Well, we are finally back from our little vacation. We decided that our next vacation after the honeymoon would be another big one, so we headed back to Germany, and threw in a few days in Prague. Everything went great! Weather was good for the most part, we hit almost everything we wanted to. Met many wonderful people from all over the world, and took in as much history and culture as we could. Since we were gone 10 days, we will just summarize the trip for you.... with pictures.
Day 1 - Frankfurt and Mainz
Alicia and her sweet honey melons....(okay, so we like funny pics)
The old town in Frankfurt.
Diana on her way to here favorite places, the $hit shops.
Frankfurt's old town hall, actually new since it was rubble after WW2.
This old church in Mainz had the bluest stainglass. There was no other lights in the church at the time, and the whole place was lit up in a beautiful blue.
Alicia and well.... no comment
The view from our hotel balcony in Mainz.
Day 2- Rhine and Mosel Valley, Burg Eltz, Bacharach.
Our first stop on the Mosel River valley on the way to Burg Eltz.
Burg Eltz, more like an old townhome in the hills off the mosel river. It was never taken over.
Diana and Ben taking a rest on the walk down to the Castle.
The interior of Burg Eltz.
Rhinefels castle ruins. A very large castle, which may have been cool if it wasn't "ruin-ed".
The view from the boat as we arrived in Bacharach.
Doing a little evening stroll in Bacharach.
Day 3 - Heidelburg, and Rothenburg
The clock tower featuring a town drunk.
While we were there, they had a little throwback festival. Here is an incredible blacksmith.
We also hit the medevil crime and punishment museum. Shame masks were popular back then. If only we used them now......
A picture of a crown, but more importantly, the holy handgrenade.
The church in Rothenburg had a beautiful alter piece on the mainlevel and a second one...
by Riemenschnieder carved from one piece of wood.
Alicia gives the reading according to Rick Steves
Rothenburg is one of the few walled towns with the walls still intact, so we walked the whole thing.
Day 4- The Castle Day and Andechs
Neuschwanstein Castle, the model for the disney castle. The castle interior is not finished, but what was completed is magnificent. Kind Ludwig II bankrupt his country building this, but thankfully he did. This picture was take from Mary's Bridge.
Mary's Bridge
The view from Neuschwanstein, in the lower left is his boyhood home, Hohenschwangau.
Another view from Neuschwanstein. Simply spectacular!
Alicia, Diana, and Ben all tipping back a few brews at Andech Monestary. Big Pretzels, and Pork Knuckles were delicious!
Day 5 - Munich
Alicia in Marienplatz
Ryan and Alicia hanging with the Wittlesbachs (not as good as the Hapsburgs).
Alicia walking through more the Wittlesbach Residenz.
Ryan and Alicia enjoying a beer at the Hofbrauhaus.
Surfers at the enterance to the English Gardens. The largest park in Europe.
In the English Garden.
Ryan trying a white brat.... veal meat. Apparently you are supposed to suck the meat out like a dyson.... no thanks.
Day 6 - Nuremburg
This was to be the home of the Nazi party. Never comleted, this would have been twice as tall, and could hold 200,000 in the interior. Now it is home to the Nazi Documentation Center, depicting the rise and fall of the party. Needless to say, a very interesting place to visit pulling at all your emotions.
The Nazi Rally grounds.
The city of Nuremburg itself is beautiful. Here is the location of the largest christmas market in the world.
Alicia on the river in Nuremburg. The building that is built on the river to the left is actually a hospital.
Day 7 - Dachau
The door to the concentration camp. "Work will set you free" was the slogan. "Prisoners" of all types were sent here (political, war, "lesser" religions, handicapped...) to work, and then eventually..... Americans liberated this camp.
The long row down where the baracks would have been.
The gate where the "prisoners" entered.
Day 8 and 9 - Prague
A miniature Eiffel Tower that we climbed to the top of.
They view from the top of the tower. On the left in the Charles Bridge, and the right in the Cathedral in the Castle.
One of the many stainglass windows in the castle Cathedral. This one was done by someone famous.
And finally, Ryan and Alicia being funny.....
So that was our trip in a nut shell......
On tap for this week:
Work
Papa's b-day
Cabin time finally. Lots of work to be done!
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