Vienna, Austria: Mommy and Me Weekend

While Emily flew to the States for her spring break (which did not overlap with Owen's), Owen and I enjoyed "mommy and me" time.  We started our week visiting the Habsburgs, the old Austrian Monarchy, and my friend Diane in Vienna.  We bid adieu to Dave and Emily at the airport and headed to our separate terminals.

Owen and I stayed at a hotel down the street from Diane.  I forgot two of her wards, Isabelle and Magellan, are of the feline species.  (My extreme cat allergy forced us into a hotel.)  The first morning, we met at her favorite cafe for incredible croissants and a Wiener Melange,  a specialty coffee drink similar to a cappuccino.

Diane took the day off and decided to keep Colton, her oldest, home from school to play with Owen.  We relaxed, laughed, and caught up over coffee thanks to Angry Birds.  I wanted this trip to be kid-centric, so Diane took us to the Vienna Woods, forested highlands within the city boundaries.

Once a hunting ground for the royal family, this area now hosts hikes, concerts, and vineyards.  We spent several hours watching the kids climb the wooden structures.

Before dinner, Owen and I bonded over ice cream.

Ronneburg Castle

Castles line the Rhine River in Hessen like strip malls line Route 1 at home.  While we visited quite a few our first six months in Frankfurt, our pace slowed radically this last year.  Our visitors, the Nicks, inspired us to visit a new one, Ronneburg Castle, on their last day in town.  The castle was probably built in the beginning of the 13th century.

Emily "tried on" a classic dress from the medieval time period.

They still had a working well.  For a few euro, we turned on the light to see the water splash down.

We walked through a tunnel.

Then climbed to the top of this tower.

They used this device to stretch your limbs as punishment for rolling your eyes at your parents.

The servants prepared dinner in this kitchen.

We left happy to return to modern plumbing and lighting.

And enjoyed an ice cream treat.

Keukenhof

Our final day in Holland, we returned to the Keukenhof, the second largest flower garden in the world.  (Holland itself resembled a garden as their main crop, bulb flowers, lined the roadside.)

The Keukenhof includes a variety of garden styles. The English landscape garden features winding paths and unexpected see-through points. The historical garden is an enclosed garden with many old types of bulbs. The nature garden consists of a water garden where shrubs and perennials are combined with bulbous plants. The Japanese country garden is a non-traditional garden in a natural environment.

We figured the warm weather and the later visit guaranteed flowers.  Plus, the outdoor space which included several play areas, seemed perfect for four young children.

The kids remembered a "hot dog" stand - the highlight of last year's cold, flowerless trip.  "We have to get a hot dog," began when we entered the park.   Determined, we searched the for this one stand.  A taste of home.

Amsterdam

We awoke convinced Emily would have to spend the day at the hotel.  A decent night's rest resulted in a slight fever rather than a decline in coughing.  At breakfast,  she begged to come.  We all anticipated the amazing pancake lunch and could not imagine missing it.  Gotta have priorities.  Once again, at the seven year-old's urging, we drugged her, bundled her up, and packed tissues.

Last year, we easily found a "Park and Ride," bought our train tickets, and enjoyed a 5 minute ride to the city center.   Unbeknown to us, the concierge directed us to a lot farther away.  The "P and R" changed its ticket process, and the tram ride required thirty minutes.  All resulting in arriving to Amsterdam late for a two hour children's private walking tour I had organized through my favorite company, Context Europe.

We planned to meet our guide at the West India House - an "easy" to find location.  Unless you are as directionally challenged as myself.  I led our crew up and down back streets stopping periodically to inquire this mysterious place's location.  My stress increased by the block since we had our neighbors in tow.  Dave and I are now used to the uncertainty and chaos of foreign travel, but it's awkward leading others through it.  (Except you Allison.)   40 minutes late for the tour, I cheered internally when we spotted the guide.

Claire, a British ex-pat living in Amsterdam, brought pads, pens, and binoculars for the kids.  She told them to draw pictures of the buildings they see.  She began the tour explaining the deep connections between Amsterdam and Manhattan, originally called "New Amsterdam."  The West India House, home to the Dutch West India Company in the 1600s, is the actual location where a group of Dutch entrepreneurs decided to colonize our favorite city.  Claire explained it was in the room through this window where all the plans were laid.

Pieter Stuyvesant, a man with little tolerance for religious freedom, was the director-general for the company, and a pioneer in New Amsterdam.

She taught us about the interesting architecture and city structure.  The three main canals Herengracht or ‘’Patricians' Canal’’; Keizersgracht or ‘’Emperor's Canal’’; and Prinsengracht or ‘’Prince's Canal’’ are the result of successful city planning during the 17th century - the Dutch Golden Age.

The ornate buildings are governed by strict rules including brick color and porch structure.  We studied and identified the different gables - the tops of the buildings.

After the tour, we returned to the Pancake Bakery for our favorite Dutch food.  In the evening, we visited the windy North Sea in the town of Noordwijk.