Paris on the ICE train

Back when my Mom and sister threw around the idea of coming to visit I knew I wanted to take them to Paris. I already decided Rand would stay home with Rob so I didn't have to worry about changing diapers and feeding him every couple hours... and honestly, I LOVED the idea of a break :)

I started researching to get us ICE train tickets to get the best price and http://en.voyages-sncf.com was the best one. Plus I got them 90 days out so I scored some great deals! It was around 100euros per person round trip, same day. Normally, they run 130euros one way.

We left my house around 6am and walked to my village's train station to get to Kaiserslatern hbf to board our ICE train to Paris. Just shy of 3 hours later we were in Paris. We walked across the street to board our Hop on/ Hop off bus which we used all day. What I loved about this specific company, L'Open Tour is that they had 4 different routes you can travel around on and see more sights. We started on the yellow route and than transferred onto the green route. We got off at only a few of the main attraction sights since we had to be back at the train station by 7pm to make our train home.

Au Revoir Paris!

Heidelberg

This is another spot I have visited before but we only checked out the castle, not the city. Our first stop was the castle but Rand and I just walked around the gardens while my Mom and sister took the guided tour inside. We parked near the Altstadt (Old City) parking garage and walked a couple blocks to get on the tram up to the castle. After the tour, we headed back down to have lunch and walk around the city.

Burg Eltz & Reichsburg Cochem

When we first arrived in Germany, one of the first trips we took was to Burg Eltz and Cochem. We loved Burg Eltz and the city of Cochem was so "German" looking, we had to take my Mom and sister to visit. Rob was working that day so Rand and I were the tour guides for the day. We left around 9 to get to Burg Eltz before it got too busy. We walked down from the parking lot to get some good shots but took the shuttle back up after our tour of the castle. 

After Burg Eltz we headed to Cochem. Our first stop was the Castle since I have never been. We parked near the city center and went straight to the tourist office to get info on the shuttle up to the castle. We lucked out because the next bus left in 10 minutes and we were the first ones in line. The bus picks you up at the bus stop area right outside the tourist office. 

After our tour of the castle, we walked around the city of Cochem and grabbed a bite to eat. After hiding from a quick downpour, we ventured out to find Historische Senfmühle. I had friends that suggested swinging by this place to pick up some amazing mustard... and I was not disappointed.