Another summer come and gone

You're making me hungry for travel and sitting at your dining table! Your warm onion pie sounds much like what was served to me while wine tasting on the Moselle (zwiebeln kuchen?) Fabulous! Do you share recipes? I'm hoping to do a river cruise during tulip time in The Netherlands next spring.

A fun topic Thomas! A couple of years ago we visited Austria in the fall and enjoyed all things pumpkin - sweet pumpkin strudel and salads with pumpkin oil. Not quite ready to think about next summer yet - want to savor the tastes and aromas of fall!

How many of you are already planning your next summer's travel??? The 1st 3 days of the 2014 Tour De France are in the UK & we hope to see them.

Three weeks in France in June/July. Playing the waiting game with the airlines currently. All accommodations are booked with final payments due in Spring. I love Autumn myself. Halloween and Thanksgiving to look forward to! Fall break is coming up and we are going on a short cruise to Mexico along with a weekend in New Orleans (gotta get our French fix somehow!).

We're ten days from takeoff for Amsterdam, the evening of 9/30 so we'll be in European (or at least Canadian) airspace when the government shuts down (again), then on to Paris and Burgundy and ??? till the end of October. So we'll be seeing the fall of France (so to speak) firsthand. And if the government is still shut down then I guess we'll have to stay there (sigh). Next summer? We usually stay around here where it's beautiful and fun. Our major trips are in spring and/or fall, with maybe some time south in winter when the Northwest gets too dark and wet. But I hear you re the soups and wine and such. For me it's the fresh oysters when the water gets colder, and the chanterelle mushrooms. Good chance to say how much fun I've had on this board, learning a lot for our travels and hopefully adding some value for others. I appreciate your contributions, Thomas. Enjoy the onion pie!

We are already planning our Dec 2014 trip to Germany:) Looking forward to visiting the Christmas Markets. Onion pie sounds amazing! Are you willing to post the recipe? ;)

I'm a little sad that summer's over (Seattle had a great summer this year!) but I'm looking forward to wearing sweaters and scarves, and getting out the crockpot. As for next summer's travel, I'm kicking it around in my head. I keep going back and forth between the Scotland tour and the Loire to the South of France tour. Decisions, decisions! ;)

Definitely planning somewhere in Europe next summer. Have two possible trips planned but not sure which we'll be doing. 1.Central/eastern Europe - Berlin, Krakow, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Lviv and possible one other location in Ukraine. or 2.North England, Isle of Man, Wales, Channel Islands. I'll be meeting up with my daughter who lives in Ukraine and I'm letting her make the final decision as to when and where we go. I prefer spring or autumn but she teaches English over there so when depends on her summer break. She really wants to go to England but I'm pushing for the other one. I told her she has to let me know by December so we can start firming up plans. Either one will make me do the happy dance so I'm excited either way. Fall is my favorite time of year whether it's over here or traveling somewhere else. Love the harvest markets, love Halloween and Thanksgiving, love the turning leaves and the chill in the air and a big pot of soup simmering on the stove. I'll second the request for the recipe for warm onion pie - mmmmmmm.

Usually I'm traveling in September, but we went in May and June this year. It seems weird to be home in September! I'm not keen on the winter (I drive about 80 kms to work everyday so the snow is getting to me more as I get older). At least I have a Caribbean cruise to look forward to in February! I can't plan anything firm for next fall yet, but I'm constantly looking. We usually go away for three weeks but I think the budget will only allow for two. Trying to tell myself that it will still be wonderful.

Autumn? What's that? Looking at a high of 99 F today with a low around 70 F tonight. But it's a dry heat. Going to the Seattle area for a few days soon where it will be more autumn-like, so I'll probably freeze. I'm already researching a month in Scandinavia next summer and maybe Greece in October, 2015. But then, I'm always thinking about going somewhere other than where I am, no matter the time of year or where I am at that time.

I like the fall. The leaves are starting to turn color and the bad weather gives me reasons to cuddle. I like the decrease in pollin and allergy symptons.
My wedding is in a couple of weeks so yeah!! Not sure if this counts but i am trying to get my love to go on a road trip to his family in Texas this spring/summer. They cant be here for our wedding. I am hoping to go somewhere on our honeymoon next fall. I am working on going to Europe, or somewhere in the Arctic, in the off season so we can have low crowds. Cant take the honeymoon now because of buget.

Fall and football reminds me that winter and very short days are just around the corner. I hate both the dark and the cold, but I am getting over my early thoughts of depression by planning next May's trip to Vienna, Russia, Helsinki and Tallinn. Searching for airfares and train fares always perks me right up. Since my mother experienced a house fire in 2012 and then relocated down south from way up north in 2013, we haven't really had the chance to go anyplace that can't be reached by I-95. My passport has been lonely and I am sooo very ready to travel to Europe again.

Winter is my favorite time of year in Europe, mainly because of the winter sports scenes in the Alps and Scandinavia. There's nothing quite like a day of glorious Alpine skiing, followed by an evening of glorious Alpine food, wine and perhaps a little aprés ski. Plans for next summer? My wife and I are alternating between a driving tour of Scandinavia or a beach vacation to the Wadden Islands or Zeeland province.

Thomas, What a great topic! "I like autumn, but it is sort of a melancholy "like" because I'm not into the dark and cold days that are soon coming." I feel exactly the same way! I also like autumn but realize that many weeks of seemingly unending cold, gray, dark and dreary days will soon follow, along with snow shovelling. I detest winter and everything that comes with it, but at least I can enjoy the other three seasons. One of these years I'll scrape up some money and go somewhere sunny in January. I've already started to put a few ideas together for next year's holiday, but haven't made any firm decisions yet. I usually wait until after the tour event in Edmonds in mid-January before making a decision. I've looked at the Adriatic tour for the last few years, but haven't been able to make it work so far. Maybe it will finally happen in 2014? @Andrea, "It seems weird to be home in September!" I can very much relate to that as well. I normally travel in September, but due to family circumstances this year I took my trip in June and early July. As the beginning of September approached, I felt like it was time to start loading up the Backpack and getting ready for departure, but unfortunately it will be a long time before that happens.

>"Let's hope this coming European winter is not as bad as last winter! Brrr. Horrible. It snowed at Easter." whisper Turkish Riviera whisper

Planning two weeks driving in Tuscany in late May, followed by bicycling from Innsbruck to Trento along the Etschradweg. We'll have our world traveling Jack Russell with us as well in his bike trailer. We'll train back to Innsbruck and then on to Salzburg for a little R&R at the Hotel Auersperg.

Great that you're planning a trip that includes going to Vienna and Helsinki, where hopefully you can spend a week in each. I'm envious. Just take in those lovely and captivating sights. On the coming of autumn I used to enjoy the season, but recently I prefer the summer particularily if it includes traveling, esp to Europe.

Just finished the first draft of summer 2014 itinerary in Italy.

We celebrated the first day of Fall at a winery in the valley near us yesterday and then came home and booked our flights for our 2014 summer trip. We found an unexpectedly good fare to Vienna so we've arranged to be in that area for one month next summer. Thomas, I may be PMing you and Susan! Only 298 days of dreaming left. That makes winter bearable, well not really winter here in southern California but work this winter bearable :-)

For those of you looking for onion pie / zwiebelkuchen recipes, I did find a few online at allrecipes.com but they didn't look very inspiring. You can use them to get some basics, like temps and how long to bake them though. 2 different styles can be found and served, one is pretty much like a quiche, just with lots of onions and bacon, but the more traditional 1 which is one that I make and that is served with the Federweisser wine is flat. You have your choice of using a pie dough crust or a yeast crust, like for a pizza. Try both to see which one you like best. (I like the yeast dough crust) Slowly fry up a large batch of thinly sliced onions til they are soft and carmelized a bit. You can fry up the bacon pieces with these if you like, but they shouldn't be crispy.(Some people prefer small diced ham over bacon) Spread your onions and bacon out evenly on the dough. Mix together 2 eggs and a container of creme fraiche or sour cream, and pour this over everything. Add pepper to taste, and if you like sage, you can add just a touch of this too. Bake until the crust is golden. Serve warm or cold.

First day of fall hit northern California on schedule with rain yesterday. But cleared up for a convertible ride to a winery, then had to run out to put the top up for a 15 minute downpour. Not a cloud in the sky today with highs in the upper 70's. We tend to vacation any time of the year besides summer since weather is so beautiful here from May through September, so no need to escape during that time. Travel countdowns: 1 week to Carmel, 5 1/2 months to Costa Rica, and 11 1/2 months to Scotland, and only another month before we can book our flights to the UK using miles!

For a trip to Vienna I must recommend going after the Schnitzel, even the fast food Schnitzel chain is worth it. That's called "Schnitzel Haus" located all over Vienna. One is in the Westbahnhof area off of Mariahilferstrasse which I'm familiar with. See the Soviet War Memorial in Vienna and the Zentral Friedhof (Main Cemetery) too.

Wow. Great responses! Thanks for directing people to the zwiebelkuchen recipies, Jo. Ours is more on the quiche end of the spectrum, though a different animal. And, Sharon, thanks for reminding me about "all things pumpkin"! Yes, its definitely an Austrian specialty. Can't wait to start seeing pumpkin cream soup on every menu. Really good. This weekend I saw some rabbits hanging in the open-air market. I've never cooked a rabbit. My wife is hesitant. But I'm feeling the urge to at least investigate what a rabbit recipe might include. I think I've seen rabbit stew on menus, but have never tried it. One thing to add: Looks like the grape harvest might be starting this week. This morning, as I was leaving the house I saw tractors pulling the carts they dump the harvested grapes into. Trees (and vines) are starting to turn color. Yet you can still sit outdoors in the cafe's. Kind ofthe best of both worlds.

I've begun planning our trip to S. Germany and N. Italy for next May. Most of my trips to Europe have been in May but one trip was in October. In October, in Germany, the trees are glorious with color. In the Gulf Coast of Texas, trees stay green until winter then the leaves turn brown and fall off. I took a picture(that's now on my wall) in the Munich zoo of three trees, one red, one gold and one green. I think that's one reason I love to travel, seeing all the things that are different than at home.

I love this time of year. Crisp clear mornings for great hikes and mowing the lawn is in the rear view mirror. It's a time to savor the memories and pictures from the last trip and develop ideas and plans for travel in 2014. The local Oktoberfest starts this week, so it will reinforce the mood with delightful music and special beers.

Mmmmm French onion soup, warm onion pie,Great ideas Thomas!
I love it this time of year here in Toronto with the leaves just starting to turn and knowing that in a few weeks the entire city will be ablaze with colour. As far as next summer goes, I had such a blast travelling almost 4 weeks this summer(without the hubby or my 2 teens),that I am saving furiously for my next vacation. I have No idea where I'm going, but just knowing that I am going Somewhere will get me through a Canadian Winter!

@Thomas: I've always heard rabbit tastes just like chicken but I can't bring myself to try it...guess I loved Peter R. and Benjamin B. and Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail too much when I was a child. So --- are the rabbits at the market skinned and prepared and ready to cook, or are they just...you know, ....bunnies with fur and little tails??

 sort of a melancholy "like"  sums up fall
kind of bitter sweet, the early sunsets :-( and cooler temps :-) with snow in the mountains :-) Skiing makes winter something to look forward to rather than get through! And yes, I am already planning my next European adventure.

The one I saw the other day was an entire rabbit, pelt and all. But I confess that I am not that daring. I would probably buy one at the butcher or grocery store that had already been skinned/cleaned. My wife would probably insist. My sister on the other hand would say I was missing the chance to get close to the true experience. I remember being enchanted once in a restaurant in France when I ordered pheasant and found myself picking out the buckshot as I ate!

I love rabbit. I grew up eating it in San Antonio. We lived not far from someone who raised them for eating. We would buy them "dressed." That did not mean with the skin on. My mother would cut them up and fry them. Yum! It doesn't taste exactly like chicken because it is much leaner and the texture is different. I try to eat rabbit whenever and wherever I can. I still remember a wonderful rabbit stew in the late fall in a small pension in Toulouse on my first trip to Europe. Fire up Google, look for recipes and go for it!