Berlin with the Family

Our first trip of 2013 is to one of my favorite cities, Berlin. While in my little Military dorm room 8.5 years ago, Berlin was one of THE cities in Europe I had to go to. Not just because it's in my host country, but it just seemed so busy, full of culture, young, alive. Everything I wanted from the city I'd choose as my residence. I did visit Berlin in 2011 with just me and the little ones, and we definitely saw the rich history and the quaintness as well as its eclectic characters whom loves my little characters. This city has so much to offer. Museums, Aquariums, Playgrounds everywhere, indoor parks and of course one of the most famous zoos in the world for children and children at heart, to art (on one of our walks we saw at least 3 art galleries full of people) fashion (we happened to be there for Berlin's Fashion Week), environmental conscious, full of universities and research facilities, not to mention an alive nightlife, delicious food, all while not putting a big hurt on your wallet.

 As I went with the kids some of the adult-things I didn't do. This is a great city for a romantic/fun weekend for sure! We  stayed next to Checkpoint Charlie for 3 cold, sunny, fast-paced days. We ate very well, and did a lot of exploring. With families I highly recommend tour buses, especially during the cold months. Most public transports are stroller friendly. In the year and half since we last visited, I noticed more elevators on the ubahns! Not to mention, from our personal experience, we noticed most people were family friendly as well as the establishments we went to. Berlin is definitely pro family!

Ok on to photo and video-palooza

We went to about 5 restaurants, but the video shows two of our favorites and our Starbucks breakfast with the best cheese cake! The first restaurant we went to on the first night is called Glashaus Restaurant in Kreuzberg Berlin. It was soooooooo good. I got sauteed shrimp with tomatoes and lettuce. Normally whenever I order shrimp, for some reason it tastes off. But this shrimp tasted fresh and DELICIOUS. My husband got a Epigram which was a trio of meat. Liver, Pork schnitzel and steak, my daughter got a Berlin Currywurst, my son got steak with potato croquettes and green beans. The service was amazing and it's forever in my kiddos memories. They talk about it everyday!

Photobomb!

We also went to a Chinese Restaurant in Charlottenburg. In Berlin Chinese restaurants have buffet specials after 6 (from what I saw the last 2 times I was there). On our previous visit, me and my three went to a great restaurant with a nice buffet and great service. We were going to go there, but went to another as it was so cold and we didn't want to walk too far. Turns out we made a great choice. Kids loved it so much and again friendly service and a great view.
Here's a video of the fun

Eating In Berlin from Sommer Jones on Vimeo.

Some Pictures:



This picture was taken across the street from our apartment. Which is close to many famous landmarks and the subway station (ubahn). At a great rate we stayed comfortably at a wonderful location. Checkout the website if you're planning a trip http://www.go-apartments.com/




The famous Aquadom


Inside the Aquadom. First you go to the Sea Life Aquarium then to the Aquadom in the building across. Inside the Aquadom, the guide speak about facts about the Aquadom all in German, though. But it's pretty cool to be "inside" amongst the fish.



Berlin Wall Memorial--Also apart of the city guide hop on and off bus!  Which is good for 48 hours like London's.








Inside this tower is a revolving restaurant! Someday!




 Check out my Flickr page, easily accessible from my sidebar for more pictures!!!!

Dunkin Donuts! How can I forget!!! They are all over Berlin!

Oh and we also ate at a Mediterranean restaurant across the street from our apartment Called Mediterranean Kuche!




We LOVE Berlin and it gets better with each visit!!! So go as many times as you can!

Also Grumpy kid on a bus:-)

Lindt Chocolate Museum in Cologne (Koeln) Germany and Randomness

According to my statistics, I noticed you guys liked my travel type posts! Also hair posts and chicken recipes hehe. I was thinking about changing the focus of my blog, since it's getting that way anyway, to my Journeys...from places we've visited, to my natural hair journey, school journey, and my military spouse journey as well as cooking journey. I don't want to get rid of the URL just change the title. I was thinking about calling it "Keeping up with Sommer J or Sommer's Journeys.  I already changed my twitter and instagram handle. Let me know what you think.

I've already told everyone on my Facebook page, but I just want to tell you all that I am moving from Germany next Summer. The location is top secret until we have our orders lol. Don't any of you who knows ruin it!!! As much as I want to travel all over Europe money, unfortunately does not grow on trees. I am fortunate to have traveled where I have, though! And I loved every minute of it. Over Thanksgiving, we will  be on a jet plane to Scotland and London!!! Thanksgiving reminds me of my brother's death...I want to be distracted and with my older brother and his family.

While seeing as much of Europe as possible is important, I also think it's important to see all the sites I possibly can around Germany. Last summer, me and my three went to Northern Germany by the Baltic Sea, we also went to Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich, we've been to Munich and Frankfurt a few times, but I love both cities so much why not go as many times I can before leaving? I will probably not see either for many many years. I want these trips apart of my children's memories. They really enjoyed Berlin and ask to go back often. That was a 6 hour car ride! My butt was numb!!! But sheesh it was worth it!!! I asked my facebook page how they save on trips and they gave some great tips. I also learned great ways to save for trips in my math class!! I am NOT selling that book. I am keeping it for future reference. At our next location my husband has his  5 places we will go to. We didn't do that here, which why we probably didn't see as much as we wanted to. Check out the tags of some of the places we've enjoyed. I am really enjoying the drive to the Stuttgart a lot. The next place we will hit there is their famous zoo. You guys seemed to really like the Ludwigsburg post! I have some friends by Trier so I will definitely share our trip there, too. I went my first weekend in Germany. And with an old douche  boyfriend...both trips were a bit of a blur, but going with the family it will stick I think.


OK now on to the Cologne trip. We went to Cologne last March. My husband and I made a list of places in Germany we wanted to visit before leaving Germany and Cologne was on the top of the list. Though, I believe Cologne is the best place to visit during the Christmas season. http://www.worldwideticketing.com/images/special-events/germany-market/market-cologne.jpg

We went to Cologne a week after Karneval. It's like Mardi Gras.

Germans really know how to party. I will miss this aspect of Germany a lot. http://www.taz.de/!30800/


Cologne is a bit on the expensive side. I thought since Berlin was relatively inexpensive that we'd luck out in another big city. I guess because it was around Karneval season, prices were a bit inflated. We found a nice Apartment to stay  that wasn't overly expensive. I noticed a lot of times apartments are cheaper than hotels. We also went with the youngest two, as my eldest was with his family.


We hit up the Koeln Dom (Cologne  Cathedral) it's the tallest building n Europe. It had a cool spookiness about it while also being breathtakingly beautiful.

My loves in front of the Cathedral. Our apartment was about 500m from the Cathedral. And still pretty inexpensive.




At night



Now on to the Chocolate Factory/Museum. Check out the website: http://www.chocolatemuseum-cologne.com/ We went on a Saturday and got there about an hour early and there was a long line!  It's opened during the week from 10am to 6pm and on weekends and holidays from 11am to 7pm. Like most placed in Germany you can not go the last minute it's closed to entries an hour before. We went there from the Koeln Dom via the most uncomfortable train ride. But if you have little ones, they will really enjoy it. This city really is gorgeous. So happy we made an effort to go.



The tickets cost us 20euro. There isn't much parking by the museum. So this is the best way to go IMO.


Now the Chocolate Museum




There were all kinds of interactive exhibits. The history of cocoa. A bit depressing with slave trade etc. I am happy after the exhibits there was a chocolate fountain! I  learned a lot and am very picky about my chocolate. Drown your sorrows in Chocolate.











Now to some edible stuff!! I LOVE LINDT.















If you have chocolate lovers they will love this place.

My children, my youngest particularly will miss Kinder Eggs. They are prohibited from the US due to the small toys...CRAZY!!!! WE usually chuck the toys. We've never had a problem with Kinder Eggs.





For you nutella lovers, there is also an exhibit about that. I am not a big fan of nutella but my youngest of course is.I didn't know nutella was around for so many years. They celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2006. I remember my husband eating some when we first met  over 6 years ago and I was afraid to try it because it looked like marmite lol.




HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS POST AND MAKE IT THERE IF YOU'RE ABLE TO!!!!




My next post will be about my home!!!! And how pinterest inspired me to make it a home. I am off from school for ten days so no excuses. Plus more inspiration to clean. Yes, I am moving in about 8 months, but I am still obsessed with making this home cozy. 

Sensapolis in Boeblingen, Germany!

This past weekend we celebrated my daughter's 5th birthday!


We celebrated at a wonderful kids' indoor adventure park called Sensapolis. It is the perfect place for families with small children to teenagers!From rock climbing:



To a Castle





A Huge Tree House



A Space Station




 There are also countless slides, science centers, craft area, and a small area just for toddlers and preschoolers.



The blur is me going 33km per hour!








 We really had a great time. the price seems high, but with all that there's available to do, it's really worth it. Sensapolis will be expanding in December 2012  with a mini race track; we can not wait to return so we can try those out! For the full scoop, check out their site: http://www.sensapolis.de/de/inhalt