Tag Archives: Romantische Straße

2022 in Review

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2022 was definitely a year of travel! My first trip was in late Jan/Feb for almost a month in Honolulu, Oahu. Although I went by myself, I had lined up a few dates through online dating and also went to a couple of Meetup.com happy hours. It was a nice escape from the winter here in Northern Kentucky.

I left in early April for almost three months in Europe, 5 countries, 21 accommodations, with 18 day trips. It was a trip of a lifetime! When you travel solo, you tend to meet people more easily. I met a man at the beach in Mykonos, Greece and had dinner with him, a man and his family from a Facebook Europe travel group in Colmar, France, another lady from the same group in Colmar, France, and was invited to a friend’s country home in Chania, Greece.

I started in Rome for six nights with day trips to Tivoli and Orvieto. (Photo at Villa d’Este, Tivoli, Italy)

I traveled by train most of the time. Next I spent seven nights in Spoleto with day trips to Perugia, Assisi, and Spello. (Photo in the town of Spello)

My next destination was Florence where I spent eight nights with day trips to Siena (photo below), Lucca, and San Gimignano.

With nine nights in Paris, I was able to take day trips to Rouen, Versailles, Chartres, and Troyes (photo below).

Rouen shown below

During my five nights in Tours, France I took a shuttle bus to see some amazing Chateaus: Villandry (the gardens)…

Azay-Le-Rideau…

Cheverny…

Amboise, Chambord, Clos Luce, and Chenonceau.

I also had my hair colored/cut and had a spectacular 90 minute massage!

The seven nights I spent in Colmar, France were some of my favorite. It’s a magical place.

I took day trips to five quaint towns surrounding Colmar: Riquewihr, Kayserberg-Vignoble, Ribeauville, Equesheim, and Turckheim.

I also took a day trip from Colmar to Strasbourg, which I loved!

I began my time in Germany with five nights in Freiburg Im Breisgau (Black Forest) with day trips to a couple of area lakes. My Airbnb host let me borrow her bicycle which I rode often. I also went to a day spa with indoor/outdoor mineral pools.

Next, I made the journey through towns along the Romantic Road and spent one night each in Wurzburg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbuhl (photo below), Noerdlingen and Augsburg.

The last stop was in Fuessen for two nights. The Neuschwanstein Castle is located here. The first photo was taken while on the uphill walk to the castle…

I flew from Munich to Mykonos where I spent four nights.

Then took a ferry to Santorini for three nights.

To finish my Greek Islands experience, I flew to Chania, Crete, and spent three glorious days.

Next up was Switzerland…I flew to Zurich, took the train to Lucerne and spent two nights.

I backtracked and spent three nights at Lake Como, visiting Varenna, Menaggio and Belaggio (photo below).

I spent eight additional nights in Switzerland and discovered it’s my favorite European country! The hiking is amazing!

Took the Bernina Express Scenic train to St. Moritz for two nights. (Photo taken from a hike)

Took the Glacier Express Scenic train to Zermatt for two nights. (Photo taken from a hike)

Spent four nights in Lauterbrunnen (Photo taken from a hike)

In September I took a 10 day road trip through Michigan, Traverse City, Taquamenon Falls State Park, Marquette, Munising in the Upper Peninsula, and Mackinac Island. My dear friend Sherry joined me for the UP and Mackinac. (Photo: Pictured Rocks Boat Tour)

In October, a friend and I drove to the Smoky Mountains and hiked for a couple of days.

Finally, in December I found an inexpensive ($160 including luggage) flight to St. Petersburg, Florida and rented a beautiful Airbnb for 10 days. A new girlfriend joined me for part of the trip.

The holidays are rough for me since my husband and only child passed away a few years ago. I don’t contemplate suicide like I used to. I’m getting used to living alone. On Christmas Day I had brunch with my brother and his wife and then went to a get-together at a girlfriend’s home.

A few other things to note: I had my bathrooms and kitchen remodeled and after a six month break from online dating, joined five sites and have gone on too many first dates to remember 🙂 I also joined a health club and have been working out pretty regularly.

I’m writing this on my deceased son’s birthday. We named his Justin, because he was born Just-in time for the new year. I miss him so much. I’ve been invited to go out this evening, but I’ve decided to stay home.

I’m looking forward to a trip I planned to Mexico City for the month of February. I’ve always gone to beaches when I’ve visited Mexico, so this will be a nice change.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

Two nights in Fussen, Germany

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After spending one night each in five German towns along the Romantic Road or Romantische Straße, I boarded a train that took almost two hours to reach Fussen. Upon arrival I walked 5 minutes to my lodging for two nights, which was situated in the center of town, stored my luggage and began exploring. I was anxious to see the Neuschwanstein Castle, but wanted a fresh start the next day for that.

I walked a couple of miles which included going to Lechfall (shown below). It was raining and chilly.

A few of these photos are from the following day when it wasn’t rainy.

My lodging was in this building.

It was cute inside and even had Netflix. I hadn’t watched television in seven weeks, so I took advantage of it.

I slept here.

This was the view from my little apartment.

p.s.  If you’ve just began reading…I planned an 11 week, 5 European country, 21 accommodations solo trip from April – June of 2022.  Photos were taken with my LG Velvet Android phone.

One night in Augsburg, Germany

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I took two trains the morning I left Nordlingen for Augsburg, Germany. My room was ready early so I checked in and went exploring. It rained off and on as I explored one of Germany’s oldest cities, dating back to 15 BC when it was founded by the Romans. It seemed very progressive.

My first stop was the Fuggerei, the world’s oldest social settlement. In 1521 Jacob Függer the Rich founded this social settlement for Augsburgers in need. The yearly rent nowadays is still the equivalent of a Rhenish Guilder that is € 0,88. The tenants must be Catholic, have lived in Augsburg at least for two years, and be poor without being in debt, and must pray three times a day for the founders family.

Watch out for the trams if you visit…there are lots of them.

My last stop in Germany was Fussen, where the Neuschwanstein Castle is located (coming up tomorrow). I had spent one night in five towns, known as the Romantic Road or Romantische Straße.

p.s.  If you’ve just began reading…I planned an 11 week, 5 European country, 21 accommodations solo trip from April – June of 2022.  Photos were taken with my LG Velvet Android phone.

One night in Nordlingen, Germany

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The morning I left Dinkelsbuhl for the bus stop it was raining. I boarded a full size bus and was the only person on it. 50 minutes later I arrived in Nordlingen for my one night’s stay. I walked five minutes to my hotel, stored my luggage and began exploring. I wandered around town for a while. A car with four nuns stopped next to me and asked something in German and I said “English” and they started giggling and drove off. Nordlingen is definitely not on most tourists radar…I saw regular people working in their yards and shopping. It had a slow paced feel.

I went up on the wall (built in the 14th century) that encircles the town and started thinking about perspective. Our perspectives of a place can be altered by many factors including weather, how you’re feeling, the people we meet, etc. Photography teaches you that moving just a few inches or looking in the other direction can change everything. Even perspectives about the places we choose to visit. I’ve had people say aren’t you scared to go there…usually based off of something they saw on the news, a movie they watched, or one person’s bad experience. They haven’t traveled much and don’t realize that there can be danger anywhere, especially in the United States.

More half-timbered architecture.

I stopped for a late lunch and it was delicious, especially the Spätzle. I had one more town to spend one night in before reaching Fussen, where the Neuschwanstein Castle is located. It’s known as the Romantic Road or Romantische Straße.

p.s.  If you’ve just began reading…I planned an 11 week, 5 European country, 21 accommodations solo trip from April – June of 2022.  Photos were taken with my LG Velvet Android phone.

One night in Wurzburg, Germany

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I was going to treat myself to a taxi from my Airbnb in Freiburg to the train station the morning I left for Wurzburg, but there wasn’t one available, so I walked the 10 minutes. I had a great conversation with a German guy with a bicycle on one of the trains. I offered to help him put his bike on the crowded rack and then we talked about all sorts of topics, including politics. The trains were packed with loud guys drinking beer (you’re allowed to take food and drinks on trains throughout much of Europe). Upon arrival in Wurzburg, I stopped for lunch since I had 40 minutes to kill before my check in time of 2:00pm. Once there I dropped my bags and went exploring. It was a cute town. I had four more towns to spend one night in each before reaching Fussen, where the Neuschwanstein Castle is located. It’s known as the Romantic Road or Romantische Straße.

Hi

p.s.  If you’ve just began reading…I planned an 11 week, 5 European country, 21 accommodations solo trip from April – June of 2022.  Photos were taken with my LG Velvet Android phone.