Excursion Tip: An Afternoon at the Sonnenhof

After weeks of gray, cold and rainy weather, warm and sunny days are finally here again. And what better to spend it than outdoors. If you have kids, spending the day or even afternoon outdoors with your kids will do a lot of good - you get fresh air, are able to move and the kids have hours of fun and lesser screen time.

If you are living in or near Stuttgart, one good place to visit is the Sonnenhof. It offers different activities for children of all ages. Aside from the farm animals that children can observe and learn a lot from, they have play areas, pony and donkey rides, tractor ride tours around the farm, trampoline, quad rides and a ropes course. The area is big, so you can just take a picnic blanket with you and laze under the shade of the numerous trees while the children are having their dose of fun. They also have a market where they sell fresh produce and a self-service restaurant that offers cakes, warm food and hot and cold beverages for when you get hungry. You can also book the place for wedding reception, birthday party or family gathering. 

More information about Sonnenhof here.   

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4 Cost-Saving Tips for International Traveling

International travel offers cultural enrichment, delicious food and drinks, incredible historical settings, and a sense of adventure and exploration like no other. The cost of such an adventure can quickly add up but don't let that stop you from booking one. Here are some cost saving tips to consider when planning your next vacation overseas.

Reconsider Your Departure City

Flying from a large international airport, such as Newark in New Jersey, LAX in California, or George Bush in Texas, can cut airline ticket costs when traveling internationally. You may be able to skip an additional stop or layover if you leave from a large city's international airport that is within a couple of hours of your home.

Book Airport Transportation

After you book your ticket from a departure city, do some research about that airport's various services. For example, it is more economical to book Houston airport transportation services than to park a car at either of the city's airports. This may not save a whole lot of money in the long run, but the money you save would definitely pay for a few meals or museum tickets in a new country.

Fly Round Trip

If you are starting your trip in London, England, then you should also finish in London, England. When traveling internationally, plan your trip soin a circle, meaning you start and end your trip in the same place. This way you book a round trip ticket, which will always save you money. From there, take trains, buses, or domestic budget flights to travel to different cities or countries.

Decide What's Important

Divide your vacation budget into categories, such as eating, touring, sleeping, and traveling, and then decide what percentage of your budget you want to put in each category. This way you can plan to spend your hard earned money at Michelin star restaurants rather than five star hotels. You can book second class train tickets and have more money for private tours of museums. Decide what you want, plan a budget, and then stick to it.

International travel is expensive, but there are several ways to save money here and there. Most importantly, have a great trip.

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Tips for Your Next Florida Vacation

Florida is one of the most popular destinations in the country. It's home to beautiful beaches, amazing culture and some incredible amusement parks. You're bound to have a good time on your trip no matter what, but here are a few details you should plan in advance to ensure you get the most out of your vacation. 

Where to Stay

The first thing you'll need to decide is where in Florida you want to go. If you're looking for a family trip to the amusement parks, you'll likely want to stay in Orlando. Here you can choose from hotels, rentals or resort properties. Beach towns usually have plenty of rentals available depending on what you're looking for. They do book up way in advance during the warmer months, so be sure to plan ahead. 

How to Get There

Many people drive long distances to get to Florida in order to have their car with them, but that isn't always feasible. If you live a long way away, consider flying instead. You can get a Florida towncar service Orlando to take you to your hotel and take a care service to places that aren't within walking distance. Renting a car is always an option as well. 

What to Do

You won't have to worry about being bored on your Florida vacation, but you will need to choose what activities you can fit into your trip. If you're there for a beach trip, you'll likely spend most of your days on the beach, but look into the area where you've chosen to stay for some great night activities as well. There is also plenty of shopping and local culture to see during the day if you need a break from the sand and water for a bit. 

Although planning a trip can seem somewhat tedious, you'll be happy you did the work in advance. If you get all the details worked out beforehand, all you'll have to worry about doing once you're on vacation is enjoying yourself to the fullest. 

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Benefits of Hiring an Airport Shuttle Service

Whether you're going on a business trip or taking a family vacation, you likely want a smooth and stress-free trip to the airport. But that trip to the airport may or may not involve taking your car. There are many reasons you may want to leave your car at home and rely on a shuttle service to get you from galveston to houston airport.

Get There on Time

There's probably nothing worse about traveling than arriving at the airport too late and missing your flight. Booking an airport shuttle service in advance can ensure that you get to the airport on time. That's because drivers must be prompt and ensure you make your flight. Shuttle bus drivers have years of driving experience under their belts and know all the city's routes. They also know about all the different roads and routes around the airport, which allows them to avoid traffic jams and get to the airport as quickly as possible.

Enjoy Your Commute

An airport shuttle bus service can take stress off you and give you one less thing to worry about. You won't have to stress over hailing a cab, finding a parking spot or waiting on public transportation. You can schedule your curbside pickup and relax while someone else drives you to your destination. Not to mention, most shuttles offer air conditioning, music and large TV screens, which are all bonus features that can help make your commute even more enjoyable.

Save Money

At first, you may think that taking the airport shuttle will cost you more than driving to the airport yourself. However, when you consider the time, gas and parking cost of driving your car to the airport, you may realize that taking the shuttle can be more economical. 

Hiring an airport shuttle service may not be the first thing that comes to mind when traveling, but it can be well worth the consideration and cost.

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Day 2 in Salzburger Lungau: Hiking Day to Rotgueldensee

Rotgueldensee is considered as one of the most notable and beautiful mountain lakes in Salzburger Lungau. It is located in Murtal (Mur Valley), within the National Part Hohe Tauern.

From our apartment, we drove about half an hour to Hintermuhr and started our hike from there. Tagging along with us is of course our french bulldog Suki. We started our hike from the parking area of the Arsenhouse, following the road going up the mountain, passing through a number of informative natural trail about the mountain and its Flora and Fauna.

The family on the way up to mountain lake, Rotgüldensee.

The hike normally takes about an hour for regular hikers, but it took us longer as we needed to take more short water breaks for our Suki due to the hot weather. It rained hard halfway through the hike and we were all wet when we reached the lower Rotgüldensee and the Rotgüldensee-Hütte. Although cloudy and gray, it was a sight to behold. The lake water was calm and silvery-gray due to the clouds hovering above. We took a rest at the cabin, where we ordered some hot beverages to help ward off the cold. 

This beautiful lake greeted us, with the foggy Großer Hafner further up.

Later, the sky cleared up, revealing the lake's beautiful almost turkish blue water. Further up, one can see the waterfalls coming from the upper Rotgüldensee and the shimmering ice-cold beauty of the Großer Hafner, a partly-glaciated mountain, up ahead.

The sky cleared up a bit revealing the cold beauty of Großer Hafner
and of course, the lower lake's turquoise water.

We wanted to take the challenge of going up to the upper Rotgüldensee but decided otherewise due to the weather condition and the fitness level of our group which includes a french bulldog, a complaining-not-quite-a-teenager daughter, and me, whose fitness level is close to null. The only fit person in our group is my husband. Hehe! :)

The hike back was quicker and more pleasant for our Suki because the temperature has cooled down. 

It was a beautiful day still, one that we will forever cherish.

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Summer Roadtrip 2019 - 1st Stop: St. Michael in Lungau, Austria

We started off our summer roadtrip one rainy Saturday. First stop of this trip: St. Michael in Lungau, Austria. St. Michael in Lungau is Salzburg's vacation paradise, surrounded with lush mountains offering a variety of hiking opportunities for families, and deep-blue idyllic mountain lakes. 

We stayed at a family run apartment in St. Martin, with a view of the mountains and just very near the Sonnenbahn.  The Sonnenbahn will take you up to 2,0000 meters above sea level, a great starting point to explore the Speiereck mountain on foot or see the mountain lakes in the area.

Good hiking shoes are needed if you want to go further but sports shoes will suffice if you just want to take a leisurely walk, see the alpine cows lazily grazing on the mountains. There is a restaurant and alpine hut called the Peterbaueralm where you can enjoy traditional Austrian food or stay the night if you somehow ended up still in the mountains and it has already gotten dark.

On our first full day in St. Michael, we went up Speiereck. It was very foggy when we got there but the skies cleared up while we were hiking. It was amazing how the mountains would clear up one moment and then with just a gust of wind be all covered up in fog the next. We brought our french bulldog with us of course and she had a lot of fun up in the mountains. Dogs need of course to always be kept on the leash since there are alpine cows in the area. The cows were very calm creatures but if they see other animals, they might see them as a threat and could then pose a danger to people.

It was a great day up, taking in the breathtaking view of the mountain, with its fresh and cool mountain air, a wonderful experience for the entire family. It was tiring but we all had a wonderful time. Another adventure awaits on the next day.

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Bantayan Island

Autumn is slowly creeping in but before that, let me post this beautiful photo of the Virgin Island, a nearby island just a couple of hours away from Bantayan Island in the province of Cebu, Philippines.

Clear blue waters, white sand, hot sun - the perfect combination for a perfect summer vacation. It is a very beautiful place for snorkeling too - with lots of fish or just lazing about on one of the hammocks while sipping a tumbler of fresh mango juice. There is a viewing deck further on and cliff diving on the other side of the island for the more adventurous at heart.

Nothing really beats nature's beauty. It was a brief stay but the memories we made with family and friends will forever be treasured.

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The Islands Beckon

Summer - that time of the year when we finally get to unwind and have a long vacation.

This year was unlike any other as we got to explore the islands of our home country and saw it in a different light, enjoying the sun, sea and countryside with family and friends, breathing in and basking in its beauty. From one island to the next, it will always have its own charm and beauty but one thing remains - the Philippines is a beautiful country rich in natural resources. 

Breathtaking sunrise in Pacifico, San Isidro, Siargao Philippines.

We went back to places we have been to and was surprised at how much globalization has changed the face of the island. There are crowded places teeming with tourists but there are also locations where one can enjoy the laidback pace of the island life. I hope that its natural beauty will not be compromised with commercialization otherwise it will be the end of it.

So be it for adventure, meeting new friends, enjoying extreme sports or just lazing about, there will always be a spot for anyone who will visit the islands of the Philippines.

With its 7,106 islands, there are still thousands more islands that we need to explore. And these we will definitely visit and explore in the next summers of our lives.

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There's No Place Like Home

The day that we have long been waiting for has finally come! After the Friday rush from work (which I so dread but expected), all the last minute packing, and saying goodbye to all the stress, we are now on vacation mode!

Waiting for boarding at the gate at Zürich Airport, Switzerland's largest airport.

In-flight meal from Singapore Airlines en-route to Singapore. Yum!

Transit in Singapore. We had to change from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1.

Arrived last Sunday with my sissies and bro picking us up from the airport and having a typical Filipino meal. It was also my Papa's birthday, which made our home coming even more special. Cousins, also the ones who I haven't seen for years, came to visit and celebrate with us. It is a great feeling to be back home again and tasting my Mama's home cooking meals again! And to see my nephews and nieces who have grown a lot since I last saw them.

All is well and good... and we are now exploring the different islands my home country has to offer. First on the list - Cebu and it's islands! But that folks is another story...

;)

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4 Tips for Enjoying North Carolina

Are you headed to North Carolina? It's a wonderful place to visit, especially if you're going with loved ones. You'll have lots of opportunities to fill up a scrapbook! Here are just a few tips for making the most out of your trip.

1. Plan Your Schedule

This is especially important if you're traveling for work and needing to squish your recreational sightseeing into weekends or afternoons. While some attractions in North Carolina are always open, others will have visiting hours or peak visitor times that you should avoid for fear of crowds. If there's a landmark or location that you definitely want to see, check dates and times before you go.

2. Be Careful With Accommodation

Before you sign up with a random company offering North Carolina beachfront rentals, make sure to do your research on their brand. The same goes for hotels, resorts, cabins, villas and bed-and-breakfast locations. Do they have good reviews? Do they respond to emails promptly? Are there image galleries that you can browse on their website? Be fully confident in your choice before you book.

3. Eat Your Fill

North Carolina is known for its amazing food, so don't be shy about undoing the top button of your jeans as you take a seat at one of its many eateries. You'll need plenty of room in your stomach to enjoy its cuisine! Whether you're looking for five-star restaurants or hip little bistros, North Carolina can provide.

4. Mind the Weather

The weather in North Carolina is generally mild, but you might want to double-check the forecast before you go on your vacation or honeymoon. Sudden rains can put a damper on travel, and unexpectedly chilly days have been known to sweep the state during the winter. You might need to change your itinerary if you have a lot of outdoor activities planned during a stormy season.

These are just a few tips for enjoying yourself the next time that you're in North Carolina. Whether you're traveling for work, business, family or another reason entirely, use these suggestions to have a great time!

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How To Make The Most Of Your New York Vacation

New York is one of the most exciting cities on planet earth. When you go on a New York City vacation, it seems like there isn't enough time to explore everything that this bustling metropolis has to offer. While you might not be able to take in all of Manhattan on a single vacation, you can definitely make the most out of your vacation to the city that never sleeps. Here's how to do it.

Pack Wisely

Too many people worry about how they look instead of how they'll feel when they visit New York. While it's understandable that you want to look stylish in the most fashionable city on the planet, remember that New York vacations involve a lot of walking. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

Take In The Entertainment

New York is arguably the best place in the world to experience live theater. From NY cabaret to Broadway shows, there's no better place to take in a breathtaking live performance. Start shopping for deals on tickets before you arrive in New York in order to ensure that you can see some great shows for reasonable prices.

Watch Out For Your Safety

While New York city is a lot safer than it was a few decades ago, any large city still poses some safety concerns. Watch out for anyone who seems too eager to talk to you, as they might be out to scam tourists. You should also always keep your belongings close to you, as petty theft is unfortunately common. However, don't believe anyone who tells you that New York is extremely dangerous. While you should definitely be alert and practice personal safety, New York is actually a lot safer than many similar-sized cities.

A New York City vacation is a great way to broaden your personal horizons and experience a place that so many people dream of visiting for yourself. Seeing New York in person is an experience unlike any other and everyone should visit the city at least once in their lifetime.

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The Eselsmühle in Siebenmühlental

The Siebenmühlental, roughly translated as "seven mills valley", is a hiking area between Leinfelden-Echterdingen and Waldenbuch in Baden-Württemberg. The name does not really correspond to the number of mills because instead of 7, it has a total of 11 mills, of which only one remains operational - the Eselsmühle.

The Eselsmühle has a beautiful history to it and today one can still take a look at the original mill wheel still intact. A visit to the Eselsmühle is a great idea to escape the humdrums and stress in the city. They also produce Demeter-quality breads and baked goods in the bakery using wood-fired ovens. 

There is also a Kaufladen (store) that sells organic and natural products and of course, animals that greeted the guests, both big and small. 

Another attraction: pony riding for the children. They usually make a short tour around the area (around 15 minutes), much to the delight of the kids. In the photos is my little girl, when she had her pony ride some 3 years ago.

 And when you get tired from all the sightseeing and hiking, you can always take a break at the Cafe. They serve organic food and beverages. Yum! It was very good!

After all that eating and drinking, you can continue on the way to explore the rest of the other mills or continue on one of the hiking trails around the Siebenmühlental. :)

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Suki's First Family Trip in Belgium

We had our first family roadtrip with Suki last Easter weekend. Hubby had a bike race last March 31, the Tour of Flanders, and since it was a long weekend, we decided to tag along. 

Suki was sleeping most of the time on our way to Antwerp.

While hubby was toiling and pedalling away in this historic bike race known for its classic cobbled tracks, which started in Antwerp and ended in Oudenarde, we opted to explore the sights in the city.

The hotel we were staying in was pet-friendly and was just across Antwerp Central Station so we decided to start exploring from there. And was Antwerp Central Station very grand as you can see from the photos! Our Suki enjoyed her day out too, or should I say day inside the train station. Hihi!

It was cold when we went to Antwerp - with overcast skies, chilly wind and rain shower every now and then. So our Suki was out with her pink "adidog" pullover. Isn't she just adorable in it? People we would meet along the way say so too. :)

That's all for now. More stories about our little Suki in the next posts.

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Passport Renewal at the Philippine Embassy

Last week, we received a letter from the Immigration Office reminding us that our daughter's passport is about to expire and that we are obliged to submit a copy of the extension of the existing passport or furnish them a copy of the new one.

Oh no! I totally forgot about this! Good thing they reminded us because we have only less than two month's time to get a new passport and we are also travelling to the Philippines in a few days. Whew! That was close!

I prepared the documents that they will be needing beforehand to facilitate a speedy processing. The official website of the Philippine Embassy in Berlin also lists the requirements. 

For a simple renewal of passport, without name change, these are: 

1. Filled-up passport application form (Download form here.)
2. Current passport and photocopy of passport information page 
3. Current German residency permit (Aufenthaltstitel) and photocopy of the permit 
4. Photocopy of valid visa page (if any) of the passport 
5. Passport fee €54,00 payable only in cash 
6. For applicants who wish to collect their new passport by mail: A self-addressed return envelope with €3,95 in stamps for registered mail. I bought the stamp online via the Deutsche Post eFiliale website and printed it on sticker paper since I had no more time to buy one at the post office. 

Because it takes about 8 - 12 weeks before the new passport will arrive, we also had my daughter's existing passport extended. For this, we had to fill up an additional request form and pay €18,00. The form can also be found at the Embassy's website.

And so off they went to Berlin last Thursday to renew the passport. It was quick. It took them only less than an hour to submit the application, her my daughter's photo and biometrics taken and she had her old passport extended until 2019.

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Missing The Mountains

It has been a while since we as a family went on a hiking trip. I miss smelling the fresh air, the grass that would gently graze our legs as we pass through narrow trails amidst green fields, the surprising and sometimes challenging ascents and descents that we encounter along the way, the breathtaking view at the summit or at our end destination, how it allows us to just empty our minds of the mundane and busy world that we left behind and just enjoy the presence of one another despite the occassional whining and complaining. :) Walking trails always gives us that sense of stillness and peace, leaving us in awe at the majesty and beauty our eyes can behold. 

Following the king's trail during a hiking trip
a couple of years ago in Schwangau, Bavaria.

However, due to circumstances beyond our control, traveling for this purpose at the time being is difficult to make. But I remain hopeful and positive that one day, all shall be well again... things will go back to normal and we could once again help ourselves to a day or two of hiking in the mountains.

The mountains beckon... and we will be there, SOON!

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Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre

One of the most photographed places in the world, Riomaggiore is indeeed a postcard-perfect place with its multi-storied colorful houses sitting on a cliff, overlooking the Ligurian Riviera. Painted in the tones of red, orange, yellow, violet, every building has its own charm.

Taking the train from La Spezia, our first stop was Riomaggiore. A wider (than standard "Cinque Terre street") main street  leads you through the village down to the sea. A numerous variety of shops, restauranrs, bars, cafes and gelaterias line up the streets. Colorful boats on the docks are a typical sight, and there are also local boats that do tours, taking you from one village to the next.

The food - with its selection on fresh seafoods, was something that we really emjoyed. It was a bit pricey but it was worth it nonetheless. In the peak seasons, expect long lines - better reserve in advance so you can enjoy your meal. :)

We just basked in the sun after our sumptuous lunch, enjoying watching the many throngs of tourists as they rush and squeeze in to have their photos taken. All of these while enjoying our gelato until it was time to move on to the next village.

Ah, Riomaggiore... we will come back again!

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Ah, Cinque Terre!

We went on a short trip to Italy last Easter holidays and we just fell in love with Cinque Terre - five picturesque, idyllic villages on the Ligurian Riviera. From Stuttgart, we drove via Switzerland through the Gotthard tunnel and then past Lugano and Milan towards the South. The drive takes 8 hours on normal days but if you go in the holiday season, it could take longer - a good five hours for us because of the heavy traffic en route to Gotthard tunnel. There are of course alternative routes and passes that will take you there faster. Unfortunately for us, the passes were closed during our travel dates.

We stayed at an Air BnB host in Carrara, an old town most well-known for its Marble Alps. It is also a good starting point for different excursions to neighboring towns and villages.

We went twice to Cinque Terre as one good day is not enough to explore these beautiful villages. Since no cars are allowed inside the villages, we started off at La Spezia and took the trains from there. Be warned: the train station is packed especially in the first half of the day so expect long queues at the ticket machines and tourist information center.

There are five villages namely Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. With its colorful houses on steep slopes, small docks with colorful boats, winding alleys and stairways, it definitely has its romantic charm. It has fantastic, and sometimes very narrow and steep, hiking trails. The landscape, seemingly untouched by modernization, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, Because of this, it is teeming with tourists from all parts of the globe.

Each village has its own charm and character. The food, although pricey, is really very good - with fresh seafood served in restaurants or at take-out stands.

I will post more about our trip in the coming days so stay tuned for it. :) 

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Choose the Perfect Florida Destination for You

Florida offers a variety of different distinctive vacation spots to choose from. Each area has its own unique characteristics and attractions that meet the needs and desires of different travelers. As such, when picking your perfect Florida destination there are a few things that you should do to make sure that you secure the best option for you.

First, you should do your research. When choosing your destination you want to make a knowledgeable decision. The proper research can save you a lot of headache or help to create the perfect vacation. For instance, individuals looking for a family vacation would probably be most interested in Sanibel Beach, which is noted for its family friendly atmosphere, rather than South Beach, also known as party city. Second, you want to consider the attractions and activities that you are interested in seeing, as well as things that you may want to avoid. With these lists established it can help you to narrow down the list into the perfect choice. Third and finally, you should book your trip. It is best to book well in advance to take advantage of special deals.

By keeping the aforementioned things in mind you can be sure to choose the perfect Florida destination spot for you and your guests to enjoy. View the infographic below for specific details about common destinations in Florida.

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An Unexpected Winter Hike

We were set to go sledding on the second day of Christmas (December 26). Everything was set: sleds, snow clothes, even the hotel where we were supposed to spend the evening. But when we arrived at Silvretta Montafon, we were disappointed since the sledding track was closed due to very small snow cover. It hasn't snowed for quite a while.. It was snowing on that day though and up in the mountains, the situation was different. We went hiking anyway, since we were already there. It would be a waste of time, fuel and effort if we didn't go up the mountains to enjoy the snow right? 

And so hike we did. We took the cable car (Hochjochbahn) from the Hochjoch station up to the Kapell station and then started trekking our way down to the Middle Hochjoch station. It was a good thing that we brought one sled with us so the little one can sit when her feet get tired from walking. No one went sledding that day since it was closed but we still had some sledding fun every now and then during our hike. It was a 5 km long sledding course with gentle slopes, perfect for families and children and I can just imagine how much fun it would be if it was only opened. You also have a very natural setting, with a very beautiful pine tree forest in the background. On normal days, one can sled this 5-km stretch in as fast as 20 minutes but in our case, which was just walk, sled and more walk, it took longer. There was some good snow cover in some parts, especially in the higher area but as we trekked further down, we realized why they closed the sledding course. 

I think it took more than three hours and landing on my po for a few times before we finally reached the Middle Hochjoch station, where we stopped briefly at the restaurant to empty our bladders and fill our bellies with hot mugs of chocolate drink before we descended to the Hochjoch valley station. 

If you are interested in sledding at Silvretta Montafon in Vorarlberg in Austria, you may buy a day ticket at the Hochjoch station or online. It costs €23,20 for adults and €14,40 for children. 

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