Well, we have been living in Germany for almost 6 years now! And I am low-key ashamed and angry with myself because in the 6 years we have been here, we somehow haven’t travelled all that much! We have been lucky enough to live in some AHH-mazing cities like Magdeburg, Stuttgart, and Leipzig, but other than that, we haven’t really gotten around! What can I say…Ryan is in season almost year-round and with the little time he has off every year, we usually travel home to the States to see our families. Therefore, this has left us with very little time to see everything right here in our own backyards.
With everything that has happened over the last year, it has really given me time to think about what I want to focus on in the near future. If I have learned anything in this year-long lockdown, it’s that experiences are the most important thing to us. We don’t need all the “stuff” or “things” to make our lives happy and whole. What we need is quality time together as a family, exploring the world, and soaking up every cultural experience possible!
So, I am making it my mission to get out and explore more of this beautiful country we are in before it is too late! I sat down this week and compiled a Bucket List of all the things I want to see and all the places I want to travel to right here in Germany. Do you think we can hit them all before we move back home?!
Munich
Yeah…somehow we have yet to see Munich. This is definitely a “face palm” moment for me, I know! Basically, I just want to drink a giant beer and eat a pretzel as big as my face while we walk around and explore the city. Bonus points if we can get here during Oktoberfest! Can you picture Blair in a Dirndl?! Talk about cute!
Frankenstein Castle
While this one definitely isn’t the most picturesque fairytale castle, rumor has it, this castle may have been the inspiration for Mary Shelley when she wrote Frankenstein in 1818! From what I’ve heard, this place is actually pretty quiet throughout the year. That is, except for Halloween which is usually a busy time!
Sylt
Credit: Nordsee24
Did you know Germany had islands? Yeah, me neither! Sylt is a popular summer destination here in Germany, and it’s known for its long beaches, mudflats, resorts, and small-town charm. It seems like everyone just rides their bikes around town and enjoys the picture-perfect shorelines. Seems like an ideal place for a weekend-summer-getaway!
Neuschwanstein Castle
Credit: Earth Trekkers
As one of the most recognizable castles in the world, this baby is definitely a must-see for me! It’s so insanely beautiful, it doesn’t even look real to me! Like something that would be found in a fairytale. Walt Disney was so in love and inspired by the architecture of this castle, that he used it as inspiration to create Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty’s castles!
Black Forest
Credit: Lonely Planet
Honestly, this just looks like a place I could spend weeks in! The houses, the cuckoo clocks, the mountains and all the greenery? Sign me up!
Eltz Castle
Credit: Historic European Castles
If there is a castle that can rival the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle, it’s this one! This castle is even still owned by the 33rd generation of the Eltz family! Crazy, right? It looks like the castle of my dreams if I am being totally honest.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber
Credit: Kulturer Bayern
The most European fairytale town EVER! I have seen this cute town pop up on Pinterest probably 10000 times over the last few years and I swoon over it every time. It looks like something out of a movie! Beautiful, colourful buildings, cobblestone streets, the works!
Devil’s Bridge
Credit: Earth Trekkers
This bridge is tucked away in a small park, but could definitely make a fun day-trip! This bridge got its name because the masonry was so spectacular and challenging, that it is said only the devil himself could have helped with its construction. The delicate arch of the bridge and the rocky spires make this quite amazing.
Cologne Cathedral
Credit: DrFumblefinger
Behold, Germany’s most visited landmark and the tallest twin-spired church in the world! This baby is even impressive-looking in photos, so I can only imagine how it must feel in person.
Merchant’s Bridge
Credit: Culture Trip
This literally looks like a bridge of connected houses. So so cool, right?! This right here is the longest series of inhabited buildings on any bridge in Europe. Inside you’ll find cafes, boutiques, and galleries…aka my literal dream come true!
Kunsthofpassage
Credit: The Fairytale Traveler
Okay, this is really more of an “Instagram Moment”, but how cool does this look?! This basically used to be a set of icky courtyards that some artists transformed into public art. When rain falls, these buildings turn into a musical instrument and become singing pipes!
Königssee
Credit: Culture Trip
The cleanest lake in Germany! Emerald-green water, rocky mountains, and breathtaking landscape. Need I say more?
Are you visiting Germany for the first time? Be sure to check out this post, Visiting Germany: What You Need To Know. It’s informative and super helpful, while also giving you a good laugh on what to expect while staying in Germany!
