|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2006 20:25:54 GMT
This time of year always drags me down, darkening nights, worsening weather, and the obsession with Christmas (I hate Christmas, but won't dwell on that since it is a lovely time for most people). Anyhow, it is my wife's 50th birthday just after Christmas, and I asked her for ideas, since choosing presents is possibly my worst attribute. She said that she would like a few days abroad, a bit later in the year when the weather is better ...
So I got a local brochure for coach trips (we both enjoy the luxurious relaxation of coach travel) and today my wife confirmed we are booked on a 5 day break at Easter to Vianden in Luxembourg (the choice was hers, I merely offered suggestions). I gather this is a hidden jewel in Europe, it will certainly be a treat ! Plenty of time to research what to see etc, although trips are built into the holiday.
|
|
|
|
Post by sleepysunday on Nov 27, 2006 20:37:05 GMT
I like the new avatar Derek
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2006 20:41:10 GMT
Well it seems fitting, sadly I can't get it to work on A4A, it comes out distorted ...
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 27, 2006 22:39:32 GMT
Derek - Vianden is a "fairy tale" Disney type castle, as you probably already know have googled . Mind you to my mind it is a bit "too restored" and not enough hands on for me. The place itself is very nice (just don't go when there's a G8 meeting on though  ) Luxembourg has some great unrestored castles, some superior countryside (Little Switzerland area) and a great capital. Your Missus has picked a gud 'un  |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2006 16:17:08 GMT
Thanks for that CC ... Google is working overtime now to bring me up to speed on all sorts of improtant issues, like what languages are relevant (french, german and letzebuergesch) and what the food will be like, not to mention the beers and wines ... A couple of trips are included, as is a tour of the castle, so we should have plenty to occupy ourselves.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2006 20:11:07 GMT
Language - Don’t worry they all speak English! We had a funny incident when we went camping. Entering the camp bar, which doubled as a reception, the wife and I had a cunning plan. I would ask if we pitch our tent in German and if it that failed she would ask in French. Only problem is that we spurted out our question at exactly the same time! The bar (full of hairy armed bikers) fell silent and the owner looked very puzzled. He eventually asked “Do you speak English?” Somewhat flummoxed by this I replied ….“A little”  It turned out that both he and all the people in the bar were Dutch! Oddly though if you can speak Portuguese it may help - Loads of people in the hotel & restaurant industry are from Portugal and many words have recently entered the local language (and food has been influenced as well). Now to the important bit - Beer ‘n’ wine. Beer is mainly German pils type lager (one or two amber and dark beers also). Very nice too. The main one is Mousel-Diekirch, which is the same multi-national that makes Stella Artois, Jupiler and Canada’s Labatt. The two local companies are Simon’s pils (I can recommend) and Bofferding. Wine - All local stuff is grown in the Moselle valley. Avoid Rivaner like the plague (think sweet Liebfraumilch). Auxerrois (light and dry and is probably the best IMHO). Riesling (they use all the grapes from the harvest rather than selecting, so is not as good as it could be). Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc are generally quite good if you can find them. The final grape they grow is Ebling, which should be avoided at ALL costs (think really sweet cheap asti spumante). Suddenly, I'm starting to get thirsty.... Enjoy! |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2006 20:53:01 GMT
Unfortunately I don't speak portuguese, so a smattering of french or german will have to suffice until I revert back to English ...
Thanks for that excellent guidance on the alcohol ... We went to Germany a couple of years back on a similar type trip, staying just south of Koblenz (a town called Lahnstein). I remember tasting Diebels, a truly excellent brand of beer, both the pils and the dunkelbier were fabulous, and we found the locals to be great fun, although I couldn't keep up with all the banter.
|
|
)