Today both Cameron and Graham were feeling under the weather and didn’t think they were up for any touring, so hubby and I went out on our own….don’t worry, the boys were in touch with us by cell phone.
Hubby and I took the bahn to Potsdam. When we got off the train, my other half said it’s a bit of a walk to the palace, so with my gimpy ankle, I suggested we grab a bus instead. And a good thing because it was about a 15-20 minute bus ride.
Sanssouci Palace is Germany’s answer to Versailles…just a little smaller.
We stood in line for a timed ticket to get into the palace. We had an hour before our tour, so we went to eat at a nearby outdoor restaurant. When we went in to order, it was all in German so we ordered the only thing we recognized, bratwurst.
Then it came to ordering drinks. An English speaking guide helped us out. Would you believe that the smallest size beer was a half litre? That’s what hubby ordered and so did the monk (dressed in full robes) who was ahead of us. I ordered a beer and raspberry syrup mixture…very yummy.
The tour of the palace did not take too long. The royal apartments were beautiful with all the gilding, silks and beautiful furnishings from the Rococo period.
Next it was out to the gardens which are very reminiscent of Versailles. Every turn or pathway you took, lead to another breath-taking view. You definately need a full day for this excursion.
It was perfect weather for walking around outside, high 70s.
Frederick Gross (the first owner of the palace) died at the palace and had wanted to be buried here but his body ended up being moved around to different places until he finally ended up in the palace gardens. There was a wreath and flowers on his grave and for some strange reason, there were also potatoes? Anyone have any idea what that was about?
At the end of many of the pathways are different palaces and other buildings such as one to house Frederick’s paintings and a Chinese tea house.
We explored all afternoon, finishing at the new palace before catching the bus back to the bahn station and the train back to our apartment.
When we got home, the boys were not feeling up to going out for supper so hubby and I went to the grocery store (one block away). It took us a good 20 minutes of staring at different soups to choose a can of chicken noodle soup.
We have found people in Berlin very kind and helpful with reading Graham’s allergy cards and making sure that what we are buying does not contain his allergens.
We just heated the boys meal up and it turns out we bought chicken stew by mistake…the boys are not very excited.
Oh dear – so what did you do? I hope they're feeling better now. It's not much fun to be under the weather when you're on holiday.