Day 4 – Trier

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous here. It was in the low 70’s today, sunny and clear. Everything is an extremely rich green, and trees are in full bloom.

Our main destination for today was Trier, a medium-sized city a little northwest of us. It is considered to be the oldest city in Germany, dating back to 2000 BC. It was also a major Roman colony, nicknamed “Second Rome”. Much of the original Roman walls are still standing, and a highlight is the Porta Nigra, the original Roman gate and fortress. It’s just amazing to think that it is almost 2,000 years old and it is still standing. And it’s actually quite solid and foreboding. It sits right at the start of the Trier walkplatz and provides a great view of the town center. The walkplatz is full of shops, cafes, department stores, and street performers. Munching a lemon gelato while walking in the sun through ancient and modern buildings coexisting…it can’t be beat!

A little further is the largest hall still standing from antiquity. It is the Emperor Constantine;s Throne Room, and it was build in 310 AD. Constantine himself was in that building with those same bricks. It’s just hard to fathom. I don’t think Trier has received its full due for the role it played in history, nor for the wonderful charm it still holds today.






Right next door is a more modern palace that dates back to the 17th Century, with a beautiful garden terrace in front. Marble statues line the walk, intricate hedges divide it. The magnolia trees are in full bloom, and were raining down leaves almost like snow. Nicole sat and nursed Hava under one, and then I let Hava kick her feet in the fountain. Did I mention this place is idyllic?





Our last stop of the day was just a little ways away in Luxemburg. We visited the American Military Cemetery there. It is a WW-II memorial where thousands of US soldiers who died in the Battle of the Bulge are buried, including Gen. George S. Patton himself. It’s a somber but beautiful and peaceful place, and I’m always heartened by the way we’ve commemorated it. There is an inscription from Eisenhower that reads: “All who shall hereafter live in freedom will be here reminded that to these men and their comrades we owe a debt to be paid with grateful remembrance of their sacrifice and with the high resolve that the cause for which they died shall live eternally."

Tomorrow we head to France.

PS – This is the hospital in Kusel where my sweet little Gracie first came into the world.











PPS – And this is the home we brought her back to. The second floor was ours for the first two years I lived in Germany back in the early 90’s.