I have heard so much about Corner Pizza’s Killer Bee pizza. So, I knew I had to try it. My husband John, reluctantly, joined me for my latest food adventure. It ended up being a delicious food extravaganza. So, what is on a Killer Bee pizza? It consists of sauce, mozzarella, Gorgonzola, fresh rosemary, soppressata (an Italian dry-cured salami), pepperoni and chili honey. The combination of flavors really works! My husband and I felt we were in food nirvana. Plus, the crust is terrific – not too thick and with just right amount of chew.
This was our first time at Corner Pizza’s Oceanside location but it won’t be our last. The homemade cookies are worth consideration, too. We really enjoyed the chocolate chip and sea salt ones.
Exterior of Killer BeeInterior of Killer BeeInterior of Corner PizzaSo Love This SignBar AreaKiller BeeKiller Bee PieHot Honey Close-Up the Killer Bee PizzaHard Cider and BeerComplimentary WaterDelicious Homemade Cookies Cookie Close-Up – chocolate chips & Salt Crystals Box for Our Leftovers Smiling After A Fantastic Dining Experience
Everyone has different opinions but here’s my cheat sheet for what to purchase at each location when going on the Grand European Tour with Viking. We traveled from Budapest to Amsterdam so my guide is in that order.
Prior to going, I formed a mental list by reading posts from others. I really picked up some great tips. For example, reading other posts is how I knew about the amazing roof tiles in Budapest as well as the to-die-for fruit-filled chocolate bars at the Melk Abbey gift shop.
I vowed to shop with some thought versus coming home with stuff to clutter up the house. I wanted items, with the exception of Christmas ornaments, that we would consume or use. The biggest surprise was probably how fantastic Hungarian chocolate is. I subsequently read that Hungary is really well-known for chocolate – go figure! We actually enjoyed the Hungarian chocolate more than the chocolate from Germany.
Budapest
Roof Tiles from Saint Matthias
Christmas ornaments from shops near Saint Matthias
Chimney Cake from the stand adjacent to Saint Matthias
Paprika, Lavender, wooden spoons, leather goods ,such as belts, and chocolate from the stands at the Central Market. My husband bought a terrific leather belt that the vendor customized to his waist for $20 Euros.
Vienna
Mozart Chocolates from shops near the cathedral
Christmas ornaments from the Schonbrunn Palace Gift shop
Melk Abbey
The fruit-filled chocolate bars are an absolute must! They are just fantastic. We also bought a few prints. Others bought wine which they loved.
Passau
I bought nothing
Regensburg
Sausage sandwiches from the Sausage Kitchen, pretzels, mustard and Christmas ornaments. Our tour guide recommended a shop for ornaments and he was spot on with his advice. We bought an adorable German smoker and incense for about 1/3 price Amazon charges for German-made ones.
It started to rain heavily towards the end of our afternoon. We were waiting to meet our cruise director for the return walk to the ship. To stay warm, we stumbled upon a book store. Another lady from the ship (we still stay in contact) and I made a beeline for the Christmas ornaments. We found some very unusual ones.
Nuremberg
We went on a Sunday when most stores are closed but the bakeries were open and wow! The Lebkuchen are an absolute must-buy item. We bought ones to eat on the ship as well as a package to take home. I can see why these spicy soft cookies are so popular.
Bamberg
We bought Christmas tree ornaments from two adjacent Christmas tree ornament shops. Bamberg is famous for its smoked beer and one of the shops sold smoked beer ornaments as well as glass sausage and mustard ornaments. Both shops beautifully wrapped my ornaments in tissue paper and boxes. I did not have a single ornament break during our travels.
Wurzburg
Here we did one of our favorite things. We went to a local grocery store – close to where the tour guide left the group. We bought German coffee and cookies. The prices were very reasonable and we loved the coffee. I wish we had purchased more coffee. In addition, we enjoyed a lunch at a cute cafe along the bridge – next to the wine bar.
Wertheim
Here we had fun buying a few pretzels and amazing Linzer cookies at a local bakery. We only bought two of each. The pretzels in Germany have no preservatives so they get hard within two days. They were so delicious. In addition, I bought a few items a local gourmet shop – including the best jarred pesto sauce I have ever tasted.
Koblenz
We found a great shop on the corner of the main shopping street. Yes, I bought a few ornaments but the store had so much more to offer. I bought a few delightful heat-resistant pads to protect my table from damage by hot casserole dishes. Also, I found some cute appetizer forks and a cool wooden wine bottle coaster as a souvenir for my brother-in-law.
Cologne
Our morning tour guide pointed out a great souvenir shop near the cathedral where I bought German-made Christmas ornaments (as opposed to imported ones made in China) and a gift box of mini bottles of 40711 cologne. In addition, we bought a fantastic assortment of chocolates from the gift shop at the Lindt Chocolate Museum. Our Viking ship was docked within blocks of the museum. We participated in the evening dinner and pub crawl. Peter’s, our first stop, sells the beer glasses used. They are smaller and unique. I regret not buying one or two glasses.
Kinderdijk
The gift shop at the Windmill stop is great. I bought several Christmas ornaments including a Delft one as well as a cute cheese board. I am a professional cheese monger so I can’t resist anything related to cheese. My husband actually bought socks with a windmill theme – out of necessity. He still wears them now that we are back home.
We loved our cheese farm tour and stocked up on Gouda which was sold vacuumed-pack. I picked up multiple packages of three different types. My favorite was a new flavor- it included ginger.
Amsterdam
We found a fun souvenir shop near Rembrandt’s house where I picked up wooden tulips, Christmas tree ornaments and colorful socks for John. At the Rijksmuseum gift shop, I bought a few more Christmas ornaments – ones that replicated artifacts we saw at the museum as well as some fun refrigerator magnets.
The Ship Gift Shop
I can’t say enough positive things about the Viking cookbook sold on board the ship for $20 Euros. We really enjoyed the goulash and soups served onboard. The book includes some of the recipes for what we enjoyed during our cruise. I especially enjoy the goulash recipe as well the recipes for Swedish meatballs and gravlax. I recommend getting the cookbook early – our ship sold out. I got mine from another Viking ship that adjacent to ours.
Duty-Free Shopping
We loved the shopping at the airport in Munich – way more impressive than what was available in Amsterdam.!The liquor and wine selection was impressive. I bought more Dutch cheese as well as some wonderful German sausages.
My final suggestion is to pack an extra suitcase for your souvenirs. We packed a Goldie-style bag that really came in handy on the return flights home.
The Chimney Cake StandThe Chimney Cake Chocolate Stand at the Central Market in Budapest A Lavender Stand at the Central Market in Budapest Paprika at a Stand in Budapest’s Central Market Mozart Chocolates in Vienna The Melk Abbey Gift Shop The Famous Sausage Kitchen in Regensburg The Saint Matthias Roof Tiles Sold in the Gift Shop – I bought a Blue One; a friend bought an Emerald Green OneChristmas Ornaments From a Book Store Across from the Cathedral in Regensburg Must-Buy from a Bakery Near the Castle in Nuremberg Nuremberg Treat – Much Better than What We Get in the U.S.Musicians Onboard Our Ship – Sorry I Didn’t Buy the CD.One of Two Great Christmas Shops in BamburgAmazing Christmas Ornament Shop in Bamberg – Sells Smoked Beer Ornaments Wurzburg CafeWurzburg Grocery Store Outside Wurzburg Grocery Store Glass-Blowing Demonstration Onboard Our Ship – I Bought Glass Angels for My TreeWertheim Bakery Goodies from Wertheim Store The Ship Sells the Viking River cookbook for $20 Euros. It’s a great cookbook – love the Goulash and Swedish Meatballs Recipes!Wertheim Linzer CookieInside the Lindt Chocolate Museum Gift Shop The Famous 4711 ShopThe Exterior of the Lindt Chocolate Museum in Cologne The Lindt Chocolate Gift Shop The Lindt Chocolate Gift Shop The Lindt Chocolate Gift Shop The Lindt Chocolate Gift Shop The Lindt Chocolate Gift Shop The Lindt Chocolate Gift Shop Peter’s in Cologne Sells Its Beer Glasses – Sorry I Didn’t Get One Gouda Cheese in Kinderdijk Gouda Cheese in Kinderdijk Amazing Treat At Rembrandt’s Square in Amsterdam Oliebollen – Warm Dutch Donuts Avoid the Tourist Cheese Shops in Amsterdam Hungarian Christmas Ornament from Shop Near Saint Matthias in BudapestChristmas Ornament from Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna Bamberg Smoked Beer Ornament Christmas Ornament From Shop Near Saint Matthias in Budapest Bamberg Christmas Tree Ornament Bamberg Sausage & Mustard Christmas Tree Ornaments German-Made Smoker From Regensburg Table Coasters from Koblenz Table Coasters from Koblenz Cheese Board from Kinderdijk Windmill Gift ShopPaprika and Wooden Salad Tossing Set from Budapest’s Central Market Duty-Free Shopping At Munich Airport – Orange Jaegermeister is Hard to Find Near Me…Great in Coffee!Fun Print La from the Melk Abbey Got Accustomed to Mozart Coffees Onboard the Baldur Rijksmuseum Art Magnet Rijksmuseum Art Magnet Tulip Magnet from Amsterdam
Last October during a visit to Cologne Germany, we took a 31-mile excursion to the impressive Bruhl Palaces. The palaces were built between 1729 and 1735 as a summer retreat for Archbishop Clemons August of Bavaria. He was the Archbishop-Elector of Cologne at the time the Bruhl Palaces were constructed. Prior to this, he was the Archbishop of Regensburg. Upon his death, the property fell into disrepair until post WWII.
Based on our experience here, as well as at several other German palaces, the bishops were extremely powerful and lived very lavish lifestyles. Our first stop was the hunting lodge, also known as Falkenlust, which was small and elegant. It is where the bishop spent time with his friends. The blue and white tile going up the entire main staircase was absolutely beautiful.
Next, we visited the Augustusburg Palace which was a top highlight of our trip to Germany. Bonn is not too far away…a mere 35 miles away. When Germany was divided into two countries, the Bruhl Palace played a significant part in hosting dignitaries from other countries,such as Ronald Reagan, starting right after WWII until 1994.
I highly recommend a visit to the palaces. We visited in late October. I can only imagine how beautiful the gardens must be in the warmer months. We went as part of an extra excursion while we were on a Viking River cruise. We were allowed to roam around the hunting lodge on our own. Once we arrived at the main palace, we were assigned a guide who worked at the palace. He was extremely friendly and knowledgeable.
Exterior of the Hunting Lodge Front Gates of Hunting Lodge Private Chapel of Hunting Lodge In the park setting of the hunting lodge and private chapel Blue and White Tile At the Hunting Lodge Blue and White Tile At the Hunting Lodge Hunting Lodge Interior Interior of the Hunting Lodge Hunting Lodge Interior Hunting Lodge Interior Hunting Lodge Interior Hunting Lodge Interior Hunting Lodge Interior Bottom of the Staircase Impressive Stairwell Hunting Lodge Interior Hunting Lodge Interior Hunting Lodge Interior Mirror Room At the Hunting Lodge Beautiful Examples of Delft Ceramics Hunting Lodge Interior Hunting Lodge Interior Hunting Lodge Interior Blue & White Tile At the Hunting LodgeHunting Lodge Stairwell Interior of the Private Chapel Detailed Shell Design on Exterior of the Private Chapel Graveside Near the Chapel Exterior of Private Chapel The Exterior of the Palace and MoatThe Moat Around the MoatFront Area of Augustusburg Palace Front of the Augustusburg Palace Front Walkway to the Augustusburg Palace Front of the Palace Heating Unit Wall DetailPalace Chandelier Main Staircase Faux Marble PillarsImpressive Entrance Light Fixture Above Main Staircase The Main Staircase Ceiling Above the Main Staircase Faux Marble Painting Downstairs Entrance AreaClose-Up of Main Staircase Chandelier Exquisite Wall DetailsThe Main Staircase Close-Up of Upstairs Area Of Main Staircase View Of The Upstairs Area Of The Main StaircaseDetail of Staircase RailingUpstairs Reception Room Upstairs Above Main Staircase Dining Room Chandelier In Dining RoomUpstairs Dining RoomRooms Flooded With Light Palace Gardens Palace RoomPalace Wall DetailLess Formal Dining Room Beautiful Blue And White Tile In Less Formal Dining RoomMurano Light Fixture Tile DetailDelft Tile DetailPalace Gardens Palace Gardens Palace Gardens Palace Gardens Palace Gardens Palace Gardens
Saint SebaldusSaint SebaldusSaint Sebaldus Saint Sebaldus Interior of Saint Sebaldus Nuremberg CourtsCastle Tower Bridge to the Castle Tunnel to the Castle The Castle View from the Castle View from the Castle View from the Castle Newest Structure at the Castle City Hall Famous Downtown Fountain Underground Site Where Artwork Was Hidden During WWIIUnderground Site Where Artwork Was Hidden During WWII Nuremberg Gingerbread ShopNuremberg Gingerbread Church of Our LadyChurch of Our Lady Church of Our Lady Church of Our Lady In Front of Church of Our Lady of
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Nuremberg. During WWII, over 90 percent of the city was destroyed. What survived is a miracle. The rest was rebuilt and is very attractive. Hitler saw Nuremberg as his ideal German city so it is no surprise that the Allies went after it so aggressively. In addition, much of the German military manufacturing was based in Nuremberg.
Nuremberg did a better job preparing for bombing during WWII than other German cities. Consequently, despite aggressive bombing by the Allies, the city lost far less residents than other cities. The city used its numerous underground beer storage sites to shelter both people and their artwork.
Luckily, we were able to take a tour of the places where the Nazis hid artwork during WWII, including stolen pieces. It was fascinating. Unlike the majority of Nuremberg’s buildings, these underground hiding spaces remained intact and safe from the bombings. One of the most miraculous things saved were all the stained glass windows from Saint Sebaldus. Much of the cathedral was damaged by the Allied bombing. After the war, the Germans rebuilt the cathedral and reinstalled the original glass panes.
Unfortunately, we visited Nuremberg on a Sunday – In Germany, most stores are closed on Sundays. Luckily, two specialty stores for German gingerbread (more like a spice cookie) remain open on Sundays. The store we entered was packed with both local Germans and tourists. It was our only experience with an unhappy shop owner. Everywhere else has been so incredibly friendly. Most Germans not only speak English but do so with an American accent. As we travel along the rivers and canals, the German people have been so incredibly helpful and hospitable.
NO time for boredom today 