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Category Archives: Travel
A Guide for Nearby Airports
While flights can be found for low prices with airlines like Ryanair, make sure you know what airport you are beginning and ending your journey with. Many big cities have one big international airport and a smaller one (sometimes with … Continue reading
Val Dieu Abbey and Brewery – Aubel, BE
I was first inspired to visit the Abbey of Val Dieu by this article on CheeseWeb, an expat blog based in Belgium. The abbey is about one hour away from the Tri-Border area, and entrance into the grounds, gardens, and … Continue reading
Burg Rheinfels – St. Goar, DE
Just north of the famed Lorelei on the Rhein river sits the small town of Sankt Goar and the largest castle on the Rhein, Burg Rheinfels. The ruins that remain of this castle are impressive and you have free reign … Continue reading
Amsterdam Park and Ride
When traveling to Amsterdam, I am a big fan of using the NS train day-tickets that go on sale about once a month, but sometimes this isn’t the most practical way of traveling in the Netherlands. I’ve compiled a list … Continue reading
Abbaye de Villers, Belgium
Located between Brussels and Charleroi is the quiet village Villers-la-Ville, which is home to the Villers Abbey ruins. While I could describe how relaxing my trip was and how beautiful every angle of this abbey is, I think the story … Continue reading
Helpful Smartphone Apps
Updated May 7, 2016 Smartphones can be a tremendous tool in navigating life in Europe. Here are some apps that we and contributing readers have found helpful. If you have any awesome apps you would like to share, please let … Continue reading
Space Available (Space A) Tips
I recently returned from my first space available flight back to the U.S., here are some tips that I hope will help any of you who might use this service while living overseas. First, head to http://www.spacea.net. This website is … Continue reading
Posted in Newcomers, Resources/Help, Travel
Tagged military flight, space a, space available, spacea
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Boom Chicago – Chicago Style Improv in Amsterdam
Located on Rozengracht in the Rozentheater in Amsterdam is an unlikely show that I never expected to find in Europe. The sketch and improv based comedy group Boom Chicago is mostly comprised of Americans. Several shows are available for you … Continue reading
Tiger and Turtle – Magic Mountain in Duisburg, DE
I found this curiosity on Pinterest before I moved here. We eventually went to see it on our way to Extra Schicht (Extra Shift) for a day and night of German Industry exploration (We visited Zollverein later in the day). … Continue reading
Zaanse Schans – Windmills!
Just a 20 minute train ride from Amsterdam is the Netherlands we all thought of before moving here. Zaanse Schans is filled with quaint houses surrounded by canals, windmills, wooden shoes, boats and bikes. Most parts are open 1000-1700 everyday … Continue reading
Posted in Open Sunday, Things to do, Travel
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MSC Cruise Lines – Sinfonia
Living in Europe gives numerous opportunities to travel and one of your travel options is a cruise. When my family and I decided we would like to take a cruise I went to a ton of websites and ultimately decided … Continue reading
Posted in Adults, Kids, Places "HereAtGK" has been, Things to do, Travel, Travel Tips and Resources
Tagged booking, cruise, cruises, Mediteranian, MSC, port, Sinfonia
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Spoordeelwinkel – Dutch Train Ticket Deals
Spoordeelwinkel is a great place to get ideas for trips around the Netherlands. The items offered on the site are a varied, from day trips to museum, zoos or theme parks, to a meal at a restaurant, or even an … Continue reading
NMBS/SNCB – The Belgian Rail System
I’ve found that when it comes to traveling by train, crossing country borders increases the price, so when traveling on the Belgian trains, I leave from Genk. Genk is the closest Belgian train station to the Selfkant region(EUROPALAAN, 39 3600 … Continue reading
Ride the Alps–Annual Edelweiss Sponsored Event for Motorcyclists
Each year, Edelweiss Lodge and Resort hosts “Ride the Alps”. They offer a discounted room for two and it includes Friday and Saturday night, the dinners and the breakfast. But the most important part is the ride! They have a … Continue reading
Posted in Adults, Auto or Motorcycle, Places "HereAtGK" has been
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Dachau Concentration Camp and tour from Munich
You have heard us rave about Sandman’s Tours before, well here we ago again. These tours are in major cities all over the EU. Most of the city tours a free, but they offer bike tours at a low cost … Continue reading
Posted in Places "HereAtGK" has been
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Alternatives to Staying at Hotels (Especially for Families)
Hotels can be expensive, but they aren’t your only option when traveling. Here are some websites you can use to find different accommodations that fit your needs. These options are great for anyone, but they are especially good for families … Continue reading
La Trappe Brewery – Tilburg, NL
Just outside of Tilburg in the Netherlands is Koningsheoven Abbey and the only Trappist brewery in the Netherlands. The Brouwerij de Koningshoeven, founded in 1884, provides a large assortment of beers through their La Trappe brand. The monastery also makes … Continue reading
Posted in Adults, Drinks/Beverages, Open Sunday, Travel
Tagged Beer, netherlands, trappist
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NS – The Dutch Train System
The Nederlandse Spoorwegen(NS) operates the majority of trains running through the Netherlands. Their website is offered in Dutch and English, both of which will allow you to search for train schedules. The Dutch side of the website has more capability … Continue reading
In Your Pocket City Guides
I’ve found a new great travel resource called “In Your Pocket”. They have a website where you can look at all of their locations. The first guide I found was a printed version for Sittard-Geleen at the VVV. The guide … Continue reading
Posted in General Local Info, NO COST, Travel Tips and Resources
Tagged Amsterdam, Berlin, cologne, guide, Sittard, Travel
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Amsterdam Overnight Trip
We began our Amsterdam planning like you would expect- with an offer to watch the children! Amsterdam seemed like the perfect place to spend a night! I had train tickets that were good for anywhere in The Netherlands. Every now and … Continue reading
Posted in Adults, Places "HereAtGK" has been
Tagged Amsterdam, netherlands, spa, Spa Zuiver, spas
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Gruut – Gent’s Brewery
Gruut is a must see if you are spending any time in Gent. Unlike many breweries in Belgium, this brewery is very new, being founded only in 2009. As such, Gruut reminds me more of a micro-brewery you would find … Continue reading
Posted in Adults, Drinks/Beverages, Open Sunday, Things to do, Travel
Tagged Belgian Beer, Belgium, brewery, gent, ghent
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Travel and Entertainment Deals Online
Europe can be expensive, but there are deals to be had if you know where to look for them. Here’s a listing of websites that I use to find deals both near and far. Feel free to add your favorites … Continue reading
Posted in Newcomers, Travel Tips and Resources
Tagged deals, discounts, flights, hotels, restaurants, Travel
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Get Email Alerts for NL Train Sales
This website keeps the most up to date information on the sales of NL train day passes. It tells you the price, the rules and when the sale has been offered in the past year. Sign up for a mailing … Continue reading
Minicards – Tourism Ideas Online
You’ve probably seen these business card sized minicards at the AFRC. These cards contain information about many of the attractions in the local area. Most also provide discounts to the businesses advertized. Aside from the AFRC, I have also found … Continue reading
Schnee-Express Overnight Train to Austria
I haven’t experienced this personally, but I thought you should know that the Schnee(Snow)-Express at least exists as an option for getting down to the slopes in Austria instead of flying or driving. On Friday afternoons the Schnee-Express travels from … Continue reading
Sandman’s New Europe Tours (Free)
I’ve been wanting to talk about Sandman’s Free Tours for quite some time but I wanted to confirm how awesome they were beforehand. This past weekend, I had the chance to go on the free tour of Amsterdam. The tour … Continue reading
Shopping Guides for the Big Cities
I’m a planner, even when it comes to shopping, and especially when it comes to shopping in the big cities. There are so many stores in Cologne that you can easily spend all day in their shopping district and not … Continue reading
VVV – Netherlands Tourism
The VVV is the place to find out about activities and events going on in the Netherlands. As the tourism offices, it’s their business to know these things and to encourage you to explore the area. I visited the VVV … Continue reading
Posted in General Local Info, Maastricht, Sittard, Travel Tips and Resources
Tagged Epen, Gulpen, Heerlen, Sittard, tourism, Vaals, Valkenburg
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Trier
GK NATO’s IYA program offers many trips throughout the year. This years final trip was to Trier for their Christmas Market. It was a wonderful way to see Trier. The trip on the bus was about 2.5 hours. It is … Continue reading
Posted in Christmas Markets, Cities, Places "HereAtGK" has been
Tagged christmas market
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Train Tickets and Deals on the Deutsche Bahn
NOTE: These deals only work if you are staying within Germany and are available on http://www.bahn.de. KIDS RIDE FREE – Kids (14 and younger) can ride free on the train as long as they are accompanied by their parents or … Continue reading
Posted in General Local Info, Resources/Help, Travel
Tagged bahn, Germany, savings, tickets, train
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Bavaria in the eyes of a traveler
Neuwanstein Neuschwanstein Castle is a 19th-century palace on a rugged hill above the village of Hohenschwagau near Fussen in southwest Bavaria. The palace was commissioned by Ludwig II as a retreat, contrary to common belief. The palace was intended as a personal refuge … Continue reading
Posted in Places "HereAtGK" has been
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Schloß (castle) Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau – Schwangau, Germany
King Ludwig’s Neuschwanstein Castle is on many people’s To-Do list while visiting Bavaria. Schwangau, Germany is about an hour drive away from Garmisch. It is also directly along the route between Geilenkirchen and Garmisch, so stopping here on your way … Continue reading
Posted in Castles, Cities, Places "HereAtGK" has been
Tagged bavaria, Castles, Garmisch
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Esso Station Finder Website and Mobile App
If you’re planning a road trip. This website is handy in finding the nearest Esso stations along your route. Each stations lists their phone number, address, opening hours and other helpful info. You can narrow your search by clicking the … Continue reading
Posted in General Local Info, Newcomers, Resources/Help, Travel Tips and Resources
Tagged AAFES Card, ESSO, esso locations, Gas, Gas Station
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Christmas Time HereAtGk
Spending Christmas at home is a luxury for those who have home at their finger tips. HereAtGK has compiled a list of places that would work as a home away from home during the holidays. Ranging from absolutely picturesque to … Continue reading
Posted in Christmas Markets, Travel Tips and Resources
Tagged christmas, cologne, eggnog, eirpunsch, Koln, markets, prague, sinterklaas, Travel, vienna
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Current Traffic and Construction Information Online
Don’t you hate being blindsided by a detour when you’re just minding your own business driving down the autobahn? Me too, so I went on a mission to find highway traffic and construction information online. At least then, it would … Continue reading
Posted in Newcomers, Resources/Help, Travel
Tagged Belgium, Construction, Germany, netherlands, Traffic, Websites
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Paris
If you haven’t read it yet, I recently blogged about Disney Paris. Basically, we stayed outside of Paris at a hotel with a free shuttle. We did Disneyland one day and Paris the next. Anthony and I hopped on the … Continue reading
Posted in Cities, Places "HereAtGK" has been
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Brussels
We set our goal on conquering Brussels in a day and we may have eaten our way through it, but we didn’t even see 25% of what there is to see. If you really want the opportunity to check it out, I … Continue reading
Posted in Adults, Cities, Places "HereAtGK" has been
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Disney Paris
After being raised right next to Anaheim Disney, there is one thing I’m crazy about…. MICKEY MOUSE! I don’t have kids, but this summer, my husband and I booked a hotel and went to Disneyland Paris. Our vacation like all … Continue reading
The BAHN- trains in Germany
Trains in Europe have been a mystery to me until my recent train adventure. I would like to share with you my experiences with the train system in hopes that it will help you a bit during your first train expedition. … Continue reading
Planning Your European vacation
First off, I would like to say that what I do is not right, or perfect, or the only way you could possibly plan a vacations from Germany. I am just saying… this is what I do. 1. Get a … Continue reading
Beaches of The Netherlands
Far north (about two and a half hours) is the wonderful ocean region of our community. They call this region for the most part The Hauge. There are many beaches scattered about this region ranging from straight up touristy to … Continue reading
Posted in Kids, Parks/pools, Places "HereAtGK" has been
Tagged beach, fun, kids, summer
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Day Trips : The IYA and MWA
Located on GK NATO AB is the organization, IYA. This group takes care of school aged child care on base as well as plans a plethora of outings for children and their parents. Visit their building during base business hours … Continue reading
Posted in Geilenkirchen NATO Base - Info, Travel Tips and Resources
Tagged Day Trips, IYA, MWA
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Lego Land – Gunzburg, Germany
It was my son’s birthday just 2 brief months after we arrived here at GK. Being the awesome parents we are, we wanted to plan a trip to his most sought after adventure: Lego Land! I began researching in mid … Continue reading
Posted in Kids, Places "HereAtGK" has been
Tagged amusement park, bavaria, gunzburg, kids, lego land
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