Adventure Culinary Travel
Our morning on Inis Oirr was started with a full Irish breakfast before time exploring the beach and the little village. Eventually we caught our ferry back to Doolin… but found ourselves on an unexpected detour by the Cliffs of Moher!
Read MoreReturning from the MV Plassey brought us to the highest point of the island with old castle ruins and an amazing view. What’s left with a night on a small Irish island than to stop at the pub?
Read MoreThe MV Plassey wrecked on the rocky coast of Inis Oirr back in the 1960s, and has rested on the shoreline since, where it slowly rusts and decays in the salty air. The road around the island passes by the wreck, and it’s an easy climb through the stones to get right down to the old ship! From the shore there are not only great views of the wreck, but also of the Inis Oirr lighthouse and the Cliffs of Moher in the distance…
Read MoreThe Church of St Cavan is a ruin on the Irish island of Inis Oirr. Excavated from being mostly buried in the ground, St Cavan’s is an amazing site to see! The patron saint of the Aran Islands, St Cavan himself is buried alongside the old church. We ventured through the old stone archways to explore inside the ruins…
Read MoreWe took the ferry to Inis Oirr, the smallest of the Aran Islands. Life by the sea dominated the world here. We walked the rural roads, with the bright green fields crisscrossed by the random pattern of ancient stone walls, found the local dolphin, and dropped into our first pub back in Ireland!
Read MoreFinally back in Ireland! Ten years has been way too long. We start off running, getting back into the swing of Irish driving as we rushed down to Doolin Pier. Arriving early, we explored the otherworldly terrain along the coastline, full of unique rock formations and micro-environments that felt like another planet!
Read MoreTen years ago we embarked on the biggest adventure of our lives when we were married on September 27, 2008. Immediately after, we took off for our next adventure in Ireland! We loved our time there, and have been thinking for years about when is the best time to go back… and what better time than for our 10 year anniversary?
Read MoreTen years ago on our honeymoon in Ireland, on the advice of a local we met in the town of Athenry, we found our way to Coral Beach. It was a beautiful, rugged, wild coastline full of sea life and dramatic rock formations, truly an amazing place to see... but where was the coral that gave the beach its name?
Read MoreWe climbed up the mountain roads on the western side of Switzerland, taking the long and scenic route back to Zurich. And scenic it was! Along with the pastel fields, green forests, and cow-filled pastures, we stumbled on a slice of absolute heaven snuggled right between the cliffs and the road!
Read MoreWe stroll around Ribeauville on our last morning in town, tasting wine, talking with locals, and seeking out a unique bottle of a beverage most wouldn’t imagine!
Read MoreNiedermorschwihr - a little town with a big name - is home to Maison Ferber Au Relais des 3 Epis, a famous gourmet shop and a true Alsatian culinary destination. We sought out the highly prized jellies from Christine Ferber, walked through the picturesque town, and ultimately stopped at a scenic lookout point where we had an unexpected adventure and a moment of panic!
Read MoreOur return to the impossibly beautiful town of Kaysersberg was a stop we have long been looking forward to, as we didn’t spend as much time here before. Around every corner we found ourselves in awe over the sheer incredible beauty of this place, from the integrated nature to the colorful buildings and the surrounding hills and vineyards. We followed in Albrecht Schweitzer’s footsteps, visited a memorial to fallen WWII soldiers, wound down with great coffee, and gave in to the temptation of the many amazing pastry shops. And the skulls? Yes, we went back to visit the skulls!
Read MoreWe wound down after the long day’s hike with a quiet evening in Ribeauville. A nice meal was had out on the cobblestones of the square by the fountain, but not before our first big stork sighting!
Read MoreContinuing on the hike from Saint-Ulrich Castle, we come to the second of the three castles of Ribeauville - Girsberg Castle! We climb to the ancient ruins, enjoy the incredible views of the valley, town, and Saint-Ulrich, and recount an old legend that centers on the people who once lived in these two stone fortresses…
Read MoreSaint Ulrich was one of three castles that stood on the mountain overlooking Ribeauville. We wandered through the walls, imagining the rooms we were walking through and how they once looked. We stood above the row of windows from the Salle des Chevaliers, and took in the fantastic view of Ribeauville, Castle Girsberg, and the mountains and valleys in the distance…
Read MoreWe set off on the hike up to Notre Dame de Duzenbach, taking the long way of course. At the top of the hill we found the monastery with its simple church, smaller chapel, and it’s insistence on silence!
Read MoreAfter making a lot of effort, saving, and budgeting, we are finally back in Alsace! We arrived the same time as a rain storm, but we won’t let that bring us down… rather, it emptied the streets so when it stopped we had a pleasant stroll where it felt like the whole town was only ours!
Read MoreWe continued through the Black Forest along the back roads, with views over hills and fields to mountains beyond. We stopped in Sankt Peter, a little town with a very big church!
Read MoreWe took a slow, relaxed morning just enjoying the area around Brend. The view over the forest and mountains is just exquisite while relaxing in the calm fields. We climbed the tower, had amazing breakfast, and set off for Hexenlochmühle… the forest building with the working water wheel, patio cafe, and the amazing smoked deli!
Read MoreSometimes the best way to see a magnificent castle is from a distance. After visiting Burg Hohenzollern, touring its palace rooms and walking the battlements, we decided to hike up to the top of Zeller Horn and find the best vantage point to see the castle as a whole!
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