If it’s your first time in Poland and you’re wondering what to eat in Warsaw Poland, you definitely wont go wrong with pierogi or the humble dumpling!
What to eat in Warsaw Poland?
Lunch at Zapiecek Warsaw Poland
Zapiecek is actually a franchise that has many outlets Warsaw. The food there is not too bad, well-priced and quite traditional. If you’re not sure where to go, this place is a good start. But of course, for excellent, top notch, best polish food, you’ve got to go to Folk Gospoda!
Interior of restaurant with many translation of the word “Dumpling”Interior of Zapiecek Restaurant
The interior of the restaurant is quite traditionally decorated. The main theme was wood which brought about a homely traditional feel. The wall was also written with different translations and fonts of the word “dumpling” which seems to suggest that their dumplings are quite good…
Menu at Zapiecek Hungarian Pancake with Goulash & Pork Stew (32zl)Spelt Pierogi with spinach leaves and cream cheese (24zl)700ml Sangria (15zl)
There were so many types of dumplings available on the menu and after browsing for quite a while (the waitress came back to us twice), we finally decided upon the Spelt Pierogi and the Hungarian Pancake!
We chose the spelt pierogi cause of its unique ingredients of spinach and cream cheese. Usually dumplings come with meat. This is a bit different. Plus it’s recommended! The cheese was mild (much like a sauce) and went quite well with the spinach filling.
The Hungarian pancake on the other hand was REALLY filling! The starchy pancake and the meaty chunks made us really really full after the meal. The sauce was meaty with a slight tomato base so though we were quite full, it did not make us feel jerlat (too sick of it).
The meal ended with a nice glass of Sangria. Great choice by Kate. 700ml for $6SGD! 😮
If you enjoyed our content, “Like” us on Facebook Today!
When one thinks of Munich, Oktoberfest will naturally come to mind! But what are the top things to do and attractions in Munich really? Where exactly to stay in Munich?
Let’s find out!
Top Things to do and Attractions in Munich Germany!
1. Glockenspiel Clock Tower
Rathaus Glockenspiel @ Marienplatz Munich
The Rathaus Glockenspiel is one of the top 10 must visit clock towers in the world! Today, it attracts millions of visitors annually to see its shows and the uniqueness of what this clock tower has to offer!
2. Marienplatz
City Hall Clock Tower and the Mariensäule (Marian Column)
Besides the Glockenspiel, Marienplatz itself also attracts visitors alike. At this old square, visitors can enjoy a drink at the cafes, catch the show of Glockenspiel or simply just people watch. Meet your friends at Mariensaule if you’re lost!
3. Viktualienmarkt
Viktualienmarkt (Munich) and the Maypole
An old farmer’s market in the past, Viktualienmarkt has evolved into a large market that sells all types of groceries, meats and even souvenirs. Have a meal at the al fresco dining area while you’re there!
4. Hofbrauhaus Munchen
Hofbrauhaus am Platzl in MunichBest pork knuckle ever @ Hofbrauhaus Munchen
Missed Oktoberfest? No worries! Hofbrauhaus brewery has its own merry men that conjours that lively atmosphere at the Oktoberfest! What’s more, you get to savour the best pork knuckle ever here at Hofbrauhaus! Guten Appetit!
5. Englischer Garten
Entrance to the Englischer Garten Munich
Enjoy a leisurely stroll at the Englischer Garten! Check out the Japanese Tea House or the Chinese Tower in this garden while you’re here. You may also chance upon surfers here!
6. Side Trips to Oberammergau and Mittenwald – Bavarian!
Street with Alps in the background – Artistically taken by Kate!Alps (The Kofel : Oberammergau Matterhorn) and the ice cream shop
The awe-inspiring Bavarian Alps can be visited via Munich! Take a short trip to Oberammergau and Mittenwald where you’ll be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery as well as the large mural art! You can also choose to visit the Neuschwanstein castle that inspired the animation at the start of Disney’s production.
7. Oktoberfest!!!
Welcome to Oktoberfest at Theriesen Wiese, Munich!Throngs of people in the Oktoberfest beer tents – in the middle of the day!
How can a visit to Munich be complete without going to the Oktoberfest?! Oktoberfest, held at the Theresienwiese Oktoberfest area is not only the biggest beer festival in the world, it is also a huge gigantic fun fair, offering a great time for the entire family!
We stayed at the NH Dornach during our visit to the Oktoberfest. Do check out our posts about the hotels!
Related Posts
You have just finished a post in this series of our travels in Munich. Find out more about Munich in these related posts!
Although Berlin is the capital of Germany, many people do not know the things to do and attractions in this wonderful city! Here is a quick low down of all the things you can do here (click on the links to see our coverage of each of them)
1. Brandenburg Gate
Brandenburg Gate Berlin Germany
Brandenburg Gate is an iconic landmark in the whole of Berlin. A popular tourist site that is also home to many embassies, Brandenburg Gate sees many events taking place in and around its premise.
2. Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie : American soldier as you enter the Allies American Sector
The Berlin Zoo is an excellent place to spend the day with the kids. There are some interesting animals such as the Alkapa which cannot be seen in our Zoo.
5. Alexanderplatz
Alexanderplatz and its iconic King Neptune Sculpture
Alexanderplatz was featured in the Bourne Supremacy where Jason Bourne met a contact in the movie. It is also close to iconic structures such as the Berlin TV tower, Red City Hall as well this sculpture of King Neptune seen above.
6. Berlin Central Station
Futuristic Berlin Central Station (Hauptbahnhof)
If you’re arriving by train, you would not miss this iconic train station. The Berlin Central Station is covered completely with glass on the exterior that gives it its futuristic feel. Great photo opportunities!
7. Berliner Currywurst
Our first Berliner Currywurst
Is the Berliner Currywurst all that its hyped out to be? Find out in our post!
Folk Gospoda is simply the best polish restaurant in Warsaw! This restaurant is excellent in taste, has great service and has prices that are hard to beat (especially for its set lunches). So good, that we visited it twice in a matter of days!
Entrance to Folk Gospoda in Warsaw Poland
On our first night there, we were pleasantly surprised by the ambience. A cozy, homely feel accomplished with the wood finishes…
Warm and cozy ambience with wood finishes at Folk Gospoda Warsaw PolandThe bar counter at Folk Gospoda Warsaw PolandMenu of Folk Gospoda at Grzybowska Street
On our first visit to Folk Gospoda, we ordered the traditional polish fare of smoked duck and meat dumplings!
Folk Gospoda (Warsaw Poland)Smoked duck with raspberry sauce (43zl) and yes, that’s an apple!Folk Gospoda: Russian Style Meat Dumplings (24zl)
Both dishes were superb! The smoked duck was tender and the skin was crisp. The raspberry sauce complemented the smokey full flavoured duck. The dish was also served with sauerkraut as well as the potato dumpling which was chewy but oh so yummy!
On the other hand, the dumpling tasted really traditional (slight gamey taste) with bacon bits and pine nuts that really made the taste outstanding. The seasoning of the meat was not too salty, well balanced to bring out the flavours of the meat. Yum yum!
Set lunch at Folk Gospoda – Soup (Pea), Mains and Desserts for only 19zl!
We decided to visit Folk Gospoda again because we heard about the set lunches which included soup, mains and desserts for just 19zl! (Thats $7.50SGD!). The other reason was because we simply had to try the honey-glazed pork knuckle which we saw on the menu on our last visit! Sounded so enticing! Again, we thoroughly enjoyed this visit…
Folk Gospoda Restaurant: Stick of Pork Skewer with Green & Red Peppers w Fries
The set lunch came with the mains of the pork skewer with fries and it was well worth the price. Although the meat was a wee bit tough, the taste more than made up for it. The smokey, BBQ, kebab-like taste was quite enjoyable. The light hot sauce helped to tingle the taste buds as well.
Honey Glazed Pork Knuckle (38zl) @ Folk Gospoda Warsaw Poland
Finally, the highlight that we were waiting for…the Honey Glazed Pork Knuckle! Just by looking at the picture, you must be wanting to sink your teeth into it right? Well, it was REALLY juicy and tender! The skin was lightly sweetened by the honey and the meat, OH SO TENDER! The combination coupled with some light mustard was just perfect. Ma ma mia! Speaking of pork knuckles, we would still rank the Hof Brauhaus pork knuckle 1st. But this one at Folk Gospoda comes in a really close 2nd!
Folk Gospoda Warsaw: Creampie with Fruit
We ended off the meal with the fruit creampie. Seemed to us like a traditional dish. The cream was light and fresh. Tasted as though the cream was freshly blended and frothed before bringing up to you. The total bill came up to 70zl and it was really well worth it!
How to get to Folk Gospoda Warsaw Poland
Map to Folk Gospoda in Warsaw Poland
Folk Gospoda is located near the junction of Grzybowska and Wallcow streets. You wont miss it because you will notice a large mural on the wall that says “Folk Gospoda” and a logo of a peacock (we’re guessing here). Because we stayed at the Platinum Residences (beside Hilton Warsaw), it was just a short walk away.
If you enjoyed our content, “Like” us on Facebook Today!
Englischer Garten or the English Gardens in Munich is a large public garden, larger than that of Central Park in New York! Here, you can enjoy a relaxing stroll through the gardens, have a tea at the Japanese Tea House or just chill with your buddies at the Chinese Tower (aka Chinesischer Turm).
What to do at the Englischer Garten Munich
Entrance to the Englischer Garten Munich
Japanisches Teehaus or the Japanese Tea House is a place in the gardens where regular tea ceremonies take place. Not a very good shot though.
Japanisches Teehaus with red autumn leaves
One of the most amazing sights we saw at the English Gardens was this…
Surfers surfing at the Englischer Garten Munich!
These surfers are actually surfing in the river! Turns out that this is an artificial stream with waves produced by pumps. ONLY experienced and skilled surfers are allowed on this river. See how skillful these surfers are!
Kate and I stood there for quite a while and it started to drizzle…so we continued on to enjoy the rest of the gardens, heading in the general direction of the Chinesischer Turm…
Chinesischer Turm at the Englischer Garten Munich
The Chinesischer Turm or Chinese Tower is one of the main attractions at the English Gardens. The Tower itself was meant to replicate a Chinese Pagoda and it is also home to the beer garden, which holds 7000 seats – the 2nd largest in the whole of Munich!
Unfortunately, the rain started to pour and Kate and I did not have the opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere here. If you had enjoy a couple of drinks here, share your experience with us in the comments section below!
How to get to Englischer Garten Munich
Map to the Englischer Garten Munich
As the garden is really huge, the Universitat, Giselastrasse & Münchner Freiheit U-bahn stations are close to the gardens. For the Chinese Tower, alight at Giselastrasse for a closer access!
Related Posts
You have just finished a post in this series of our travels in Munich. Find out more about Munich in these related posts!
Viktualienmarkt is a market located in the centre of Munich city. Since Kate loves pasar malam (night markets – think Singapore & Taiwan), the equivalent in Europe would be markets like the Viktualienmarkt and the Albert Cuypmarkt in Amsterdam.
Viktualienmarkt (Munich) and the Maypole
What to do at Viktualienmarkt Munich
The Viktualienmarkt was formerly known as a farmer’s market. However, as it grew and the reputation of the markets grew, more and more stalls took roots here. Today, it is home to more than 140 shops that includes restaurants, beer gardens and shops that sells flowers, souvenirs, fruits and vegetables, all sorts of meats and spices!
Restaurant at Viktualienmarkt where everyone hangs out on a sunny dayMeat shops at Viktualienmarkt MunichShop selling souvenirs and potpourri at Viktualienmarkt Munich
As we were browsing the potpourris at this shop, we chanced upon a very cute porcupine souvenir. So we reached out and touched it. Not a good decision…
“No no! Dont touch it!” came the shouts from the store owner. So be warned! We think that the owners did not want us to affect the display that they had so painstakingly put in place. Remember not to touch, unless you want to buy!
Soup of the day – Vegetable with beef 6.30Euro
We had our lunch at the Munchner Suppenkuche, basically a soup kitchen. The vegetable beef soup was quite hearty. The bread was the sour rye bread, an interesting complement with the soup. While we were having our soup, a TV production was on-going, so we watched on…
Film and production crew at Viktualienmarkt MunichThe actor and actress kept repeating this scene over and over again…
How to get to Viktualienmarkt Munich
Map of Munich City Centre
Map of Viktualienmarkt in Munich
If you’re coming from Marienplatz (after visiting Glockenspiel), head south, towards St. Peter’s church. Make a turn at the corner and you will arrive at Viktualienmarkt!
Related Posts
You have just finished a post in this series of our travels in Munich. Find out more about Munich in these related posts!
Marienplatz Munich is the old town square of the city and is definitely one of the places that you must check out when you visit Munich!
View of Marienplatz and its attractions!
There many attractions in and around Marienplatz…
1. Rathaus Glockenspiel. You can catch the 11 am show of the clock tower (Rathaus Glockenspiel) or take a seat at one of the many cafes and enjoy a cuppa while the performance takes place. If you’re standing, be prepared to stand for a while because it is a 15 minutes performance!
City Hall Clock Tower and the Mariensäule (Marian Column)
2. Mariensaule (Marian Column). The Marian Column is a monument that signifies the end of Swedish Occupation. Built in 1638, it also has a statue of Virgin Mary at the top of it. Also makes a good meeting area in the middle of the square.
3. Frauenkirche & St. Peter’s Church. Completed in the 1500s, Frauenkirche (Cathedral of Our Dear Lady) is one of the most prominent landmarks in Munich. The church has 2 iconic towers with a blue top. You can also visit the top of towers to have breath-taking views of the city of Munich. Another prominent landmark is the St. Peter’s Church.
Frauenkirche Munich and its 2 iconic towers
4. Shopping! In and around Marienplatz are tons of shopping options! Head towards Kaufingerstrasse and along Neuhauser Strasse towards Karlsplatz, you will find many shops and malls that line these streets!
How to get to Marienplatz Munich
Map of Marienplatz Town Square in Munich
Related Posts
You have just finished a post in this series of our travels in Munich. Find out more about Munich in these related posts!
Glockenspiel Munich, also known as the Clock Tower in Munich is one of the major attractions in Munich. Much like the Astronomical Clock in Prague, it is one of the top 10 must-visit tower clocks in the world! We visited the clock for the 11am performance…
Glockenspiel Munich – Top 10 Clock Towers in the World!
Rathaus Glockenspiel @ Marienplatz MunichRathaus and the statue in the middle of Marienplatz
The clock tower is part of the city hall or Rathaus. Hence its name of Rathaus Glockenspiel (City Hall Clock Tower).
There are 2 stories being told by the clock. The first part of the story (top portion) tells of a marriage which ends with a jousting match. The second part of the story (bottom portion) is a legend that depicts a dance that was suppose to ward off a plague.
The entire performance lasts about 15 minutes. It is actually quite tiring to hold the camera up for such a long time (thanks Kate!). Hence, here’s a shortened version of the performance for you!
How to get to Glockenspiel Munich
Map of Rathaus Glockenspiel Clock Tower in Munich
Related Posts
You have just finished a post in this series of our travels in Munich. Find out more about Munich in these related posts!
Berlin Hof Hotel is a great starting point to explore Berlin. Located near to Berlin Hof Hotel are attractions such as the Gedachtniskirche, KaDeWe (Kaufhof Des Westerns – Shopping Mall of the West, biggest shopping mall in Europe) and the Berlin Zoo!
Gadachtniskirche – A symbol of the West Berlin during Cold WarAnother view of the Gedachtniskirche – Today it is a museum & anti-war monument
It was initially a challenge to locate the Berliner Hof. We walked up and down Tauentzienstrasse (Tauentzien Street) asking several passers-by and was still not able to find it. Finally, we asked the lady at the newspaper stand. She spoke to us in German but pointed in a general direction. We followed her direction and finally found it! Yup the Berliner Hof was undergoing renovation.
Hence the iconic Berliner Hof Bear also stayed indoorsReception of the Berliner Hof at the 2nd level
As we were there early that morning, we left our luggage with the reception and visited the Berlin Zoo! We only checked in after the zoo and we were completely surprised by the size of the room!
Large Room at the Berliner Hof Berlin Hotel
Berliner Hof Huge room with beds and living area!Living area with a sofa Berliner Hof HotelView of the main street from the living area from Berliner Hof Hotel
The room is REALLY HUGE! There is even an additional living space with a long work desk as well as a sofa. The TV is movable, allowing you to choose between watching at the living room or just laze in bed. We watched Big Bang Theory in German! 🙂
Toilet separated from the bath tubBathtub at the Berliner Hof Berlin Hotel
Although the room has a oldish look to it. The room was clean and kept in good condition. Because of the location of the hotel, you can overlook the shopping street right from the living room area. Did we also mention that the room was huge?
KaDeWe (Kaufhaus Des Westerns) – Shopping Mall of the West
KaDeWe is a short walk from the Berliner Hof. It is not only the largest shopping mall in Europe but also the 5th largest shopping mall in the world! With 60,000sqm of shopping space and more than 2000 employees, you’ll be spoilt for choice here! We also got our nespresso machine here which was on additional offer. If you’re a nespresso lover, check out the Nespresso outlets in Europe as they offer better prices for both the machine and capsules!
Map of the Berliner Hof Hotel
Related Posts
You have just finished a post from our Berlin Travels. Below, you can find other relevant posts covered during this trip!
Just a quick post to explain why we totally love the Berlin Hauptbahnhof – Berlin’s central railway train station!
Futuristic Berlin Central Station (Hauptbahnhof)
The Berlin Hauptbahnhof was completed in 2006 and even today, it exudes that futuristic look. The exterior of the train station is covered with glass panels, allowing sunlight to enter during the day, minimising electrical use, adding to the green factor.
In addition to the inter-state and inter-city train lines, there are also restaurants and shops in the train station. There are also picturesque scenes of the Spree River beside the Berlin Central Station. Taking a walk along the Spree River can also bring you to sights such as the Berliner Dom, Berlin TV Station as well as the St. Mary’s Church (Marien Kirche) at Alexanderplatz.
View of the Spree River in front of Berlin Central StationRiver Cruise along the Spree River
Related Posts
You have just finished a post from our Berlin Travels. Below, you can find other relevant posts covered during this trip!
The Berlin Central Station does leave an impression doesn’t it? To us, the Berlin Hauptbahnhof is definitely one of the most iconic train stations we’ve seen!
On our first day in Berlin, we visited Alexanderplatz along with many significant architectures such as the Brandenburg Gate as well as the Holocaust Memorial. To put all the hype and speculation at ease, we also tried the Berliner curry wurst. After checking into Hotel Amelie Berlin, we took a leisure walk along the Spree River to the Berlin TV Tower…
Walking along Spree River to Berlin TV Tower – Past the Boden Museum
Things to do at Alexanderplatz Berlin
As we approached Alexanderplatz, we also came across these…
Berliner Dom – Not to be mistaken with the Boden MuseumRed City Hall Berlin – Seat of the Berlin City Council and MayorAlexanderplatz and its iconic King Neptune SculptureMarienkirche – Church dating back to 1294
Alexanderplatz Berlin
We also took a walk to the Berlin TV Tower and found out that the entry to the top of the tower is 12Euros. There’s also a restaurant there. However, do not be mistaken that there would be free entry if you are visiting the restaurant. According to the receptionist, you will still have to pay for the entrance fee. The good thing is that the dinner at the restaurant is not too expensive, at about 20Euros.
That evening, we walked past the Block House steak restaurant. So we crossed back the street across Marienkirche to the al fresco Block House…
Al fresco dining at Block House steak restaurantMenu of Block House BerlinSalad and Erdinger @ Block House BerlinT-Bone steak with sour cream & garlic cheese for the potato
We finally settled for the 500g T-bone steak which comes with the salad as well as the potato which is good for 2 to share. Besides the steak, the restaurant is also famous for its home made sour cream and garlic cheese. We must say that the sour cream was really good. Not too over-powering yet beautifully compliments the potato, which in turn compliments the steak. Marvelous meal!
After the dinner, we took a leisurely walk back along the Spree River and walked past the Ampfelman traffic light restaurant, taking in the nice scenery along the river as well. Alexanderplatz Berlin was indeed a wonderful day out!
InterContinental Warszawa (Warsaw) is arguably one of the best 5 stars Hotel in Warsaw Poland! Kate and I had the opportunity to enjoy a night at this marvelous hotel and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay here.
As always, we requested for a high floor at the Intercontinental Warsaw and we were met with this view when we first entered the room…
Spacious room with a view at Intercontinental Warsaw Hotel
View of the Old City from Intercontinental Warsaw
Besides the amazing view, the room itself was spacious, comfortable and very well equipped…
Pseudo wine bar with beer and wine glass + chocolate/coffee/tea with boiling facility at Intercontinental Hotel Warsaw PolandA work desk for the business travellers (Intercontinental Warsaw)Shower with bathtub at Intercontinental Warsaw PolandClose up of the shower set in the bathroom (Intercontinental Warsaw)Spacious room with nice comfy bed at the Intercontinental Warsaw
But as avid readers of 2bearbear.com, you would have known by now that Kate and I dont easily get “wowed” unless it’s like Ritz Carlton Singapore or amazing views like this…
Panoramic Views of Warsaw from the 43/44 storey Wellness Centre of Intercontinental Warszawa
Palace of Culture and Science from Intercontinental Warsaw PolandNational Stadium Warsaw Poland – Euro 2012!
YES! One of the main selling points of the InterContinental Warsaw Hotel is the magnificent views of Warsaw from the Wellness Centre. You will be able to see the Palace of Culture and Science and of course the National Stadium Warsaw, Poland!
Did you know that the Palace of Culture and Science was a gift from Soviet Union to the people of Poland and even today, some still detest it because of its mark of Soviet domination. It also has a nick name – the Wedding Cake because of its design.
On a lighter note, the National Stadium was built in time for the Euro 2012! The opening match was played at this venue!
Pool and Gym of Intercontinental Hotel Warsaw
The highlight of the wellness centre is of course the gym and the pool!
Gym with magnificent views over Warsaw from Intercontinental Warsaw!
You’ll be able to enjoy views of the Palace of Culture & Science as well the entire city of Warsaw right from the comforts of the swimming pool, hot tub or right at the gym!
The wellness centre is also open in the evenings and early mornings. At night, you can enjoy night views of the city…
Night view of the Palace of Culture and Science from Intercontinental Warsaw Swimming Pool
There is a neat little elevation at the edge of the pool where you can stand on and have a better view. The other cool thing about visiting the wellness centre in the morning is that there is an excellent view of the sunrise each morning! We were chatting with the instructor at the gym and he showed us the photos he took that particular morning which was absolutely amazing! At the Riverview Wellness Centre, you can also enjoya sauna, steam bath and even massages! Do check it out!
Best Buffet Breakfast in Warsaw – Downtown Restaurant InterContinental Warsaw
Downtown Restaurant (Intercontinental Warsaw) overlooking the main street in WarsawBreakfast Buffet @ Downtown Restaurant Intercontinental Hotel Warsaw
Many have touted Downtown Restaurant at Intercontinental Hotel Warsaw to have the best buffet breakfast in Warsaw. We were impressed but whether it’s the best…well…take a look and you can decide
Live music of the harp for breakfast at Intercontinental Warsaw Downtown Restaurant?! Class and elegance…
We were impressed by the ambience and class of Downtown Restaurant. It was spacious, sun-lit and elegantly decorated. The live music on the harp definitely added to the class. There’s even a view of the main street at the windows seats. There was also a good spread…
Downtown Restaurant Intercontinental Warsaw Breakfast spread of cereals and breadDowntown Restaurant Intercontinental Warsaw Poland: Doughnuts fruits and asian spring rollsIntercontinental Warsaw Downtown Restaurant: Cold dish and Egg Station
Truth be told, the spread was good but it was still classic European buffet breakfast, nothing really stood out from the spread.
Intercontinental Warsaw Downtown Restaurant Breakfast Buffet: Typical hams, sausage, eggs, hash brownDowntown Restaurant Intercontinental Warsaw Breakfast: Breakfast Cereals for Kate
Well, we cannot confirm plus chop, say that the Downtown Restaurant has the best buffet breakfast in all of Warsaw. However, the class, ambience and elegance of the restaurant does set it apart from its competitors. Tell us if you know better buffet breakfasts in Warsaw below in the comments section!
Map of InterContinental Warsaw Hotel Poland
Another great thing about the Intercontinental Warsaw Hotel is that it is a short walking distance from the Warsaw Central Railway Station. In addition, the Zlote Tarasy (Golden Terraces), a huge shopping mall is just a 5 minutes walk away!
Modern Zlote Tarasy (Golden Terraces) Shopping Mall Warsaw PolandCute zebra crossing in front of Zlote Tarasy mall Warsaw Poland – Remembrance of Chopin
If you enjoyed our content, “Like” us on Facebook Today!
There are 2 things that you must see when you go to Mittenwald and Oberammergau in Germany. Wait…at this point you must be thinking, “Where the @$#%#@$$ is Mittenwald and Oberammergau?!”
For those of you who are travel show enthusiasts (or simply Lord of the Remote Controls), you may have seen Oberammergau featured several times on several travel shows. In this post, we will tell you the 2 main reasons :
1. The Bavarian Alps
2. Mural Art
(Yes, I understand. Mural art is defined as a large painting usually done on walls)
Our journey to Mittenwald and Oberammergau in Germany!
After completing our trip from Berlin to Munich via a stopover at Dresden, we decided to do a day trip to visit attractions around Munich. Originally, we wanted to visit the Neuschwanstein Castle. However, we googled and found out that it was the renovation period and visitors were informed that parts of the castle would be obscured due to the restoration work.
Hence, the next option was to embark on the Mittenwald, Oberammergau journey!
The catch is that this day trip would really take the entire day. This is because the journey from Munich to Mittenwald would take about 2 hours and Mittenwald to Oberammergau via Murnau would take another 2 hours. So 2 hours here and 2 hours there PLUS the return trip. That doesn’t leave much time for a day trip.
Hence, we would really advice for you to stay a night in Oberammergau (there are excellent views of the Alps from some of the lodges – imagine waking up to the Alps…) and try to avoid this itinerary. That is unless you think “been there done that”…
The trip started with a train ride first to Mittenwald. To get our properly geared up, we had croissant with a cookie crumble top, apple strudel with real slices of apple and our morning coffee.
Croissant with cookie crumble at the topApple Strudel with real apple slices!
We had some trouble at first trying to confirm that we were on the right train. Eventhough we were informed by the receptionist at the counter that we were on the right train, the sign board did not mention Mittenwald. So we asked some passengers on the train just to confirm. In addition, many seniors with hiking sticks confirmed that we should be headed in the right direction (hiking in the Alps right?)
Bus from Tutzing to Welheim
Unfortunately, due to construction on the tracks, we had to alight at Tutzing for a bus transfer to Welheim. The good thing about travelling in Germany is that if such diversions occur, there would be many people directing you and many buses awaiting to bring to the next available station for you to continue your journey.
The following video shows our departure from one of the smaller stations, shows our readers a glimpse of the countryside in Europe…
Departing a station in the countryside of Europe
Before long, the first view of the Bavarian Alps was in sight and we arrived at Mittenwald after several scenic stops…
First view of the Bavarian AlpsAnother view of the Alps from Ohlstadt StationMittenwald Train Station
Due to our low quality camera (any sponsors out there?), slow reaction and fast moving pace of the train, we were not able to capture some spectacular views of the views overlooking the fields and villages. However, we did capture a close up view of the Alps at Mittenwald station…
Close up view of the Bavarian Alps from Mittenwald
Fantastic Views at Mittenwald Germany
Here are some of the fantastic views of Mittenwald. To think that we actually contemplated to skip it to go to Oberammergau only!
Main street of Mittenwald – Cool thing about Mittenwald is that it winds between the alps and it built close to it, REALLY CLOSE!Church in the background and Mural building in the foregroundRestaurant Street at MittenwaldStreet with Alps in the background – Artistically taken by Kate!Restaurant with Mural art – Check out the crowd dining here!Street with view of the Church in the middleStory of the Spaghetti (ice cream) at Mittenwald…
A small little incident occurred when we ordered our spaghetti at this particular restaurant. After ordering our spaghetti and having waited for about 5 minutes for it, we were served with…wait for it…ICE CREAM!! IN THE FORM OF SPAGHETTI!!!
Of course it was not what we ordered. But we later realised that the waitress must have said “Spaghetti Eis (pronounced as ice)” which meant spaghetti ice cream! And we must have nodded! The waitress’ face went black for a moment but she was kind enough to finally deliver us our spaghetti. Judging from the half-filled beer, you can guess that we waited for quite a bit. Even had to rush the spaghetti down so that we would not miss our next train to Oberammergau…
Train leaving Mittenwald to Murnau, change of trains to Oberammergau
Arriving at Oberammergau
After another 2 hours ride (maybe slightly less), we finally arrived at Oberammergau!
View of the alps while leaving MittenwaldAlps and fieldsMini train taking us from Murnau to OberammergauBavarian Alps and crystal clear waters of the rivers at Oberammergau (Kofel Oberammergau Matterhorn in the background)City Map of Oberammergau
After stepping out of the station, there was a huge crowd of people that turned right (facing the main street). However, Kate and I analysed the map and decided to turn left instead. And it was the right direction! Turning left took us to the heart of the city!
So remember to turn left when you leave the train station, facing the main street!!
Here are some of our memorable moments at Oberammergau!
Alps (The Kofel : Oberammergau Matterhorn) and the ice cream shopRealistic Mural Art – 3D effect!Motorcycle or planes for kids to ride on!House with mural art and a nice gardenMore Mural Buildings!
Oberammergau City Centre – Murals Galore!
A Catholic Church OberammergauChurch and the iconic alps (Kofel aka Oberammergau Matterhorn)Another shot of the Bavarian Alps from Oberammergau Matterhorn (The Kofel)
Oberammergau Restaurants and Mural Art!
We had dinner at one of the restaurants in the city centre and it was actually quite tasty. The dinner costs 25Euros inclusive of taxes and tips. The pork sausage with onion rings and pickles was a good starter that worked up our appetite. The roasted pork with dumpling was quite good. The taste was flavourful. Eventhough it was a little bit salty, taken together with the dumpling, the taste was perfect.
Food and Drinks MenuRoasted pork with drumpling and krautPork sausage salad with onion rings and picklesRathaus or City Hall of OberammergauCuckoo Clock Shop Oberammergau
Although we couldnt afford the cuckoo clocks, we did learn a thing or two from the shop assistant. Turns out that the price of the cuckoo clocks depends on
1. Whether it is an actual one (that has mechanisms built in) or an imitation
2. Size (Hence, the longer it can go without winding)
3. Music / Intricacy
So these factors come together to determine prices of the cuckoo clocks that can go as high as 2000 euros! 😮
Souvenir shop in OberammergauPassion Playhouse Oberammergau
We hope that you have enjoyed this post (one of our longest EVER!) about our day trip from Munich to Mittenwald and Oberammergau! Do leave us your comments below!
We’ll now leave you with a video of the sunset at Oberammergau!
If you enjoyed our content, “Like” us on Facebook Today!
Bavarian Alps Oberammergau Mittenwald
For your convenience, we have arranged for the best hotel deals in Munich, Mittenwald and Berlin right here!
Our stay at the Hotel Amelie Berlin was a pleasant one marred by only one incident which we will recall later in this post…
Hotel Amelie Berlin
The Hotel Amelie Berlin is within walking distance from the Friedrichstrasse (affectionately known to us as Fried Rice Station) or Oranienburger Tor U-bahn station. The price of the hotel was about 70euros inclusive of breakfast which was quite ok.
When we arrived at the hotel, a well-mannered receptionist who spoke with good English served us. We arrived early and placed our luggage there. She also showed us how to get to all the attractions on the map.
Hotel Amelie Berlin – 2 single beds
The room was small but clean and decent. The toilet was nice and clean with an attached shower.
Clean toilet with hot water at Hotel Amelie Berlin
The only thing about the toilet is that the mirror is placed very high up. According to our estimations, anyone less than the height of 1.7metres, will not be able to see themselves in the mirrors of the bathroom.
Funny choice of height to place the mirrors dont you think?
So far, our experience have been good. The breakfast served was also typical european with bread, cheese, milk, hams and eggs…
Breakfast at Hotel Amelie BerlinBreakfast at Hotel Amelie Berlin from 8 to 10am
Then the “incident” happened…
After breakfast, we wanted to ask the receptionist what was the building across the road (it looked like some kind of a prison). At first, she ignored us. Then we realised why. She was not able to speak English! So she continued to do her calculations (should be summing up the profits for the night) and ignored us.
So this episode sort of turned our experience at Hotel Amelie. Well,
Firstly, shouldnt the receptionist be able to speak English just like the receptionist who spoke excellent English the day before?
Secondly, even if she could not speak well, she should have asked someone to help instead of just ignoring us.
Other than this “episode”, the stay was nonetheless a good one, because of its price as well as its proximity to attractions nearby.
Related Posts
You have just finished a post from our Berlin Travels. Below, you can find other relevant posts covered during this trip!
As we travelled about in Berlin, we came across many MANY currywurst shops and again MANY say that they’re the ORIGINAL Berliner Currywurst. So to put all this hype to rest, Kate and I investigated the Berliner Currywurst…
Everyone also say they have the Original Berliner Curry Wurst
So we took out our 1.5euros and ordered the currywurst at this particular shop. It took all of 1 minute before the owner came out from his kitchen and served us this piping hot wurst…
Our first Berliner Currywurst
The thing is, there’s really nothing to shout about here. The reddish sauce is really a tomato based sauce poured over the wurst. The yellowish curry powder sprinkled on the top was the only thing “curry” about the wurst.
What salvaged this dish was that it was cold (about 10 degrees in the morning) and that the wurst was piping hot. Taste though, was quite normal really.
So. To put all the hype about Berlin Curry Wurst to rest, there is really nothing to shout about here. Just good old wurst in the cover of another mildly flavoured sauce.
A blessing in disguise? You decide!
Related Posts
You have just finished a post from our Berlin Travels. Below, you can find other relevant posts covered during this trip!
Dresden was our chosen stopover as we travelled from Berlin to Munich to join the Oktoberfest. We did not know much about Dresden (not that we do now) but it was one of the more prominent cities on the map and we thought it would be good to make a stopover, breaking the 7 hours train ride into well…a more “bear”able journey! 🙂
We woke up early that morning and had breakfast at Le Crosbag for 7euros…
Breakfast of croissant & coffee at Le Crosbag
We even got to see the sunrise at the Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Main Train Station)!
Sunrise at Berlin HBF
We caught the train to Cottbus @ 7:35am (don’t worry, if you are not sure of the timings, the friendly staff of Bahn will print out the itinerary and guide you on where exactly to catch the trains) and transferred to platform 10 for the train to Dresden. It was a bit of a rush since we only had minutes to catch the next train – a little bit like the Amazing Race…de de de…
Train from Berlin HBF to Cottbus at 735amTrain to Dresden at 915am
If you’re wondering why we’re changing trains here and there, the reasons are
1. Happy Weekend (Schones Wochende) Tickets are ALOT cheaper. For 42euros, you can travel in a group of 5 (YES! 5 PEOPLE!!) within a slightly more than 24 hours window ANYWHERE in the country. The catch is that you cannot take the fast trains like ICE. Hence, our journey was lengthened to about 9 hours instead of 6.5 hours with ICE. Well, ICE costs 120euros per person…that’s 240euros for both Kate and I. Compared to 240euros, 42euros seemed like a good choice…
2. Stopovers / Day trips. The longer journey allowed us to enjoy the countryside and make a stop over at Dresden. So that we can bring you this post about Dresden right?
Whats there to do at Dresden?
Dresden Hauptbahnhof (Main Train Station)
The old city (or Alte Stadt) of Dresden is just a short 10 minutes walk from the Dresden HBF. Once out of the train station, look for directions to Prager Strasse (or Prager Street). This is a row of shops, mall and arcades along the way to the old city. Modern before the classics. Nice.
Prager Street – Shopping galore!
One of the things that caught our attention was a lady instead of a man on the traffic lights…
There are many other interesting historical architectures that caught our attention…
Semperoper Opera House – Experience Opera at its best!
Watch this video of Theatreplatz in Dresden!
Statue of King Johann in front of the SemperoperKathedrale @ Old City of DresdenZwinger Palace Dresden
Take a 360 view of Zwinger Palace in Dresden!
View from the Augustus Bridge (River Elbe)View of the River Elbe DresdenFürstenzug aka Procession of Princes – A 102 metres long mural!Frauenkirche with Statue of Martin Luther – Possibly the most famous building in Dresden
Neumarkt and Frauenkirche
On the way back to the train station, we decided to stop by the Herbstmarkt (or Autumn Market) for lunch…
Entrance of Herbstmarkt Dresden
Feel the vibe at the Dresden Herbstmarkt!
One of the many food stalls at Dresden Herbstmarkt
There were many stalls at the Herbstmarkt. There were stalls that sells food (of course), souvenirs, snacks (like nuts that we snacked on) and open air seating areas. If you’ve seen the video, you would have heard the loud music in the background as well!
We finally settled on this stall – that many people visited (you wont go wrong with crowds)
Stall where we bought our lunch
So here’s what we had – champignons (mushrooms), pork patty, potatoes and beer. All for 10euros! The mushrooms was really flavourful. The yoghurt topping really blended well with all that flavour. The pork was chunky and meaty and the potatoes were well “marinated” on that big giant flat pan that they use in the tents.
Lunch of mushrooms, pork patty, potatoes and beer for 10euros
Do note that at some pubs, there is a deposit (called Pfand) for beer mugs. Could be like 2euros. Once you finished drinking and return the mugs, you’ll get your deposit back.
On the way back, we stopped by the old city and got ourselves a cookies and cream ice cream. A large one for 1.70euros.
One for the road – Cookies and Cream Ice Cream!
All in all, it was a great day trip that Kate planned (Thanks!) and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves revelling in the history of Dresden as well as taking part in the festivities at the Herbstmarkt. The meal there was particularly enjoyable. Picture the cool weather with the sun shining brightly, lively music in the background and great food.
All the perfect ingredients to a great meal and a great stopover at Dresden!
If you enjoyed our content, “Like” us on Facebook Today!
Hofbrauhaus or Hof brew house (Brewery) is one of the must-visit attractions in Munich! On every Munich tourist brochure we received, the iconic HB (Hof Brau) will definitely be mentioned and we’re gonna tell you why…
Why visit Hofbrauhaus Munich?
Hofbrauhaus am Platzl in Munich
If you are visiting Munich but happen to miss the Oktoberfest, no worries. The Hofbrauhaus is a restaurant in the heart of Munich where the atmosphere of the Oktoberfest happens every night!
There are 2 portions to Hofbrauhaus, namely the restaurant area…
Inside the restaurant area of Hofbrauhaus
as well as the “happening fest” area / open air area
View from the restaurant into the open air area
There is a performance area where live Oktoberfest music is played nightly at the fest area. Hence, if you missed the Oktoberfest proper, Hofbrauhaus is definitely one of the places you must go to catch up on the atmosphere of the festivals.
What to eat & drink at Hofbrauhaus am Platzl Munich
Drinks and Food Menu at Hofbrauhaus
For drinks, you can choose from the usual wheat beers (at about 4euros for 0.5litres) such as light, dark or the Oktoberfest brew (only during Oktoberfest period) specially brewed for the Oktoberfests.
But the highlight of the menu has got to be pork knuckle (or Schwein Haxe)!
Best pork knuckle ever @ Hofbrauhaus Munchen
First and foremost, the skin was crispy yet not the overly crispy type where you feel it is almost burnt. The fatty bits was not too fatty but just nice, allowing you to bite off. There are some versions where the fatty bits are not well done and you will find it very hard to chew off.
The meat itself was flavourful and juicy, infused with the herb taste. If you take 1 mouth of the crispy skin, fatty bit and flavourful meat, it would just be “Ah….”
One word for the pork knuckle – Yummilicious! (That’s when you need to combine yummy and delicious into one word)
And it really was…
The ambience inside the restaurant was also fantastic. We were seated at one corner of the restaurant with views out to the pathway outside the restaurant…
Window seats at Hofbrauhaus Munich
In addition, the tables we were seated at were traditional, made out of wood and even had supports for our feet. The service was also great. The waiter took care to speak to us in good English and was meticulous in his service. Eventhough we only ordered one portion of the pork knuckle to share, he automatically got an extra plate for us and often checked back with us from time to time to ensure that we were really well taken care of.
All in all, our experience at Hofbrauhaus was nothing short of excellent. And you would think that the bill would run sky high? Nope. We only spent 20.20Euros that evening and enjoyed a wonderful meal with excellent service at that!
Total bill at Hofbrauhaus – Well worth every cent!
Related Posts
You have just finished a post in this series of our travels in Munich. Find out more about Munich in these related posts!
Actually, Kate and I sort of stumbled upon the East Side Gallery. We were kind of searching for it in a general direction but did not know exactly where we were going. So we walked 2 long streets and were thinking to ourselves “Are we in the right direction?”. Just then, we saw a long stretch of wall and we knew we had arrived at the East Side Gallery!
Berlin Wall East Side Gallery Information
The East Side Gallery is actually a collection of art work from artists all over the world. It was started in 1990 and now consists of 105 pieces of art at this open air gallery.
Cute Watch Tower @ Berlin Wall East Side GalleryDepiction at Checkpoint Charlie
The above 2 pictures are the most iconic drawings at the East Side Gallery. We often see it on the postcards in Berlin. There are also many other cute, interesting and though-provoking artworks at the East Side Gallery…
Murals on the Berlin WallEast Side Gallery as we walked from Warschauer Street
Chill by the river at the East Side Gallery
As we continued to stroll along the East Side Gallery, we noticed a boat that resembled a floating hostel…
Eastern Comfort Hostel – East Side Gallery
Turns out that the Eastern Comfort Hostel was a vessel that has been refurbished to become a floating hostel. So Kate and I decided to have a drink at the Floating Lounge…
Floating Lounge of Eastern Comfort Hostel
The prices at the floating lounge was quite reasonable. We had a cider and one of the beers on tap. The cool thing about drinks in Germany is that the drinks are usually served in the glasses of the same name! (Yes, we drank Bulmers cider and Rothaus beer)
Bulmers Cider and Rothaus Beer at Eastern Comfort Hostel Floating Lounge
The atmosphere was relaxed, unpretentious and chill. There were others seated around us, catching up with one another and enjoying jokes among themselves. Coupled with the view of the river, that was really a simple, lazy yet unforgettable afternoon…
View of the river from the floating lounge @ East Side Gallery
Map of the Berlin Wall East Side Gallery
Map of the Berlin Wall East Side Gallery
Related Posts
You have just finished a post from our Berlin Travels. Below, you can find other relevant posts covered during this trip!
Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin was the only point for foreigners to do border crossing into East Berlin during the Cold War. The most infamous incident that took place at Checkpoint Charlie was in October 1961 where there was a stand-off between 10 tanks from both American and Soviet troops. Today, Checkpoint Charlie is a major tourist attraction when visitors come to Berlin.
The name “Charlie” came from the letter “C” used in the military where “A” stands for “Alpha”, “B” for “Bravo” & “C” for “Charlie” etc.
You would recognise Checkpoint Charlie easily because of the checkpoint itself, sandbags, guards as well as a large poster of a soldier (American or Soviet depending on which side you are at)
If you are on the Soviet side entering into the Allies (American) sector, you would see a picture of the American soldier at Checkpoint Charlie…
Checkpoint Charlie : American soldier as you enter the Allies American Sector
Conversely, if you are on the American sector, entering into the Soviet side, you would see a picture of the Soviet soldier as well as the famous words “YOU ARE LEAVING THE AMERICAN SECTOR“…
Checkpoint Charlie : Soviet Soldier as you enter the Soviet SectorAerial view of Checkpoint Charle : West Berlin at the top and East Berlin at the bottom
This picture shows the aerial view of Checkpoint Charlie during the Cold War era. Notice the many lanes after crossing Checkpoint Charlie and even an area set aside for checking of cars entering into East Berlin.
Today, Checkpoint Charlie is a huge tourist attraction where you can learn more about the Berlin Wall through the museums, have a bite at the nearby cafes or even take a photo with uniform guards and have your passport chopped by the Soviet and American border controls!
Exhibition about the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint CharlieThurmann Bakery @ Checkpoint Charlie : Coffee, Sandwich and CakeUniformed Soldier guarding the CheckpointGetting your passport stamped for a small price of $5Euros
Ticket Prices & Opening Hours of Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie is always accessible but the uniformed guards will be there during normal working hours. If you would like to take a picture with the guards or have your passport stamped, a nominal fee of $5euros would apply.
How to get to Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin
Map of Checkpoint Charlie Berlin
Checkpoint Charlie is located at the intersection of Friedrichstrasse (Friedrich Street) and Niederkirchnerstrasse (Niederkirchner Street) and is just a short walk from the nearest U-Bahn – Koch Strasse Station.
Related Posts
You have just finished a post from our Berlin Travels. Below, you can find other relevant posts covered during this trip!
Memorial to the Murdered Jews in Europe is actually a Holocaust Memorial in Berlin. The 2711 (two thousand seven hundred and eleven) grey concrete slabs which resembles coffins are a stark reminder of the pain and suffering that the Jews gone through during the world war period.
Memorial to the Murdered Jews in Europe : A Holocaust Memorial in Berlin
The memorial is a short walk south of Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, along Behren and Eber Strasse (Street). It is a solemn sight looking at the memorial. It creates a backdrop before visitors enter into the information centre.
Opening Hours of the Information Centre of Memorial to the Murdered Jews in Europe
The opening hours of the information centre is 10am to 7 or 8pm (depending on the time of the year). Inside, accounts of the victims will be depicted and you will get to understand the pain and sufferings of the Jews during this dark period. The memorial also recalled our visit to Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, which depicts the time when Anne Frank and her family were similarly persecuted during World War 2.
If you enjoyed our content, “Like” us on Facebook Today!
Ticket Prices & Opening Hours of Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
Admission is free. However, they will be a need to queue and also carry out a quick check of your belongings before entering.
The memorial is open daily from 10am to 7 or 8pm depending on the time of the year.
How to get to Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin
It is relatively easy to get to the memorial. Once you are at Brandenburg gate, look for Eber Strasse (Eber Street) and walk along it. It is located at the corner of Eber and Behren Strasse.
Related Posts
You have just finished a post from our Berlin Travels. Below, you can find other relevant posts covered during this trip!
A word of advice, do not walk on the top of the concrete slabs. They vary in height and some may be a few metres in height. Do take care of this especially for young children. Falling from this great height may be catastrophic.
Enjoy this solemn but richly educational visit to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews in Europe, right here in Berlin!
Brandenburg Gate in Berlin has got to be one of the must-visit attractions when you visit the capital of Germany – Berlin!
Brandenburg Gate Berlin Germany
Brandenburg Gate was constructed in the 18th century and is synonymous with Germany because of the major events that it has seen. Napoleon passed through it, while more recently (although not so recent) East and West Germany were separated by it. Today, it is a major tourist attraction not only because of its significance to the history of Germany but also because of its location.
If you take a walk along Unter den Linden towards the Brandenburg Gate, you will find that it is home to many Embassies such as the Russian and British Embassy. Many famous architectures are also located in the vicinity of Unter den Linden which includes the Adlon Hotel, Berlin State Opera, Crown Prince’s Palace, St. Hedwig’s Cathedral as well as the Historical Museum.
Brandenburg Gate – Venue for Major Events in Berlin & Germany
Events are also often held at the Brandenburg Gate today. During our recent visit, we witnessed the Berlin Marathon as well as some panda activists (we think?) doing a video shoot!
Panda Activists at the Brandenburg Gate
Pandas passing through Brandenburg Gate GermanyDirector telling the pandas how the shoot should be doneFinishing Point of the Berlin Marathon at Brandenburg Gate
Related Posts
You have just finished a post from our Berlin Travels. Below, you can find other relevant posts covered during this trip!
If you enjoyed our content, “Like” us on Facebook Today!
How to get to Brandenburg Gate in Berlin
It is relatively easy to get to Brandenburg Gate. Located at Pariser Platz, 10117 Berlin Mitte, you can reach there easily via the U or S bahn stopping at “Brandenburger Tor”.
The Berlin Zoo is one of the main attractions and things to do in Berlin! We have heard many things about the Berlin Zoo and its comparison to the Singapore Zoo and since we were staying nearby, we decided to check it out!
Opening Hours of Berlin Zoo
The Berlin Zoo has different opening hours throughout the year, make sure you check out the following before you visit!
1st, January to 15th, March:
9 am – 5.00 pm 16th, March to 23rd, March:
9 am – 7.30 pm 24th March to 08th September:
9 am – 7.00 pm 09th September to 20th Okctober:
9 am – 6.30 pm 21st, October to 31st, December:
9 am – 5.00 pm 24th December:
9 am – 2 pm 31st December:
9 am – 5 pm
Admission Ticket Prices to the Berlin Zoo
For visitors, admission to the Berlin Zoo costs 13Euros, not exactly cheap. However, if you get the bundle with the aquarium, the price is 20Euros.
Things to do and Attractions in Berlin Zoo
Our first impression of the Berlin Zoo was that it is more of a garden than a Zoo. There are lots of greenery and spaces for people to stroll and just enjoy nature.
Fountain and Garden View in Berlin Zoo
We later found out that the Berlin Zoo is actually huge. 34 hectares huge! It is also one of the oldest zoo around, opened in 1844! 😮 Check out the map of Berlin Zoo!
Map of the Berlin ZooBerlin Zoo Tickets & Brochure
As we ventured deeper into the zoo, we kept hearing these loud animal calls. Turns out to be a species of monkey will throats that bulge as they go about doing their mating calls!
Touch Zoo
Besides the animals, there is also a touch zoo where kids can interact and feeds goats and little ponies.
Goat hanging around the feed machine at the Touch Zoo
This smart goat knows that visitors have to buy their feeds from this machine and it just hangs around the feed machine waiting for visitors to come!
Restaurants & Playground
Children’s play area at the Berlin Zoo
Beside the children’s play area, there’s small cafes/restaurants where you can get your fill and continue to visit the rest of the zoo. Here, at one of the restaurants we had a germknodel for 5euros…
Germknodel – Warm Prune Dumpling with Cold Vanilla Sauce 5Euros
It started out at something that we were not used to. But it turned out to be fairly addictive! The vanilla sauce was slightly sweet which matches the dumpling and the prunes were slightly sour that gives it a tangy feel. Not bad. Not bad at all… 🙂
Inside the germknodel
Animals at the Berlin Zoo
After talking so much about the zoo itself, we shall finally visit the stars of the Berlin Zoo, the animals! Here are the list of animals that we felt were quite interesting…
We called this animal “Chomp Chomp” because it just chows down every fruit in its path! The fruits were distributed all over the sanctuary but it just scans the entire area and chows down all the fruits, leaving next to none for it’s companions!
A pack of wolves running past usA Huge Condor with Large Feet!The Okapi!
Whats a visit to the zoo without see the king of the jungle! The Lion! Here you see it prowling up and down while the Lioness just sleeps in oblivion! The next picture was a rare catch. Kate caught the lion yawning…and the next moment, it just falls asleep!
Lion Yawns…and falls asleep!
But when you’re there, dont stay too close to the cages. This signs warns visitors of the “showers” they may get if they’re too near the lions!
Warns people that lions may pee past the barrier!3 Polar Bears napping in the sun!King Penguins and Penguins with hairy eyebrows like those in Happy Feet!Chimpanzees doing acrobatics on the ropesHabitat of the Giraffes1 month old Anchali with its mother enjoying a strollThe Alkapa at the entrance of the Berlin Zoo!
We’ll leave you now with a video of the sea lion that sits proudly on a rock having its sun tan , while the rest can do nothing but watch and wait for their turn…
Related Posts
You have just finished a post from our Berlin Travels. Below, you can find other relevant posts covered during this trip!
If you enjoyed our content, “Like” us on Facebook Today!
Berlin Zoologischer Garten
How to get to the Berlin Zoo
The Berlin Zoo is located at Budapester Straße 32 which is actually right beside the Zoologischer Garten station for both U-bahn and S-bahn. Hence, just alight at these stations and the Zoo is just a short walk away.
The Berlin Zoo is actually not as good as the Singapore Zoo in terms of educational value and visitor attractions. However, it does have a few animals that are unique to temperate countries. So do enjoy the Berlin Zoo the next time you visit Berlin!
There are so many things to do and attractions in Amsterdam! If you’re looking for a Amsterdam Travel Blog that tells you all the top must do things in Amsterdam, you’re at the right place! Let’s find out what are some of the things that you can do right here in Amsterdam!
Things to do and Attractions in Amsterdam
1. Amsterdam Canal Cruises
View of the Amsterdam Canals
Ditch the bike (or your shoes) and hop on the Amsterdam Canal Cruises! By taking this cruise, you will be able to cover all the major attractions in Amsterdam, all in the comfort of your seat onboard the cruise!
2. Visit to the Flower Markets (Bloemenmarkt) in Amsterdam
Flower Market Amsterdam
Along Singel, you will be able to find the Bloemenmarkt (aka Flower Market) in Amsterdam! Here you will be able to find many different varieties of the famous flower export of the Netherlands – Tulips!
3. Anne Frank House in Amsterdam
Anne Frank’s Statue @ Church near Anne Frank House
Interested in history? Anne Frank House will allow you to step back in time via Anne Frank’s diary that depicts the occupation of Nazi Germany during WW2!
4. Zaanse Schans to see Traditional Windmills near Amsterdam
Traditional Windmills Zaanse Schans
A short ride away from Amsterdam Central Station is Zaanse Schans (stop at Koog Zaandijk Station). At Zaanse Schans, you can have the opportunity to see these traditional windmills that still works today!
5. Oldest Albert Heijn in the Netherlands
Oldest Albert Heijn in the Netherlands Zaanse Schans
While you’re in Zaanse Schans, why not visit the oldest Albert Heijn in the Netherlands that was established since 1887? It is today a museum but still serves good coffee (go to the back!) – the bedrock of this household supermarket chain in the Netherlands!
6. Of Clogs and Wooden Shoes
Rows of Clogs Zaanse Schans
Visit the clog making demonstrations at Zaanse Schans and you’ll be amazed at how these simple soft woods can become colourful and intricately designed clogs worn in the Netherlands!
7. Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam
Nicely Warmed Swimming pool at Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam
Pamper youself at the Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam! Here you can choose to stay at the new Urban wing or the traditional Victoria Wing. Whatever your choice, you’ll enjoy the heated indoor pool with a glass roof even as it snows in the deep winter night!
8. Your pick of La Place Amsterdam OR Japanese “All You Can Eat” Buffet in Amsterdam!
La Place Amsterdam
La Place is Amsterdam’s version of Marche in Singapore! Here you can find a large variety of food that includes meats, pasta, pastries and desserts!
Salmon Avocado & Tuna Sushi at Amsterdam Buffet
Fancy a buffet while you’re in the Netherlands? Why not try the Japanese “All You Can Eat” buffet in Amsterdam? You’ll be surprised by the rules that they have and also pleasantly enticed by the quality of food that they serve up!
9. Albert Cuypmarkt Amsterdam Street Markets!
Arriving at Albert Cuyp Market Amsterdam!
If street market is your thing, remember to visit the Albert Cuyp Market in Amsterdam! Here you can try out the street food such as stroopwafels or fried fries and even source out for the best deals at the many different street stalls here!
10. Museums & Shopping in Amsterdam
Rijksmuseum Amsterdam – Did you notice the ice skating rink?
Museums such as Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum at the Amsterdam Museum Square are the evergreens in Amsterdam. Here you can personally view the famous “Sunflowers” as drawn by Van Gogh himself! If art is not your cup of tea, maybe shopping is? You will be spoilt for choice at the shopping streets in Amsterdam from Nieuwendijk to Kalverstraat!
Amsterdam Shopping Streets
If you enjoyed our content, “Like” us on Facebook Today!
We finally rounded off our 10 day Europe Trip with Amsterdam City on Day 9 and 10! On Day 9, we started off early to visit Anne Frank House. It was about a 20 minutes walk away. Eventhough it was drizzling that morning, there was still a crowd when we reached there in the morning!
Crowd outside Anne Frank House
After Anne Frank Huis, we visited the shopping street in Amsterdam. There we took a break at La Place, the Amsterdam equivalent of Marche…
La Place Amsterdam
As it was a cold day, the mustard soup really energised us and warmed us up for the rest of the shopping in Amsterdam! Kate can tell you all about the H&Ms there and where to get the best deals! (read : Go to red label section!)
As it was CNY, we ended off the evening with an excellent Japanese “All You Can Eat” Buffet in the heart of the city! It turned out to be great except that Tom had the runs that evening…read more about Japanese Buffet in Amsterdam here….
Excellent Japanese Buffet in Amsterdam
The next morning, after much contemplation, we decided to go for the Amsterdam Canal Cruise to catch all the attractions in Amsterdam!
Amsterdam Canal Cruise to see all the attractions of Amsterdam!
Turns out that the cruise was an excellent choice and the running commentary led us to better understand this city of canals – Amsterdam!
As we winded down to the last hours before our departure back to Singapore, we stopped by a local pub for some drinks.
Last pint of ice cold Heineken @ Cafe Del Mondo
It was here that I went across to the open markets and got a white Gerbera for Kate! But still she feasted her eyes on the bartender at Cafe Del Mondo…sigh…
Handsome Bartender @ Cafe Del Mondo
If you enjoyed our content, “Like” us on Facebook Today!
All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed these 10 days trip in Europe! We hope you’ve enjoyed our journey through Europe as much as we have enjoyed writing them! Oh! Remember to stock up on the stroopwafels and choco waffles before you return! Do visit us for more travel ideas, the next time you visit Europe!
Japanese Buffet in Amsterdam ?! You must be kidding me! Why did we come all the way from Asia to Europe just to try an Asian buffet? Well, since the price was ok (about 22.50 euros per person) plus the fact that it said “Japanese Buffet” outside the restaurant, we thought that we should “splurge” a little on the special occasion of Chinese New Year – CNY!
Interior of Japanese All You Can Eat Buffet AmsterdamBar Counter of Japanese Buffet Restaurant in Amsterdam
Turns out that our idea of All You Can Eat Buffet is different from that of the Japanese Buffet Restaurants in Amsterdam!
Rules of Japanese Buffet in Amsterdam
We’re not entirely sure if this set of rules apply for all Japanese buffet restaurants in the Netherlands but they are not “free flow” as we know it in Asia! The rules are
Rule Number 1 : You can only order 5 rounds of food
(Whaaaaaaaaaaaat?! You call this a buffet?)
Rule Number 2 : You can only order 5 items per round
(Whaaaaaaaaaaat?! Have we been cheated? Is this really a buffet?!)
Rule Number 3 : You can only order the next round if you have finished the previous round.
(Whaaaaaaaaaaat?! So calculative?!)
Well, on the flip side, since Kate and I are dining together, we get to choose 50 items altogether. That’s not too bad, so we decided to go ahead after reading the rules. We soon realise that this “buffet” can be really full as well…take a look at what we had…
Round 1
Salmon Avocado & Tuna Sushi Japanese Buffet AmsterdamStir Fried Udon with Beef Japanese Buffet AmsterdamTeriyaki Beef Amsterdam Japanese BuffetTempura Prawn and Teriyaki Salmon Amsterdam Japanese BuffetUdon Soup with Prawn and Chicken Japanese Buffet Amsterdam
To capitalise on the number of rounds we have, we ordered the maximum number of dish in round 1 (good strategy right?) The sushi turned out to be one of the best sushi we’ve tasted in Europe (of course the best we’ve tasted was in Japan)! The fish was fresh and the rice was fragrant. The Udon(s) was nothing to shout about but the teriyaki beef was “WOW!” – tender, savoury and cannotstopeatingable! Definitely one of the best teriyaki beef we’ve tasted. The tempura was also good. After the first round, we really wonder why the continent of Europe, eons away from Asia can have such excellent Japanese chefs…(have you also noticed the traditional japanese plates used in this restaurant?)
Round 2
Teriyaki Chicken & fish fillet Amsterdam All You Can Eat Japanese BuffetLarge portion of succulent stir fried prawn Amsterdam Japanese BuffetRib of lamb with Takopachi Octopus Balls Amsterdam Japanese Buffet
The highlight of round 2 was definitely the succulent prawns. Huge ones at that. Subsequently, we realised that the portion was quite huge because it was brought to us by mistake! Ours should have been a 2 person portion not a 4 person. But still, we heartily devoured them. Teriyaki chicken and fish was good and surprisingly, the macha green tea ice cream was excellent as well (since drinks were not included, we ordered some ice cream to “clear our palettes” a little)
Round 3
Unagi and Tuna Sushi + Handrolls Amsterdam Japanese BuffetOctopus on a stick Amsterdam BuffetMuch anticipated Fried Pork Tenderloin Amsterdam BuffetYummy sushi at Japanese All You Can Eat Buffet Amsterdam
The highlight of round 3 was the much anticipated pork tenderloin! It didnt disappoint! It was lightly crisp on the outside and tender on the inside! Could imagine that the meat was tenderised before coating and frying. Excellent! The octopus was also quite fresh. Sushi were just as good as in the first round. By now, we were VERY FULL! Hence, we decided to make round 4 our last round. This idea of buffet really works! We couldnt even make it to round 5!
Round 4
Black Pepper Steak Amsterdam BuffetFried Oyster Amsterdam Japanese BuffetJapanese Beef Curry Amsterdam BuffetIce cream and Logan Amsterdam JapaneseGreen Tea Macha Ice Cream Amsterdam Buffet
The 4th round was Tom’s downfall. He ordered the fried oyster which was not fresh. Although he knew that it was not fresh (texture was quite hard while chewing), he finished all of it so that he could order something in round 5. This was a bad move. Tom had the runs throughout the night that evening! Hahaha! Beef curry and beef pepper steak was great. Turns out that anything with beef at this restaurant was excellent!
Round 5
Platter of Fruits Amsterdam Buffet
After all that (can you believe the 2 of us finished all that above?!) we decided to end our round 5 with something “healthy”…a platter of fruits! Yup, to quench the thirst as well. 🙂
If you enjoyed our content, “Like” us on Facebook Today!
Zaanse Schans is a little village located along the Zaan River. In the past, this river had thousands of windmills producing spices and mills such as saw, oil and dye. However, due to urbanisation, many of the windmills were relocated. To save the tradition (and the windmills) some locals came together and preserved what was left. Today, there are still working windmills on the banks of the Zaan River. Together with clogs shops, cheese shops and museums, Zaanse Schans has today become a huge tourist attraction in and around Amsterdam.
Things to do and Attractions at Zaanse Schans
There are so many things to do and attractions at Zaanse. Here are some of the things that you must visit here.
Traditional Windmills @ Zaanse Schans
What is a visit to the Netherlands without taking some pictures of traditional windmills? Indeed, Holland is famous for its windmills and here, there are still working windmills that produce spices and saw!
Traditional Windmills Zaanse SchansA Spice Making Windmill Zaanse SchansSpices available for sale inside the windmill at Zaanse Schans
The following video shows the insides of the windmill and how the wind energy is converted to mechanical energy that grinds the spices.
Windmill Mechanism
Wooden Shoe Workshop
Besides the famous windmills, you can also visit the clogs shop or the wooden shoe workshop!
Wooden Shoe Workshop Zaanse Schans
Here you can have a short lesson on the history of clogs in the Netherlands as well as all around the world! Thereafter, there’s a clogs making demonstration as well. (Check out timings of demonstration with shop keeper)
Wooden Shoe Making Demonstration
After the demonstration, you can take your pick at the numerous clogs that are available for sale!
There are also other attractions such as the Zaan Museum, Cheese Making Shop (aka Cheese Farm), Dutch Clock Museum as well as the oldest Albert Heijn in the Netherlands!
Cheese Making Cottage Zaanse SchansOldest Albert Heijn in the Netherlands Zaanse SchansDutch Clock Museum Zaanse Schans
Dont forget to take time to enjoy the picturesque views around the area as well!
Garden Walkway Zaanse Schans
How to get to Zaanse Schans
We have created a post on How to get to Zaanse Schans here. However, just to give you a quick direction. You can either hop on the train from Amsterdam Centraal Station to Koog Zaandijk station OR take the bus 391 from Amsterdam Central which stops right at the Zaan Museum.
If you enjoyed our content, “Like” us on Facebook Today!
There are so many things to do in Prague! In day 4 of our Europe Trip, we’ll describe all the attractions and things to do right here in Prague!
Day 4
We arrived in Prague at about 8pm via a flight from Amsterdam. It is wise to arrange for transport in advance because our driver was already awaiting for us at the airport when we arrived. The other good thing about this airport transfer was that it includes a guided tour of Prague as well! And so we checked into our Hotel – Hotel Roma that evening.
Hotel Roma is an italian themed hotel. We got it for a steal through a combined flight and hotel purchase – $70Euros/night!
Double Bed in Hotel RomaBreakfast Buffet Spread Hotel Roma Prague
The breakfast in European countries are pretty much the same – cheese, ham, bread, eggs, sausage, fruits and cereals. Well, for the price, it’s really a steal as it comes with breakfast for 2, proximity to the Funicular and walking distance to all major attractions!
As we were still early for the complimentary tour, we took a short walk about town and took some photos of the Charles Bridge as well as the Vltava River.
Charles Bridge and Vltava River
Snow capped hills near Hotel Roma PragueShot of the Hunger Wall Prague
When we shot this photo, we were still unaware that it was the hunger wall. We thought that it was just another fortification of the city. Turns out that King Charles the 4th wanted to feed his people due to a great famine during that period, so he hired them to construct the wall, at the same time feeding them. Great King eh?
The tour starts daily at 11am. As we were still early, we went shopping! Kate bought a pair of boots at the shopping malls along Wenceslas Square. Fashionable yet keeps one warm in the cold months.
Wenceslas Square Prague
We were there close to 11am and met our tour guide for the day – Monika. She’s a local, born and bred in Prague and she is VERY experienced. Plus she speaks good English as well. We were told to hang around and watch the Astronomical Clock at 11am sharp. She told us that the tour would start after the “performance”. This was what we saw…
12 Apostles of Astronomical Clock
After the cock crowed, a trumpeter appeared at the top of the Astronomical Clock to announce the hour on all 4 sides of the tower…
Trumpeter of the Astronomical Clock
After the “performance”, Monika started the tour proper. Since we were in the heart of Old Town Prague, she told us a few stories here…
360 View of Old Town Prague
Church of our Lady at Tyn Old Town Square Prague
You may notice that the towers of the Church of our Lady before Tyn are different – one thin and one fat. Monika joked that the architect was actually drinking and got a little bit tipsy that evening, which is why the measurements got out. But the truth is, the fatter tower actually represents Eve and the thinner one Adam.
Calendar of the Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square Prague
If you notice closely, the Astronomical Clock actually has very very small divisions on the outside discs. They represent each day of the calendar year! 😮 This means that as the clock moves (telling time), the discs move and tells the day of the year! The Astronomical Clock is indeed the work of a genius.
Wall that extended to St. Nicholas Church Prague Old TownSt. Nicholas Protestant Church Old Town Square Prague
You may also notice a piece of wall near the Astronomical Clock that is abruptly sheared off. The original wall actually extended all the way to St. Nicholas Church which is a distance away. It was destroyed during WW2.
Building where Albert Einstein played violin Prague Old Town
The blue and grey building, also located in the old town square was actually a place where Albert Einstein used to chill out and show off his violin skills!
We then moved away from the Old Town Square. These are some of the interesting things that Monika pointed out to us along the way…
Statue outside Concert Hall Prague
Outside the Concert Hall (where plays are only in German), there is a statue (see bottom right of picture above). This was done by the lover of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wherever he performed.
Oldest part of the University built by Charles the 4th PragueHand of the Thief – St. James Church Prague
Legend has it that a thief came to steal from the Church of St. James. When he was about to leave, the Madonna grabbed his hand and did not let go till the next morning. The people came and saw the thief but had no way to release him except for cutting off his hand. The Madonna then released the hand. Subsequently, the hand has been hung as a warning to other thiefs.
House Signs in Prague
House signs such as this used to tell others the job of the one who stays inside. Here, the golden rings usually symbolises gold smiths. We then headed to the Jewish Quarter…
Sign pointing to Jewish Quarter PragueOld New Synagogue PragueJewish Clock Prague – Read Counter Clockwise for the time
Soon, it was lunch time and we had our lunch at Yes Burger.
Coffee break at Yes BurgerCrispy Yes Burger with sour cream
After the delightful meal (tender burger patty made on the spot), we met up at the book tunnel inside the city library…
Book tunnel @ City Library PragueNever Ending Tunnel with Mirrors Prague
The book tunnel also has another name – Never Ending Tunnel because of the 2 reflecting mirrors on both ends of the tunnel, creating an illusion of a tunnel with no end in sight. As we passed the library, we saw
Statue of Jesuit Student protecting the LibraryGirl playing with paper aeroplane Prague
We then came to the entrance of the Charles Bridge
Another Entrance to Charles Bridge Prague
Apparently, the gate has some astronomical meaning behind it. It was deduced by astrologers that the bridge should be built according to the odd number pyramid 135797531 for good luck. The moon, sun and star level also has some meaning to it.
Statue of Charles the 4th Prague Charles Bridge
From the Charles Bridge, you can enjoy magnificent views of the city as well.
View from Charles Bridge
Taking turns to touch statues on Charles Bridge Prague
There are also several statues on Charles Bridge that is rumoured to bring good luck and children! Further down, we arrived at Kampa Island (where Tom Cruise jumped out of restaurant in Mission Impossible 1) as well as home of Monster Vonnique!
Location of Kampa Island – Shooting grounds of Mission Impossible 1Monster Vonnique Prague
Monster Vonnique is a story that parents tell their children when they’re naughty. Monster Vonnique would catch its naughty victims, drown them and keep their spirits.
Monika our Tour Guide and Lockamania in Prague
The lockamania that spread to many cities including Prague whereby lovers would place locks together as a symbol of belonging and “binded” to each other.
John Lennon Wall Prague
The John Lennon Wall of Prague has a really interesting yet sorrowful story to it. As a symbol of peace and love, someone started to draw John Lennon on this piece of wall. However, the government was oppose to such freedom, started to repaint the wall. People then came to draw again and again, so much so that the government at its peak, had to station guards to arrest/beat anyone who drew on the wall. Today, this wall (and its pictures) changes all the time but usually there’s still a picture of John Lennon on it.
All seeing Eye of the Knight of Templar Prague
After that, we headed to the highlight of the entire tour – Prague Castle! To go there, we travelled by Nerudova. The slope is quite steep so please wear proper shoes ya? There were also more house signs on this street…
Steep hill of Nerudova PragueMore house signs on Nerudova PragueLooking back down Nerudova Street PragueSpectacular Views from Prague Castle
Amazing View from Prague Castle
Entrance to Prague Castle
You may also catch the change of guards at Prague Castle as well!
Change of Guards at Prague Castle
There are also other interesting things to note in Prague Castle…
Golden Lane Prague CastleSt. Vitus Cathedral Prague CastleOld Palace (Prague Castle) for joustingSt. George’s Basilica Prague Castle
Here’s an important tip : When you leave Prague Castle, you will be made to choose at this point…
Choose LEFT for exit at Prague Castle!
By choosing to go left (via the vineyard), you will continue to enjoy the fantastic view of Prague as you descend down and leave the castle. If you were to go right, the walls would be too high and you’ll just miss the views as you go back down to the city.
We were recommended by our receptionist that evening to have dinner at Olympia.
Exterior of Restaurant Olympia PragueMenu of Restaurant Olympia PragueBitter Urquel Pilsner
We had the roast pork as well as the Beef Goulash
Yummy roast pork which was very tender at Restaurant Olympia PragueBeef Goulash Restaurant Olympia Prague – A little salty but the bread and potato patty were chewy and tasty
All in all, the dinner was about $20euros but the food was simply amazing. Dont miss the roast pork!
Day 5
The next day, we headed up to Petrin Hill via the Funicular.
The Funicular up to Petrin Hill from Ujezd Station Prague
It was pretty cold that morning but the sun was up, brightening up the day.
Snowy path behind Petrin Tower Prague
We headed to Petrin Tower but the lift was down, so we did not go up the tower. We stayed in the souvenir section and browsed a little…
Petrin Tower and the Hunger Wall Prague1st Floor of Petrin Tower – Did not go up as the lift was spoilt!
We also visited the Mirror Labyrinth (aka Hall of Mirrors)
Mirror Labyrinth Petrin Hill PragueMirror Maze in Mirror Labyrinth Petrin Hill Prague
There was a mirror maze as well as a laughter hall where convex and concave mirrors create funny reflections of you. On the way down to the Monastery to have our lunch as some freshly brewed beer, we saw a picture perfect moment…
Amazing view of Prague at viewing point outside monastery
Lunch at the brewery was fantastic as well! We had the chicken as well as the crepe with ice cream! mamamia!
Restaurant and Brewery Petrin Hill PragueInside Restaurant and Brewery Petrin Hill PragueEnjoy a pint for less than 50Czech Koruna!Chicken St Nobert (140cz) Restaurant and Brewery Petrin Hill PraguePancake with Caramel Beer Ice Cream (99cz) Restaurant and Brewery Petrin Hill Prague
Please dont miss out on the pancake with caramel beer ice cream! It is probably the best dessert we’ve had ever!
Taking the advice of Monika, we decided to visit a restaurant she recommended for svickova, beef in whipped cream, creamy brown sauce and cranberry…
Entrance of U Labuti Restaurant PragueSvickova @ ULabuti Prague Restaurant
The beef was tender, flavourful and the mix of cranberry,whipped cream and sauce is something new but interestingly nice for us!
We headed back to Charles Bridge and did some shopping at Pariska Street before heading to Municipal House for tea…
Charles Bridge during the day Pariska Street – Luxury Shopping PragueMunicipal House Prague
It is also recommended to have tea at the Kavárna obecní Dům aka Municipal House Cafe. It was a new experience for us as we dont usually do tea time plus the atmosphere was classy. Check it out…
Classy feel in Kavárna obecní Dům – Live piano in the background
For more of what we ate, check out the post of Municipal House.
In the evening, we headed back to Wenceslas Square to try out the roasted pork knuckle!
Huge Pork Knuckle – 416Czk
The pork knuckle was HUGE! It is also good for 2. Goes well with some beer from the menu.
Melantrich and Lobkowixz beer at 80czk each
We rounded off the evening with a stroll past Charles Bridge in the dark. Romantic.
Romantic Walk at night along Charles Bridge
Day 6
We slept in today and decided to go to the pub near the hotel to try out the smoke duck. Turns out that it was delicious as well!
Yummy smoked duck with tender meat and crispy skin served with potato dumpling and radish for 215czkInterior of the restaurant in Prague
The interior of the restaurant is somewhat like a tavern. You literally descend a flight of stairs into a basement. Cool.
There are so many things to do in Prague. Many attractions in Prague as well! Prague is definitely one of our top European cities. The city is rich in history, have links to modern culture, exceptionally good food and unforgettable scenic spots.
Take a short trip to Prague, the next time you are in Europe. You’ll definitely enjoy it!
One of the things you can do at Zaanse Schans is to see the clogs making demonstration! Inside the clogs shop, you will first enter into a small corridor that shows the history of wooden shoes in the Netherlands as well as the use of clogs worldwide!
Working Clogs used in the past Zaanse Schans
History of Clogs in the Netherlands
Intricate Wedding Clogs Zaanse Schans
According to tradition, bridegrooms will make clogs THEMSELVES for their brides! Hope thats not the tradition today, quite xiong (tough) for the bridegrooms.
Clogs Making Demonstration
Passing through the history of clogs, you will arrive at a clogs demonstration station. Here, the shopkeeper will demonstrate how a pair of clogs are cut out of pieces of soft wood. At the end of this demonstration, the shop keeper blew into the clogs and water came out of it – showing that the clogs were still moist after being cut out from the soft wood!
Clogs maker wearing the clogs Zaanse Schans
Wooden Shoe Making Demonstration
So many Clogs to Choose From!
Next to the demonstration area, there are rows of clogs for you to see and try out! There are so many different designs that we were spoilt for choice!
Rows of Clogs Zaanse SchansInside the Clogs Shop Zaanse Schans
If real wooden shoes are not your thing, you may choose to get a small key chains or some magnets as souvenirs as well!
If you enjoyed our content, “Like” us on Facebook Today!
Many have been asking us “How to get to Zaanse Schans in the Netherlands?” To skip all the frustration of searching online, we decided to put up a post just to detail the way to Zaanse Schans Holland!
Traditional Windmills Zaanse Schans
To enjoy this fantastic view of old traditional windmills (that are still working today!) at Zaanse Schans, follow these directions
Travelling by train to Zaanse Schans
If you are travelling by train to Zaanse Schans, it is relatively simple. From the Amsterdam Centraal Station, take the train direction Alkmaar and stop at station Koog Zaandijk. The ride will take you about 20 minutes. Along the way, you will see some modern windmills…
Modern Windmills Amsterdam
Upon arriving at Koog Zaandijk Station, you will see this picture
Picture of Zaanse Schans at Koog Zaandijk Station
And you know that you have arrived at the correct station. Dont hurry to get the information pamphlet from the cafe at the station because you have to purchase something from them before it is given to you. No worries, there is actually a free pamphlet dispensing machine right outside the station. Look for this free pamphlet dispenser for tourists to Zaanse Schans…
Free Information Pamphlet at Koog Zaandijk Station
Pull on its handle and a free tourist information pamphlet will be dispensed to you. The information pamphlet details the interesting things to do there as well as a map of the area. If you have a look at the map provided, you are actually just a short walk from Zaanse Schans.
Map of Zaanse Schans
Follow the smell of the cocoa (there is a famous Zaanse Cocoa processing factory), cross the bridge (you are at where the train icon is) and you will arrive at Zaanse Schans!
Zaanse Schans by Bus
If you prefer to travel to Zaanse Schans by bus (which may be slightly longer), bus 391 leaves Amsterdam Central Station twice every hour and arrives at the Zaans Museum.
If you enjoyed our content, “Like” us on Facebook Today!
Remember to leave your comments for 2bearbear Singapore Travel Blog in our comments section below!
There are so many things to do and attractions in Utrecht Holland! This post will introduce you to some of the things you can do right here in Utrecht!
Dick Bruna Huis aka Dick Bruna House – Home of Miffy the Rabbit
Play area for kids in dick bruna huis
How can a visit to Utrecht be complete without visiting the world-famed Dick Bruna Huis? Dick Bruna House is home to Miffy the rabbit and is a popular character all across the world, particularly in Japan. Dick Bruna, Miffy’s creator uses bold strokes and colours to bring out vivid actions and contrasts in Miffy story books. Definitely a place not to be missed if you are in Holland!
Domtoren & Domkerk
Domtoren UtrechtDomkerk aka St. Martin’s Cathedral Utrecht
The most famous landmarks in Utrecht, Domtoren and Domkerk are picturesque structures not to be missed. Construction of the Domkerk (aka St. Martin’s Cathedral) started in the 13th century and still stands today after some restoration works.
Centraal Museum Utrecht
Utrecht Centraal Museum Rietveld room
Entry to Centraal Museum Utrecht is inclusive when you purchase tickets to Dick Bruna Huis. Riet Veld’s unique design of chairs also gave inspriation to Dick Bruna’s work. There are also a good collection of art works as well as history of how these art works came about. A good place to visit and learn about the culture of Utrecht.
Shopping!
Hoog Catharijne next to Utrecht Central Station
Shopping’s everywhere in the Netherlands! And Utrecht is not an exception. Besides visiting the street markets, shopping malls such as Hoog Catharijne (beside the Utrecht Central Station) also provides excellent shopping options! Ask Kate – she knows!
The oldest Albert Heijn is found in Zaanse Schans. Albert Heijn is a supermarket chain in the Netherlands and wherever you go in the Netherlands, you will be able to find a Albert Heijn in the vicinity. It is easily distinguished by its logo of small letters ah.
Oldest Albert Heijn in the Netherlands Zaanse SchansOldest Albert Heijn in the Netherlands since 1887
Opened in 1887, this Albert Heijn started out as a small grocery store. Today, it is a museum with artificial displays. Inside this Albert Heijn at Zaanse Schans, you will be able to find a coffee exposition. Little did we know that Albert Heijn is actually quite famous for its coffee. Also, you get to enjoy a cuppa for a low sum of 1 Euro!
Coffee Exposition at Albert Heijn Zaanse Schans
If you enjoyed our content, “Like” us on Facebook Today!
