Operation X2: Tim and Kevin Visit Europe

Immediately after Carnaval, Operation X2 commenced, as the guys like to call it. We spent the first couple days hanging around Sittard and the local area before embarking on a road trip across Germany. We visited the American Cemetery in Margraten and Maastricht our first day. Though the shops were still closed due to Carnaval and parades were still in full swing, we enjoyed walking around the old town of Maastricht.

American Cemetery in Margraten

A tribute to Castle Gray Skull at the Helpoort in Maastricht

The following day, we trekked to one of our favorite lunch spots in the quaint town of Thorn, De Pannekoekenbakker. We each ordered delicious savory pancakes before heading to the nearest Trappist brewery to our area, Achel. It has a unique location situated on top of the border of the Netherlands and Belgium. The brewery is actually in Belgium, but part of the monastery complex is in the Netherlands. Unfortunately, the monastery was not open for visitors, but the group still enjoyed tasting the different varieties of Achel beer in the cafe and exploring the extensive beer store. 

We returned home just in time for an evening bike tour of Sittard. No trip to the Netherlands is complete without doing as the locals do and cycling around town.

Lunch at De Pannekoekenbakker in Thorn

A visit to the Achel Trappist Brewery

After two days of low-key touring in the local area, we kicked it up a notch the third day and embarked on a tour of Germany toward Bavaria hitting up some of our favorite highlights along the way.

First stop was the massive Cologne cathedral. Though we have visited this incredible landmark numerous times, it never ceases to amaze me how incredibly gigantic this gothic cathedral is. After a tour of the cathedral, we visited the Früh brewery to experience some local kölsch beer. Kölsch is the beer of Cologne and can only be brewed in the city, as the brewery has to have sight of the Cologne cathedral. 

Cologne Cathedral

Jon, Kevin and Tim lighting a candle for their pal Ted

Cologne Cathedral interior

From Cologne, we continued to Koblenz, where we stopped for a tour of the Deutsches Eck (or German corner) landmark. This spot is significant as the Rhine and Mosel rivers join at this location and now is a symbol for German unification with a massive statue of Kaiser Wilhelm.

We hopped back in the car, snaking along the Rhine River to the mighty Marksburg Castle. As it is low tourist season, we managed to get a private tour of this best preserved castle on the Rhine River. After the tour, we stopped in the charming village of Bacharach and elsewhere along the Rhine River road for picturesque views of the many castles in this area.

At the Deutches Eck monument in Koblenz

Touring Marksburg Castle

Touring Marksburg Castle

Pfalz Castle along the Rhine River

After a long day of driving and sight-seeing, we eventually made it to Wiesbaden where we stayed the night. We wanted to show the gang our old stomping grounds and we enjoyed a night of eating at our favorite restaurant and visiting some of our favorite bars. 

Prost at the Paulaner Beerstube

We spent the next morning showing them around Wiesbaden, to include the Kurhaus casino, Kurpark with green parrots, market square, and a trip to the Neroberg. Located on a hill above Wiesbaden, the Neroberg was one of our favorite places to go running and escape into nature. Not only are there excellent views of the city, but also a beautiful Russian Orthodox church from the 1700s. 

The Cloughs at the Kurhaus in Wiesbaden

Atop the Neroberg in Wiesbaden

A view of Wiesbaden from the Neroberg

The Russian Orthodox church on the Neroberg

That afternoon, I split off from the group to return to Sittard, while they continued southwest to Bavaria.  I really hated to leave the gang, especially since I did not expect to have so much fun being pregnant and cramped in the Xterra with these four for hours on end. This was the first time I had spent quality time with Becky, Tim's wife, and she was an absolute delight, and of course it's always entertaining to be around Jon, Tim and Kevin and hear their hilarious stories and discussions.

The four of them drove to Bamberg where they embarked on a beer tour of the city's many breweries. Armed with a backpack and beer mug provided by the TI, they hopped from brewery to brewery tasting the variety of different beers. Not only is this city known for its beer, but it's also known for its well-preserved historic center with a large number of half-timbered buildings and idyllic setting located on a river.

Jon, Kevin, Tim and Becky in Bamberg

After one night in Bamberg, Tim and Becky caught a train the following day to Berlin to visit his sister, while Jon and Kevin continued south to Munich (via Nurnberg) for two nights. They continued to have a fantastic time touring this incredible city while also visiting plenty of breweries there as well. 

Operation X2 was quite a success and I'm so grateful to these three for making the effort to take time off to visit and take part in a European adventure with us. Jon and I both are so blessed to have so many incredible friends who have come to visit, and though we don't see them often, it almost makes the time together that much sweeter. Thanks, friends, for helping to make our time in Europe that much more special!