Nuremberg Christmas Market

Nuremberg Christmas Market

Nuremberg has the reputation of hosting one of the best Christmas Markets in Germany and for that matter, in the whole world. We thought Nuremberg would be the perfect place for our first real Christmas Market experience. The market is in the city center, inside the 

In search of Dolmen in the Netherlands.

In search of Dolmen in the Netherlands.

Dolmen are monolithic tombs, typically made from large megaliths supporting a capstone that was covered with dirt to make a chamber. Over time the earth has worn away leaving just the rock formation. Here in the Netherlands they dot the northeastern landscape. We started our hunt 

Good Times in Gouda

Good Times in Gouda

I found a great pedal bike for H on marktplaats that needed to be picked up in Gouda. If we were going to make the 20-min drive to pick up the bike I thought we should pop into the city center and see what we could find. 

De Pannenkoekenboot

De Pannenkoekenboot

One rainy Sunday we boarded the pancake boat for a cruise departing out of Rotterdam. This is a perfect activity for a family to enjoy together. The boat leaves from the dock just beside the Euromast tower. There is plenty of metered street parking and 

WWII with Toddlers: Westerbork Transit Camp

WWII with Toddlers: Westerbork Transit Camp

(Otherwise known as the time we took our toddlers to a WWII deportation camp.) One of the challenges of family travel is balancing kid and adult interests. Typically, we do a great job of hitting highlights for Jeff and me while keeping the kids engaged. This 

Day Trip to Antwerp with Kids

Day Trip to Antwerp with Kids

The fall here has been amazing. We have been trying to milk every last good weather day while we can. One Saturday, with blue skies overhead we boarded the train from Delft through Rotterdam to Antwerp. In Rotterdam you can change to the Thalys, a 

Day Trip to Muiden

Day Trip to Muiden

You’ve probably never heard of the adorable Dutch town of Muiden. I certainly had not before my husband suggested a quick day-trip to this city outside of Amsterdam. Muiden has played an integral part in the defense of Amsterdam for centuries and is now a 

Maeslantkering: Visiting the Storm Surge Barrier

Maeslantkering: Visiting the Storm Surge Barrier

The Dutch are experts in water management.   Over 55% of the Netherlands sits below sea level. Exacting measurements are made in Amsterdam where the normal sea level is called Normaal Amsterdams Peil. Most of the land that sits under sea level was created by the Dutch. They 

Kids Day in Utrecht

Kids Day in Utrecht

We went back to Utrecht with a kid-friendly itinerary. Back in September for Open Monuments Weekend we spent most of our visit hauling the kids around to things we wanted to see. This time we planned an itinerary just for the kiddos. We took the 

A Quick Afternoon in Liege, Belgium

A Quick Afternoon in Liege, Belgium

Sometimes even the best laid plans fail. That is how we ended up in Liege, Belgium. Making the best of poor planning that led us to completely forget that Monday was a U.S. holiday, we booked an extra night at a hotel and decided to