KMC Area

Germany’s National Parks: Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park

Located less than an hour from Kaiserslautern, Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park is Germany’s newest national park. It is also one of its best. Established in 2015 with territory in both Saarland… Read more

The Ultimate DIY Advent Calendar Guide

Christmas may still be a month away but as Michael Bublé slowly defrosts across the pond, it’s time to start planning one of the best parts about Christmas: Advent Calendars…. Read more

Can’t-Miss German Day Trips A-Z: Oppenheim

Oppenheim is a place of wine and water, a small town on the banks of the Rhine where the circle of life is very much present. It is a place… Read more

What’s Up With Hahn Airport?

by Kat Nickola You know you’ve seen them. The Hahn Airport signs. They are everywhere; on the way north to Koln, on the way west to Trier, in dinky hamlets, on… Read more

Klagenfurt, Austria

Discover beautiful Klagenfurt in Austria

Klagenfurt, Austria – experience gorgeous lakes, spectacular views of forest covered hills and soaring mountains which tower over the cityscape.

Round, orange and good for the soul: German pumpkin fests

The American love affair with pumpkins is well documented. On the other side of the Atlantic, autumn is the season in which decorative gourds pop to life all across the… Read more

Can’t-Miss German Day Trips A-Z: Idar-Oberstein

Something about Idar-Oberstein feels almost mythical. During the journey there, shadows and light dance through trees while two-lane roads wind through valleys and forests. When you arrive in the large… Read more

Camping Out at a Welsh Archaeology Dig

by Kat Nickola One warm summer day I found myself in Wales sitting in the dirt by a stone ruin, listening to the sounds of sheep baying and trowels scraping the… Read more

Ride the Hurtigruten for the Best Coastal Scenery in Norway

by Kat Nickola “Wait, how many steps is it to the top?” my daughter asks. “The boat captain said it’s 418,” I reply. “What’s up there?” “I’m not sure. Let’s go… Read more

Follow the German Timber-frame Road — Part 2

Click here for part 1 Celle: Returning to the Timber-Frame Road, to the west of Quedlinburg and south of Stade, is the village of Celle. Celle has the largest collection of… Read more

Follow the German timber-frame road (part 1)

For many a road-tripper, traveling through Germany evokes images of storybook villages surrounded by lush forests, castles perched high on mountaintops, or mysterious Roman or Celtic artifacts in unsuspecting locations…. Read more

Camp in a Castle

by Kat Nickola “I see it!” my son yells. He adjusts his backpack. It is full, with his sleeping bag, mat, and clothes for the night. “Where?” I ask, hustling along… Read more

Go Back in Time at the Keltenpark in Otzenhausen

by Kat Nickola I’m standing outside a Celtic longhouse watching the Celtic way to make and hold fire. Herr Klaus Zahneisen is a docent at the Keltenpark Otzenhausen. He shows us the special… Read more

Taking the Overnight Train to Sweden

by Kat Nickola My family earned some solid Tågskryt over spring break by traveling overland, via train, all the way to Stockholm. Tågskryt is the Swedish word for “train cred” or… Read more

Exploring the Grim Nuclear Bunkers of Area One

by Kat Nickola Roughly an hour south of Kaiserslautern is a fascinating remnant of the Cold War era. What had been a special weapons depot is now a site preserved in… Read more

Need an Adventure? How About Kili?

“Time to get up,” was the soft but forceful sound my tent mate and I heard at 11:30 p.m. That’s right, 11:30 p.m. That was just six hours after being… Read more

How the Celts Left Their Mark in Rodenbach

by Kat Nickola “Mom, is that a real body?” My daughter is looking through a long glass window into the side of a coffin-like space. Inside there is a very human-looking… Read more

German High School Primer #3 – Getting School Supplies

by Kat Nickola “You got a letter from the school!” I yell. “Wow, mom.” Eyes rolling. My fourteen-year old daughter is less excited than I am. I open it. “Cool. It’s… Read more

German High School Primer #2 – Registration

by Kat Nickola As we walked into the school for the first time last summer, I was more nervous than my daughter. She had taken a year of German language… Read more

German High School Primer #1 – Types of Secondary Schools and Diplomas

by Kat Nickola This is our first year in Germany and our children are attending a local German high school. I thought I’d write about our experience as the year… Read more

A Medieval Town, Kirchheimbolanden

Kirchheimbolanden is a medieval town between Kaiserslautern and Mainz with some charming features and an interesting history.

Winter Camping in Germany: 4 Great Locations

Story by Ronnie Juhans Photo by Jens Ottoson / Shutterstock.com You might be asking yourself: Who is crazy enough to go camping in Germany during the winter? After all, nighttime temperatures… Read more

Garmisch Partenkirchen

Garmisch-Partenkirchen – An Alpine Adventure

Located in the heart of the Bavarian State, Garmisch-Partenkirchen is one of the must-see destinations whilst based in Germany.

What Ever Happened to the Sembach Airfield?

by Kat Nickola “It’s hard to tell there was a runway here,” my husband says over the chilly winter wind. “True. But they left a few bunkers and pavement,” I… Read more

German Christmas Meal

While many Germans resort to classic dishes like potato salad and sausages or Schnitzel, most take advantage of the spare time that comes with the holidays and create extravagant meals… Read more

Wandering the Kaiserslautern Wildpark

Story and Photos by Kat Nickola With winter settling in, it’s tempting to stay inside. But, part of staying healthy means getting fresh air and exercise, and Germany is a… Read more

Holiday Kaiserslautern: City lights, forest magic

If you find you’ll be spending the holidays a little closer to home than you might have liked, don’t worry! Holiday beauty can be found in plenty of places –… Read more

How to Take Advantage of the Plentiful Bike Trails in the Kaiserslautern Area

Story and photos by Kat Nickola Take advantage of the bike trails while you are in Germany! There is no need to find a specific trail, or do a special… Read more

Neuschwanstein Castle

The Four Most Famous Road Trip Routes in Germany

Germany is arguably one of the best countries for a road trip. Discover the four most famous routes in the country. Most start or end on your doorstep.

Take a Day Trip to the Historic Town of Ottweiler

Take a day trip to the medieval town Ottweiler. Take a stroll down the winding streets, marvel the half-timbered buildings, visit museums, enjoy a nice meal and more.

St. Martin – Picturesque little Village on the Wine Road

Located on the Wine Road, St. Martin is nested in the hills and surrounded by vineyards. It is the ideal paradise to visit for its beauty, wine, food, shopping and more.

Witness the Eruption of a Water Geyser

Witness the eruption of a water geyser in Wallenborn. In the area you can also enjoy a picnic or purchase items made from honey at a shop and bee aviary.

Sponsor an Animal at Kaiserslautern Zoo

Featured image courtesy of SPD Kaiserslautern Ongoing lockdown measures to contain the corona pandemic have affected most local attractions, many of which are now struggling and in need of help…. Read more

Dog-friendly hiking in the KMC

If you are new to the KMC and have your dog(s) with you, depending on where you live you may not have a chance to let your dog run loose,… Read more

Hiking in the KMC

Story by Azure Hall, featured image (“Devil’s Table”) by rphstock / Shutterstock.com Hiking is an excellent way to enjoy the spring sunshine and get in some physical activity. Germany offers a… Read more

Traveling in the time of COVID-19

Featured image by Jose Carlos Cerdeno Remember last February, when COVID-19 was a little flu in other parts of the world? Ah yes, good old times. Remember making plans for… Read more

Picking Up New Hobbies

At the beginning of lockdown last March, the world seemed to burst into excitement at the prospect of wearing sweatpants to work, baking banana bread and whipping coffee. Those days… Read more

Wolfstein: A Historic Hike Near Kaiserslautern

Wolfstein is a small town near Kaiserslautern that’s great for a day trip. The popular hiking village also has some unique attractions.

Can’t-Miss German Day Trips A-Z: Niederhausen

A trip to Niederhausen is good for your body and your soul. This small wine village on the banks of the Nahe River is off the beaten path, and yet… Read more

Can’t-Miss German Day Trips A-Z: Mainz

Mainz is easy to enjoy. It is filled with classic architecture, including towering stone spires and half-timbered buildings. The Rhine River chugs past, acting as a beating heart for a… Read more