Day 1: Arriving in Munich with all our luggage, we took a bus that dropped us near our hotel, conveniently located in Munich Center, close to the main train station. Despite our fatigue, we were determined to push through to 7:00 p.m. and recharge with a marathon sleep before our Neuschwanstein tour the next day. (Travel tip: Delay sleep as much as you can on that first day. Otherwise you will be up at 3 a.m. and will struggle to get acclimated to the time change.)
Without wasting a moment, we set off for Old Town Munich, a brisk 20-25 minute walk away. Along the way, we stopped at a bank to withdraw Euros from their ATM. (Travel tip: Get your Euros at an ATM, preferably a bank machine. ATMs offer the best exchange rates.) Our first stop was at the Hofbräuhaus, perhaps not the best biergarten in town, but an essential Munich experience nonetheless—a box to tick off our list. We took a moment to cool off, enjoyed some nibbles, and then strolled around to locate our meeting point for tomorrow's tour. The weather was sweltering, and we found ourselves sweating profusely, but our hotel provided excellent air conditioning—a welcome relief.
Day 2: Neuschwanstein Tour
Our day with Mike's Bikes turned out to be one for the books, though it was quite a long one. Setting off from Munich on a comfortable charter bus, we headed out on a picturesque journey to Fussen. The scenery along the way was nothing short of breathtaking, a prelude to the adventure ahead.
Arriving in Fussen, we grabbed our bikes and set off for Swan Lake. The weather couldn't have been more perfect, a refreshing contrast to Munich's heat. Todd couldn't resist a quick dip in the lake, though the chilly waters had him back out in just 20 seconds!
Afterwards, we refueled with lunch before delving into the castle tour. Exploring the rich history and grandeur of the castle added a touch of magic to our day. We had originally planned to do this tour on our own and stay the night in the area, but I am so glad I booked the tour with Mike's Bikes. It was perfect as a day trip and it was nice to let someone else take care of all the details after the previous day of traveling from Austin to Munich.
Upon returning to Munich, we met up with Rick and Rebecca (our friends for over 20 years) for dinner, drinks, and to make plans for the next week. With over 33,000 steps and 5 miles covered on our bikes, it's safe to say we earned a restful night's sleep that evening.
Day 4: Salzburg
We hopped onto a packed tour bus that whisked us away to the various filming locations. There were SoM singalongs aplenty and our guide provided us with fascinating tidbits about the movie's production. I must admit, as strangers requested photos with me in my SoM outfit, I felt a bit like a celebrity.
Filming scenes at Mirabell Gardens drew quite the audience. We got plenty of curious stares, but most onlookers seemed entertained by our antics. The tour turned out to be the highlight of my entire trip. Who knew pretending to be Maria von Trapp could be this much fun?
Day 5: Hallstatt, Austria
We arrived in Hallstatt with grand plans to explore its renowned salt mines. Little did we know that our adventure would begin with a delightful detour. With plenty of time to spare, we took the opportunity to slow down and truly soak in the town's breathtaking beauty. We dipped our toes into the alpine lake, wandered aimlessly through charming streets, and even enjoyed an impromptu picnic—complete with a view that made our sandwiches taste a little better. The day was unfolding perfectly. Rick and Rebecca decided to take charge and gather details about riding the funicular up to the salt mine. And guess what? They discovered we were at the wrong salt mine! If we hadn't taken that wrong turn, we might have missed out on the magic of Hallstatt entirely. So, here’s to happy accidents and scenic surprises!
Here's the scoop: the Nazis had been on a secret art heist, stealing priceless masterpieces from across Europe and stashing them deep within the mine to keep them safe from Allied bombings. As defeat loomed on the horizon, Hitler, in a last-ditch effort to prevent the Allies from claiming any of these treasures, issued the “Nero Order.” This infamous decree was essentially a "destroy everything" command, targeting the hidden artworks along with anything else of value. The explosives were hidden in crates that said "Caution: Marble, do not drop". The miners got suspicious and were able to save the art treasures at the last minute.
Day 6: Salzburg/Nuremberg
A trip to Salzburg would not be complete without a visit to Hohensalzburg Castle. This stunning fortress dominates the city’s skyline. It was built in 1077 and offers a lovely panoramic view of Salzburg.
We made our way to Nuremberg, and even though our visit was brief, I’m so glad we stopped by. The city’s historical significance is immense, and it was both fascinating and a bit eerie to see the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds and Zeppelin Field in person—places I’ve only read about in history books. Seeing the podium where Hitler stood really was eerie and I was caught off guard by all the feelings I felt. I applaud the Germans for choosing to preserve this part of history instead of allowing it to crumble away. Note: major renovations are taking place so there is a temporary display.
Day 7: Rothenburg ob der Tauber
As soon as we stepped into Rothenburg ob der Tauber, I was overcome with emotion by its sheer beauty—it felt like stepping straight into a fairy tale. This enchanting medieval village is one of the few in Germany to have its city walls completely intact, and you can actually walk along them!
Many visitors come for day trips, so I highly recommend staying overnight to fully experience the town without the crowds. Plus, staying the night gives you the chance to join the Night Watchman’s Tour. This tour, led by a guide who’s been dubbed the “medieval John Cleese,” was the highlight of our stay. It’s a lively and entertaining way to dive into Rothenburg’s history and legends.
Days 8 - 9: Frankfurt
We headed to Frankfurt and went to Shores Haus. By this time, I was running out of clean clothes and needed a little down time. So after a day of laundry, gaming, spa visit, and hanging out, we were ready to go see Frankfurt.
Frankfurt is a very modern city and is the financial hub of Germany. The city was destroyed in World War II and was rebuilt in a modern style. Because of it's skyline, Germans have nicknamed it "Mainhattan".
The Börneplatz Memorial Site in Frankfurt am Main is a poignant tribute to the Jewish community that was devastated during the Holocaust. Officially opened to the public on June 16, 1996, this somber site honors the memory of those who suffered. Among the memorial blocks here are those dedicated to Anne Frank, her sister Margot, and their mother Edith, serving as a solemn reminder of their lives and the tragic loss endured by so many.
We had an incredible day trip to Rüdesheim. Our adventure began with a scenic gondola ride up to the Niederwalddenkmal Monument, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding vineyards. We then glided down through the lush vineyards to the charming town of Assmannshausen. From there, we boarded a boat and cruised along the picturesque Rhine River, soaking in the stunning landscapes. On our way back to Frankfurt, we made a delightful detour to Wiesbaden. We visited the local base to pick up a charming cuckoo clock and enjoyed dinner, capping off a perfect day of exploration, relaxation, and sampling of many Rieslings.
We took the train back to Munich on a rainy day and then headed to the Dachau Concentration Camp. The weather mirrored the somber mood of the visit. I only took a few photos, but I’m sharing them here because it’s important that we remember the immense suffering and loss endured by the 200,000 people from over 40 countries who were imprisoned here. Despite the heavy and sobering nature of the experience, I’m grateful we made the visit—it’s a crucial reminder of history that we must never forget.
On our final day in Munich, we took another bike tour with Mike's Bikes. There was a lot of construction, but it was still a great way to see the city.
