Our first day with the Cain family from Texas was one full of adventure and history. After their grueling flight from America on Delta Airlines, which consisted of one broken plane in Atlanta, then finally a 777 was found “in a hanger somewhere” which took more than six hours to be readied for flight, our […]
George Then’s father was born in Amberg, in the Oberpfaelzerwald of Bavaria, Germany. He met his future wife in Nuernberg, where they married. They had a son, and emigrated to America to begin new lives in 1927. George Then was born in America. He’d wanted to come to Germany for many years to see where […]
Gini and Bill Packwood have a new friend in Ludwigshafen, an industrial community located south of Frankfurt am Main. About a year ago, Gini Packwood ordered a “Familienbuch” published by the community of Waldsee. The book was painstakingly researched over a period of six years by octogenarian Paul Schwaningner. The book lists her entire family […]
Gini and Bill Packwood’s day in Neupotz was arranged like a military campaign by enthusiastic Burgermeister Emil Heid. He had our schedule, starting at 10, broken down into segments right down to the 15-minutes spent in the tiny local history museum currently located in the attic of the Rathaus. Of course, conversation, questions and just […]
Just getting to the right Stetten for genealogist Virginia Packwood was a challenge. There are more than 20 villages in Germany with the name of “Stetten,” and finding the correct one related to her Merkel ancestry took some time and work, not to mention a couple of decades when she and her husband Bill were […]
Planning the Trip of a Lifetime Experience the history and hidden corners of Europe with a flexible itinerary created just for you, your family or your friends.As a guest, enjoy:Personalized and friendly serviceA customized trip with driver and guideTravel at your pace without a hectic schedule Couples, families or groups of friendsJames Derheim has 37 […]
How European Focus Tours Compare to the “Big Bus Companies” Them — You’re just one of the mob The emphasis is on the masses. Trips might seem cheap, but the companies are basing their numbers on quantity, not quality. Us — Each individual is important The emphasis is on the individual. European Focus founder and […]
We stopped to visit Runkel Castle on the 31st of July on our way between the Rhein Valley and Hameln. This fascinating castle is one of our favorites in Germany, because it is relatively unknown and fun for all ages to explore. A historical timeline follows, with thanks to the official town web site. (Not […]