Travel with Toddler, Part 1

Well, it's already our 3rd night here and I haven't gotten a blog in until now.  The first night I was too tired.  The 2nd we couldn't get online but now we are safe in the Austrian Alps & I can update!  I'll try not to make this too long as there is much to tell.

So here is what we packed.  I was pretty proud as I took less this time than our Italy trip and even with Louis' stuff my bag is lighter.  But I am planning on doing laundry after week one & think this is the way to go.  It's a total of 6 bags & a baby carrier but the small packs zip onto the big ones so it condenses to 4 bags.  

I have to STRESS that so far travel with a 19 month old overseas has been pretty easy and no harder than the US trips we have taken with Louis.  Yea, we do have my mom & Tom which helps give us small breaks but we would definitely travel here again alone with a baby.  So if you are thinking about it, DO IT!  

On our first layover, Louis snacked and was able to run around the airport.  We made sure he stayed out of other people's way & got rid of some energy. 

Our neighbor on the flight become fast friends with Louis.  Little George was French-Canadian & 14 months old.  He non-stop hugged Louis and Lou was kind of like, "what is wrong with this kid?' but he did respond with a kiss.  I don't think he knew what else to do.  George also stole Louis' b-ball for a while which almost caused a problem.  George's dad was able to get it back just in time.

After our meal, he wanted to sit with Nana a few rows back so Joe & I enjoyed some wine.

The worst part of the trip so far was sleeping with Louis on the plane.  I wanted Joe to sleep since he had to drive so I had Louis the whole time.  I couldn't get that comfortable but it didn't matter much since I took a few naps on the drive from Brussels to Wurzburg.

Since I'm trying to keep this short, I'll give you a run-down of how things are going.  We spent the first two days on the Romantic Road and visited Rothenburg, Wurzburg & Dinkelsbuhl with a pit-stop for lunch in Koln.  We loved the lunch in Koln (Cologne in English) and enjoyed the Kolsh beer and sausage & sauerkraut.  Joe's diet has consisted of about 80% sausage, 10% pork, 5% breakfast cold-cuts and bread and the remainder in beer.  The rest of us cannot sustain that kind of diet and are finding other options still local to the region.  I will say the heavier & traditional options are good but I can only do about one of those meals a day.  

Lunch in Koln

First night's dinner in Rothenburg.  The Italian place was all that was open so late.  

Beer!

My dinner tonight.  Delicious ravioli & local white wine. 

Joe's dinner tonight.  Braised beef with egg and potato.  Oh, and beer.

The towns on the Romantic Road were very charming.  Highlights were walking the wall & night watchman in Rothenburg, lunch and small town charm of Dinkelsbuhl and lunch a great views in Wurzburg.

Wurzburg Residenz.  Louis posing in front of the fountain.  He finds one in every town.

Residenz Garden

Great recommendation from the Runny's for lunch! 

Louis' punishment when he is naughty. 

Joe's idea of heaven.

Rothenburg 

The house we stayed at in Rothenburg.

 Walking the wall.

Dinkelsbuhl

Joe cannot stop referring to Germany as his "homeland".  Since Kirchner means "Keeper of the Church" I snapped a pic of my church janitors in front of one.

Another fountain.  Such joy!

 We made our way to a farmhouse in Pinswang, Austria for the night & will do the Ludwig castles tomorrow.  It's cold and rainy so our view is a little foggy.  Here are some pics of our room.  Dinner was great but Louis was CRAZY tonight.  He was running around and loud.  I feel like the attitude toward kids is so much more laid back here.  I don't feel as terrible when he is loud at dinner, etc. because it just seems more acceptable to include kids into social life.  Just another reason to plan more trips here in the future & the only reason I miss that paying job.  I'll try to post more often so the blogs are shorter.

Crazy kid at dinner. 

Our room.

View of the Alps.  Sort-of.