They say that When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life. If such a thing could ever be possible, then Brighton is the perfect location to get away and recharge! Just an hour or two (depending on traffic) south of London, is England’s most popular seaside town which became popular after the railroad finally reached this seaside resort in 1841! Ever since, the population has grown, as well as the tourists who seek to see more of England other than just London.
This Valentine’s Day, Hans and I spontaneously decided at the last minute to take a day trip instead of stressing over the pressure of buying the right gift or surprise. We decided to get up super-doooper early (ugh!) and take the train to Zugspitze – Germany’s tallest mountain which is a whopping 9,718 feet tall and offers breathtaking views over Bavaria, into Austria and even all the way to Italy!
There are few towns or cities in Germany which managed to survive the Second World War practically unscathed and Regensburg is one of the lucky ones. The town is already incredibly picturesque with small winding alleys zigzagging every which way and a glorious cathedral dominating over the city making you feel like you’re stepping back 2,000 years in time.
Yet, when Christmas comes around, the town becomes even more remarkably beautiful with Christmas stalls snuggled up against the Neupfarrkirche with their red and white stripped roofs and twinkling lights shining brightly. Best of all? Regensburg’s Christmas Market won the “Best Christmas City” for Christmas lights in 2017!
Let’s be honest: I’m a total fairy tale dreamer and if I could, I would live in pretty castles in far off places. I’d wear pretty yellow dresses and when I sing, the animals would come to me. I’d have a fairy godmother and a magic carpet. Unfortunately, this is just a dream and I’m just an ordinary girl. However, visiting Schloss Neuschwanstein offers me the chance to feel like a princess for a day!
Love beer and big German festivals, but don’t want to deal with the crowds or looking for a more family-friendly beer festival the whole family can enjoy? On the lookout for an authentic Bavarian experience? Why not consider visiting the biannual event of Dult in the historic UNESCO World Heritage town of Regensburg?
Chiemsee is one of the most beautiful lakes not far from Munich, almost to the very southern tip of Bavaria. It is Bavaria’s largest freshwater lake with stunning views of the Alps. With endless blue skies and white clouds, it is no wonder Bavaria’s color are white and blue. Surrounding this stunning lake are cute villages, including the town of Chiemsee. There are two small islands, Fraueninsel and Herreninsel which can be reached with a short boat ride for some enjoyable exploration.
In the outskirts of Munich, you can find the beautiful Schloss Nymphenburg which started out as a summer residence and was given as a gift the wife of Bavarian Elector Ferdinand Maria for the birth of their son and future heir to the throne who would eventually build Schloss Neuschwanstein and more. Pretty fancy gift for giving birth to a child, wouldn’t you say?
Munich, a village in comparison to Berlin, yet you can still feel the hustle and bustle of this ever growing Bavarian capital. Lederhosen and Suits make for an unlikely combination as the city is still deeply rooted in traditions while at the same time is a business powerhouse within the European economy. But there is sooo much to see and do beyond just coming for the world’s most famous beer festival, Oktoberfest.
During my first two weeks back in Germany, my amazing friend Samy opened her home to me while I looked for a teaching job. While I stayed with her we took a day trip and drove to Burg Eltz which is a medieval castle located between Koblenz and Trier which sits a along the Mosel […]
Regensburg really is the hidden gem of Bavaria and is actually quite often overlooked by visitors to Europe. As it was once the bustling empire of the entire Holy Roman Empire, it was one of the most important cities in Europe from 788 to 1806. Yet, it’s often overlooked for larger and more popular towns like Nuremberg or Munich but is one of the most scenic destinations in Bavaria!
