2024 November: We Power-Packed This Month!

Time is flying by, and my wings are broken! We had a nonstop, power-packed month. We came home, packed part of the boat, and completed all our doctor visits. Then, we packed up again for a quick trip to Munich to visit Lutz’s son Philipp and his family. Philipp planned a day at a technology fair, and what a treat. This photo was a screenshot from Lutz’s video of this walking robot! Sorry for the blurry picture.

I especially liked the 3D demonstrations used in movies and TV. It was a great visit. I loved seeing Philipp and his family. The boys have grown so much.

I came down with a cold the last three days of our visit to Munich and was confined to our hotel bed. Lutz had his whole family to himself, so our next stay was a treat. We headed to Mondsee Schloss Hotel in Austria. It was the perfect time to go—only twelve rooms were rented in the hotel!

The spa was a godsend. The dry sauna and inferred sauna were a great help with my congestion!

I had the whole pool to myself, but it was freezing!

It is a lovely town that is very walkable. The quaint facades of the restaurants and local businesses are well cared for and charming.

We even took a tour of the local museum connected to the hotel. It was quite interesting, with lots to see, but there was nothing in English!

After relaxing, we took off on the free hotel bikes while the sun was out.

It was so empty and peaceful along the lake.

There is a bike tour around Mondsee, but there is a portion, about 3km, where you must ride on a narrow street with local traffic, which is not my favorite. So, the next day, we took the car and drove around Mondsee and the Attersee. What a gorgeous area.

There are sections of beach access for tourists. I hate to see this place in the summer. It is so beautiful, and the water is crystal clear.

Our stay was wonderful, and it is a place we will visit again. Check the Mondsee Schloss website for super deals! We said farewell to Mondsee and took off to visit Dominik in Vienna. When you think you’ve seen all of Vienna, Bang, you turn a corner, and there is something new.

We visited the Wien Museum, a new museum that houses pieces of Vienna’s nostalgic history. The entrance fee was free, except for one section. They provided a barcode for your phone to hear about the exhibits that span over a thousand years of Vienna’s history. This museum was super.

Gustav Klimt is one of my favorite artists. I have always looked for his work while in Vienna. Several other classic paintings were also on display.

This one is my new favorite!

Of course, we had to visit the Naschmarkt. It is always hopping and a great place to have a drink or meal and people-watch! I am fascinated by the fruit and vegetable stalls, and their colors are so vibrant.

It’s a pleasure to visit Dominik, and he found time in his very busy schedule to hang out with us for a walk on one of the highest points in Vienna, Am Himmel. I always forget that Vienna is surrounded by mountains in the distance and is flat, with the Danube River running through it. There are several locations where you can view this amazing city. Click here to see more unique viewing spots.

There are two restaurants we love to go to when we are with Dominik: Gasthaus Wolf and Cafe Savoy. Our meal at the Wolf was delicious, as always, and they made a fantastic “non-traditional, traditional” dessert called Kaiserschmarrn for dessert. It is traditionally a thick pancake cut in pieces with fresh compote and powdered sugar sprinkled over the top. This Kaiserschmarrn was made of crunchy caramelized pancake, lightly sprinkled with powdered sugar, and served with a tasty rhubarb compote. Yes, I did have a bite. Now, to figure out a gluten-free Kaiserschmarrn!

The Cafe Savoy is always a super place to visit. It’s filled with lively people and some great dishes. The best way to visit is with a group of friends. This place was built in 1896 as a Viennese coffee house. The mirrors are considered the largest in Europe and fashioned after the Palace of Versailles.

We arrived home in time for me to attend my next pottery class and bring home my failed coffee cup! Okay, so I tried.

But I’m not giving up quite yet. I was so impressed with Shuki’s gorgeous chopsticks and spoon holders that I asked her if I could copy her. She helped me create this amazing set! I can’t wait to return and have her help me with the colors next week.

We packed in so many great visits and activities last month. Now, the real packing begins. We’ve decided to sell our boat, Virus. We made three trips to pack her up. Mercy me! I can’t believe we fit all this stuff on the boat. Seriously, I’m surprised it didn’t sink. We gave a lot away and made several trips to the dump. What was left is now in labeled containers in our basement for our next adventure. More to come, so keep hanging out with me to see what we decide. In the meantime, check out my new recipe and this super resource below!

Fave Recipe: Turkish Hummus

I know you all know how to make hummus. It’s a staple in most homes today. This recipe adds a bit of kick and is so flavorful and smooth, with one great secret I bet you don’t know.

Resource: The Ultimate List of Thanksgiving Side Dishes!

Before you start that shopping list for your Thanksgiving or holiday meal,  Check out these delicious side dishes from one of my favorite gluten-free sites, Downshiftology! These sides by Lisa Bryan will perk up any main dish. Check out the secret to her mashed potatoes. You will thank me later!