May 2nd
Our last half of a day was spent sighting some of the churches and other tourist points of interest before heading back out on a long drive back southwest into the Alps again.
Below are snapshots of some the things we saw:
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Day 10 - Garmisch-Partenkirchen & die Zugspitze
May 3rd
The church in Garmisch-Partenkirchen we attended 8:30 mass at was large, antiqued old, and was being re-painted on the inside at the time of our visit. There were not many people at the mass and it was in German, but luckily Grandma's own mass book helped her and Matt follow the readings.
Afterwards we headed to a get a train that would take us higher up into the Alps on a cog railway than we already were. Specifically we aimed for die Zugspitze, Germany's largest mountain at 9,718 ft.
At the end of the cog railway ride, we took a cable car which took us the rest of the way to the peak.
We spent most of the afternoon enjoying the views and the natural beauty of being so high in the mountains.
The scenery was breathtaking and indescribable.
At 3pm we started our 8 hour driving trip back to Brussels. We got to our hotel at 12:30am and slept a bit before our flight the next morning at 7:30am. The cost to get to the peak was well worth it and we all agreed it was the best thing on the entire trip.
More photos at http://sarahjames.shutterfly.com/5442
The church in Garmisch-Partenkirchen we attended 8:30 mass at was large, antiqued old, and was being re-painted on the inside at the time of our visit. There were not many people at the mass and it was in German, but luckily Grandma's own mass book helped her and Matt follow the readings.
Afterwards we headed to a get a train that would take us higher up into the Alps on a cog railway than we already were. Specifically we aimed for die Zugspitze, Germany's largest mountain at 9,718 ft.
At the peak of die Zugspitze, we had brunch at the highest pub / restaurant in Germany.
The scenery was breathtaking and indescribable.
More photos at http://sarahjames.shutterfly.com/5442
Day 9 - Fűssen & the Alps
May 2nd
We traveled this morning to Fűssen where two of the most famous castles in the world are situated; one being the fairy tale castle which Disney modeled their signature castle after.
and found a fairly destroyed castle and rebuilt it as their summer home.
When Maximilien died, his son Ludwig the II took rule and started the construction of 4 other castles; one which was directly able to be seen from his inherited home- this allowed him to keep a close eye on the construction. This specific castle was to become the fairy tale castle, Schloss Neuschwanstein.
Ludwig lived in this castle for 6 months before dying at the age of 41.
We toured to the smaller - family summer residence - castle.
In order to get to Neuschwanstein, you can take a horse drawn carriage or walk up the mountain. Needless to say we waited in line to get a horse drawn carriage.
We toured what parts of the castle were finished and decorated - it was very glamorous even for today's standards.
Our journey continued on with a drive further up into the Alps.
Sunshine turned to gray, gray turned to rain, and rain turned to snow, and rain & snow turned to hail all in a matter of 45 minutes.
We stopped at an Aldi to get spaetzle and other food before heading to our hotel, where we spent the evening sipping wine and chatting.
We traveled this morning to Fűssen where two of the most famous castles in the world are situated; one being the fairy tale castle which Disney modeled their signature castle after.
Maximilian the II from Bavaria married Queen Mary of Prussia; they both adored nature 
and found a fairly destroyed castle and rebuilt it as their summer home.
When Maximilien died, his son Ludwig the II took rule and started the construction of 4 other castles; one which was directly able to be seen from his inherited home- this allowed him to keep a close eye on the construction. This specific castle was to become the fairy tale castle, Schloss Neuschwanstein.
Ludwig lived in this castle for 6 months before dying at the age of 41.
We toured to the smaller - family summer residence - castle.
In order to get to Neuschwanstein, you can take a horse drawn carriage or walk up the mountain. Needless to say we waited in line to get a horse drawn carriage.
We toured what parts of the castle were finished and decorated - it was very glamorous even for today's standards.
Our journey continued on with a drive further up into the Alps.
Sunshine turned to gray, gray turned to rain, and rain turned to snow, and rain & snow turned to hail all in a matter of 45 minutes.
We stopped at an Aldi to get spaetzle and other food before heading to our hotel, where we spent the evening sipping wine and chatting.
Day 7 - May Day in Munich, Germany
May 1stOur trusty tourist books informed us that May Day is a special holiday in Germany.
There were people dancing in the street, a stage with performances in the main square, beer vendors on the street,
flowers in bloom, gardens and courtyards full of people and their smiles, and even the sunshine.
We went into the center of Munich to see the Glockenspiel, or big clock, chime at 11am and all the life-sized figures in the clock dance.
Next on the list of things to see was the Bavarian Residence which was the former royal palace of the Bavarian monarchs. The Residence is the largest downtown palace in Germany.
We relaxed in one of the 130 Residence courtyards and had a beer we bought on the street.
Our touring of central Munich continued with visits of artistic work "The
Walking Man,"
visited a church with a mosaic roof,
viewed and read about the Sendlingor Tour, or gate,
and listened to the oompa band while chatting and having beer in the Englischer Garten.
The Englischer Garten is a 1.4 square mile public park and one of the worlds largest public parks.
Once the sun had started to set, we topped the day off with dinner at a Mexican cantina.
More photos at http://sarahjames.shutterfly.com/5329
Day 6 - Dachau Concentration Camp, Germany
April 30th
It was raining today so we took the time to drive 30 minutes out of the city of Munich to the Dachau Concentration Camp.
It has well kept grounds, including shower / gassing rooms and intact ovens, as well as very interesting and educational museum.
The intensity to try to realize that was a reality is a feeling you cannot get from many things. It is an experience I would recommend to anyone.
Photos are better than words: http://sarahjames.shutterfly.com/5296
It was raining today so we took the time to drive 30 minutes out of the city of Munich to the Dachau Concentration Camp.
It has well kept grounds, including shower / gassing rooms and intact ovens, as well as very interesting and educational museum.
The intensity to try to realize that was a reality is a feeling you cannot get from many things. It is an experience I would recommend to anyone.
Photos are better than words: http://sarahjames.shutterfly.com/5296
Day 5 - Munich, Germany
April 29th 
Munich is a city of living. There is always something going on, even if it is a one man show. There are people playing instruments on almost every corner of the high street with small crowds moving to and from each musician to another. Munich is also the capital of Bavaria, a German state, where wurst, potatoes, sauerkraut, and beer are kings. We arrived in the afternoon to Munich and visited the entire 
Viktualienmarkt, a food and hand-made natural crafts market. We also visited the Cathedral of St. Peter. 
We left our little guesthouse in the southwestern countryside of Germany - we knew we would miss the hospitality but we would also miss having the top floor room with the giant balcony for the same cost as a hostel. Yet our journey was only half over, so we headed towards Munich.
Viktualienmarkt, a food and hand-made natural crafts market. We also visited the Cathedral of St. Peter. 
Grandma was still itching to have more German food for dinner so we took her to what is a tourist attraction, but one that even the locals enjoy from time to time - the Hofbrauhaus.
The Hofbrauhaus is a brewery that was and still is owned by the state. 
It's famous for its beer hall set-up along with all the bows and whistles: 1o+ piece Oompa band on stage, pretzel waitresses (they carry and sell pretzels - that is all), beer festival songs, and authentic dress worn not only by the staff.
We all had delicious beer hall meals with wurst, potatoes, sauerkraut, and beer.
More photos at http://sarahjames.shutterfly.com/5279
Day 4 - Black Forrest, Alps, and Titisee, Germany
April 28thWe woke in the morning to find it had been raining during the night. We had a wonderful breakfast - sausage links, the kind Grandma used to have as a kid from Fredrickson butcher, in Dyer. Grandma also had a soft boiled egg which was kept warm under a hand knitted chicken.
Around 11:15 we hit the road and headed for the Black Forrest. On the way we saw what seemed to be unlimited beautiful scenery, including snow on the ground the further up we went.
We stopped for a break to explore the tallest waterfall in Germany which has been running for 11 thousand years. It was great to see things our ancestors enjoyed centuries ago!
We drove on to a lake resort area in the Black Forrest call Titisee. After strolling the streets, stopping in the shops and looking at all the original Black Forrest gifts, including hundreds of different types of Cuckoo Clocks, we headed back to the hotel for a relaxed evening.
Driving 130 miles in and around the Black Forrest in one afternoon was worth the scenery and natural beauty.
More photos at http://sarahjames.shutterfly.com/5243
Day 3 - Heidelberg & Freiburg, Germany
April 27th
We woke on the 27th in Heidelberg and at 8:45 we went down for our breakfast of a croissant and coffee. The Heidelberger Schloss, or castle, was our first adventure of the day.
The views of the city were amazing from the hill the castle sat:
We explored the rest of the city on foot while stopping for lunch to have a chicken doner.
Moving to our next destinations, we drove to our hotel in Bottingen, a countryside village just outside of Freiburg. Once settled, the decision was made to go into Freiburg for more touring.
One of the attractions I led Grandma & Matt on is best told in Grandma's words.
"Sarah wanted to show us a very high hill that she had been to
before; one where you could see
France from the top. Sarah talked us into taking the path all the way to the top. When we got 1/2 way up - she said that was all the further she had been before and pointed in the direction of France. She still insisted we keep going all the way to the top this time. I am huffing and puffing but made it to the top and found out our 'travel agent' had showed us France in the completely wrong direction. Oh well, but at least it was easier going down then up."
We finished our day with a very traditional German dinner, served at our at our guesthouse restaurant and all three of us shared a bottle of wine in our room afterwards.
More photos at http://sarahjames.shutterfly.com/5142
We woke on the 27th in Heidelberg and at 8:45 we went down for our breakfast of a croissant and coffee. The Heidelberger Schloss, or castle, was our first adventure of the day.
The views of the city were amazing from the hill the castle sat:
We explored the rest of the city on foot while stopping for lunch to have a chicken doner.Moving to our next destinations, we drove to our hotel in Bottingen, a countryside village just outside of Freiburg. Once settled, the decision was made to go into Freiburg for more touring.
One of the attractions I led Grandma & Matt on is best told in Grandma's words.
"Sarah wanted to show us a very high hill that she had been to
before; one where you could seeFrance from the top. Sarah talked us into taking the path all the way to the top. When we got 1/2 way up - she said that was all the further she had been before and pointed in the direction of France. She still insisted we keep going all the way to the top this time. I am huffing and puffing but made it to the top and found out our 'travel agent' had showed us France in the completely wrong direction. Oh well, but at least it was easier going down then up."
We finished our day with a very traditional German dinner, served at our at our guesthouse restaurant and all three of us shared a bottle of wine in our room afterwards.
More photos at http://sarahjames.shutterfly.com/5142
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