My husband and I just returned from three weeks in Europe. We visited Germany, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and The Netherlands. It was great!! I just wanted to thank my fellow travelers for all their comments and suggestions to my many questions. Your answer were so helpful and contributed greatly to the success of our vacation. We saw tulips in Holland, celebrated the Queen's Birthday in Amsterdam, visited lots of museums, and saw "The Hiding Place" in Corrie Ten Boom house. We cruised the Rhine and biked along the Mosel, and stopped in churches and cathedrals to give thanks that we found our way and didn't kill anyone with our rental car. The many culture, the great food and the amazing people you meet along the way make traveling the BEST. I would like to recommend something that you may find a little strange. My husband and I visited five American WWI and WWII cemeteries, plus a Germany and a French cemetery. All very peaceful and beautiful places. It is a very moving experience to walk through the many rows of graves and read the names of the fallen. The grounds are so well maintained and lovely cared for. The people who care for the cemeteries are so welcoming. We met local people from nearby towns who have adopted a few of our soldiers as their own. They visit their graves and bring them flowers. Even after fifty-six years they've never forgotten what those brave soldiers did for their country. At the Ardennes's Cemetery I met an elderly French lady who called herself a "war baby." Didn't know her father in life but was there to place a flag and flowers on his grave. If you have the time and you want to experience something amazing visit one of the many American Cemeteries in Europe. I promise, you won't be disappointed. Thank you Rick Steves and All my fellow travelers for sharing your experiences with me.
Kathy Anglim
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
2778 posts
I'm glad you had such a good trip, Kathy. I agree with you about the cemetaries. I've been to three American cemetaries, one British, one French and one German. They are very moving and beautifully maintained. I hope to visit more in future trips to Europe.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32353 posts
Kathy, It's great to hear that you had such a wonderful time! I'm very interested in military history, so have also visited a number of Canadian and U.S. cemeteries, and also Memorials in Germany and Austria. They are indeed very peaceful and beautiful places! I imagine like most of us here, you're already planning the next trip?
Posted by
Savannah, GA
1384 posts
Glad you had a great time, Kathy! I'm sure you feel so good about your trip and about yourself after this adventure! May you have many more! Best,
Alex
Posted by
Phoenix, AZ, USA
1035 posts
"If you have the time and you want to experience something amazing visit one of the many American Cemeteries in Europe. I promise, you won't be disappointed." I couldn't agree more.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
And please, visit some of the lesser-known cemeteries, besides the one made famous by "Saving Private Ryan". Other than one French couple, the cemetery at Epinal was empty the day I visited.
Posted by
OP
Ambler, PA, USA
60 posts
Tom, the last cemetery we visited was Epinal American Cemetery. We probably visited it because of one of your previous postings. It was indeed a beautiful cemetery. I can remember driving into the cemetery entrance and noticing all the azaleas in bloom. The grounds were meticulously cared for and we were the only two people there. It wasn't until much later that three people from Epinal joined us. When I sometimes think that people just don't care about anyone but themselves, I meet three strangers in France who have adopted a few of our fallen American soldiers. Thank you all for sharing your comments. We all have something in common besides a love of travel.
We've found that special peace walking along the cemetery rows and reading the monuments Each grave has a story to tell and I wonder what it is.
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA
2030 posts
This is truly a new "back door" discovery.