Germany: ich liebe es!

Last month I went to Germany and Austria. My friend Candace's aunt and uncle live in Frankfurt and were nice enough to host us. And when have I ever turned down a trip? So Kira, Candace and I flew over for spring break.

Bad Homberg

We found tiny doors all over

We drove along the Rhine river where there are castles at every turn

Like Burg Rhinestein

Burg Rhinestein

Later we went into Frankfurt

Heidelburg

Schloss Heidelburg

Entrance into Dachau concentration camp

Dachau. It was interesting, but very sad.

Our first glimpse of Neuschwanstein

Hohenschwangau Castle. King Ludwig's childhood home. My camera fell on the ground shortly after this picture was taken so I don't remember much from the tour. Except that the castle had secret passages between the king and queens bedroom.

View of Hohenschwangau from Neuschwanstein Castle

I was so excited when I saw the back side of the Neuschwanstein covered with scaffolding!
I mean really, couldn't they have just done part of it at a time and not the entire back side?

It is still beautiful, though

We then went to the top of Mt. Zugspitze, the tallest peak in Germany. As you may have guessed from the picture, it was freezing cold and windy on top.

I ate a brat. It was delicious. It might have been better if I hadn't scarfed it down in 3 minutes so I could board the bus.

In Austria, Aldi's is Hofer. (this is for my mom, who loves Aldi's)

Salzburg, Austria.
Mozart's birthplace and the city where the Sound of Music was filmed. We played silly American tourists and went on the grand tour of the film sites. It was fun thanks to our guide who mocked us and the movie most of the tour. Here are the highlights for anyone who has seen the movie more than 5 times (not me, I've only seen it 3 times):

The Von Trapp House

Where the backyard scenes were filmed (in the house across the lake)

The infamous gazebo. It was locked. According to our guide, some 80 year old lady was trying to jump to the different benches like in the movie, fell, broke her hip, and they had to lock it up.

Yes, those Von Trapp kids ran around this fountain.

Candace lost her right leg moments before while running through this pathway.

Do Re Mi steps

Entrance to Mirabell gardens (and also featured in the movie)

Rothenburg

Up inside the walkway around the wall. More cities need walls surrounding them.

Our last picture. Sad.