Hoofin’ It Home In Style

In my blog Party ‘Cause the Cows Came Home, I talked about the traditional Alpine cattle drive as the farmers bring their herds back down from the Alps into the farmlands for the winter months. During this Almabtrieb or Viehscheid the farmers dress the cattle up with fancy headdresses, wreaths, and large cowbells around theirContinue reading “Hoofin’ It Home In Style”

Close Encounters

Countries and cultures dress differently, speak other languages, have distinct etiquette practices, and other features that set them apart from one another. No surprise here. When my husband and I travel to Europe, Germany specifically, there’s a practice when dining that I think would unnerve most Americans. It certainly caught me off guard the firstContinue reading “Close Encounters”

From Mountains to Music

When visiting Austria and Germany recently, I encountered many cowbells. They were used as decorations in a variety of ways, sold in many stores and in multiple sizes, and hung around the necks of cows in the fields. As we rode the bus between Salzburg and Munich, I wondered about the origin of the cowbellContinue reading “From Mountains to Music”

Travel by Funicular

What do the Grand Budapest Hotel and the Fortress Hohensalzburg have in common? I realize one is a fictional location, and one actually exists, but stay with me here (Do you know which is which?). Yes, they are both grandiose and over the top but that’s not it. Yes, they are both outside of theContinue reading “Travel by Funicular”