While we’ve had to cancel several trips this summer on account of the spread of COVID, we were still able to continue on with a week away with our friends to the CenterParc Bostalsee family resort in Nohfelden, Germany. It was located only 1 1/2 hours from our house and still within the borders of Germany, which these days is almost a must as restrictions change so frequently here. I had heard of another American family who also lives in Germany having to quarantine after their trip to Spain because the quarantine requirement when coming back from Spain had changed during the middle of their vacation there. The numbers are going up as everyone relaxes and travels. It was bound to happen.
The resort made many attempts to keep the COVID restrictions in place. We had to reserve our time by the pool for each day so they could keep the numbers in the locker rooms and the pools to a comfortable crowd. Masks were required whenever indoors and for the most part people respected the rules. Although, we did see a few instances where people couldn’t be bothered to wear them and I was disappointed they were allowed into the pool area anyway.
Since Center Parc Bostalsee is situated on a reservoir/lake, there was a beach that we were also able to spend time on. The kids loved playing in the sand and cooling their legs off in the frigid water. There was an open biergarten and cold beer from the tap in the hot sun on the beach is always a good way to pass the time. The kids (and some adults) enjoyed slushees and Apfelschorle (apple juice mixed with sparkling water in a bottle).
Some other fun family activities they offered: electric Jeep rentals for kids to drive around the grounds, mini quads to ride on a dirt track, outdoor and indoor miniature golf courses, paddleboat rentals, sports courts of all varieties, picnic tables along the walking paths by the lake, pony rides, a petting zoo, and of course the indoor/outdoor pool “Aquamundo” which is equipped with a large wave pool (waves for about 5 minutes at the top of the hour), adult-sized water slides, splash areas with smaller water slides, baby pools, and a really active outdoor pool with a whirlpool Grant loved to get pulled around in.
The pathways along the lake were nicely paved and made for a really great space for kids and adults alike to bike, scooter, skateboard and walk from the housing units to the amenities. Our unit was a 15-minute walk from the main restaurant/market/pool house and was lovely and scenic in the warm, summer air.
Our kids were begging to ride the Jeeps from the first second we arrived at the Center Parc. The first night we were able to snag two of the three available Jeeps. They loved every second of driving it up and down the pathway and they asked to ride them everyday after. That is until Thursday rolled around and the boys got a taste of the speed of the mini quads. Suddenly the Jeeps weren’t first in the “so awesome” category … but they were still a close second.
There were some restaurants open with outdoor dining and I was able to be served food and have my dishes taken away for me for the first time since mid-March. It was awesome to feel somewhat normal again in the most basic respects.
The unit we had was a modest-sized 4-bedroom house with 2 1/2 baths. It was on the smaller side but it seemed cozy with 4 adults and 3 kids. We brought RC dump trucks and cars that kept the kids busy during the few hours we were actually in the unit. We ate dinner in the house on two of the nights, grilling yummy sausage both nights and adding spaghetti to the mix on the second night. For breakfast it was a mix of either cereal and eggs. We also introduced our friends to SPAM and the kids loved it. But of course, how could they not?!
We spent the week swimming, walking, beaching, scootering, laughing and having a great time. It was relaxing and a beautiful change of scenery. It was definitely not a tourist destination so it felt like an authentic vacation that a typical German family would take. There wasn’t much English spoken outside of our two families, so I was very thankful they are bilingual and could do the translating for us when necessary.
Not too shabby for our first trip away from our home since moving here.
I’m looking forward to all that comes next!