Our trip to Germany was an adventure from start to finish. After landing in Munich, we picked up our rental car and began an 18-day itinerary packed with history, culture, and memorable highlights.
Germany truly delivers when it comes to scenic beauty and historical cities. Driving along the country roads really showcases the diverse and picturesque landscapes. Typically, my wife and I travel alone, but this time we were joined by my two sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, a family affair for sure.
Below is a condensed itinerary highlighting some of the key moments from our trip.
Neuschwanstein Castle, Füssen (fue-sen)
Our first stop was Hotel Hirsch in Füssen, a charming town with a great Altstadt (Old Town). It’s also conveniently located near Neuschwanstein Castle. The castle sits just outside the village of Hohenschwangau (less than two miles away), which is also home to Hohenschwangau Castle, the childhood residence of King Ludwig II, who later commissioned Neuschwanstein.
For our travels, Füssen was the closest town, but the village of Hohenschwangau serves as the main gateway to both castles, offering shops, hotels, and tourist amenities a busy hub of tourists and traffic.
Arriving early, we caught the first shuttle bus to the castle. Determined to beat the crowds, I boogied to Marienbrücke (Mary’s Bridge) for an unobstructed view. The bridge offers a stunning vantage point of Neuschwanstein and its surroundings. We even hiked a trail beyond the bridge, which rewarded us with another breathtaking perspective.
Partnachklamm Gorge, Grainau (gry-now)
After the castle visit, we drove to Grainau, checked into our hotel, and took a short rest before heading to Partnachklamm Gorge. Carved over thousands of years by the Partnach River, this natural wonder became accessible in 1912 when guide Josef Naus built a trail through its dramatic cliffs and waterfalls. It was incredible to be that close to the roaring water as it surged with power through the very gorge it had shaped over millennia.
Zugspitze and Lake Eibsee
After some well deserved sleep and a hearty breakfast the next morning, we bid “Bis zum nächsten Mal!” to our host, Christian, and set off for Zugspitze; Germany’s highest peak at 9,718 feet. Unfortunately, snowy, overcast weather dashed our hopes of panoramic views from the summit.
Undeterred, we set out to explore Lake Eibsee, located beside the cable car parking lot. Despite the light rain, the walk along the outer trails was peaceful and scenic. We made our way through the forest trail which had many moss-covered rocks and towering trees. I was able to take a few pictures, but eventually, the rain picked up, and we had to cut our stroll short. We laughed it off as an “authentic” German experience.
Hallstatt, Austria – A Fairytale Escape
Situated between a peaceful lake and soaring mountains, Hallstatt is recognized as one of the most beautiful villages in the world. Its UNESCO World Heritage status, resemblance to Arendelle from Frozen, and social media fame have made it a sought after destination, drawing travelers eager to experience its breathtaking scenery.
Our BNB loft was the highlight of our trip, what an experience! We stayed in a converted mill, known as a Waldbachsäge, which was inherited from the owner’s grandmother. Renovated into a modern apartment, the location was perfect, just outside the village and a quick stroll to the Instagram famous church shot. Even after the day-trippers were gone, the area was filled with novices and professionals alike, all with their cameras on tripods and neutral density filters on their lenses, each hoping for that perfect silky smooth shot.
The loft is situated on the lake with direct water access, where swans greeted us each morning as they foraged for fallen apples along the private boat ramp.
If your travels take you to Hallstatt, take your time, it’s a gorgeous destination with plenty of nearby activities. Over two days, we explored the salt mine, ventured into the ice cave, and took in the panoramic views from the 5-Fingers lookout. While the sights were unforgettable, what truly made our visit special was where we stayed.
Admont Abbey Library
Packing up the car with luggage is always a chore, but once everything is in place, the excitement of the journey takes over. After chatting with our host, Josef, we set off for Admont Abbey Library in Austria, often compared to the one in Beauty and the Beast, but with a real history stretching back centuries.
Founded in 1074, the abbey has long been a center for learning, following the Benedictine motto: Pray, Work, and Read. The library, built in 1776, spans 70 meters and holds over 70,000 books on display. Remarkably, it survived a devastating fire in 1865. Inside, hidden doors, intricate ceiling frescoes, and statues of the Four Last Things stand out as key features.
Viva Cruise
After finishing our visit to the abbey, we drove to Passau for the next adventure of our trip, a seven-day river cruise with Viva Cruises. Getting into Passau was easy enough, but reaching the dock for embarkation proved challenging due to traffic. Once we arrived, I dropped everyone off before tackling the next task: driving back across town to return the rental car to a local Enterprise, then arranging a taxi back to the dock, unwanted high stress!
After I arrived at Enterprise, I checked in the car and was given all clear. But as I was walking to the street to wait for my taxi, heard a voice calling me back. My first thought, “this can’t be good”. Walking back, I was running through my mind, humm, what is wrong? The attendant proceeded to ask where I damaged the tire rim, “what, excuse me”?
At some point between Munich and Passau, I the driver, damaged the front rim of the tire, just another item to worry about as I’m trying to get back in time before embarkation. I had insurance coverage through my credit card, but that meant I’d have to go through the claims process once I got back. Ugh!
My spirts were brought low and the entire drive back to the dock was filled with; what just happened. Not a great start to the cruise, but after some sparkling drinks, I was in festive mood.
Cruise Itinerary: Melk, Austria → Esztergom, Hungary → Budapest, Hungary → Bratislava, Slovakia → Vienna, Austria → Linz, Austria
