Okay, so I know that my trip to Germany is like 3 months away (I’ll be leaving 12 weeks from today to be exact), but I’ll have you know that I have my itinerary planned out in complete minutiae detail. If you ask me what I’m having for breakfast on October 13, I can probably tell you (cold cuts and hard rolls, if you really want to know).
Actually, through my diligent and painstaking research, I’ve discovered that Germans are big on cold cuts for breakfast. Well, maybe not Germans per se, but definitely German inns and hotels. Factoring in that along with all of the wienerschnitzel that I will be consuming, I’ve vowed to become a strict vegetarian when I return to the States. One can only eat so much meat before turning into some kind of primal beast.
Anyhoo, because I’m now in full Germany travel-planning mode, I’ve decided to do a Thursday Thirteen for the first time in…well…a damn long time. And I figured that there’s no better way to rejoin my once-loved blogging meme than to bore you all with what I’m planning to do while I’m in Germany. Besides eat meat, that is.
1. Tour Munich with Mike’s Bike Tours
Some of my longtime readers may remember my little biking episode in Mexico last year and wonder why Lulu is getting on another bike. And for those of you who don’t remember, believe me, it wasn’t pretty. And just to add a little something to the mix, this 4-hour biking tour stops at a biergarten halfway through the tour. Nothing like getting the jet-lagged tourists all inebriated while riding bikes. Can I get a BUI for that? I’ll be sure to wear my helmet. Knee and elbow pads may be an option, as well. Pray for me.
2. Tour the Salzbergwerk Salt Mines in Berchtesgaden
Going deep into the dark, salty earth is a bit scary to me. But I think that there are miner clothes and a sliding chute involved, so all should be well.
3. Take a boat tour on Lake Königssee in Berchtesgaden
Obviously, I’m going for depth here—deep, salty earth, deep, dark lake. Lake Königssee is Bavaria’s deepest lake and is situated in the valley between the Watzmann, Jenner, and Hagen mountains. I think that this could very well be the highlight of my trip.
4. Visit Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest in Berchtesgaden
From the depths of the earth to the heights of mountains…what a stunning place. It’s highly unfortunate it was built for such an inhumane monster.
5. Tour Salzburg, Austria
Even though Salzburg is best known for all things Mozart, during the month of October, the city will be overrun with visitors to celebrate the music of Bach—at Bachfest 2008.
6. Go on a Sound of Music Tour
Assuming that I survive my drunken biking tour around Munich, I will be climbing every mountain and fording every stream on a tour that highlights many scenes from The Sound Music.
7. Visit the town of Mittenwald
Mittenwald is a town famous for violin making and beautiful fresco paintings.
8. Visit the town of Oberammergau
Oberammergau is another small village known for fresco paintings, as well as wood-carvings and The Passion Play, which takes place every ten years.
9. Tour Neuschwanstein Castle
Mad King Ludwig’s built this castle in honor of his great obsession, Richard Wagner (a great opera composer). The castle served as the inspiration for Disneyland’s, Sleeping Beauty castle.
10. Visit The Abbey of Ettal
It’s a beautiful monastery, but I’m visiting mainly so that I can drink beer with a bunch of monks in their brewery, Kloster-Biere.
11. Tour Rothenburg
This is a fairy-tale village that is known as the most well-preserved of all medieval towns. But I’m more excited about the most awesome Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas shop than anything else!
12. Go on the The Walk of the Night Watchman Tour in Rothenburg
The very famous evening tour of Rothenburg led by the Night Watchman.
13. Take a boat ride on the Danube
So, I have no link for taking a boat ride on the Danube, because I can’t find any Web sites related to boat rides on the Danube. How can I plan a boat ride on the Danube, when there are no official Web sites?! This leaves me in deep planning distress. Not a good thing for Lulu…
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It looks like an awesome vacation. Great pics. Happy TT
Lori’s last blog post..TT #70
Ooooh, I did the Mike’s bike tour for Neuschwanstein. It was AMAZING - so much better than if I had gone on my own. The guy who does the tour (if it’s still the same one) is this South African magician, which sounds a little odd, but trust me, was amazing. They take you there by coach from the offices in Munich. When you get there, you ride a bike around the grounds and by Swan Lake and then you hike up this trail with a waterfall up to the castle that a lot of people don’t know about. My pictures are here.
Melanie’s last blog post..Twitter acquires Summize
GRRRRR
SO jealous…
mp’s last blog post..Old People Smack Down
Sounds like an awesome vacation. Hope everything goes as planned. I love to see Neuschwanstein!
Come by and see my trip to the lake.
I had forgotten how insanely jealous I was. Thanks for reminding me. I’ll just be sneaking into your luggage because the boat tour? I cannot miss the boat tour. It’s a fact.
Lulu, it looks like so much fun! I wish I was going with you! Don’t forget to hit the Paulaner brewery for me!
Wow…you’ve really got a great plan. See, if I was in charge of this here little expedition, it’d be like this:
Drink Some Beer
Eat Some Food
Sleep
Aren’t you glad I’m not in charge?
angie’s last blog post..Pain, I can’t get enough!*
My Grandma Helga is from Germany; she married my Grandpa while he was overseas in the military and she followed him to America for love. Aww, so sweet!! I’ve always wanted to visit Germany and get a bit closer to my roots. I’ve only been as far as Epcot’s version of Germany
You’ve opended my eyes to many places I’ve never seen or heard of and I’m so excited for you, and to share in your vacay re-cap photos!
An orgy of beer and meat and culture. Ah. My three favourite things. To really get in the mood you should get a haircut like Maria and then post picture. Please. Pretty pretty please.
AlphaDogMa’s last blog post..Alex, I’ll take badly named celebrity babies for $15 million.
Alpha - you are so, so bad. However, just so you know, I’m going on Saturday to get a haircut for the first time in 3 long months. I could very well come out looking like Maria.
Oh, how do you solve a problem like Maria…
Angie - my husband would totally leave me for you.
I read this again today..why, I don’t know…just to tourture myself. Are you not going to see the glockenspiel???
mp’s last blog post..MP Interview
Ooooh I’m so jealous! Your vacation plans sound fantastic.
Amanda’s last blog post..Chili Cheese Dogs
Wow! Germany sure is PURTY! You’re going to have a magnificent time and I’m sure you’ll figure out a way to cruise down the Danube.
Tootsie Farklepants’s last blog post..My Son Wanted Me to get the One With the Clock. Should Have Listened.
Wow, very organized! As a vegetarian residing in Munich, I can assure you that avoiding meat is entirely possible here… as long as you’re prepared to eat bread and cheese for every single meal. Probably better to stick with the carnivore plan…
Have a great trip!
Jul’s last blog post..Travel writers born, not made?
That drunken biking tour around Muncih sounds fabulous!!
Blondie’s last blog post..What I Learned At Flight Attendant School
Wow - this trip sounds fantastic! I’m new to your blog as you know, so I want to know - why are you going to Germany? Just vacation? Is the whole family going?
You’ve picked out some great spots! And I can’t wait to see all the pictures!!!
Salena of The Daily Rant’s last blog post..Another Day, Another 32 Things About Me