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Traveling to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland in November was a phenomenal experience. We went with a tour company called Go Ahead Tours (https://www.goaheadtours.com/guided-tours/germany-switzerland-austria). The Christmas markets were just opening for the season, so we got to experience the sites and sounds and smells of the markets without the large crowds.

Day 1

Weinheim, Germany

We arrived in Frankfurt and were transferred to our hotel in Weinheim. There was nothing within walking distance of the hotel so we mostly stuck to the hotel.

Day 2

Heidelberg Castle, Schlosshof, Heidelberg, Germany
Marktplatz, Heidelberg, Germany

Our first day trip was to Heidelberg. We got to see the red castle, the river, and the town square. We also got to enjoy our first real German meal! I loved Heidelberg because it felt like a typical college town.

Day 3

Black Forest, Germany
Rhine Falls, Laufen-Uhwiesen, Switzerland

Day 3 took us on a bus tour of the Black Forest and Rhine Falls. The Black Forest was beautiful and terrifying all at the same time. I liked our lunch time stop at a cuckoo clock factory. We arrived in Lucerne, Switzerland later in the day.

Day 4

Kapellbrücke, Kapellbrücke, Lucerne, Switzerland
Jesuit Church, Lucerne, Bahnhofstrasse, Lucerne, Switzerland
Lion Monument, Denkmalstrasse, Lucerne, Switzerland
Richard Wagner Museum Lucerne, Richard-Wagner-Weg, Lucerne, Switzerland

Lucerne exceeded my expectations. I loved the bridge and the Jesuit church. The Lion Monument is certainly a site to see! We took a long walk to the Wagner House, but only saw it from the outside.

Day 5

Liechtenstein
Golden Roof, Herzog-Friedrich-Straße, Innsbruck, Austria

Our next day started with a brief stop in Liechtenstein. Nice stop, but not much time needed. It was then off to Innsbruck, Austria. I highly recommend Innsbruck. Everything is easily walkable and the river and main town square (with the Golden Roof) are gorgeous. Innsbruck was our first stop where the Christmas markets were open, and we all had some hot wine and delicious treats.

Day 6

Neuschwanstein Castle, Neuschwansteinstraße, Schwangau, Germany

The next day we drove the castle of Neuschwanstein. While it was definitely impressive, seeing it in the winter was a bit of a disappointment. It was so foggy you couldn’t see the castle until you were right up under. Not sure if I would make a return trip in the winter.

Day 7

Nymphenburg Palace, Schloß Nymphenburg, Munich, Germany
Munich Residenz, Residenzstraße, Munich, Germany
Marienplatz, Marienplatz, Munich, Germany

Next on the itinerary was Munich. I can’t recall much of the Nymphenburg Palace, so obviously it was not particularly memorable. I did love seeing the Marienplatz with the glockenspiel. The Residence was also worth the time. And, of course, not trip to Munich is complete without a stop at the Hofbrauhaus!

Day 8

House of Mozart, Hofstallgasse, Salzburg, Austria
Getreidegasse, Salzburg, Austria
Mirabell Palace, Mirabellplatz, Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg ended up being one of my favorite cities on the trip. The Getridegasse with its iron signs was quite a treat. I loved all the Sound of Music paraphernalia around, like the Mirabell Gardens. The Mozart House is a must-do as well.

Day 9

Fortress Hohensalzburg, Mönchsberg, Salzburg, Austria

We took the funicular to the top of the hill in Salzburg to see the Fortress. Worth it just for the views! We spent much of the day at the Christmas markets.

Day 10

Melk Abbey, Abt-Berthold-Dietmayr-Straße, Melk, Austria

We visited Melk Monastery on our way to Vienna. The library was my favorite part!

Day 11

Schönbrunn Palace, Schönbrunner Schloßstraße, Vienna, Austria
St. Stephen's Cathedral, Stephansplatz, Vienna, Austria
Hofburg Palace, Vienna, Austria

Our first day in Vienna started with the Schonbrunn Palace. I think it would have been a better place to visit in warmer weather, when the gardens would have been accessible. I really enjoyed St. Stephen’s Cathedral!

Day 12

Vienna opera house, Rainergasse, Vienna, Austria
MuseumsQuartier, Museumsplatz, Vienna, Austria
Austrian National Library, Josefsplatz, Vienna, Austria

On our next day in Vienna we went to the Museum Quarter and saw the blue hippo (look it up, it’s cute). We also went to on a tour of the Opera House and saw the Austrian National Library. Both beyond impressive! The Christmas market at the Town Hall was among the best we saw on the trip.

Day 13

Old Town Square, Old Town Square, Old Town, Czechia
Prague Astronomical Clock, Old Town Square, Old Town, Czechia

Our guided tour ended in Vienna, but we took the train to Prague to finish the trip. In Prague on our first day we saw the Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock. They also had their Christmas market up and running.

Day 14

Prague Castle, Hradčany, Prague 1, Czechia
St. Vitus Cathedral, III. nádvoří, Prague 1-Hradčany, Czechia
Charles Bridge, Prague 1, Czechia
St. Nicholas Church, Malostranské náměstí, Malá Strana, Czechia

Our second day in Prague we walked over the Charles Bridge and up to the Prague Castle. Two must-see sites in Prague.

Flew home the next day.

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