Each year on May 1st most European countries celebrate May Day, which is the equivalent of Labor Day in the US. Bavarians decorate a tall pole with an evergreen wreath at the top. It's a grand effort and ceremony to raise it. Then they, well, dance around the maypole! Here's my timelapse video of just such an event near Munich, Germany.
Berninger Weingut in Zell-am-Main, Bavaria, Germany, is a small vineyard that produces wonderful local wines from grapes grown on the neighboring hillside. Learn some German wine label terminology and have a wonderful Bavarian dinner besides!
Stunning views of Chiemsee, freshwater lake in Germany near the Alps. On the Herreninsel island I visited Herrenchiemsee, "Mad" King Ludwig II's palace - and an exact scale replica of Versailles.
On a hilltop in Bavaria just south of Munich lies the Andechs Abbey, famous for the monk-made beer, beautiful hiking, organic dairy and produce and an all-around monastery/brewery German experience. Nearby are the lakefront towns of Dießen and Herrsching, known to German locals as relaxing places to kick back.
Focus on Bavaria/Germany's favorite spring vegetable, white asparagus, or Spargel. Fresh, boiled, pickled or creamed, the recipes are endless for this limited-time harbinger of good weather.
Throwback Tuesday Post (TBTP) from 2013: During Lent, Bavarians observe what is known as Starkbierfest, or Strong Beer Fest. At that time, uber-strong beer can be had at the breweries and it will knock you down. It's said that monks, who fasted during Lent, subsisted on this strong brew.
Throwback Tuesday Post (TBTP) from 2014: A very big St. Patrick's Day Parade in Munich, Germany, complete with Guinness. Who knew?
Throwback Tuesday Post (TBTP) from 2014: Join me in trial-and-error and eventual success making the traditional pastry for Germany's Mardi Gras, called Karneval or Fasching: Krapfen, or filled donuts. Made of yeast dough, they are fried and filled with apricot or rose hip jam. You can make them yourself with this recipe! I've included a little history and language notes, too.
Throwback Tuesday Post (TBTP) from 2013: A trip to Nuremberg, Germany, to visit the Neues Museum - an exhibit including architect Helmut Jahn. Afterward, I saw the aftermath of the Fasching parade - Europe's equivalent of Mardi Gras or Carnival.
Throwback Tuesday Post (TBTP) from 2013: After visiting the Audi Forum automobile museum in Bavaria, Germany, a small trip to the historic downtown of Ingolstadt. Views of the Cross Tower, a Greek meal, a step into the Cathedral of Our Lady