hannover

A few weeks ago I got to visit the city of Hannover in Germany. I tagged along with a friend as she went home on holiday and visited for a few days. We spent most of our time relaxing and enjoying Christmas movies, tea and cookies. The other main attraction was the Christmas markets. Oh my goodness do they have Christmas markets! We visited four different markets in three different towns; they were all different and yet very similar. I tried so many new foods and watched as vendors made fresh burnt almonds and listened as others proudly explained their wares. Such a fascinating and unique opportunity. German Christmas markets are becoming more popular and many cities outside of Germany are creating them, but they're not the same! Definitely go to the real ones if you can.

Christmas market #1

Rådhaus in Hannover (one of the only buildings not destroyed in WWII)

Herrenhausen Gardens

Hot chocolate was a must!

Marienburg Castle

If you look closely you can see the cupboards
and stove and oven - all part of the stall!

Freshly-made burnt almonds

Enjoy!!

xx,

K

københavn

It's been a while since I've posted! Lately it's been busy with the holidays, work and classes as we finished up for the holiday break. We have exams next month so soon I'll be busy studying for those. This last month I was able to visit two new cities, the first being Copenhagen.

Such a lovely city at Christmas time! It was cold and a little dreary but the Christmas decor and bright lights helped it feel cozy. It was a very quick trip but I packed a lot in thanks to the Copenhagen Card - definitely worthwhile if you plan to be there a short time and visit lots of museums, plus then you don't have to worry about transportation!

Some highlights include:

Sunset over Copenhagen from the Rundetårn

My new favorite topping for hot dogs

Tivoli Gardens done up for Christmas!

(Tivoli Gardens)

Wednesday was jam-packed with new experiences - I loved every bit of it! Even the rain...

The original Christus statue by Thorvaldsen

Took a boat tour through Copenhagen (Nyhavn)

Met the King's horses at Christiansborg Palace Stables

Thursday I met up with a friend of a friend and she took me around the city to the last few places on my list :)

Visited the small but lovely Rosenborg Castle
(and saw the crown jewels!)

Stopped by Garnisonskirke where some of my ancestors married

Papirøen for lunch! I tried smørrebrød - a traditional
Danish dish

I climbed 300 steps for this view and it was definitely worth it!

I'd love to go back to Denmark and explore the smaller cities and towns but for now it was great to explore a new city and get a feel for the people and their culture.

xoxo,

K

st martha-on-the-hill

About a week and a half ago I took a walk to the church of St Martha-on-the-hill in Guildford. I mostly wanted to walk through the Downs and from the map, St Martha's Church seemed a good destination. From walking out my door and returning, I spent about three hours out and about. The sun was shining, the weather was lovely and the day was perfect.  The hardest part was walking up Pewley St which is pretty steep; past that you're in the Pewley Downs and then its a short walk to the bridle path which leads you to Halfpenny Lane. It really only took me so long because I stopped to take so many pictures!

When you first enter the Downs...

you get this gorgeous view.

You enter the path...

with colorful leaves and bright blue sky...

and perfect foliage and scenery.

You make it along the path and up another hill to see St Martha's...

and the view is just perfect!

Definitely worth the miles walked and the hours spent!

xoxo,
K