Last Updated on April 7, 2022
This guest post was contributed by former Spangdahlem Air Base spouse, Dre Reid.
Being stationed at an assignment overseas is an incredible opportunity to travel, explore, and be immersed in different cultures. Dre Reid, a fellow military spouse, did just that. Dre and her husband made the most out of their time at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany by traveling all over Europe.
Although, travel is not the easiest from Spangdahlem Air Base as it is from other bases around the continent, it is absolutely worth it! Here are some of Dre’s top recommendations of places to travel while stationed at Spangdahlem Air Base.
*Due to the pandemic, be sure to check hours of operation for the below recommendations, as they may have changed.
1. Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Luxembourg City is a wonderful little city just a quick drive from Spangdahelm. It is a major business city, so you have a little bit of everything. Great food, good shopping, and tons of entertainment options can be found here. Luxembourg City feels very modern, but with a lot of history sprinkled throughout.
Time from Spangdahlem Air Base = 1-hour drive or 2-hour train ride
Food Recommendations in Luxembourg City:
Charles Sandwich Shop
Easily one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had. Just off the main square.
Restaurant Mamacita
Really good Mexican food and great margaritas. Right near downtown.
Sweets Recommendations in Luxembourg City:
Ladurée
A classic French café and macaron shop with great teas and sweets. Try the pistachio puff pastry!
Shops/Parking Recommendations in Luxembourg City:
Auchan Kirchberg
A large store with shopping and groceries (has an amazing selection of booze). Parking is cheap and easy. Consider parking here and then taking the tram downtown.
Board the tram from the Kirchberg, Alphonse Weicker tram stop and take it approximately 15-20 minutes to the Hamilius tram stop, which will put you walking distance into Luxembourg City.
*Note: Take advantage of the public transportation in Luxembourg as it is all free of charge!
Parking Knuedler
A parking lot right under downtown. It’s not the easiest, but a good location if driving into Luxembourg City.
For more parking options, check out Luxembourg City’s site for real-time parking availability.
2. Epernay, France
Epernay is a bubbly drinkers paradise! Quaint French streets, wonderful bakeries, delicious restaurants, and miles of vineyards make this a must-do trip! Bounce along the Avenue de Champagne from house to house, tour the historic cellars, or take a picnic in one of the parks. This spot truly can’t be beat.
Time from Spangdahlem Air Base = 3-hour drive or 6-hour train ride
Lodging Recommendations in Epernay, France:
Les Suites du 33 at de Venoge
A perfect place to stay in an amazing location with beautiful rooms and great bubbly.
Food RECOMMENDATIONS IN EPERNAY, FRANCE:
La Table Kobus
Always go here! The food is unreal. Make sure you make a reservation. Take your own champagne for a small corking fee.
Be sure to check the hours prior to making plans. Typically, La Table Kobus is closed Sundays and Mondays with small lunch and dinner windows the remainder of the week.
La Cave a Champagne
Great food, but very rich. Request a table in the front room.
Note that La Cave a Champagne is typically closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays with lunch and dinner hours the remainder of the week. Be sure to check prior to making plans.
Drink RECOMMENDATIONS IN EPERNAY, FRANCE:
Champagne Houses
There are tons of champagne houses scattered throughout the area. A few worth mentioning are Gaston Chiquet, Champagne de Venoge, Paul-Etienne Saint Germain, and Nicolas Feuillatte.
Moet & Chandon Champagne Tour
Reserve a tour to experience the cellars and enjoy a glass of champagne.
3. Bruges, Belgium
Described to me by a local as the “Venice of Belgium,” Bruges is truly a gem. Beautiful winding streets, the best beer around, and delicious chocolate make this a great weekend trip. This is a walking city, so ditch your car, grab a beer, and get ready to explore!
Time from Spangdahlem Air Base = 3-hour drive or 7-hour train ride
Lodging Recommendations in Bruges, Belgium:
Hotel Academie
Clean, affordable accommodations close to everything. Note that it does not include breakfast, but there is a wonderful café across the street.
Food Recommendations in Bruges, Belgium:
Café Carpe Diem
Café, bakery, and tea room across the street from Hotel Academie. Has an absolutely wonderful breakfast and an overwhelming selection of teas and coffees.
Cambrinus
Highly recommended for dinner. Be sure to make reservations! Note that it has a bar by the same name, but just keep walking – it is across from the Thai restaurant. The bar is good too but has a smaller menu.
The restaurant is called Bierbrasserie Cambrinus and the bar is called Bierproeverij Café Cambrinus.
Drink Recommendations in Bruges, Belgium:
The Trappist Bar
A fun underground bar with tons of great beer options.
Bieratelier
A tiny little bar with great beers on tap. Do a beer tasting so you can try all of them! This is a perfect spot to end the night.
4. Amsterdam, Netherlands
There is so much to do in Amsterdam! Take a bike tour, see the canals, eat some fries (they are the best), or just simply walk around and take in the architecture. Amsterdam has something for everyone, and it’s a trip people often do again and again.
Time from Spangdahlem Air Base = 4-hour drive or 6-hour train ride or flight
Lodging Recommendations in Amsterdam, Netherlands:
Swissotel Amsterdam
A great location with nice, clean rooms. DO NOT drive here, even though it says it has parking. Utilize the Park & Ride nearby.
Food Recommendations in Amsterdam, Netherlands:
Lotti’s at The Hoxten Hotel
Great brunch and drinks. Don’t plan to stay at the hotel, though, as it is a tad out of the way.
Coffee & Coconuts
A good spot for breakfast, coffee, and tea.
De Foodhallen
An indoor food market with a large selection of food.
Vlaams Friteshuis Vleminckx
Be sure to stop here for some of the best fries in the city.
Jansz at the Pulitzer Hotel
A great spot for a nice dinner and/or drinks.
Balthazar’s Keuken
A cozy, rustic spot for dinner.
Drink Recommendations in Amsterdam, Netherlands:
Lot 61 Coffee Roasters
A coffee shop (sorry… just a normal one)
Proeflokaal Arendsnest
A lot of beers on tap, plus meats and cheeses!
Café de Wetering
An old, cozy café with great beer.
Waterkant
A canal-front bar located with lots of outdoor seating.
Bar Oldenhof
This speakeasy-style bar is a great place to stop for a cocktail or two.
Bier Fabriek
A spot with great beer and good food.
Bukowski and Henry’s
These neighboring sister bars are a great stop for drinks and a snack.
Transportation Recommendations in Amsterdam, Netherlands:
Do not plan on driving in the city! Utilize the Park and Ride, public transportation, rent a bike, or walk.
5. Zermatt, Switzerland
Zermatt truly feels like you are inside a snow globe. It is a wonderful mix of quaint Swiss town and mountain lover’s paradise. Even if you don’t ski, take the lift all the way up for a drink with an unbelievable view.
Time from Spangdahlem Air Base = 7-hour drive or 10-hour train/flight
Lodging Recommendations in Zermatt, Switzerland:
Mountain Exposure – “The Luxury Chalet Specialists”
A wide selection of beautiful chalets and apartments for any size group.
Food Recommendations in Zermatt, Switzerland:
Restaurant Whymper-Stube
A cozy restaurant with delicious traditional Swiss food.
Ristorante Pizzeria Casa Mia
Good pizza and Swiss beers. Attached to the train station.
Soupi
A little walk-up soup stand with wonderful soups and warm drinks.
Gee’s
Not the traditional Swiss experience, but Gee’s is a must-do! This Asian restaurant has excellent food and drinks, as well as a fabulous atmosphere.
Drink Recommendations in Zermatt, Switzerland:
Petit Royal
An adorable little coffee & tea shop with a cute atmosphere.
Unique Hotel Post
A hotel with multiple bars, clubs, and restaurants. Be sure to check out the Brown Cow!
Sweets Recommendations in Zermatt, Switzerland:
Läderach Chocolatier
A delectable Swiss chocolate shop.
Things to Do Recommendations in Zermatt, Switzerland:
Andy’s Musikshop
A great little art shop off the main drag near the Coop. Sells beautiful Zermatt-themed posters. Perfect for a souvenir!
6. Cinque Terre, Italy
Cinque Terre is one of the best trips we did. You can easily stay in one town and take the train to the rest, but backpacking the trail is a must! They are known for their pesto and limoncello, so after a good hike, stop at a restaurant with a view of the water and treat yourself. Give yourself plenty of time to explore, this trip is a blast!
Time from Spangdahlem Air Base = 10-hour drive or 10-hour flight/train
Recommendations in Cinque Terre, Italy:
Cinque Terre is made up of five different villages that are quite easy to get from one to the next via train or hiking. Below are a few recommendations for Riomaggiore, Corniglia, and Monterosso.
Lodging in Riomaggiore:
Pepita di Rio
Basic accommodations with limited accessibility, though situated in an excellent location with unbelievable views.
Food in Riomaggiore:
Enoteca Dau Cila
A cute and classic Italian restaurant with excellent coastal views, great food, and a large assortment of wine.
Hiking in Riomaggiore:
Go on a hike from Riomaggiore to Manarola. Note that during certain times of the year with heavier rainfall (typically winter and early spring), the coastal trails may be closed. If this is the case, plan on taking the alternate route, which tends to be a little more difficult at a higher elevation.
Lodging in Corniglia:
Affittacamere La Torre
Very basic accommodations but in an excellent location hidden off the beaten path. Due to this, it can be a little tricky to find. Go up the stairs, past the church, then up some more stairs on the right. Be sure to check out the shared rooftop patio – the views are unreal! Note that on maps, this may show up as B&B Cernaia 42.
Food in Corniglia:
Pick up some pizza and wine and head back to your accommodations to have dinner on the rooftop patio.
The town is quiet but has plenty of cute, local bars and some great food options.
Things to Do in Corniglia:
Go swim in the marina! It may be a hike, but totally worth it.
Hiking in Corniglia:
The hike from Corniglia to Vernazza to Monterosso is a moderate hike with coastal views. Be sure to check ahead of time if the trails are closed or rerouted due to weather conditions. Wake up early and get a head start before the paths get crowded.
Lodging in Monterosso:
Hotel Marina
An excellent place to stay. Enjoy a free pasta or fresh salad during their happy hour at the Ristorante da Eraldo when you are a guest of Hotel Marina!
Food in Monterosso:
L’Osteria
This popular spot has excellent food and a nice, small outdoor patio. Be sure to make reservations and note that they are typically closed on Mondays and open for lunch hours and dinner hours only.
7. Portugal – Porto, Leiria, Sintra, Cascais, and Lisbon
Portugal is maybe one of the best kept secrets. There is so much to do, with each city or town offering something totally different. The food is amazing, the people are friendly, the weather is perfect, and as a bonus, it’s very affordable! This is a trip to take if you have time to really explore, doing just one city simply isn’t enough!
Time from Spangdahlem Air Base = 7-hour train/flight
Recommendations in Portugal:
Lodging in Porto:
Casa dos Loios
An amazing guesthouse in an excellent location (they have multiple locations in Porto, Lisbon, and Seville!). They also offer a delicious breakfast.
Food in Porto:
Tapas 65
A great little tapas bar!
Cálem
A great port tour. Make sure you do the chocolate and cheese tasting!
Lodging in Leiria:
Hotel Tryp
Excellent and clean accommodations in a great location.
Food in Leiria:
Taberna do Anastácio
A great tapas spot close to Hotel Tryp.
Casinha Velha
Absolutely amazing Portuguese food. A must-try!
Things to do in Sintra:
Sintra is a perfect place to stop through on your way to or from Lisbon or Cascais.
Palácio da Pena
Be sure to stop by the Pena Palace to see the stunning architecture and beautiful grounds.
If you have more time, wander around more of Sintra’s parks and palaces for a greater appreciation of the city’s history.
Lodging in Cascais:
Farol Hotel
An absolutely beautiful hotel in a perfect location on the water. It has a few nice bars and restaurants, a pool, and other wonderful amenities.
Confraria
A popular sushi spot (also locations in Lisbon!), with a cute atmosphere, delicious sushi, and great wine.
Things to do in Cascais:
Galeria 5050
A cute local art shop with cheap, handmade local goods.
*Take the train from Cascais to Lisbon – it is very cheap (around 5 euro round trip), quick, and easy.
Food in Lisbon:
Dear Breakfast
A cute breakfast/brunch spot with great benedicts!
Break
A good spot for a healthier brunch. Has an excellent yogurt parfait!
Guacamole
Excellent Mexican food.
Soi
Delicious Asian food. A must-try if looking for a different cuisine.
Time Out Market
A fun food hall filled with tons of popular options from some of the best restaurants in the city.
Tagide Wine + Tapas Bar
Excellent Spanish/Lisbon fusion tapas bar in a beautiful location.
Sweets in Lisbon:
Pastéis de Belém
Some of the best pastéis de nata (Portuguese custard tarts) in Portugal. The line may be long but goes super quick and totally worth it!
Drinks in Lisbon:
Yao
A cute juice bar. Try the lemon ginger juice!
Pink Wine Point
A great bar on Pink Street with fantastic cocktails.
Things to do in Lisbon:
Fora
A cute local shop with handmade sunglasses.
Marlin Tours
An affordable boat tour company with various options and tours.
8. Bernkastel, Germany
Bernkastel is a picture-perfect town in the heart of German wine country. It truly feels like you’ve walked into a fairy tale. Hike up to the castle or take a quick boat ride down the river to truly get a sense of how beautiful this area is.
Time from Spangdahlem Air Base = 30-minute drive
Lodging Recommendations in Bernkastel, Germany:
This charming town is only about a 30-minute drive from Spangdahlem Air Base – a perfect getaway for a day trip or dinner!
Food Recommendations in Bernkastel, Germany:
Restaurant Taj Mahal
Not your typical German cuisine, but Taj Mahal has some amazing Indian Food.
Riva Restaurant
This modern Italian spot serves delicious pizza and pasta.
9. Bergen, Norway & The Fjords
The fjords in Norway are truly breathtaking. The more time you spend exploring, the more beautiful it seems to get. Kayaking through the fjords is an absolute must, and if you can, camp and hike as well. The best way to experience all the natural beauty here is to immerse yourself completely.
Time from Spangdahlem Air Base = 10-hour train/flight
Lodging Recommendations in Bergen, Norway & The Fjords:
Hotel Bergen Børs
This hotel is in an amazing location right near the water and the old wooden homes. It has a great breakfast with nice, clean rooms for a comfortable stay.
Food Recommendations in Bergen, Norway & The Fjords:
Olivia
A great Italian restaurant right on the water with an awesome atmosphere. Be sure to make a reservation online!
Sweets and Drink Recommendations in Bergen, Norway & The Fjords:
Hallaisen Ice Cream Parlour & Cocktail Bar
A cute little ice cream shop with a variety of unique flavors as well as some vegan options.
Things to do Recommendations in Bergen, Norway & The Fjords:
Nordic Ventures
Spend a half-day or more (up to 10 days!) on a guided trip. We did the 3-day kayaking/hiking/camping trip. Hands-down the best way to experience the Fjords.
Nordic Ventures takes care of all of the gear and food, you just need to bring your essentials.
Some tips for your Nordic Ventures experience:
- When you show up at base camp, you transfer necessary clothes/gear to a small dry bag and store the rest of your stuff in a secure locker – try to pack efficiently!
- Pack waterproof hiking boots!
- There is no running water or electricity. Plan on using outhouses.
- The train from Bergen to Voss for the transfer is very easy. The comfort upgrade is great! You can easily take the train the morning of.
- If you want to stay in Voss, stay at Park Hotel.
- Take a waterproof phone bag that hangs around your neck – this is way easier for taking pictures rather than grabbing from the dry box every time you want a photo while kayaking.
- Take your own snacks and protein bars. Snacks are provided but having some extra wouldn’t hurt.
- Plan on hiking approximately 13.2 miles/23 kilometers.
*Note: For the Nordic Venture trip, we flew in the day before, stayed the night in Bergen, then woke up the following day and took the train to Voss to meet up with Nordic Ventures.
After the 3-day trip, we went back to Bergen for the night then woke up the next day to head to the Bergen Airport. This all worked perfectly.
*Note that The Flybussen from Bergen Airport to downtown is very easy! No need for a car.
Plan to fly all the way to Bergen, not Oslo.
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About the Author
Dre is a born-and-raised Okie with a goal of hiking, biking, and drinking wine all over the world. So far, she’s been to 26 countries, 31 states, and has lived abroad for over 4 years. Back stateside now, this military spouse and boy mom is keeping her adventures a bit more local, for the moment. Her job now is raising her new little adventure seeker, and to teach him to see the world by experiencing different cultures.
Looking for Military Spouse Contributors
Want to contribute YOUR recommendations of where to travel or things to do near the military base you’re stationed at (or have been at)? CONTACT ME! I’m always looking for military spouses to contribute their valuable knowledge and experiences to help other spouses in the future 🙂 Email me at catchthedrifttravel@gmail.com or contact me here!
