wander – Camera & Carry On http://www.cameraandcarryon.com Making TRAVEL a part of EVERYDAY life Fri, 15 Jan 2016 02:35:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 57837987 A Castle, A Siren, and A Crooked House http://www.cameraandcarryon.com/castle-siren-crooked-house/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=castle-siren-crooked-house http://www.cameraandcarryon.com/castle-siren-crooked-house/#respond Fri, 12 Dec 2014 13:53:10 +0000 http://www.cameraandcarryon.com/?p=2664

I've had fond memories of my Deutsch familie for as long as I can remember. My sister and I would anxiously open our Christmas care package from Germany, brimming with Kinder chocolates, Haribo gummies, glittery stickers, and lebkuchen. Back then, I reveled in my own, personal chocolate/hazelnut renaissance, while it …

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]]> frankfurt_castlesirenhouse_cameraandcarryon I've had fond memories of my Deutsch familie for as long as I can remember. My sister and I would anxiously open our Christmas care package from Germany, brimming with Kinder chocolates, Haribo gummies, glittery stickers, and lebkuchen. Back then, I reveled in my own, personal chocolate/hazelnut renaissance, while it was still the dark ages of Nutella for most Americans (muahahah!). I savored those treats over bittersweet stories from my expat Oma, about what it meant to be a kid growing up in WWII Germany. vineyards_castlesirenhouse_cameraandcarryon Seeking my own perspective on the homeland, we ventured to Eddersheim for a few days to connect with my great aunts, uncles, and cousins for an authentic taste of my heritage. Having family overseas is the best. We were greeted with the biggest smiles, warmest hugs, and lots, and lots of cake (afternoon tea/cookies/tarts is kind of a big deal here). The gratis personal guide through Frankfurt, along the Rhine, and to the old house my 'greats' grew up in was pretty nifty, too. [See image gallery at www.cameraandcarryon.com] Highlights for me: touring Medieval Burg Rheinstein (the castle), catching a glimpse of the fabled Lorelei (the siren), bratwurst and potatoes in Frankfurt, and seeing the old home (the crooked house) where Oma grew up. It went by in a blink, and I've sworn to return for a longer stay, partly in response to shameful looks given by my great uncle Hermann, and partly because there's just too darn much to cram in three days from this rich country. Saved for next time >>> Bavaria, the Black Forest, and more of the Rhineland! rhine_castlesirenhouse_cameraandcarryon

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]]> http://www.cameraandcarryon.com/castle-siren-crooked-house/feed/ 0 2664 10 Reasons Why You Should Visit (or Skip) The Carnival of Venice http://www.cameraandcarryon.com/10-reasons-visit-skip-carnival-venice/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=10-reasons-visit-skip-carnival-venice http://www.cameraandcarryon.com/10-reasons-visit-skip-carnival-venice/#comments Mon, 22 Sep 2014 17:03:07 +0000 http://www.cameraandcarryon.com/?p=2209

It's the city on countless bucket lists, having intoxicated travelers for centuries with its air of mystery, romance, and Italiano come-hither-ness. Right up there with Paris in the springtime, a visit to the Carnevale di Venezia was on my must list for years. My first taste was in 2007 with …

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]]> masks It's the city on countless bucket lists, having intoxicated travelers for centuries with its air of mystery, romance, and Italiano come-hither-ness. Right up there with Paris in the springtime, a visit to the Carnevale di Venezia was on my must list for years. My first taste was in 2007 with my then-boyfriend (now hubby). Hand in hand, we wandered the cobbled streets with stars in our eyes, declaring it our "favorite place in the world," as we daydreamed about running a small b&b that would cater to our fellow 'mericans visiting the upper corner of the boot. Hooked and wanting more, we hoped to one day return for the famed Carnival, and [boom!] 7 years later, did just that. While it was thrilling and festive, I'm so thankful I got to see Venice on a separate occasion without all the fuss and hullabaloo surrounding the event. For newbies weighing in on whether or not to see the city of islands during its biggest celebration of the year, check out these pros and cons in this edition of 10 Reasons Why... quiet_carnivalvenice_cameraandcarryon

Why You Should Visit:

  1. Masks and costumes like you wouldn't believe. Beautifully dressed men, women, and children take to the streets in works of art that look great on camera, but stun in person.
  2. It's this big, amazing celebration and everyone is in on it. There's a palpable buzz and energy radiating through the streets.
  3. You can choose to be a spectator, or join in the fun. Oh, and spoiler: everyone wants their photo taken, so don't be too shy to ask the lady with the peacock headdress on if she'll be in one with you.
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  1. Even during this crazy-busy season, you can get lost, find a quiet street, and escape the crowds for a slice of the 'real' Venice.
  2. Perhaps the biggest selling factor, IMO, is that Venice during Carnival feels like this fantasy world, from the age of Casanova that's been dialed back in a time machine, of elaborate galas and star crossed lovers. It's kind of magical.
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Why You Should Skip It:

  1. The crowds. The people! The lines and hoarding masses that make crossing narrow bridges and visiting top attractions nary impossible are headache inducing.
  2. Last minute decisions are out of the question. You'll have to plan ahead and book in advance as rooms fill up fast and prices skyrocket.
  3. It's flood season, people. Pack those waders or prepare to duke it out over the last pair of oh-so-stylish, waterproof, neon sock/boots.

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  1. The city trades in some of its charm for pop up booths in otherwise charming squares,  selling knockoff masquerade attire to junk collecting tourists.
  2. Leave the cocktail dress at home and layer up. Cool temps and chilly winds will freeze your knickers off if you're not ready for 'em. It is still winter, after all.
When you get right down to it, Venice is a special, one-of-a-kind place that is a real treasure in this world. Everywhere claims to be the Venice of [somewhere] but none can hold a candle to the real thing. If you've been pining after this Italian jewel for some time now, do yourself a solid and book a trip, for Carnival or otherwise. You won't regret it. laughing_carnivalvenice_cameraandcarryon

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