Germany 2013 - Day 9 / Regensburg

We were very impressed with Regensburg and would definitely recommend a day trip here. As a matter of fact, I'd consider it for a home-base city on a future visit instead of Munich - depending on the train connections.

Lots to see and do, my guide book was right when it said Regensburg is big on the historical wow factor. I especially liked the many many "platz"s and lots of pedestrian zones.

We lucked out with the weather too, it was supposed to rain, but as it happened it was barely overcast. Kind of annoying because I dragged my raincoat and our umbrellas around, plus I took it easy on the sunscreen! Still, that's not a complaint; we appreciate the dry days.

Lunch was especially atmospheric, in a Biergarten along the Danube, across the old stone bridge with views of the old town. Fantastic!

Here are 2 shots of the resto (Alte Linde), our meals, and views of the old bridge & old town.

Germany 2013 - Day 7 / Ulm

We did it!!!

We went to Ulm and climbed the world's tallest steeple. 161.5 meters high (the viewing platform is 143m up), that's 768 steps! The steeple is gorgeous, almost delicate or lacy, especially near the top.

The Münster (Cathedral) is so unbelievably big, it takes your breath away! IT'S MASSIVE!! So huge you can't fit it all into one picture. We first noticed it in 2008 from the train on our way to Stuttgart, and said we HAD to visit it one day... 5 years later, here we are!

We made sure to get there early and do the climb first thing; I'd NEVER do it in summer, just too hot! The climb up was not too bad, just sweaty. I have more trouble on the way down from these things because I get dizzy.

After that workout, we rewarded ourselves with a great outdoor lunch along the Danube.

We finished our sightseeing around 3, it's always over for us when it gets too hot and sunny and muggy and all we're really doing is looking for shade instead of "enjoying the moment", so we took the train back to Munich.

Hope the next few days are not as hot!!

Germany 2013 - Day 6 / Munich

Munich.... Aaaahhhhh so good to be back!

Our plan was to check into the hotel before exploring the town, but we changed our minds on route since that would have taken over an hour. Instead, we put our suitcases in lockers at the train station and hit the town running!

Good thing we've been here before because there is a lot of construction blocking some sights. We already took pictures of everything in 2008 so the disappointment-factor is null. Still, the city is just a beautiful as we remembered - so nice to be back!!

Lunch was a no-brainer: Hofbraühaus. It was too cold to sit outside last time, but it was 20C today so we took advantage.

I noticed a few additions to the menu too: red wine & white sausage. In 2008 it's what I wanted and they didn't have it. Plus, I've had bad luck with the wine here... I don't like it!! It's always some fruity sweet crap, and even though I order "dry" I am almost always disappointed. I've had many meals with only 2 or 3 sips of wine and just left the rest!

My patience was rewarded today; the wine was very satisfying. My husband discovered wheat-beer thanks to the help of our friends yesterday, so we left the Hofbraühaus with a decent buzz! HA!

Germany 2013 - Day 5 / Frankfurt

I woke up with a husky voice and a miiiiild chest discomfort. GAWD being sick on vacation is a pain! My energy is fine, and overall I have to say I feel good, so I hope these little symptoms are not a sign of things to come!

We went to Frankfurt with our friends today, and it was a bit rough going at the start. The ticket machines at the station in Würzburg would not allow us to by tickets to Frankfurt specifically, then it took forever to find the ticket office since the station is buried under heaps of construction.

Once we had the tickets and made it to the platform, an announcement was made saying that the train would be 10 minutes late. Ok fine... until another announcement saying it would be over an hour late!!

It was 10:15 by then and our train was support to leave at 9:55. It turns out that the 8:55 was also crazy late and it was just pulling up. We jumped on it!

Our return was not smooth either, we had trouble with the ticket machines because I was typing WUrzburg instead of WÜrzburg. So dumb. AND that train was late too due to "a police investigation"! No idea yet what it was, but the area in front of the train station was SWARMING with police.

Frankfurt was just ok. Like any other Big Modern City, but nothing like London or New York - really not much to do. The tiny old town is breathtaking, but the rest left us unimpressed. Still, no regrets because now we know!

I didn't even take any iPod pictures! But since I have to include a pictures in the posts (due to the fact what when I share the posts to Facebook the app wants a picture) here's one of I took of the crowded train..

Germany 2013 - Day 4 / Old Friends

What fun it is to get together with old friends!!!

They are almost at the end of their vacation are we were able to intersect our plans to spend a few days together.

Tonight, we went out to the Old Bridge for drinks, then the Ratskeller for supper. We all noticed that restos here in Würzburg are deserted!!! My husband and I first noticed this yesterday but just thought it was due to the fact it was Sunday. Nope. All the places we saw tonight were just as empty and we were alone in the resto aside from another table just having drinks. Weird.

They decided to join us tomorrow for a day trip to Frankfurt - looking forward to it!!

Here's a picture I took of them (and my husband) on the Old Bridge before diner; I told them to act natural! HA!

Germany 2013 - Day 4 / Rothenburg

Rothenburg ... OH MY GOD!

Take all the worn clichés (the good ones) and multiply them by a billion and you might come close to understanding how nice this place is!! THIS is what people come to Europe for!!

Just amazing! Impossibly charming; our heads were on swivels all day. Yes, it's a little over the top, yes it's a little "too perfect", and yes by default it's crazy-touristy but so what! It's magnificent! It was a great day!

None of my iPod pictures can do it justice, you'll have to wait for the "official Picasa pictures" but here are a few anyway.

I hope to come back someday (in a few years).

Tonight, we're meeting up with our Chicago-Friends who are also on vacation in Germany. It'll be fun to see them again!

Germany 2013 - Day 3 / Würzburg

Made it to Würzburg!

Very nice, itty bitty, we saw all there was to see in one afternoon!

No (free) wi-fi at the hotel so I will keep my updates brief in the hopes that maybe I can update in café somewhere!

By the time we arrived and checked into the hotel, it was after 1PM. The hotel is just ok so far... I'm a little underwhelmed.

We had a nice lunch at a resto built into the Old Bridge, it was very picturesque eating along the Main River - outside on the terrace! Views of the bridge & River & The Fortress, all gorgeous.

We enjoyed it but my main course was forgettable: CRAZY SWEET sausages. Bleh. My husband had trout and loved it - we should have stopped after the app!

We aren't sure if we'll do supper tonight... To be continued...

Here are some pictures from lunch, the views and the tasty app..

Germany 2013 - Day 2 / Dresden

Bye Bye Dresden!

Dresden was very nice; I'm glad it was small and that we started here considering our colds. I think you could "do" Dresden in less than a day and since we had a day and a half, it meant no rushing and not worrying about leaving something undone.

We puttered around most of the day, did one museum. The weather was nice, not too cold but I'm glad I thought to pack my scarf at the very last minute. I needed it today to keep my throat warm.

We called it an early day today too (7PM and I'm already in bed), but I really want to make sure my cold goes away, plus we have an early start tomorrow. Leaving the hotel at 6:30AM, train to Wurzburg is at 7:45.

At the risk of jinxing it, I think my cold is almost over. I woke up with a very soar throat but it's practically gone now. I drank lots of tea and OJ today!! Here's a shot from our loungy café stop around 10AM:

Germany 2013 - Day 1 / Dresden

6PM, I'm scrubbed & showered & in bed - my husband is snoring away beside me.

We had a great day; Dresden really is an attractive place! We could have kept going, but since neither of us are in ideal health we concluded it's not worth the risk. We called it a day around 5.

The flight from Montreal to Frankfurt was so empty, we were each able to grab a row of seats for ourselves and sleep flat. Makes a HUGE difference to your energy levels when you can sleep on the plane!

The hotel is great so far, leaps and bounds better compared to the room in London!! Roomy, comfy, satellite TV & big pillows... Great!

The weather was just warm enough to eat outside, so we did! We had lunch at "Dresden 1900", a touristy place right in tha shadow of the Frauenkirche - the attraction that brought me to Dresden in the first place. I have to admit that this might have been a bit of a mistake because the wind picked up and it became a little uncomfortable. Stupid move for people who are fighting colds!! Nevertheless, it was a delicious lunch with a fantastic view!

We skipped supper since lunch was so filling and just went to a café instead. As we were discussing the virtues of the hotel room, my husband asked me: "did you bring you iPod plug?"

SHIIIIIIT!!! I forgot.

It was bound to happen; too many trips going off without a hitch, we were destined to forget something "important" eventually.

This is a big deal for me; I need my iPod!! Email, blogs, Facebook check ins, weather updates, books etc... I need the freaking plug!!!

So, yes, I went to the mall. This should show you the extent of my desperation!!! I WENT SHOPPING ON VACATION!! I found the Apple Store, but they only had European plugs... so what!! it works, and I'm in Europe often enough to make it worth the 19€!

So there is a quick look at day one, time to recoup!

Goodnight!