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The House of Meissen: Tour The Meissen Porcelain Factory and Buy Your Own Piece
I have become a little porcelain obsessed in the past few years. It all started when I got a beautiful Korean moon jar, we moved to the Netherlands and I visited Delft and learned about Royal Delft Blue, and the obsession continued when we landed in Meissen, Germany home to Meissen porcelain. Like Royal Delft Blue, the House of Meissen offers a factory tour and production tour to learn how their exquisite pieces are produced and really, it’s a way to learn how to appreciate the craftsmanship on a deeper level. If you’re traveling to Meissen, it’s really a must visit. Get ready to see why. Did you know you…
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One Day In Old Town Dresden, Germany: A Walking Tour
Considered one of the most beautiful Baroque cities in Europe, when we arrived in Dresden, I was very interested to learn and see how the city rebuilt after the firestorm that obliterated much of the area during World War II. There are now two halves that make up the whole: the Old Town (Altstadt) that was originally built during the Renaissance and Baroque periods and a newer post-war side of the city. Although, pay attention because New Town is actually older than Old Town and Old Town was rebuilt a few decades later. For this article, we’ll be focusing on the Old Town, which thankfully was rebuilt in all it’s…
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Would You Buy A Piece Of The Berlin Wall?
Picture this: you’re walking through the bustling streets of Berlin, and you stumble upon a souvenir shop. They’re not hard to spot. Amidst the postcards, keychains, and other memorabilia, you see it—a piece of the Berlin Wall. Instantly, a wave of questions floods your mind. Would you buy a piece of the Berlin Wall? What does it mean to own a fragment of history? Is it even real? (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.) Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. – George Santayana…
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St. Bavo In Haarlem Is Where Organ Music Comes Alive
Visiting Haarlem, Netherlands isn’t complete without stepping into one of the largest churches in the Netherlands, Saint Bavo Church. Easy to see and used as a point of reference when giving directions in the central area, the church was built for Roman Catholic worship and then used by the Protestants after the Reformation before being stormed by the Calvanists. Not only grandiose from the outside, it’s beautiful on the inside and a touted place to see where Mozart among other famous musicians came to play what was once the largest organ in the world. If you’re planning to visit Haarlem, Netherlands, St. Bavo is a must see: (This post contains…
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The Most Unique Tap House In Haarlem Is In A Church
One thing we do when we travel is look up what the local beer is and what it’s all about. There’s inevitably some interesting story or culture aspect related which makes it fun. Traveling in Europe means we’re always finding something different. In Cologne, Germany we were drinking Kölsch in .2L glasses and when we came to Haarlem, Netherlands, we learned about Jopen. What struck me about Jopen most, and the beer is good to be sure, was that they have the must unique tap house space I’ve ever seen. Have you ever wanted to drink beer in a church? Well you can in Haarlem, Netherlands. On the search for…
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Don’t Miss The Archeology Museum Haarlem: Free and Fun!
A visit to Grote Markt in Haarlem, Netherlands is a must, but did you know there’s a free museum on the square that makes for a perfect place to let kids learn about archeology? Not only fun, but also educational and bonus, it’s FREE, do not miss Archeologisch Museum Haarlem when you’re in the area. Grote Markt can have have a lot going on depending what day you visit and by and large, in our experience, the Archeology Museum Haarlem is an overlooked respite from the crowds. Whether you are interested in historical goods and bones found in digs, or just need a break, get ready to step into history…
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Why Museum Prinsenhof Delft Is Fantastic For Kids
Our daughter has been really into following clues and deducing information the past couple of years. Of course, I’ve raised her on the fun of scavenger hunts, so that’s not surprising. So, when I asked what options for children activities Museum Prinsenhof Delft had available and the staff pulled out a detective kit as one of them, we had to go for it. Following the clues to find out who murdered William of Orange and how? Monk is one of our favorite television shows so we were up for the challenge of this very very old cold case. If you’re looking for something fun to do with kids in the…
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One Day In Delft: A Family-Friendly Day Trip
The first time we visited Delft, Netherlands, we were looking at houses and squeezed in a visit to the must-see Royal Delft Museum. For our second trip, we were on the hunt for our own piece of Royal Delft and an adventure along the Delft Ceramics Route to learn more about the history of William of Orange. A Delft itinerary that has both history and fun is what we’re all about. If you’ve got kids, here are the best things to do in Delft from the food stops to enjoy to the scavenger hunt to walk along. Get ready for an adventure in the Netherlands complete with royalty and the…
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Best Place To Eat In London: Borough Market
Eating in bustling markets is one of our favorite things to do when we travel. Not only do they generally have good food with high turn over meaning it’s fresh, but there is always a variety so everyone in the family can walk away well-fed and happy. Rice for my husband, fruit for the kiddo, and more. Whether you’re a foodie or a family looking to get everyone something to eat, Borough Market makes for a fun and vibrant stop. Choose from the various stalls inside and do a hop around to get your meal, or take a seat in one of the restaurants for a calmer experience after walking…
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Amstelpark: The First Park We Found In Amsterdam
When we first arrived in Amsterdam, Netherlands, we were staying in Hotel Novotel Amsterdam City and went to Amstelpark every day for four days in a row. As an introduction to parks in Amsterdam, it couldn’t have been better and with 8 year old, it was the best place to run around, feed some animals, and have all of the fun. If you’re going to be in southern Amsterdam and want a great place to take kids, definitely consider Amstelpark. Located between the Amstel and Europaboulevard, the park was established in 1972 after a horticulture exhibition and it is beautiful. Looking for a great place to spend the day with…
