GERMANY AND FRANCE 2019

+ This trip was one of 3 wonderful trips during 2019 as we celebrated our 50th year of marriage.  The other 2 are HAWAII and NEVADA.  

+ We flew from Pittsburgh where we had been with the extended Wilde Family (and one Knight) for a few days celebrating both our 50th and the 50th of my sister Jeanette and her husband Stewart. They got married 2 weeks before we did, June 28, 1969. Our wedding was on July 12, 1969.

Our flight to Frankfurt was delayed so we remained in Pittsburgh for a night and had to cancel our reservation for a hotel in Bingen on the Rhine. But it all worked out. When we got to Germany we found our way to our rental car at the Frankfort Airport and after a struggle trying to figure out how to use a fancy car (a manual in German was not at all helpful), we drove to Bingen on the Rhine. The hotel we had booked for the previous night was not available but we easily found a hotel right on the river, Hotel NH Bingen, and right next to the museum I wanted to visit there, the Museum am Strom which features a fascinating exhibit on the life and work of Saint Hildegard of Bingen, a nun who was a great spiritual teacher, leader, artist, gardener, mystic and scientist of the 12th century. 

Our trip began in Germany and ended in Germany.  In between we went over the border to Alsace.  

After our one night stay in Bingen we went on a delightful roundtrip boat trip on Der Mittelrhein from Bacharach to St. Goar before driving to Alsace. It was Sharon's birthday and it was memorable for all of us with a great breakfast at the hotel in a dining area overlooking the Rhine, that boat trip, and a great dinner in Eguisheim, our Alsace base for a few days. Dining there was a first for Derrick who has enjoyed learning French in High School but had never been in France or anywhere else outside the USA. 

We spent several days in Alsace, a part of France which has a history of being German much of the time for many centuries. We stayed in Eguisheim which is surrounded by vineyards and has many of the storybook village features of the region. Once again Rick Steves guided us to a wonderful place, Eguisheim where we stayed at a wonderful hotel which now has a different name. We drove to storybook villages and towns, vineyards, wineries and a partially restored castle with a view from a high point in the Vosges Mountains. Before we left we stopped for lunch in one of the most popular storybook villages of Europe: Kaysersberg.

When we returned from Alsace we visited friends in Brühl.  We had a wonderful time and we enjoyed going to a park on the Rhine in Mannheim and visiting the Maulbronn Monastery and a short stop in Heidelberg.

Here are links to photos from that trip:

Germany 2019

France 2019

GERMANY 2010 -- 23

+ updated at 7:33pm ESDT on Thursday, July 15, 2010

+ The 3 of us all bought new jackets at the Lands' End store before we left for Germany.  We often referred to ourselves as The Wilde-Bartle Lands' End Travel Team with the hope, of course, that they would subsidize our trip!  We do like our jackets.

Click here and see more pictures of the team.

GERMANY 2010 -- 22

+ updated at 2:53pm ESDT on Thursday, July 8, 2010

+ The Semper Opera House in Dresden

+ I just uploaded 22 photos of Dresden on my Pbase site. Most of them are within the rebuilt Zwinger.

+ I am glad we went to Dresden.  The "old town" was totally destroyed by Allied bombs in January 1945.  Since it is located in what was Communist East Germany, the restoration did not get very far until recently.  Now it is slowly but surely returning to its pre-war glory and is rapidly becoming a "must see" site.  

We followed the walking tour in the Rick Steves guidebook.  It began to rain after we got to the Frauenkirche and I stopped taking pictures.  IgoUgo offers many Dresden photos including some of the riverfront with its famous terrace.

GERMANY 2010 -- 21

+ updated at 2:20pm ESDT on Thursday, July 8, 2010

+ The fascinating new dome atop the restored Reichstag Building in Berlin

+ The restored Reichstag Building in Berlin

+ The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

+ I just uploaded 33 Berlin photos on my Pbase site.

+ One of our great finds in Berlin was an exhibit entitled Wege, Irrwege and Umwege which is loosely translated as the Paths and Detours on the way to German Parliamentary Democracy. It is in a museum located in The Deutscher Dom, a restored church building in Der Gendarmenmarkt.  The exhibit is sponsored by the Bundestag, the German Parliament.  The church has not been used as a church since its partial destruction in World War 2. 

GERMANY 2010 -- 20

+ It's good to be home but it was good to be in Germany and I will miss it.  My blogging over there was pretty spotty because we were too busy seeing the sights and feasting on food and beer and culture ... and I didn't always have easy access to the internet.  I'm jetlagged so it may take a few days before I do some serious blogging about the trip ... BUT I WILL!

 

GERMANY 2010 -- 19

+ Today we head back to the USA after 2 delightful weeks exploring Germany, learning a lot, celebrating the huge impact of German culture, past and present.  I will keep blogging about the trip and, of course, upload more photos and create slide shows. 

+ Yesterday, our final full day, the three of us went our different ways.  It didn't rain.  I even saw a patch of blue.  I enjoyed the Nymphenburg Palace, the English Garden, Frauenkirche (including the tower), Marienplatz, Hofgarten and more.  We ate at the famous Hofbräuhaus but we were not able to get into the buffet and show upstairs.  I'm ready for a meal without sausages but i have enjoyed trying several different kinds.  Of course we all enjoyed the Bavarian beer, particularly the dark brew. 

MUNICH'S HOTEL MONACO

+ It's June 20 and we have arrived at Munich's Hotel Monaco.  What a welcome.  Coffee cake. Coffee and Tea. Info.  Smiles all around.  Adorable Breakfast Room (fruhstucke).  I get a free breakfast if I bog about this wunderbar hotel. It's less than 2 blocks from the Bahnhof (central train station).  We now have plenty of time to visit the famous art museums which are only a couple of stops away on the u-bahn as it is just after 1400 and the museums close at 1800.

GERMANY 2010 -- 18

+ updated at 7:21am in Germany (1:21am ESDT) on Monday, June 21, 2010

+ Our Füssen suite at Mein lieber Schwan has been a haven for us as we have had to deal with endless rain and chilly weather here in the Bavarian Alps. We have fast internet, lots of satellite TV channels on a big screen, refrig, stove, oven, dishes, microwave, view, antiques, delightful host who invited us in for wine and conversation. Wow! Today we head for Munich, our final German destination.

GERMANY 2010 -- 17

+ We got to the highest peak in Germany, Zugspitze, by bus, train and cable car (gondola). It was snowing up there at almost 2 miles High.  But we did get some glimpses of the majestic mountains.  We had to work hard to make the busses on time, the trains on time and the cable car (gondola) on time.

+ Mad Ludwig's castles are a little over the top but the setting is The Alps at its best.

GERMANY 2010 -- 16

+ updated at 22:06 in Germany (4:06pm ESDT) on Friday, June 18, 2010

+ Today we visited the famous castle Ludwig II of Bavaria lived in -- Hohenschwangau Castle -- and the one he had built -- Neuschwanstein Castle.  You can read about this fascinating man at http://www.german-way.com/ludwig.html

The setting of these impressive castles is magnificent.  Hopefully I can upload photos soon.  But I am now a little travel weary and the wine has been poured.  22:05 update: OK I did get a few in (above).

+ Sadly, Germany lost today.  But the USA came from behind 2-0 and tied Slovenia for a huge morale builder. Follow the World Cup at FIFA.COM

+ I just discovered a good radar map of Europe showing that we may have better weather tomorrow. Today we have had plenty of rain but that did not dampen our spirits as we really enjoyed the castles.

+ I took a picture yesterday of Fussen's Reichenstrasse:

+ We are in Füssen which is in the Bavarian Alps only a mile or 2 from the Austrian border. Consistent cloudiness has prevented us from seeing the high peaks and this may continue until we leave the Alps. Nevertheless we are having a wunderbar time here enjoying the hospitality of our host in the gasthaus where we have a great apartment with a view. More mountains are visible this morning from our window. We are on levels 3 and 4 (2 and 3 in European designations) in the house. Great!

Füssen was once a great violin-making center. We are not far from Italy and Switzerland as well as Austria.

Today we head to the famous castles associated with Mad King Ludwig. Photos may soon appear on my blog and at Facebook but Pbase will probably have to wait until I'm back home.

Hope you are all enjoying the World Cup. Argentina seems to be the favorite but Germany is good too.

Hope you are all enjoying life as summer begins.

+ We took a break from sausages and potatoes and ate at an Italian Ristorante here in Füssen last night but we stuck with Bavarian beer.

GERMANY 2010 -- 15

+ Here are some photos from Berlin. More photos of Berlin, Dresden, Nurnberg and Rothenburg can be found at my Facebook site.  Photo 1 is the famous Brandenburg Gate.  Photos 2 and 3 are of the Bundestag.

GERMANY 2010 -- 14

+ updated at 2:55am ESDT (8:55am in Füssen) on Thursday, June 17, 2010.

+ We have hit some weather extremes in Germany. There was a heat wave when we were in Berlin. Then we got some very pleasant weather in Nürnberg and Rothenburg. Now we are in the Bavarian Alps dealing with some very chilly and rainy weather. I’m guessing we are not far from where it is snowing but the clouds are preventing us from seeing the mountains.

+ Every afternoon and evening we hear the steady noise of the crowds at stadiums in South Africa. The World Cup of Football (or Soccer as we Americans call it) is happening and Germans are watching. They celebrated a big victory over Australia on Sunday night. They play again tomorrow afternoon. But many Germans are watching other matches. The World Cup goes on for about 4 weeks. 3 weeks to go. I suppose that when we get back to the USA we may even forget that it’s happening.

+ I have uploaded some photos from Berlin, Dresden, Rothenberg and Nürnberg on Facebook.  You don't have to be on Facebook for this link to work.

GERMANY 2012 -- 13

+ updated at 5:35am ESDT on Wednesday, June 15, 2010 in Nurnberg

+ This is our eighth day of travel.  Everything so far has been pretty close to our plan.  Today, for the first time, the three of us are each going our own way in Nürnberg.  

+ Did you know Germany won its first world cup füssball match against Australia? We certainly found out! Actually we watched the end of the match with Nurnberg locals having a wünderbar time out on the streets and plazas. Fortunately we weren't close to the horn blowing at our hotel.
+ Getting on the internet has not been easy for a variety of reasons.  I will explain spater.

+ I have taken hundreds of photos and have uploaded many of them into the computer so they may be on Facebook soon.  The wi-fi here in the Drei Raben Hotel is slow so it may not get done until Füssen or Munich or even back home.  

+ One of the Drei Raben staff has been truly wonderful.  Sebastian.  He is an Art History student going for a third degree.  He found a receptive audience in John, Mary and me. John Bartle knows a lot and I mean a lot6 about German history and German art.

+ Like Dresden, the old town Nürnberg zentrum, so medieval, was largely destroyed by allied by bombs in World War 2.  Why?  But, unlike Dresden, Nürnberg got a head start since it was in West Germany and there was a lot more money and support for rebuilding.  So, Nürnberg begins to look old again while Dresden looks all too new.  But Dresden is being rebuilt far more authentically which makes it a must see stop ona tour of Germany.  Mary and I are grateful that Herr Bartle insisted on including Dresden in our itinereary.  Actually, I found the government building built by the Communist regime with a huge mural one of the most interesting sites.  Until I got to Berlin I had never been on any land once behind the Iron Curtain.  The Iron Curtain came down in 1989 thru 1991 if my memory serves me right.

+ Yesterday we got on the train -- trains (zugen) -- and headed for the medieval wonderland of Rothenburg (Red Castle).  The castle is gone but the old castle grounds are a real highlight as is the fully rebuilt city wall.   

+ More spater (later).  I want to explore more of Nürnberg now and take a few photos.

+ Bis balt.

+ I need these for editing: ä ö ü ß

GERMANY 2012 -- 12

+ JOURNAL ENTRY ON SATURDAY, JUNE 12:  The Wilde Bartle Lands End Traveling team is tired but exhilarated by our touring of Frankfurt, Berlin and Dresden. Tomorrow we head for Nürnberg. I am enjoying the capabilities of my new camera, particularly the telephoto lens. I have uploaded all my photos into my computer and maybe I will send some off on Facebook soon. We are getting better and better at dealing with the language and cultural barrier. Many people can speak English, some very well and others just a little. John Bartle knows some German and so do I now that I have been studying it for the past few months. It’s fun to try to speak it and we have been able to avoid some travelling problems because of our knowledge of a few key words.
Frankfurt was heavily damage in WW2 but now is very modern with few signs of this tragedy. Berlin was largely destroyed in WW2 and then was divided during the Cold War. The Western part was an enclave of the West and was rebuilt soon after the war. The heart of Berlin was in the Eastern part and its reconstruction was spotty until the reunification of Germany in 1990. Now it is coming back to its former glory.

Same with Dresden. WOW! The restoration of several impressive buildings and plazas and gardens is a sight to behold!

GERMANY 2010 -- 11

+ It's the day before our trip.  We are driving to JFK tomorrow and leaving on a British Airways flight in the evening.  See previous posts, particularly post 10, for plenty of info about our plans.

+ Click here to see all of my GERMANY 2010 posts.

GERMANY 2010 -- 10

+ updated at 11:39am ESDT on Saturday, June 5, 2010.

+ JUNE 5 UPDATE: I have been checking the British Airways Flight Status daily. Since we are now only 3 days from departure, I will check even more frequently especially since the cabin crew strike is still a factor.  Latest check shows everything is OK.

+ I have Germany on my mind since the Wilde-Bartle team is headed to Germany next Tuesday for 2 weeks.  We will be staying in Frankfurt (one night); Berlin (3 nights); Nuremberg (3 nights); Füssen (4 nights) and; Munich (2 nights).  I will post from time to time at The Abundancetrek Travel Blog and my Facebook and Twitter pages.

We are planning day trips to Dresden, Rothenburg and the Zugspitze.

+ The base town for the Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak, is Garmisch-Partenkirchen. On a day toward the end of our trip we intend to take a bus and a train from Füssen to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and back.  On another day in Füssen we will be visiting the nearby "fairytale castles."     

+ Weather Info: 

Frankfurt

Munich 

Berlin

Nürnberg

Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Base town for Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak)

+ The strike at British Airways will still be going on when we head for Germany next Tuesday. But, as of now our flights are scheduled to take off on time. So, I am hopeful that we can arrive in Frankfurt on June 9 and leave on June 22 as planned.

+ Click here to see all of my GERMANY 2010 posts.

GERMANY 2010 -- 9

+ I just found out that our flight plans may be disrupted due to an anticipated strike at British Airways.  And, then there's that volcano.  But I live in hope and I do hope that we can arrive in Frankfurt on June 9 and leave on June 22 as planned.

+ Click here to see all of my GERMANY 2010 posts.

GERMANY 2010 -- 8

+ After a lot of research I decided we only need to buy a Germany Rail Pass for 4 days.  Other days on trains will be covered by another type of pass which is good in Bavaria only.  So, we now have that Germany Railpass and we have now booked lodging for all but 3 nights of our trip which begins June 8 and ends June 23.  Those 3 nights are the last 3 nights: 2 in Munich (June 20-21) and 1 near JFK in New York City (June 22).  We will drive home on June 23.  

We will spend our first night on a jetplane. Our second night will be in Frankfurt.  Then, 3 nights in Berlin, 3 in Nuremberg, 4 in Füssen, 2 in Munich and 1 in NYC.

+ Click here to see all of my GERMANY 2010 posts.

GERMANY 2010 -- 7

I just found this photo of Füssen.

We will be staying in this town in the Bavarian Alps for 4 nights toward the end of our trip.  The famous King's Castles are within walking distance.  We may rent bicycles and ride around the beautiful lake nearby.  We will definitely visit Zugspitze, the nearby high peak on the German-Austrian border accessible by cog railway and cable-car in Germany and by a Lift in Austria.  I'm pretty sure a round trip can be accomplished which would allow us to see some of the Austrian Alps and the beautiful town of Reutte.  This trip is mostly on bus with a segment on a train in Austria.

March 31 UPDATE: I am asking seasoned travelers about getting around this area and what to see and do.  Go to "Bicycling from Fussen to Reutte and Other Questions" and see the responses pour in!

+ Click here to see all of my GERMANY 2010 posts.

GERMANY 2010 -- 6

+ February 25 UPDATE 1: When in Berlin we will be sleeping at Hotel Pension Alexandra.

+ February 25 UPDATE 2: I asked about Berlin Priorities at The Rick Steves Travelers Helpline and I have received many suggestions. Go to "Berlin and Vicinity Top Sights".

+ Rick Steves' Germany 2010 says that five Berlin attractions are "must see": Reichstag, German History Museum, Museum of The Wall at Checkpoint Charlie, Jewish Museum Berlin and Gemäldegalerie.  That will probably fill our day and a half in Berlin.

+ Rick Steves offers "One Big Berlin".

+ Click here to see all of my GERMANY 2010 posts.