Traveling provides such a wonderful opportunity to see historic locations as well as the ingenuity of the human race. Cities have evolved over time and each generation has added to their splendor in a variety of different ways. We certainly enjoy seeing the historic old town areas, the beautiful cathedrals, and the grand architecture of castles and manors. With that said, we also love views of modern skyscrapers with their glistening windows. In many cities, the local citizens work in the modern section of the city that is filled with tall buildings that are away from the historic, old town sections that have kept their original charm. Sometimes the two exist right next to each other with historic buildings sitting next to modern structures.
Sunrise Reflecting on a Skyscraper in FrankfurtGlass Building in CologneOne World Trade Center (Freedom Tower) in New York CityGlass Tower in AmsterdamReflections of ViennaReflections on Skyscraper in ChicagoLas VegasCityscape of Panama City, PanamaSan Francisco SkylineNile River and Skyscrapers from Our Hotel Room in Cairo, EgyptOld and New Side-by-Side
We have always been advocates for eating local foods when traveling, but we equally believe in trying the local wines and beers. Wine tastings are a great way to try a variety of wines and get a true sense of what the region has to offer. Likewise, many cities have their own beer varieties which are specific to that location or are brewed just for the season. Some places are obvious locations to try certain things, like beer in Germany or wine in France, but you can find local varieties in places that might surprise you, such as Iceland or Egypt.
Local Beer in EgyptWine Tasting in Ronda, SpainWine Purchased from a Wine Tasting in Strasbourg, France
It isn’t just about trying different varieties of beer and wine, it is also about going to the places where locals like to gather with friends and family to relax and have a drink or two. There is something special about the atmosphere of a historic pub that is just warm and welcoming. Going to places like the Brazen Head in Dublin, Ireland’s oldest pub, can be as interesting of an experience as visiting the famous sights in a city. If you take the time to chat with the owners, you just might find yourself having a drink with them while learning more about the city and the best of the local wine and beer to try.
Brazen Head Pub in DublinDrinking Games in Reykjavik, IcelandWine and Food in Italy
We don’t believe that there are set rules about what pairs well with certain types of food as we think that it all depends upon your taste. As long as you choose something that you enjoy, it will likely taste good with your meal. There isn’t anything wrong with having a red wine or beer with fish or white wine with something with a robust flavor such as duck. The one exception might be for desserts where a sweeter wine certainly makes some sense, but on the rare occasions that we eat dessert, we usually just have a normal glass of wine.
Beer in Kilkenny, IrelandObvious Where We had This BeerDark Beer in Romania
If you add in the different festivals that happen throughout the year, but especially around the holidays, there are even more opportunities to taste local favorites. You don’t have to be in Munich to celebrate Oktoberfest and you can probably find someplace close to you to enjoy this annual celebration. Wherever you travel, you should take advantage of the local libations, including specialty drinks in addition to the local beers and wines. We enjoyed so many different drinks during our travels, but Apfelwein in Frankfurt might be close to the top of our list. Do you have a favorite beer, wine, or drink experience?
Apfelwein in FrankfurtBeer in IcelandLocal Beer in Quito, Ecuador
The town of Eguisheim is one of the medieval towns located on the Wine Road near Strasbourg, France. Located in the heart of the town is the Capelle Saint-Leon IX, which is a beautiful church with a colorful interior and interesting stained glass windows. The church is dedicated to Pope Leo IX who came from Eguisheim and was pope from 1049 to 1054. These historic churches are always worth visiting as they as they are a window into life hundreds of years ago.
The Front of the ChapelColorful Columns and Stained Glass WindowsStatue in Front of the ChapelEntering the Chapel
The Chapelle Saint-Leon IX was built in the neo-Roman style in 1894 providing an excellent example of churches of the era. The chapel has beautiful stained glass windows that date back to 1895 as well as colorfully painted walls and ceilings depicting seven scenes from the life of Pope Leo IX. In addition to the interior, the colorful roof, bell tower, and architecture are also quite wonderful. Since it is located near the main fountain in the town square, there are also several restaurants near the chapel that serve a variety of local food.
Depicting the Life of Pope Leo IXStained Glass WindowsOne of the Streets Heading Away from the Chapel and the Town SquareCeiling Above the Altar
It is certainly worth taking time to see the Chapelle Saint-Leon IX when visiting quaint town of Eguisheim. As with most European towns, the church is literally and figuratively the heart of town and a focal point for all celebrations. We visited in the month of November, so there was a wonderful Christmas market located along the walls of the church. The chapel itself will only take about twenty minutes to see, but from there you should wander the narrow streets that spread out from the town square.
Looking Up at the CeilingChristmas Market Surrounding the ChapelStatue of St. Leo Inside of the ChapelView of Chapelle Saint-Leon IXMedieval Street Next to the Chapel
