Day Trip to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany

Hello World... Greetings from the highest point in Germany! 

Husband and I were at it again visiting Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany for the sixth time. The ski resort town is just an hour away from Munich and is home to one of the few remaining American military bases. 

Every time Husband and I visit Garmisch-Partenkirchen we say the same thing "Why do we not come here more often?!" Last time I blogged about the mountain town nestled in the German Alps I talked about our visit to the historic Olympic Ski Jump arena. Back in 2012 we climbed to the top of the ski jump but during this visit...we went to the highest point in Garmisch-Partenkirchen Germany, the Zugspizte.

At the Highest Point in Germany

We started our journey in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and took an hour cog train ride up to the top of the Zugspitze. There we ate lunch at the top of Germany, surrounded by snow in June, with Husband's parents. The views were amazing and it was a fantastic way to kick off our vacation time.

Husband's Parents

After taking a gondola and cog train back down the mountainside, we all headed to the Partnach Gorge. A few months ago Husband and I drove three hours to visit the Breitachklamm gorge in Oberstdorf, Germany. We didn't know until Husband's parents came for a vacation that we had a gorge just an hour's drive from Munich!

Again, Husband and I both said "Why haven't we been here before?" The sound of rushing water, caves every few yards, and the peaceful setting made us plan another trip for mid July right there on the spot. Being outside in nature is such a welcomed changed from our every day hustle and bustle back in the city.

Husband and I celebrated our wedding engagement back in 2011 at Gasthof Fraundorfer in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Since then, it has been our "go-to" restaurant in Garmisch-Partenkirchen!

Visiting from Texas

We did not book a table ahead of time and ended up outside on their patio. At first I was a bit upset to not be inside with the typical Bavarian band and dark wood traditional setting, but the warm summer night proved to be a great atmosphere. 

Traditional Bavarian music was played outside and we were entertained by young boys preforming a slap dance in the cobble stoned streets. Every time we visit Fraundorfer the staff members have been welcoming of their visitors and the Germany dishes are delicious! 

Still in Love with Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Nearly three years after our engagement Husband and I are still enjoying visits to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. We are planning a camping trip back sometime in July! 

Don't forget to enter Mainly Maren's Summer Giveaway!

My friend Kate over at Cut and Tear (check out her Etsy shop here) has joined up with Mainly Maren to kick off summer with a colorful splash! 

Up for grabs is a set of 5 extra-long retro inspired postcards ready to send warm summer wishes to your closest beach buddies.

There are Two Ways to Enter:

1. "Like" our page on Facebook (button at top)

-or-

2. Become a Mainly Maren follower

The winner will be announced on Mainly Maren Tuesday, June 17th. 

From the Top of Germany,

Step Outside onto My Patio

Hallo! Over the past two months you have seen our German living room and teeny tiny kitchen. Today I am linking up with Andrea over at Momfessionals to show you our outdoor living space!

I am a patio girl all the way. In fact, I have been known to pick a restaurant not based on their food, but the outdoor atmosphere. 

One of Husband's first arguments with me was rather or not we should eat at a Mexican restaurant because he said it was not good. All I saw were bright patio lights, a big water fountain, and comfortable chairs calling my name, "Maren..." We were just dating at the time and ended up at another location with better food and a simpler patio. In the end we both compromised. 

As you can tell, outdoor living spaces are quite important to me. When picking a place to live in Munich, a balcony was nonnegotiable. Being both from Texas, Husband and I (Shelby Dog too!) enjoy relaxing outside on warm summer nights. 

During our first year in Munich, Husband picked up a glass table and six chairs for FREE from an Australian expat. The furniture worked temporarily but was not a great solution. On our patio the table was too bulky for the space and getting into a seat meant a round of musical chairs. 

Last summer Husband and I splurged on an outdoor living set. I say "splurged" because the 4 piece set is the most expensive furniture in "outside" our flat! We debated back and forth the pros and cons of an outdoor living set versus a traditional table and chairs. 

We are so happy with our decision to purchase an outdoor living set. In the evenings I love sitting outside with my feet propped up watching the sunset.

This year we are trying a few new things. Husband and I have planted tomatoes, bell peppers, strawberries, mint, basil, and oregano. We are thrilled to try growing a few things we can watch mature and then use in a delicious summer dish. 

In addition to the edible plants, we also have potted some flowers for summer. I picked out geraniums, petunias, sweet potato vine, and bachelor's button. For now my winter pansies are still holding on if I keep them watered every day. Last year I bought a rose bush on clearance that is now climbing up a trellis Husband stained last weekend.

Don't forget to enter Mainly Maren's Summer Giveaway!

My friend Kate over at Cut and Tear (check out her Etsy shop here) has joined up with Mainly Maren to kick off summer with a colorful splash! 

Up for grabs is a set of 5 extra-long retro inspired postcards ready to send warm summer wishes to your closest beach buddies.

There are Two Ways to Enter:

1. "Like" our page on Facebook (button at top)

-or-

2. Become a Mainly Maren follower

The winner will be announced on Mainly Maren Tuesday, June 17th. 

Summer Lovin',

A Super Summer Giveaway!

For many of my friends and family today marks the first official day of summer vacation! My friends back home are busy planning their vacations, spending lazy days cuddling with babies, and engaging in all things that make summertime so wonderful. 

To help celebrate the start of summer, MainlyMaren is hosting a giveaway!

While I miss my friends from back home terribly, I have met some great people while living in Europe. Here in Munich I have been lucky enough to meet Kate. She has been quite influential in helping me to meet people, has shown me local specialties (food, ice cream, art, etc), and got me involved in the crafting community. We meet nearly every week for coffee and her friendship really helped me adjust to living abroad. 

Kate is the artist behind the Etsy shop Cut and Tear. She specializes in creating unique paper and soft dolls from her personal sketches. Her dolls are perfect for bachelorette/lingerie party decorations, a mom-to-be (check out the maternity girls), and anyone who enjoys a good book with a quirky bookmark.  

Today Cut and Tear is pairing up with Mainly Maren in this colorful summer giveaway! Up for grabs is a set of five extra-long, super adorable, swimmer girl postcards. This postcard set would be perfect to help send your friends warm summer wishes. How cute would this postcard be to receive in the mail?

I'm tempted to keep these postcards for myself. I think these vintage ladies would also be darling matted and framed in white on a wall during the summer months. Or perhaps hanging in a beach house? Or even hanging in a bathroom next to the pool? The options could go on and on!

Here is how you can enter the giveaway:
1. "Like" MainlyMaren on Facebook (button on top)
-or-
2. Become a follower of MainlyMaren

A random winner will be drawn and announced on MainlyMaren next Tuesday, June 16th!

If you are in the Munich area, you can also check out Kate's work inside the Hands Gallery, view her shop worldwide on Etsy, or stop over and visit her blog Cut and Tear.

Splash into Summer,

Taking it Easy in Tuscany

Here we are in June so I figured I better finish up my Italy travel series. Husband and I spent Easter week road-tripping through the lively boot that is Italy. To recap, we spent our first few days in Rome, visited Pompeii, drove down the Amalfi Coast, and ended it all with a lazy weekend in Tuscany.

Our View from Le Due Volpi Bed & Breakfast 

Originally, we planned to spend a couple of days in Florence but after pulling into the gravel drive of our Bed and Breakfast at Le Due Volpi, we quickly changed our daily plans. It was the most breathtaking Italian villa imaginable. 

I LOVED the outdoor, unattached camp kitchen!

An hour's drive from Florence along a winding two lane country road, brought us deep into the Tuscan hills. Surrounded by rolling fields, blooming spring wildflowers, and budding grapevines, the historic stone farmhouse was the perfect serene setting we needed to end our trip. Upon first sight, I thought I had stepped inside a romantic Hollywood movie or perhaps the setting in a best selling work of fiction. 

Reminiscing My Great Grandma Alma

Husband and I were extremely impressed with the Le Due Volpi Bed & Breakfast. Owners Heidi and Lorenzo made our stay the best that it could be from their gorgeous home (Ancient wood-beamed ceiling? Yes, Please!), farm fresh breakfast, down to their personally self-brewed wine label. 

Wildflowers, Antiques, the View

Husband and I did make a quick stop in Florence. Can you even count two hours as a visit? We waited in line to step inside The Duomo and see The Last Judgement frescoe started in 1568 by artist  Giorgio Vasari. After viewing the painting beneath the massive domed roof from several different angles, we headed deeper into Florence in search of the Porcellino fountain. There we snapped some pictures, headed off for another gelato, and made our way as quickly as possible out of the mobs of people in Florence.

The Duomo in Florence, Italy

Porcellino Well Wishing Fountain

On our way out of the city and back into the countryside, we stopped at a local farmer's market. We stumbled our way through the Italian language ordering two types of salami, several cheeses, olive bread, lemon desserts, and a bottle of wine all from different vendors. Later on in the evening, Husband and I enjoyed a picnic back at the Villa as we watched the sunset over the Tuscan hills. It. was. perfect.

A Tuscan Picnic

Before we had even left Le Due Volpi, Husband and I were already making plans for our next stay! Who knew the best part of Tuscany, besides the view, could be a bed and breakfast? 

Until Next Time,

Welcome Bags

The only thing more exciting than flying home for the holidays...
is having friends and family visit Husband and I in Munich, Germany. 

It has been nearly two years since we left The States for our crazy-fun international adventure. In between sightseeing, learning another language, and checking countries off of our list, believe it or not, we do experience the homesick blues. 

As you can imagine, we get pretty excited when family, friends, even acquaintances make a stop in Munich during their vacations. Consider this, Husband met my best friend's coworker for dinner when he arrived in Munich during a tour group. Talk about an acquaintance! And two years in a row we have met my second cousin for dinner during his European work tour. We see him more often in Europe than we would have in The States! There is something comforting about getting together with people who are linked to our lives back home. 

When our latest guests arrived in Europe for the first time ever, I wanted them to feel as welcomed as possible. Husband and I greeted them at the airport with this Welcome Bag. 

I filled the inside of the bag with an assortment of Munich specialties. 

1. A Traditional "Lebkuchenherz" Heart Cookie

2. Assortment of Postcards and Bookmarks

3. A Keepsake Book from Bavaria (in english!)

In the bag I also included four bottles of local juices, traditional marzipan and chocolate candy, pocket tissues, and maps of the city. Most of the items were meant to be used during our guest's stay. I tried to keep the items on the smaller side to not interfere with traveling. 

The Munich Welcome Bag was inspired by our Wedding Welcome Boxes. At their hotel check-in, each out of town wedding guest received two Saint Arnold's Root-beers and my favorite Dill Pickle popcorn. Since our wedding took place in Texas, the outside of the box was tied with a bandana and raffia ribbon. The doily matched our vintage wedding theme.

If you ever find yourself visiting Munich, Germany please send us a hello! Don't hesitate to email with any questions or check out Munich in Four Days.

Make Life Beautiful,