We took an early summer vacation, spending two weeks in Germany and the Czech Republic. We flew into Frankfurt-Hahn airport then rented a car to go exploring. Along the way, we learned that most youth hostels allow guests over 30yrs old, but bunk beds are smaller than we remember from childhood! The food in both countries focuses on meat and potatoes, but it was asparagus season - yummy! Here are some photos from our trip:
We began our journey by driving about an hour north to the small town of Irmtraut. According to my Grandfather Armentrout's geneolgy research, this is the area where my family's ancestors emigrated from in 1739.
Heidelberg Castle, on the left, overlooks the city of the same name. The castle, mostly in ruins, is a mix of styles from Gothic to Renaissance and was begun in the late 1300's.
In Mannheim, we went on a factory tour at the John Deere facility.
View overlooking the Black Forest near Freiberg in the Saxony region. From here we drove south through Zurich, Switzerland, en route to Konstanz. A little out of our way, but we wanted to add another country to our list!
We spent two days in Konstanz, on Lake Constance or Bodensee, whose shores touch Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
Mainau is an island in Lake Constance and has extensive landscaped gardens, a tropical conservatory, and a butterfly house. Garden staff were working on this enormous "dwarf" made entirely from flowers.
Neuschwanstein Castle inspired the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park! Construction began in 1868, commissioned by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, who died before it was completed. It is the most photographed site in Germany :)
No trip to Bavaria would be complete without a visit to a beer garden (in Munich's English Garden). Don't worry, mine was alcohol-free!
View overlooking beautiful Munich from a church tower.
The Prague Astronomical Tower, constructed around 1723, draws a crowd every hour to watch the clock's mechanisms. Our tour guide told us to watch out for pickpockets here!
Prague at night. This church (background) and square were very close to our hotel. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Last fall, Brian spent a week in Pilsen for business, but did not have the opportunity to visit the Pilsner Urquell Brewery. We stopped by, but it was too late in the day for a tour. Brian thought this beer machine in their visitor's center would make a good addition to any office!
