Our journey

Modern skyline of Frankfurt am Main

Our journey begins actually in Frankfurt (Goethe's birth place), this is where we start our road trip through southern Germany and Italy! The places we are going to visit are not necessarily well known outside Germany, so I will give you a little introduction and a taste of the region. Germany is a wonderful vacation country, simply due to it's many regions with very particular landscapes, architectural styles and culinary specialities.
Wuerzburg is perhaps better known to Americans, since many American soldiers were stationed there after WWII. By now American military presence in Germany has ended, but many families might remember their stay.
The city is well known for its castle and Wuerzburg residence, the University and lovely location on the river Main.
And on our way to Volkach we will pick up one of our older sons arriving from Berlin in Wuerzburg! Yeah!

Map of Bavaria, Wuerzburg almost at the border on the northwestern corner of Bavaria, Volkach is just 20 minutes away from there towards east along the Main!




Wuerzburg

From a travel guide:

"Volkacher Mainschleife" (Sinuosity) - Wine Culture, Arts, and Sports All in One Place:

The Volkacher Mainschleife is one of a kind in Germany; only here, the River Main has built this sinuosity over Millions of years. Around the Mainschleife, a Vacation Paradise has evolved in Volkach and its quarters of Astheim, Escherndorf, Fahr, Köhler, Dimbach, Eichfeld, Gaibach, Krautheim, Obervolkach, and Rimbach, as well as in Nordheim, Sommerach, Obereisenheim, Untereisenheim, Stammheim, and Wipfeld: Idyllic villages and spots in every season.

Volkach, town hall.

The Mainschleife is also THE region for wine, fruit, and asparagus in the Franconian Wine Country. Between late April and late June, the Volkacher Mainschleife is a Mecca for asparagus fans. Seamlessly the wine season follows: vintner and wine festivals offer wine to taste, before fall brings the peak season and the wine harvest. To watch the vintners do their work first-hand is a special experience.


When it comes to culinary treats, the Mainschleife is just as unique: Enjoy typical, Franconian meals, as well as selected asparagus and fish dishes, along with the matching wine.

Bocksbeutel wine

And, of course, there are the cultural highlights: The Pilgrimage Church "St. Mary in the Vineyard" with its Riemenschneider-Madonna, the baroque "Schelfenhaus", and the "Barockscheune" ("baroque barn") museum in Volkach for instance, or the "Kartause" museum in Astheim with its church treasures; just a few of the many unique destinations.

Tilman Riemenschneider(c. 1460 – 7 July 1531) Madonna and Child.

For those who prefer a more athletic approach, the region offers an excellent network of biking trails which are also great for inline-skating. The Main River itself also offers a variety of activities such as fishing or sailing. If you want to learn more about the region, the Tourist Information of Volkach will be happy to help out. Telephone: +49 (0)9381/40112 or online: www.volkach.de
End of quote.

My parents have spent many happy vacation times in Volkach, enjoying the walks and the wine.
They choose this lovely place to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary and I am so glad their beloved destination is for all of us to enjoy!

From there it goes after 6 days towards Munich


and then we will continue our journey towards Bad Toelz, a small town in the Alpen region.


It's thermal baths have attracted us before and we will stop and take a dip!



From here we will begin our travels into Italy and I will give you a small preview on Sunday!

You can imagine how excited we all are and that I sit here, apart from squeezing some time at the blog, having my hands full and my head in suitcases! :) Only a few more days!!!

image

Well, I do not mind at all!

My check list is almost complete:

Pick clothes to take (for all 4 of us!!!)- check
Pick shoes to take - check
Hairdresser - check, this morning....:D
Nail salon together with my daughter: still to do
Drop off dog at bording home: next week
Major house cleaning: I know, will do as late as possible...and all the odds and ends, which pop up when you need it least, like the just broken water boiler.....Yikes!

I so love getting ready!!!

XX
Victoria



All images via google image.

Great site

Every ones in a while a site comes to my attention which is wonderful and worth sharing with you all. The friendly Marieke from Liever contacted me and put my blog on their blog list - thank you, guys, I am honored - and I wanted to use this opportunity to introduce you to this lovely site.
You will find Liever loves design irresistible.
They have endless interiors, hotels to drool over and wonderful design ideas to look for as an inspiration. The site mixes Dutch and English, so you will always find what you are looking for. The images speak for themselves.
What better way to get inspired for vacation times to come?

Citizen M hotel, Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Caravan Serai, Marrakech, Morocco

Hotel Traeumerei(Dream)Michelstadt im Odenwald, Germany

Asarte Suite, Santorini, Greece

Ace Hotel, New York


These are just a few of their gorgeous images from hotels around the world, they have great interiors for every room you desire and keep up with the latest in interior design. Go and have a look! It's great!



XX
Victoria




All images courtesy of Liever.com

Summer charmers

There is a house in Nyack,NY, standing right at the edge of the majestic Husdon and I always dream my way into it! It has a magic pull on me! It is gorgeous and I have witnessed the work over the last two years to restore it to its original beauty! If I owned it, I would fill it with rooms like the ones below and my sailboat would sit right out there, waiting to take me to the waters!



Such summer perfection! Dimmed against the bright sun light, but light and airy, summer comfort to lounge, read, talk or to watch the movie you missed in the spring...



The dining room could be like that...


This would be my bedroom, overlooking the river...( I know, you have seen this picture only a few days ago...)


I would walk into my bathroom with glee every time ...


And the kitchen could be something like this:


Another small corner...


The veranda would have a big table for all my friends and family like that!


Or perhaps like that:


The garden would have large shade spending trees...


And I would never want to leave!!!

Do you dream your way into houses?

A happy week ahead, wherever it takes you!

XX
Victoria


From the mixed files of V.Zlotkowski. I do not take any credit apart from the tree in our yard!!! Bathroom by John Jacob Designs of South Africa. Veranda images via Architectural Digest and House and Home magazine. All others found nearby in magazines /blogs?! Thank you all for your creativity! It feeds mine!

Red, White and Blue weekend

What could represent the American spirit better then a bundle of antique quilts?


Happy Independence Day weekend!


Some images from our travels through the United States, our second home and the country we love for it's freedom and truly endless possibilities!



Enjoy this weekend!



XX
Victoria



Picture top via amazon.com, next via raisedincotton.typepad.com, third via roomenvy.wordpress.com, next two via etsy greenhomeroad, then Domino mag, last via Country Living, all others by V.Zlotkowski

Summer freshness

Thinking of exotic locale always brings bedrooms filled with colors and textures to my mind. I found beautiful examples in the current Achitectural Digest and Canadian's House and Home magazines.








I do not remember, where I found the next two images, but I fell instantly in love with them!



And these two pretties are from Anthropologie....





I hope you find them as refreshing as I do!


XX
Victoria



Pictures via Architectural Digest, House and Home mag, Anthropologie and unknown sources.