My Travel Bucket List Series continues with destination number seven, Germany. Last fall we sailed along the Rhine River and made three stops in Germany. We fell in love with the country and its people. We knew we wanted to come back and explore this beautiful country. Germany is known for beer, pretzels, nice cars, castles, and ties to World War II.
Munich
Our German adventure starts in the city of Munich. Munich is the capital of Bavaria in Southern Germany and is the 3rd largest city in the country. It was here that Hilter joined the Nazi Party and became its leader. The city was heavily bombed during WWII, where 40% of its buildings were destroyed. Munich has some of the largest breweries in Germany and is known for Oktoberfest. Today, the city is the center of the banking industry.
With so much beautiful architecture, stunning gardens, and museums, one could easily spend a week or more in this city. We plan on spending 3-4 days. Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski came highly recommended. It is a 5-star luxury hotel located in the heart of Munich. It has rooms and suites, two restaurants, and a spa.
One of the best ways to see Munich is a walking tour. Highlights of the tour include:
- Karlsplatz Square to see the Karlstor Gate- famed city wall
- Siegestor Gate
- Holy Ghost Church
- Munich City Museum
- Jewish Museum
- St. Peter’s Church
- Old Town Hall
- New Town Hall
- Marienplatz (Old town)
In addition to the walking tour and all the beautiful things we will see above, we want to eat at the Ratskeller. The Ratskeller is a large cellar restaurant. It dates back to the 1900s with regional dishes and good German beer.
We will continue with our stay in Munich and venture 10 miles north to the medieval town , Dachua.
Dachau Concentration Camp opened in 1933 initially to hold political prisoners. It eventually became a prison for Jews, Germans, Austrian criminals, and finally, foreign nationals from countries that Germany occupied or invaded. There were 32,000 documented deaths at Dachau and many, many more undocumented.
Before leaving Munich and heading toward Rothenburg, our travels will take us to Neuschwanstein Castle.
To all my Disney loving readers, this castle should look familiar. Walt Disney used it as inspiration when constructing Sleeping Beauty’s castle in Disneyland in California. Neuschwanstein Castle is a masterpiece. It is one of the most visited castles in Europe, and I can see why. It is what fairytales are made of. Though, in researching the castle, happily ever after did not exist here. You can read the history here.
Now we can’t leave Munich on an empty stomach. Dinner at Hofbrauhaus, I hear, is a must. It is labeled the World’s Most Favorite Tavern. It was built almost 500 years ago and reservations are highly recommended.
Nuremberg and Rothenburg
Next in our German adventure is the city of Nuremberg. It is the second-largest city in the Bavarian state. Notably known for the Nuremberg Trials after the second world war, Nuremberg was chosen to hold these trials due to its history with the Nazi party. It was here after Hilter rose to power, the Nazis held their rallies. The Nuremberg Laws were passed, which revoked German citizenship for all Jews and other non-Aryans. By the end of the war, much of the city was destroyed.
There are a few things I have on our list to do in Nuremberg. First is a visit to the Palace of Justice, where the famous trials took place.
A visit to Old Town Nuremberg is a must. I love visiting the walled cities in Europe. We plan on seeing Nuremberg Castle, Saint-Sebald Church, Albrecht Dürer’s House, and the Toy Museum.
Of course, our visit to Nuremberg would not be complete without some German Food. I have found several culinary tours, and one in particular, sounds amazing. The tours take you through the cobblestone streets of the city where we sample meats, cheeses, and potatoes. In additon, learn the history of gingerbread and pretzels. Sounds good, right?
From Nuremberg, we head north the Rothenberg and check into the Hotel Herrnschlossen. The hotel is an 11th-century castle. My kind of hotel!
Rothenberg is a northern Bavarian village. It served as the inspiration for the village in Disney’s 2nd animated film, Pinnochio. With its half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets, it certainly looks like it belongs in a storybook. On our list of things to do in Rothenberg are:
- Medieval Crime and Justice Museum
- St. James Church
- Marketplatz
- Rathus
- Pretzel Making
The night walk with a Night Watchman is a must. In medieval times, the Night Watchman roamed the city at night to keep its citizens safe. Meet up with the Night Watchman as he takes you through Rothenberg at night.
Bamberg
Bamberg is a Unesco World Heritage Site. The city has Europe’s largest intact old city wall. There are so many things to see in this city. I am not sure if I have allotted enough time. We may need to add a half a day or two. Some points of interest to explore are:
- Bamberg Cathedral
- Altes Rathaus
- Altenburg Castle
- Klein Venedig
- Bamberger Kreuzweg
Berlin
Last, but certainly not least, is Berlin. Berlin is the capital and the largest city in Germany. It is known for its history and its cultural flare. There is so much to see, do, and eat!
First is a walking tour of the city. I love walking tours as I feel you see more of the city, and it is a great way to get great photo ops. A walking tour in Berlin includes the Reichstag Building, Brandenburg Gate, Holocaust Museum, and Checkpoint Charlie and Alexanderplatz, to name a few.
Did you know that Berlin is known for its street art? My husband has a degree in art, and this is something he would enjoy. A private street art tour is high on our list.
Above I mentioned Berlin is a city of culture. Another must on our list is Museum Island. Museum Island is another Unesco World Heritage Site in Berlin’s Mitte District. It consists of several museums, such as the Altes Museum, Bode-Museum, and Pergamonmuseum. Again, my fear is we will not have enough time to see it all!
As you can see, Germany is a beautiful country. There is much to see and do from its storybook towns, fairytale castles, rich history, food, drink, and culture. I hope you will agree that this country is Bucket List worthy.
See you on my next adventure!
