Barefoot Path in Bad Schwalbach: Reflexology Health for Mind Body & Sole!
Located in the public spa park in Bad Schwalbach, there an invigorating 750m trail through the gardens with various soil textures, natural reflexology massaging, a mud basin, water pool and stream path.
Reflexology is an alternative medicine which when applying pressure on certain areas of the foot, it affects physical changes to your body. Going barefoot alone strengthens your muscles, tendons and joints. It also restores the natural beauty and mobility of healthy feet.
Along the trail there are several fountains with cool iron filled healing water, which feels amazing on your skin during a hot day.
When you first start there is an area where you can sit down and clean your feet. Since we did this on a very hot day, it felt really great.
Then after being cleaned, it was time to get our toes in some dirt! The next stations intent are to give you the feeling of walking on different textures like the floor of the forest. This was an amazing feeling for your senses!
Then the stations started to massage your feet with natural objects. Stepping on different stones and round wood bumps stimulate the bottoms of your feet for an overall body wellness. I never would have thought that stepping on big hard rocks would feel so good!
Next the real muddy fun starts! I have never stepped in mud like this before in my life. The closest most foot adventurous thing I have done is getting an extra wax wrap during a pedicure! Stepping into the mud basin felt surprisingly really good! I liked it so much I did it twice.
With your muddy feet you walk to the adjacent station to rinse off in the cool water! Fresh grass clippings blew into it and sprinkled the top which gave it an even more delightful natural spa feeling.
The last station was actually my favorite because you walked in a shaded cool stream! For me, this is stepping out of my comfort zone because I would never think of being in a park and start walking in the nearby stream. They have a rope set up as a handrail and you tip toe in the stream as your final obstacle.
At end you feel a sense of accomplishment and your tootsies feel so amazing!
How to find it:
Set the GPS to:
Street: Badweg
Town: Bad Schwalbach
Follow the park to the end and follow the Barfuss signs. At the end there will be a small parking along the park. Then you walk passed a mini-golf course and a lovely restaurant, then the path starts behind there.
A big wooden foot marks the start of the barefoot path!
About the author: Gemma is a mom, a veteran and an Army civilian living in Wiesbaden, Germany. With New Jersey roots, she is enjoying her extended European vacation
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Horse and carriage ride, castles and wine... Oh my!
A horse and carriage ride through the Rheingau vineyards, sipping Riesling while castle hopping, is the perfect combination for a 'pinch me am I dreaming’? or 'Am I a character in a fairytale’? moment.
Well luckily I was not dreaming and fairytale moments do come true in the Rheingau with the help of Mr Gottfried Schuth’s horse and carriage tours. You can book several beautiful wagon rides in the Rheingau region for a lovely afternoon out with your group of friends. Our tour visited two castles with wine tasting and a light snack picnic in the vineyards along on the way.
The wagon conveniently met us all in a parking lot along the Rhien River and then we were off! First stop was at the charming Schloss Vollrads, where you can sight see and also enjoy some wine tasting in their vinothek. This gorgeous castle and wine estate have been making wine for over 800 years! You can sip their Riesling while sitting next to the tower and surrounding pond. The early 14 century tower looks like right out of the German fairy tale, Rapunzel!
After my daydreaming of envisioning Rapunzel dropping her long golden hair out of the tower, it was time to get back on the wagon! Some members of the group bought several wines that they just sampled in the vinotek.
We went further into the vineyards, then the wagon stopped at a wonderful wine tasting picnic set up by Mr Schuth’s tour. His wife was there along with their third business partner, their 15 year old dog named Charly.
The stop they chose had an amazing view. We were high, in the sunshine, and the atmosphere was very calming. I thought it was interesting to be so close to all of the grapes. They looked so healthy and delicious. I look forward to drinking them when they turn into wine soon!
Now with a belly filled of wine and cheese, it was back on the wagon to the final stop, Schloss Johannisberg. This is a beautiful castle to visit! They have a wine shop, a great café and a breathtaking view of the Rheingau. To walk to the lookout area you pass through grape vine covered awnings and sweet smelling red rose bushes.
Schloss Johannisberg has been making Riesling for over 900 years and they are known for creating the first late harvest wine, called ‘Spätlese’.
The entire trip was a magical day and a great change from the normal road trip. Contact Mr Gottfried Schuth’s horse and carriage tours for more information to making your ordinary weekend very extraordinary!
About the author: Gemma is a mom, a veteran and an Army civilian living in Wiesbaden, Germany. With New Jersey roots, she is enjoying her extended European vacation.
Celpro Italian Supermarket: Gateway to Italian Delights
One of the many amazing aspects about visiting Italy is their incredible drool worthy cuisine. When crossing into Italy for vacation, you can also check your diet at the door. Carbs, dairy and sugar are your new BFF’s. Then when returning you are left with only sweet memories of cannoli’s and stained droplets of marinara sauce on your shirt from nights before. However, Celpro the Italian supermarket in Mainz-Kastel is a gateway to delicious Italian food which allows us to now enjoy Italian treats in the comforts of our own kitchens! Magnifico!
What is inside?
When walking in, there are carts available that use a euro coin to unlock them. I always get stuck in the first aisle, looking at and selecting all of the different drinks. Not being a fan of regular soda, I really love the sparkling water with juices like lime, pomelo and pineapple that are not commonly found in other stores in Germany.
Next spot surely not to miss is the pasta section. There they have many shapes of pasta that you can rarely find and perhaps didn’t even know that they existed. Orecchiette anyone?!
Another impressive section is the olives, peppers and olive oil. You could make a very impressive antipasti dish for a party with all of these choices. They also offer to make you a cold buffet platter. To accompany the delicious oil you need bread! Everyday they bake fresh Italian bread in the back of the store. The smell was incredible!
Also in the back they had a full deli with meats and cheese. Every Wednesday they bring in special buffalo milk mozzarella from Campania.
Great selection of Italian wines! Saluti!!
Also another great special they offer is that the last Wednesday of the month, they take off 20% off the entire store! You can use your credit card at the register, which is always a nice factor.
So if you want to be a hit at the next party you host or the next potluck you attend, you can make scrumptious cannoli’s for dessert because they sell the shells here.
Here is a recipe for the filling:
Cannoli Filling Recipe with Ricotta
Ingredients
* 1 pound ricotta cheese
* 1/4 cup cornstarch
* 1 1/3 cups whole milk
* 1/2 cups powdered sugar
* 1/2 tsp almond extract
* 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
* 1/4 tsp cinnamon
Procedure
* In a bowl, slowly whisk 1 cup of the milk into the cornstarch until it becomes smooth.
* Let sit about 20 minutes.
* Put mixture into sauce pan and add the remaining milk and sugar to the milk-starch.
* Stir over a low heat until it is thick and smooth. Remove from heat.
* Stir in the almond and vanilla extracts.
* Place a piece of plastic wrap on the surface of the filling to avoid "skin”.
* Wait for mixture to come to room temperature.
* AFTER the mixture is at room temperature - THEN add the ricotta cheese and cinnamon to the cornstarch.
* Pipe the filling into cannoli shells.
About the author: Gemma is a mom, a veteran and an Army civilian living in Wiesbaden, Germany. With New Jersey roots, she is enjoying her extended European vacation.
Wiesbaden Nerotalfest: Sweet and Simple!
Sweet and Simple! Like a trip to a country fair! The Nerotalfest is a beautiful ‘back to the basics’ summer fest held in the Nerotal Park in Wiesbaden. There you can sit on a seat of baled hay, enjoy a refreshing summer drink while your little one runs around with face paint.
The Nerotal Park is one kilometer long, that starts from Taunusstrasse and goes all the way to the Nerobergbahn. The park alone is a beautiful place to visit, with its’ English landscape and fabulous flowers. To enter the park you walk across the protected historical site “Schwarzbach” stream, which looks like right out of a fairytale.
The fest is held in a lovely section of the Nerotal Park and the fest itself is very relaxing. There are no big loud fest rides or games with blasting music. The fest has a more traditional feeling and brings you back to the basics. Even without all the flashing lights, you can get everything you could want at the fest while there are many things to keep the kids busy. They had delicious fest grilled meats, pastries, coffee stand, beer and wine. Even though it is a smaller fest, you will not leave this fest hungry!
Events that stood out were more personal and meaningful entertainment and it was more catered towards kids. For example, face painting, glitter tattoos, storytelling, area for game boards and music performed by children groups.
Our favorite was the storytelling! Even though we didn’t understand all of the German we were able to follow along with the story because of her great acting. I looked up the storyteller and saw that she tours around the area. Her information can be found here: www.doris-friedmann.de
Another wonderful vendor there was Lottchen Events. They
had an adorable vintage circus photo studio set up with an amazing choice of
photo props for your little one! Photos were taken, printed and then given to
everyone for free. The owner was very nice and spoke great English. Their
artistic focus has an educational concept with a modern design and
sophisticated decoration. She sets up these adorable photo shoots for events,
holds kids parties for the children at weddings/events and will even plan an
entire party for you. Her amazing work looks like straight out of Pinterest!
It’s worth checking out her website
and Facebook page.
Next mid-July I will definitely mark my calendar and attended this wonderful Nerotal Fest again! (We will also get matching pink glitter unicorn tattoos!)
About the author: Gemma is a mom, a veteran and an Army civilian living in Wiesbaden, Germany. With New Jersey roots, she is enjoying her extended European vacation.
Channel your inner Tarzan! Swing down ropes and climbs within the trees at the Wiesbaden Neroberg Kletterwald!
Located on the top of Wiesbaden, in the beautiful Neroberg, this high ropes course offers adventure for the thrill seekers and also those who have a slight fear of heights. Their experienced staff teaches you the proper belays for hooking your rope during each part of the course. You can have one on one training, a work team building event, or a small family group.
The course is absolutely beautiful and you feel so close to nature being among the vast trees. The floor is covered with soft and fresh smelling woodchips. First you pay at the ticket booth, then you receive your equipment. Next you receive a 30 minute instructional and safety briefing from a trained staff member. You are then given 3 hours to explore the ropes course, but if you want to stay longer you just have to pay more. Trainers are watching at the bottom to offer any help and of course come help you at any time.
They offer snacks and drinks for sale on site and they have fest tables available. They allow you to bring your own food! If you can’t find a fest table available, there is a huge gorgeous park surrounding the ropes course, and you can have a picnic there or use some of the public BBQ pits. If you aren’t one for eating on the lawn, there is also another option of eating at the restaurant Wagner which is right next to the course.
You will leave the course feeling, energized, exhilarated and also so proud that you accomplished a course like this! Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. You can climb even in the rain with raingear.
They even have a playground area free of charge for the younger ones or if you are just exploring the Neroberg area.
Next beautiful day, literally climb you way to the top of the trees of Wiesbaden at the Neroberg Kletterwald! When you are on the final zip line, don’t forget to belt out your best Tarzan yell! Aaaaah-ah-ah-ah-aaaah-ah-ah-ah-aaaah!!
Follow their facebook page for more updates and also watch their video of the new Freefall part of the ropes course! https://www.facebook.com/kletterwald.neroberg/
Address:
Neroberg 1, 65183 Wiesbaden, Germany
Prices:
(Including for 3 hours. Instruction and climbing equipment)
€ 19, - Adults
€ 15, - apprentices, students, pensioners (+ ID)
€ 12, - children, youth, students (+ ID)
€ 7, - children's course
€ 54, - Family ticket: 2 adults + 2 children (each additional own child 10 €)
* If you use the Neroberg train to get up there, you save 10%.
About the author: Gemma is a mom, a veteran and an Army civilian living in Wiesbaden, Germany. With New Jersey roots, she is enjoying her extended European vacation.
