Germany & Austria
“Blessed are the curious for they shall have adventures.”— Lovelle Drachman
Day 4 —July 6th, Rhine River
After a good night of sleep and a tasty breakfast, I am ready for our full day of exploring the Rhine River. We first had a walking tour of Bacharach. Our guide was great. To have someone who was born and raised here made the stories more vibrant and allow for more connection to Bacharach. We learned about the history of the city and how World Word II reached this charming town. I had known about Stolpersteine's (stumbling stones) but to see my first one in person was quite emotional.
We hiked up to the vineyard above the town for an amazing view. As we come back we see beautiful backyard gardens and make our way out of the town walls and meet our coach for our ride to Sankt Goar and Rheinfels Castle.
A short 15-minute ride and we arrive in St. Goar. We make our way up to Rheinfels Castle. That is one steep hill!(I didn't think I would make it but I powered through). Our local guide led us though the castle (even some areas that not all get to go) and gave us some colorful
“The goal is to die with memories not dreams.”
—Anonymous
“The world is a book, and those who
do not travel read only one page.”
—Saint Augustine
history of the castle. We were even serenaded in the huge barrel-vaulted cellar (don't worry you will see this very soon).
After some free time to explore, we head back down to Sankt Goar for a very interesting group lunch and a stein making demonstration at Montag's.
With gelato in hand from Point Eiscafé, I window shop as I make my way to the Rhine River and where we are going to meet up for our
river cruise. As I we wait for our cruise, several groups of kids on a scavenger hunt tried to exchange things for one fuzzy stuffed
monkey. Poor thing! He really thought I
would give him away!
The river cruise back to Bacharach was a relaxing and smooth trip. With beautiful views of small
towns and castles hanging from the mountains above, or right in the middle of the river. With visions of romantic
castles and quaint German towns in my memory, I grab some dinner and head off to my room for a little reading and relaxation.
Day 5—July 7th, Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Today we travel the Romantic Road to Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Rothenburg is one of only three towns in Germany that still have completely intact city walls. It is the quintessential romantic Bavarian town.
We arrive in the afternoon and check into Hotel Gerberhaus. I was pleasantly surprised with a tub (Iknow what I am doing tonight).
After getting settled in we head out for an orientation walk. Once we have our overview
of the city we are set free to explore on our
own until the Night Watchman’s tour. My first stop
Käthe Wohlfahrt is up next. This glittering shop is HUGE. Just when you think you have seen
“Travel makes one modest, you see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”
—Gustave Flaubert
was St. Jakob Church. With a beautiful nave, organ and the Holy Blood Altar by Tilman Riemenschneider.
everything there is yet another alcove to explore. With some gifts in hand, I head out to wander and explore the city. After picking something up to eat I head back to the hotel for a bit of relaxation before our Night Watchman's tour.
My fellow adventurers and I meet in the city square for our entertaining tour. Our Watchman was funny and full of historical stories. He told us how someone would have become a watchman and the
history of the city. We end outside
the walls of the city overlooking
the valley below. What a beautiful view.
“Traveling allows you to explore different versions o—Invajy
With a relaxing bath and a good book, I finish the day looking toward an emotional day tomorrow.
After our abundant breakfast buffet, we head out to Dachau Concentration Camp. I had to mentally prepare myself for this visit. The history and knowledge of what Dachau is and what it represents could be overwhelming.
Day 6—July 8th, Dachau Concentration Camp
& Wieskirche -The Pilgrimage Church of Wies
“For evil to flourish, it only requires good men to do nothing.”
—Simon Wiesenthal
We meet our very knowledgeable guide and start our tour. The size of the camp and knowing how many humans passed through these gates is unimaginable. I am feeling overwhelming emotions of sadness and anger. During our tour
we learn that Dachau was the first and longest operating camp. We learn that the camps held more than just Jewish prisoners and they
were identified by different badges. (Political Prisoners, Professional Criminals, Antisocial, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Homosexual, Emigrants, Race Polluters, ‘Idiots’ and the Romani).
While standing where the prisoners would stand for roll call (sometimes for hours at a time) I could only imagine the fear, sorrow, terror, and despair that the prisoners must have felt.
With a small silent prayer, I continue my solitary exploration of this reminder of what man is capable of. For both those that perpetrated it and those who fought against it.
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
—Marcel Proust
A hearty meal and a peaceful view at Kloster Andechs helped us recover from our solemn start to the day. After some crispy grilled pork roast, polish smoked sausage, and a pretzel, I was ready for our next adventure.
With a full belly and a clear head, we head on out to Wieskirche,
The Pilgrimage Church of Wies.
Standing within the green countryside of Bavaria, and with a relatively simple exterior, it is the ultimate definition of 18th century Rococo architecture. Many may think it is overdone; however, I find it exuberant, colorful, and joyful.
After our exploration we are on the road again. In the distance we get our first sight of a certain well known castle. Soon we check into our hotel for
the next two nights– Alpenhotel Ernberg. With a light dinner and some great entertainment, we are ready for our beds.
Schloss Neuschwanstein or Neuschwanstein Castle is our site today. For those that wanted to start off early and get a little exercise, Andy offered to lead a hike to the castle. I am happy that I chose the hike. The hike was beautiful and not too difficult. Part way through our group stopped at the lake and some brave hikers decided to take a dip.
Day 7 - July 9th, Neuschwanstein Castle
Our hike ended in the village of Hohenschwangau. This is where we meet up with the rest of our group. From here you can either walk up the hill to the castle or take the shuttle bus. I again chose the
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
—Lau Tzu
walk up. Okay…this about killed me, but with the support and encouragement of my fellow adventurers I made it! As we had a set entry time for our group we gathered in time to go in together.
I do not know even know how to describe the opulence of this castle. Unfortunately, because of the current interior restoration work being done, interior photography and filming is not aloud.
“Oh, the places you’ll go!”
—Dr. Seuss
Our next adventure is a luge ride and lunch. The luge was so much fun and I made several runs. Although I thought I was going fast we had a champion among our group. We were informed that Peter, our coach driver, is an expert on the course.
With the tinkling of the bells of a nearby herd of cows, we eat a picnic lunch and get to know our fellow adventurers a little better.
Once lunch was complete, we head back to the hotel. Some of us decided to go into town and take a look around and try to find the local farmers market. After a little exploration of the town, I have dinner at the hotel restaurant and make my way to bed.
Day 4 We explored the Rhine River today. Mom had to walk up this BIG hill to Rhenfields Castle. I didn’t think she was going to make it, but she did! Yeah!!! We got to do a neat tour that let us see areas that not everyone gets to see. We even went to the dungeon. That was a little scary for a fuzzy stuffed monkey like me. Afterwards, we went and looked around St. Goar. Mom got gelato again. She seems to forget that fuzzy stuffed monkeys also like gelato. I even think there was banana flavored one. Well, a least a few were yellow so I would think so. We then took a river cruise back to Bacharach. It was a good day but Mom was tuckered out.
Day 5 Today was Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany. We got to explore this cute walled city. We saw St. James' Church with its Holy Blood Altar by Tilman Riemenschneider. Afterword we wandered down quaint streets and went into Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas store. It was HUGE. It just kept going. I was a little afraid that I would get left there. We also went into a teddy bear shop. (They had other fuzzy stuffed animals, not just teddies.) This store made me sad. I wish they all could have a mom like I do.
Day 6 Today was Dachau Concentration Camp. Out of respect, mom and I decided we would do no pictures of me.
“Hatred is corrosive of a person's wisdom and conscience; the mentality of enmity can poison a nation's spirit, instigate brutal life and death struggles, destroy a society's tolerance and humanity, and block a nation's progress.” —Liu Xiaobo
