18 Destinations You Should Visit in Europe

As many of you may recall, I used to live in Germany.  My family and I moved there at the end of 2010 when my dad was stationed there.  Little did I know how big of an adventure that was going to be.  It has been a year since we moved away from Europe, and I was scrolling through my newsfeed when I came across a picture one of my friends' parents had posted of a place in Germany.  Of course, this picture sparked a trip down memory lane, and that is what inspired me to do this post.

Here are my 18* destinations you should visit if you are considering a trip to Europe:

(Most of these photos were taken by Patrick Lopez.  Aka Dad.)

18.   Marostica, Italy.

A life-sized chess board is what really stands out in my memory.  They actually hold a human chess tournament every other year here.  And yes, they actually have real people as the chess pieces.

17.  Pierrefonds, France

Ever seen the BBC show Merlin?  Well, this is the castle they shot it in.  Aside from the coolness factor, this castle truly is impressive.

And yes, this was actually on set.

16.  Regensberg, Germany.

Just thirty minutes south of where we lived is Regensberg, Germany.  It's fantastic downtown, and this amazing cathedral certainly deserve your attention.  (St. Peter's pictured below.)

15.  Verona, Italy

Very reminiscent of Rome, just on a smaller scale.  Its imposing edifices are one of the many attractions that place this in my top 18.

14.  Venice, Italy

This would probably be in everyone's top 18 if they had to pick.  It is amazing to think that the streets you're walking on are only held up by wooden poles that are hundreds of years old.  If you can get past the fact that this is a tourist hub, you will find it quite the adventure.

13.  Wittenberg, Germany

If you know anything about the Reformation, this stop is almost mandatory.  And the fact that there was a medieval festival at the time we rolled through made the experience top-notch.

 

12.  Dachau, Germany

It may not be a favorite place, but this certainly is a place to visit.  The bleakness and sorrow that you feel is a remembrance of unspeakable horrors.  But if you don't know your history, you're bound to repeat it.  This site is a monument of what mankind does when they try to take the place of God.

11.  Nurnberg, Germany

10.   Salzberg, Austria

One thing: Sound of Music.

9.  Rome, Italy

I highly recommend wearing good walking shoes.

8.  Garmisch, Germany.

A small village tucked back in the Alps.  So, basically, just get to the Alps if possible.  Just amazing.  

Photo creds: Mrs. Vass

7.  Bovec, Slovenia

If you're into high adventure activities, this is the place for you.  This little village is located so that it can be a good base camp if you want to explore the Alps...whether that be canyoning, white water-rafting or zip-lining.  You ask for it, they probably have it.

Definitely one of my favorites.

6.  Paris, France

5.  Compiegne, France

About an hour drive north of Paris, many of the Royal family would visit Compiegne.

4.  Geneva, Switzerland

Also a stop you should make if you are even faintly familiar with the Reformation.  

The Reformation wall.

Good morning, Lake Geneva.

3.  Cittadella, Italy. 

One of the many views from the walls of Cittadella.

2.  Scotland

It is one of my favorite places on earth.  From the culture to the history to the food, there is something different about it from the rest of Europe.  I'd recommend going to see Sterling Castle, the William Wallace monument and St. Andrews to name a few.

1.  Lupburg, Germany

I'm very biased in this regard.  But this town was our home for over 3 1/2 years.  The beauty of the Bavarian countryside, whatever the season happened to be, was breath-taking.  The food was good, there were castles and churches on practically every hillside, and the people there were very welcoming.  What more could one ask for?

Lupburg

*(Why 18? One might ask.  Well, someone *coughmecough* is turning 18 very soon.)

Hope you enjoyed!  Please note there are so many other places I would have included in this post, but the self-imposed limit helped keep me from going on and on.

No One Said it Would be Easy

Nobody said it would be easy

Nobody said life's a breeze - MercyMe

Those lyrics are on point.  Nobody said it would be easy.  Why would I think it was?  Nobody said that life is a breeze.  Why did I expect it to be?  

Was I so foolish to think that a move would be easy?  Because it wasn't.  I realize that now.

But it wasn't a bad thing.  That's the irony.  It can cause frustration and pain, and yet God works it so that it is good.  I learned a lot in this self-move.  The Father never seems to be done teaching.  And one of those lessons that I'm learning is that I'm never done learning.  Every day seems to have something new in store.  A different experience.  A new challenge.  A new story to be acted out and performed.  

We've been through a lot recently.  A move.  A deployment.  The end of another school year.  A young man achieving the first step of independence in gaining his license.  A puppy to raise.  (Oh, I haven't mentioned that?  Don't worry.  There will be a post and more pictures on the way.)  Things are changing.  And yet, we are so blessed.  We have moved back to family.  And boy, their support has been tremendous.  We have moved back to where trees grow, and I have missed them.  New friendships to be forged, and old ones to renew.  We're back in our hometown.  Back in the Midwest, and it feels refreshing.  We're back where there are more opportunities and adventures to be had.  They are there for the taking.  

So, no.  It wasn't easy.  But it was worth it.

PC: Abi

Union Station

Meet, Silas.  The newest Lopez.  My dad says he's a mix of Beagle and Super Beagle.

Night lights of El Paso.

8 Months Later

Thanks, Google Images

We just got here.

The thought struck home.  Deep.  

Eight months ago, we had made the big move from Hohenfels, Germany to El Paso, Texas.  Seven and a half months ago, we had settled into our house.  Seven months ago, I started to make friends.  Four months ago, I joined a basketball team that had a heck of a season.  Four months ago, I learned what it meant to step up and be a leader.

A week and a half ago, I found out that we were moving.  And that my dad was deploying.  

The thought stuck home.  Hard.

Not only were we moving and my dad deploying,  but we are moving in 5 1/2 weeks, and my dad is officially deploying in May.  

Boy, does time fly and things change.  I won't say that I am sad to leave El Paso.  The bleak desert can be an awful reminder of how blessed we have been in our previous duty stations.  Germany and Hawaii are heaven compared to this place (in terms of having trees...I love trees).  But I will miss the friends that I have made.  I will miss the relationships that are just getting started. God has taught me so many lessons recently. One that stands out most to me is simply this: to identify myself with Him.  I have been learning that as a Christian, it means that you are a Christ follower.  And I am learning to find peace in remembering what He has done.  And the plans that He has for us.  I have learned to put His Will in front of my own.  

We will soon be in transit back to Kansas City, Missouri!  More adventures are opening up, but I won't forget the relationships that I have formed here, the opportunities that I have experienced and the challenges that I have faced.  

I know it's a slightly over used passage, but it still provides comfort.

"For I know the plans I have for you,declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11

Exploring the Wild West

This weekend my family and I went West.  To explore a fun little town in New Mexico.  It was a beautiful sunny day, that felt nothing like February.  Here are just a few pictures that I took in RuiDoso, New Mexico.  Enjoy:)

Life is really good in seventy degree weather.

Violent sign is violent.

My dad asked me for my phone, and told me to go stand facing this burger.  So of course I did.

'Murica!

On the way home, we stopped at a park to let Bear and Belle ride a little train.

Once again, this was my father's idea.  And my brother complied with a swift willingness.

One of the oldest mills in the SouthWest.

Cowboy.

Drunk at The Fest

*disclaimer* Not one of us got drunk at the fest.  This film as been approved for all audiences.

What is the first thing people think when you say "Oktoberfest"?  Drunk people.  But in the later part of the morning there aren't many drunk people.  And that's exactly when we went.  We hopped on a train (8:15 on a Saturday morning.  But we won't go there.)  And rode it all the way down to Munchen for the Ok
toberfest.  So prepare to see a picture filled blog.  And be amazed at the abilities of my dad with a camera.  Hope you enjoy!

On the way up to the Oktoberfest.  Belle...  And her pretty face.

Brothers.

I don't know why, but my Dad's coffee mug got in a LOT of pics.

Rule #1 about Fight Club: Is that we don't talk about Fight Club.

Lopez is the definition of gracefulness.

That darn girl wearing that dirndl.  (Talk to the Germans about the lack of vowels.  It's been driving me insane)

The brave ones of the family.

Beating up little kids made fun.

My brother is taking after me.

We've missed Dad!  But now he's showing his gangster side.

Besides all of these memories!  I had some highlights..

1. Got to taste some real beer.

2 Got to ride in a train for a total of three hours. (Total highlight, right?)

3. And finally, I had an amazing family to share all these memories with.