European Vacation 2008

The “Freie Hansestadt Hamburg” still looks and feels just that - Independent. It’s alive and active - it’s new without having lost it’s old charm and live - Hamburgers and Hamburg are proud to have a tradition and at the same time know that they must progress if they want to remain one of the “Free Trading Port Cities” of the world.

Entertainment and good food also also part of this life and living in this town.
I personally know this town from over 40 years ago and can see the new without it having lost it’s old lifestyle.

 ….. more about our stay in Hamburg when we have some time to write ….

The Capital City (once again since reunification) of Germany is still a city of construction cranes and areas requiring re-development.

One way of seeing this exciting city is to take a River boat cruise up the Spree and down the “Landware Kanal ” past many of the old historic places as well as through the new super modern new German Parlamentary building complex and accommodation developments, past remaining section of the wall which once devided East & West Germany etc …..

…. more about our 3 days in Berlin when we get some time to do some writing ….

An old “Fachwerk” town of Quedlinburg with a history dating back to the 900’s with the 1st German King (Otto 1.) while the area was part of the Roman Empire is a town worth a visit. Located to the east of the Harz in what was once part of the previous East German state it is now also connected to the narrow gauge Harz Railway line.

….. more about this town when we have more time to write ….

The roads along both sides of the Mosel are lined with vineyards most of which go up at 45% angled slops. Small villages with independent wine makers (various sizes some better known than others) and small B&Bs are like gems rowed up on a necklace with the dual town of Bernkastle / Kues as the center jewel.

Unfortunately on the day of our visit - a Monday - ALL the nice cake shops were closed “Montag = Ruhetag”- and I had so looked forward to my lunch of a veriety of cream cakes etc with a good cup of Filter Kaffee. Instead I had to head to the nearest Imbiss and console my self with a couple of Sausages & pommes (frites).

….. more about this and our time (once again) on the banks of the Rhein in Boppard - this time with some friends ……

Hotel Restaurant Hammes is a Perl in the small village of Perl in Germany close to the border of France and Luxemburg.

We arrive just on Lunch time on a Sunday … the Restaurant was fully booked (many tables obviously twice) with clients from all three countries represented in about equal numbers. We sat at the bar and watched the staff professionally work the floor without any problems. After about 45 minutes we were shown to a table just vacated by 4 EU citizens to start our gastronomic adventure in Germany …..

….. more soon when we get some time to write ….

In the small town of Meaux (a short distance to the east of Paris) we found another excellent place to eat.

This time it’s on board a moored ship - Restaurant La Peniche.
The chef who comes from the Alsas region and his team know how to create magic in the galley of this 3 storey river boat on a bend on the river in the centre of town.

….. more details soon when we get a bit of time to write.

To be able to visit at least a couple of Chateaux and see the Loire Valley and it villages and Wine Cellars we decided to stay again in the two towns we did two years ago when we were unfortunately not feeling too well due to a ‘tummy bug’ we picked up in Paris.

On hind sight we show have used the la Croix Blanche in Fontevraud as the base and not bothered with l’Ecu de Bretagne in Beaugency where the new rooms are very well presented and comfortable. Unfortunately the staff and food were not as memorable. The chef had recently decided on a simpler menu - unfortunately nobody had updated the menus in the rooms and we were actually looking forward to dinner after reading these - which was not to be and the food served was not what we would like to experience again (at any price).

La Croix Blanche in Fontevraud was excellent - both in the presentation of the rooms and the food in their Restaurant & Bistro.  - …. see the food report for this establishment

On our way to the Loire valley we visited the Chateau Plessis Brezot where we staid two years ago when the new owners had taken over the vineyards and the wine cellars - but unfortunately had not been able take over the Chateau. On this visit we found out that the previous owners had finally vacated the premises (over 2 years after the sale had been completed) and Luc and his wife could move in & their twin daughters were born in the Chateau just 10 days after our visit.

Luc - who creates wines in the very old traditonal styles without any chemical additions - in the vineyard or the production of the wines - was very pleased to receive us and show off his first creations. He has a small but distinctly different range of wines which he was eager to have us taste and comment on. One stood out and he is particularly proud of - His 2005 Cuvee Romaine has been created in the early Roman style (the land was already planted with vines in the Roman days) with traditional methods as would have been used in those days. We found this wine to VERY interesting and VERY easy to drink.

The other 4 wines he presented for tasting (including a light red and an experimental “Greek” version of the Cuvee Romaine) were also of very high quality - and we finished most of the content of the bottles - this was mainly achieved by Michael and Luc and ate much fresh bread and some excellent cheeses etc with it during our 4 hour stay.

Luc’s family has had another addition in the two years since our last visit and we do wish him and his young family all the success he deserves.

Restaurant Andre in La Rochelle (next to the Hotel St Jean d’Acre) is another fine discovery - Excellent food and friendly service on both nights we visited (1st night inside and 2nd night on the sidewalk terrace).

…… more details to come soon when we get some time to write.

Drive through Bordeau wine region and river crossing on way to La Rochelle - staying at St Jean d’Acre Hotel on the inner port by the towers  and Fort Boyard boat Cruise

+ see also Food Report on Restaurant Andre

… reports coming soon