Weinlese, the grape harvest, is one of Germany’s most cherished seasonal rituals, beginning in late September and often stretching into October. Here, tradition reigns: much of the harvest is still done by hand, especially on the vertiginous slopes of the Mosel and Rhine. This is not just a practical necessity but a celebration of heritage. The harvest is a tapestry of community, where families, friends, and neighbors gather to pluck grapes, share hearty meals among the vines

By Dirk Ebener - October 18, 2025 Travel is about discovery, like finding a back-street café, a street food vendor, or a hidden ramen bar. Now, our most useful travel companions are the apps on our phones, ready to guide and inspire us. I’ve learned that a few good tools can turn confusion into confidence and help reveal the stories behind every meal. Here are my favorite travel and food apps, making each journey more flavorful and smooth, one bite and step at a time.   1. Ci

By Dirk Ebener - October 17, 2025 Black Forest Cake: A Journey Through Layers of History, Flavor, and Tradition I still remember the very...

By Dirk Ebener - October 14, 2025 The waterfront in Shanghai is called The Bund (Waitan) , the famous promenade along the west bank of the Huangpu River Traveling across China for work has given me the opportunity to explore its diverse regional cuisines, each offering unique flavors and cultural insights. By balancing business responsibilities with intentional culinary exploration, I’ve discovered that food is one of the most powerful ways to connect with people and places

By Dirk Ebener - October 13, 2025 Local Japanese street food at a night market in Tokyo, Japan. A woman is grilling yakitori pork and chicken at a street food vendor market at a Japanese Winter Festival. Traveling, for me, is a feast for the senses — a journey where every aroma, sound, and taste tells a story. The heartbeat of a destination often lies in its kitchens and street stalls, where history and hospitality meet over simmering pots and sizzling pans. From the first si

By Dirk Ebener - October 12, 2025 Leberkäse is more than food. I t ’s a  staple in Bavaria and Austria My First Encounter with Leberkäse...

By Dirk Ebener - October 11, 2025 Visiting a small spice shop at the market in Arambol, Goa, India "Think of us as hosting a dinner, and...

here are certain cities that don’t just welcome you—they pull you into their story. The City of Nürnberg (Nuremberg in English), nestled in the heart of Bavaria, is one of those rare places where history, food, and atmosphere seem to coexist in harmony. I remember arriving at the Hauptbahnhof (main train station) on a crisp autumn afternoon, suitcase in one hand and an appetite in the other. The air smelled faintly of roasted nuts from street vendors, the distant sound of a c

I never imagined that a routine corporate trip to Frankfurt would completely transform the way I see the world, or the way I move through it.

By Dirk Ebener - October 5, 2025 Travel books have always been more than stories—they are guides for the unknown. Travel books have...

Visiting Berlin for a long weekend was like stepping into a living, breathing history book that never ceased to surprise me. From the moment I arrived, I felt the city’s energy pulling me in—bold, a little gritty, and endlessly alive.

By Dirk Ebener - October 2, 2025 German Schnitzels are one of the most recognized German meal selections around the world When I think...

By Dirk Ebener - September 30, 2025 Panoramic Hastings view: cliffs, castle, seaside charm, historic town. A Young German Student’s...

By Dirk Ebener - September 27, 2025 Poppie's in Spitalfields, London, a famous fish & chips shop that has been serving since 1952 “Every...

For years, airports meant crowded terminals, long lines, and overpriced food courts. On my first international trip as a young professional, I endured hours in an uncomfortable chair, juggling my carry-on and laptop, wishing for peace before a transatlantic flight to Singapore. Over four years later, airports mean something else entirely.

By Dirk Ebener - September 23, 2025 Schweinshaxe: A Bavarian Feast with History, Flavor, and Tradition My First Encounter with...

By Dirk Ebener - September 21, 2025 The Oktoberfest Beer Tents are always packed with visitors from around the world I still remember my...

By Dirk Ebener - September 19, 2025 Many years ago, I found myself stepping onto the sprawling Theresienwiese , the air thick with the...

By Dirk Ebener - September 17, 2025 The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter, or simply St. Peter's Basilica, in the Vatican in Rome “Every...

Understanding this background sets the stage for appreciating today’s pub customs. The word “pub” comes from public house, a place meant to welcome all—something I’ve always appreciated. In the Middle Ages, alehouses offered weary travelers rest and sustenance, much as they do for me today. As London expanded, pubs became essential meeting spots not just for workers, merchants, and politicians, but also for people like me seeking connection. Some, like Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese