TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE DIARIES

When travelling, do you love perusing the isles of the local supermarket? Because I do. This is Auchan in Tourcoinq in the north of France just before reaching the Belgian border. I had to make the obligatory stop and visit a supermarket =) We do not have supermarkets as big as this in the Netherlands. I am not just into markets, but visiting local supermarkets is a little secret of mine when I am travelling as well. I do not know why but it just gives me the kick of seeing the different kinds of foods around me. Although I will not eat them, nor I will be buying them, just being surrounded with all sorts of delicious, stimulating and heavenly grub makes my day already. Oh, and those gourmet food stuff, they make me blush =) Only the foodies will truly understand this magical supermarket feeling I am experiencing. In French supermarkets, I go crazy with saucissons, although Italy in my opinion makes the best dried sausages in the whole wide world. The Spaniards also tops ...

I first heard about Monschau many years ago when I was searching for German Christmas Markets near the Dutch border. I have been to most German Christmas Markets nearby so a recommended new city or village is always welcome. However, I never made it to Monschau for the Christmas Markets. When I missed my flight to Riga (Latvia) last March, the opportunity came through. I just could not sit back at home and sulk for the stupid mistake I made, and I thought that Monschau would look stunning anyway outside the Christmas season, so I arranged a day trip, and another day trip to Lille, France as well. It was the best decision I made to correct a heartbreak (of missing a flight and a holiday). This is my car route; from Utrecht to Monschau is about 2 and a half hours drive. You can move the map by holding it with your mouse, as well as zoom it in and out by clicking on the + and - signs at the lower right hand side. I parked at the garage in the entrance of the village and ...

Earlier this year I went to Monschau, which is the prettiest village in the Eifel Region of Germany. I will soon be posting my pictures about this lovely place, but first, let me take you on a ride in this region of Germany known for its nature parks, sleepy villages and crater-like lakes. The quaint village of Einhruhr. The Eifel Region Map. The Eifel Region is located beside Belgium, right below Aachen (Germany) which is near Maastricht (Netherlands). It is not very far from Bonn and Cologne as well. The area is popular with the active type local tourists, mostly families with children, as well as Dutch and Belgian tourists during summer for nature activities and outdoor sports (mountain and water sports). I actually wanted to visit a café restaurant with an impressive location and view on the Urft lake and dam. The dam is a step-dam that flows down to the river. The cafe sits on top. Quite an intense location I should say! However, my GPS went bonkers. The address le...