and Aachen is the first place you come to when you head in that direction.  So Aachen was our destination.  We left after work on a Friday and were there within a few hours and settled into the center of the city.  

We had a lovely weekend people watching from sidewalk cafes, visiting the Aachen Cathedral and the town hall (Rathaus).   Like Aix en Provence, Aachen is known for their fountains.  My favorite was the Fountain of Puppets with all of its movable parts.  Aachen is also famous for being the royal seat of Charlemagne, so a museum visit was on the agenda.  One location that was not on the agenda was the red light district.  However, we were casually strolling around the city center walking off dinner one night and after a right turn, then a left, then a right, that is exactly where we found ourselves.  It's just a few blocks from the Town Hall and apparently dates back to the middle ages.  We quickly retreated to some nearby streets without red lights and floor to ceiling windows.  

Here are some of my favorite photos from the weekend.  Don't worry, none of them are from our short and accidental foray into the red light district.

Guess where we're off to next weekend.  I'll give you a hint... gondolas!  So excited!!

Have you ever been to Aachen?

 

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Hohe Domkirche St. Petrus

You can't talk about Cologne without mentioning the Dom.

This massive Gothic Cathedral rises above the city like a large, dark bird.

Via

Construction of the Catholic Cathedral began in 1248 and continued for about 250 years.

In the 1800's, it was finally finished to the original plan. 

Our hotel was right next door and we had fantastic views of the cathedral.

The city of Cologne was mostly destroyed during WWII

and the cathedral suffered many hits but managed to remain standing. 

 

It took my breath away every time I looked up at it

especially in the evening as the snow started swirling. 

It is a World Heritage Site, a place of pilgrimage and Germany's most visited landmark.

It seems wrong to let the tragedy in Connecticut pass without some comment.  

But, I just don't know what to say other that that my

prayers are with all of those affected. 

 

The death of a baby is like a stone cast into the stillness of a quiet pool;
the concentric ripples of despair sweep out in all directions,
affecting many, many people.
--De Frain, 1991 

xoxo

Selena

I Spy Friday featuring Dusseldorf

After a morning in Bonn, we boarded the train again for a quick trip to Dusseldorf.

The Dusseldorf markets we visited were a bit smaller than the ones in Bonn and Cologne. 

Dusseldorf is a financial center and quite fashionable.  

There were some very serious shopping opportunities on offer.  We might have to go back. 

We strolled for a bit, but after along day we really just wanted to sit, enjoy a good meal and conversation.
We found the perfect spot and settled in for a bit.

This was our first trip with friends and it was so much fun to have a big group to cut up with. 

We did get a few looks, but it's because we were all usually laughing and having a great time.

I can't wait to do it again!

So, thank you to Sarah, Stephen, Jill, Alyn, Craig, Erin and Matt
for making my first Christmas Market trip so much fun!!

 

 

London is in full on holiday celebration mode.

Talk about hustle and bustle, it's crazy!

But, so much fun.  Lights and decorations are everywhere.

Every restaurant is full of Christmas parties.

We are trying to squeeze in as much as possible.
It's just going by too fast.

Have a lovely weekend!!!

xoxo

Selena

By the way, to celebrate one year of blogging I've decided to invest in a proper blog designer.  If you have someone in mind, I'd love the recommendation.