It’s about time I FINALLY shared another Europe post with you! Most of you (understandably) have no idea what I’m talking about. I had the incredible opportunity last summer to travel to SIX different European countries last summer with my mom, aunt, and cousin. It truly was an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you want to see pictures and a travel recap from the first two countries we visited, here in the travel recap to Italy and Austria!

I’m a bit behind in sharing these posts (obviously, considering how it’s crazily been almost a year now since our trip). I was a little overwhelmed by the hundreds upon hundreds of pictures on my phone to sort through, and I was excited to share lots of recipes with you throughout the various seasons! However, I figured now would be a good time as I’m currently attempting to learn Lightroom (photo editing software) and work on a few back-end things on the blog. I can’t wait to get back in the kitchen soon and test more recipes! But for now, hope you enjoy hearing a bit more about the third country we visited…GERMANY!

FYI, all pictures were just taken with my super old iPhone 6 and not edited. We only spent 3 days in Germany, but were able to pack a lot in (and I took an average of 100 pictures per day…haha).

Day 1: Dachau Concentration Camp and German Beer Hall

On the first day, we took the train (how we traveled everywhere in Europe) from Salzburg, Austria (where I left off on this last travel recap) to Munich, Germany. It was a 2.5 hour train trip to Munich, Germany. Everyone slept but me (too much coffee haha), so I read a book and looked at beautiful scenic countryside.

We ate lunch in massive Munich train station (no picture, but got a delicious salad with chicken, hard boiled eggs, cucumbers and carrots, mixed greens and a homemade herb lemon vinaigrette dressing). Actually very fresh/delicious for being more a fast serve option and was so refreshing to have some fresh veggies!

We then went on a tour with guide to see Dachaus (concentration camp). I don’t have many pictures from the concentration camp (it didn’t seem the most appropriate to be snapping photos), but here are a few. This was a very sobering experience but definitely worth seeing. They did have a gas chamber.

We learned it was more of a work camp instead of extermination camp but overcrowded living conditions made it unbearable. It was initially designed to house 6,000 men, but by the end of WWII 40,000 men were there. They literally suffocated to death in bed because so many bodies were close together.

This concentration camp did a gas chamber as well as a place to cremate the bodies.

Then we went to Hofbrauhaus German Beer Hall in downtown Munich. My aunt had actually been there before when she studied abroad in college, so it was fun to go back with her! This time it was a mother/daughter trip with my aunt and cousin, and then my mom and I.

This was a delicious meal and even better atmosphere. The couple pictures I took don’t do it justice. We couldn’t read the menu at all since it was in German so we had to translate it on our phones haha. I ate a very authentic delicious schnitzel (aka fried pork) with cranberry sauce and apple strudel. And let’s not forget the beer picture! There was also live music and such a fun evening. And to be honest with you…my Mom and I just used my Aunt and cousins beers for pics (I know, so lame!). What can I say, I’m much more of a wine person over beer. 🤷‍♀️

On the way back to our hotel from the beer hall, we stopped to get delicious Nutella gelato on cone.

Day 2: Neuschwanstein Castle

On day two, we spent all day (9+ hours) on a  tour of Neuschwanstein castle! It was a 2 hour one way bus ride to castle, so 4 hours were traveling. Our tour guide added a lot of interesting info on the king who built castle in 1800s and lived there. It was built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, also known as the “Fairytale King”.

Gorgeous views!!! We were able to hike up the mountain (in the pouring rain, I might add haha) and go over a bridge to get a beautiful view of castle and countryside. We got soaking wet hiking and didn’t bring ponchos! In the evening, we were tired from the long day so ate dinner (yummy salad) at train station and since it was raining we chilled in hotel, called Chris and talked to him.

Day 3: Countryside village of Ladenburg

On our third and final day in Germany, we took the train  from Munich to Heidelberg.

We went to the adorable, countryside quaint non-touristy town of Ladenburg for lunch and ate outside at a cafe. Our waiter was half American which was helpful to translate menu! I ate a delicious burger with a fried potato pancake/hash brown and delicious Gouda and another type of cheese that I can’t remember the name of. It was served with a salad. My mom got cheese spatzle which was also delicious. Then walked around town and took lots of pictures, so quaint and quiet!

We then took the train back to Heidelberg and walked around the river and old town in the evening. I tried Heidelberg caramel fudge brownie gelato in a cone as well as a snowball (fried waffle cone like dough covered in chocolate)  Lots of fun shops and the amazing Lindt store! So many colorful truffle options.

And that wraps up our time in Germany! 🇩🇪