Day 7 & 8 -Once upon a Fairytale!

[disneytraveler]

The theme for the 7th day is Grin and Bear it! After a splending breakfast buffet at the Eisenhut hotel, we say goodby to Rothenburg. Oh all the breakfast buffets have been great. The Eisenhut had a waffle iron to make waffles:) We are our way to Giengen to visit the Steiff Bear Factory. [IMG]http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q164/Magic1_album/100_0152.jpg

[disneytraveler]

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There is a nice presentation of the founder Margarette Steiff. In addtional there is an interactive tour . We search for the 3,000 Steiff Bears. I think that was the number.
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[disneytraveler]

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[disneytraveler]

After the tour, we made Steiff animal heads. We had a choice of bear,duck ,or a pig . I chose a bear head. We did not have time to make a whole stuffed animal. That takes along time.

Lunch was provided by ABD .It was at the factory cafeteria. There was beer,wine, soda, salads,hamburgers,saugages,and desserts. I ate too much but it was very good.After lunch, we boarded the bus to head to Munich and our next hotel, the Hotel 4 Seasons Kempinski.

The 4 Seasons Hotel is a very beautiful and big hotel. Upon entering my room, there was a big cookie on my desk. I was too busy touring to eat any of it. The breakfast buffet has many choices. There is hot and cold items. Moreover, a dessert table with mini doughnuts. I really enjoyed coffee with hot milk. The staff offers the coffee with hot or cold milk.

We met our local guide for the Munich walking tour. He was very entertaining and knowledgable. We learned that he was a history professor to.

[disneytraveler]

The walking tour took us through the Victuals Market. At this market, flowers,cheeses,saugages,meats,vegetables, and wines and sold. I remember this market from the past times i visited Munich.

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There is the maypole at one of the corners of the market.

[disneytraveler]

We also visited several churches.
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[disneytraveler]

Next we went into the city hall area:goodvibes The buildings are very pretty.
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[disneytraveler]

The tour also took us through the hofbbrauhaus. While in here, the local guide told us about the variuos beer stines. After the tour, i went back to the hotel to rest before going out to dinner. The evening was left to us . I was still full from the lunch . Therefore, i did not want i big dinner. My friends ,Jim and Rita Martinson, and i went back to the market area to eat. We bought nice saugages at a booth. We met a local person who had just finished his work day at our booth. He told us this time of year is perfect for traveling .

[disneytraveler]

Jim, Rita, and I walked around for awhile. We went into several stores a department store and a store that sells hats. Jim needed a hat to wear for the Hofbrauhouse. The store had alot of them. He bought a nice hat.:goodvibes We went back to the hotel.

The theme for the next day is Bavarian Beauty! It is the 8th day of the tour! This is the day we go to Neuschwanstetin Caslte!:wizard::tinker: The breakfast buffet at the hotel was great. It has so many choices. There is hot and cold side .Moreover, there is a table for dessert such as bread pudding and toppings,mini donughts to! I orderd coffee with hot milk to go with my breakfast!

Today was the only rainny day we had on the tour. It poured in Munich but i was ready. I wore my rain poncho. The bus ride to the caslte is 2 hours. During the ride, i was reading my Germany travel book that Jannae and Marc
gave me. They bring along plenty of water and snacks on the bus rides. I think i was finally finishing my chocolate bars they gave me also.:goodvibes

As we go further into the countryside , the weather improved. It was now sunny and hot.

[disneytraveler]

Some people thought i was going to sit this day out back at the hotel. During most of the bus rides i was always sitting and talking with the same people. Well when they did not see me , i guess they thought i was taking it easy back at the hotel. I just changed my seatting a little back in the bus. I told my friends that i would not miss this castle!

When you get off the bus, there is another bus or vehicle you get on to travel up most of the way to the castle. It runs up the main road . Then there is a short walk to the castle entrance.

[disneytraveler]

There is a path that leads to a long wooden bridge. The bridge is over a huge gorge between the castle and the mountain. It has a beautiful view of the caslte. http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q164/Magic1_album/100_0219.jpg

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King Ludwig had a wild imagination when he had the castle constructed.:goodvibes I learned he felt a little neglected by his parents. Therefore, he made the castle for himself. He was influenced by Wagner.
Cinderalla's Castle was inspired by Neuschwanstetin Caslte!:wizard:

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[sayhello]

Wow! Now *that* is a castle! I can definitely see how it influenced the design of Cinderella's castle.

Sayhello

[disneytraveler]

The caslte certaintly is beautiful. Everyone gets a ticket and there is a specific time for each group to go into the castle. Some of the rooms you will see are :The Throne Room, The Singers Hall,the Gothic Oratory,and other rooms. There is an artificial underground blue grotto. Unfortunally no photos are allowed inside the castle. That was the rule 20-30 years ago and it has not changed. I recommend buying a book on the caslte in gift shop.

To this day, i remembered one room in the castle. It made a real big impression on me. It had a large chandelier .The lights had rubies or colored stones that are very pretty. It might have been the Throne Room or Singers Hall. Porcelin swans -huge ones to!

[disneytraveler]

Lunch was at the Lisl Hotel which is across from the caslte. We were in a room that provided a nice veiw of the caslte. I ordered fish for lunch . It was carp i think. Similiar to trout. We met the bus down the road and then we were on our way to the hotel. The rest of the afternoon until dinner was left to us.

The farewell dinner was the Hofbrauhaus!http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q164/Magic1_album/100_0243.jpg

[disneytraveler]

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[disneytraveler]

The dinner was very good. It was served family style. There were preztels on each table. Salad came first followed by boiled potatoes and sauercraut. In addition , chicken,snitzel, and saugages to. Wine,beer,and soda were the drinks. I ordered a large dark beer:drinking1 The beer steins were big! Apple strudel was the desert.:goodvibes

There were several German drinking salutes or toasts during the night! The music and the dancers were terrific. Jannae and Marc joined the dancing also. Jannae and Marc are the 2 in the first photo.I thought i was not close enough to get their photos as i was sitting in the back. I like the new camera!

Each person commented on what made this trip special for them. It is hard to compare each one as they are all different. I really enjoined staying at the castle. That was the highlight to me. Heidelburg was a charm I have to admit though this trip ranks really high up next to Viva Italia. :)

Everyone joined in to dance the Chicken Dance. I had fun doing it to. After the dance ,then we said goodby to each other.:( We hope to meet up on other ABD trips someday. I thought Jannae and Marc were terrific. I said goodby to them. Jannae said to me that she was glad ABD was able to get me to the castle.:goodvibes

[disneytraveler]

Jim, Rita, and I walked backed to the hotel. I went to my room to get an early start on packing.

The next day it was departing Germany and heading back home. I went into the dining room to get an early breakfast. The hotel staff remembered i liked my coffee with hot milk.:goodvibes I saw some of the other people getting an early breakfast to. I think Jim and Rita were in the same van ride to the airport .


Final comments! I was so glad i booked this adventure.:cloud9: It has everything. Great activities,casltes,good food! It is indeed magical!:wizard:
This must be the 5th time i have traveled to Germany.:) I had so much fun!
Friends asked me if i would do this trip again in a few years, i replied i certaintly would.:) I would probally skip the bike though.:rotfl:

Oh Neuschwanstetin Caslte has alot of stairs. They are not narrow though. Just alot of them. Good walking shoes is ok here.

The pastries and cakes are very tasty. While in Heidelburg , i stopped into a cafe and bought a piece of tort and a pot of coffee. Sitting inside is nice. The bakeries at the other stops are just as good to.

This adventure by far exceeded my expectations. I think because i finally was able to get to the attractions and the country and castles are so nice.

I hope the December travelers have a great time. When you see Jannae, tell her Steve Devitt saids Hi

[WeLoveABD]

Thanks for all of the details--we are heading out from San Diego on the 18th, with a pre-night in Heidelberg. Can't wait--weather still has been pleasant in Munich per weather reports (in the 60s!)--I hope there is snow for atmosphere, but not the ice and bitter cold that could come with it (I'm thinking back to my days in Des Moines!). Anyway, we'll be sure to say hi!

[disneytraveler]

Thanks for all of the details--we are heading out from San Diego on the 18th, with a pre-night in Heidelberg. Can't wait--weather still has been pleasant in Munich per weather reports (in the 60s!)--I hope there is snow for atmosphere, but not the ice and bitter cold that could come with it (I'm thinking back to my days in Des Moines!). Anyway, we'll be sure to say hi!

Have a wonderful vacation:goodvibes
60;s in Munich not bad also! Little snow would make it nice.

[healthrn]

Hi,
I just booked my Fairy Tale trip for Sept 2010. I was wondering if I may ask a few questions?

1. What to pack? Do we have to bring anything formal for the dinners? Or do they expect us to dress semi causal?

2. Do you feel like you had plenty of time to see everything you wanted to?
enough free time?

3. Did you bring Euro with you or can you use your credit cards even at the dining locations that you go to on your own.

4. Should we bring an extra suitcase for the extras that you buy?

Thank you for your time!
healthrn

[WeLoveABD]

Hi,
I just booked my Fairy Tale trip for Sept 2010. I was wondering if I may ask a few questions?

1. What to pack? Do we have to bring anything formal for the dinners? Or do they expect us to dress semi causal?

2. Do you feel like you had plenty of time to see everything you wanted to?
enough free time?

3. Did you bring Euro with you or can you use your credit cards even at the dining locations that you go to on your own.

4. Should we bring an extra suitcase for the extras that you buy?

Thank you for your time!
healthrn

Since our trip was a Christmas trip, many in the group brought nice sweaters--and/or holiday themed sweaters and santa hats! But the dress is casual, no pressure to wear anything formal. I did bring one pair of slacks and a dress shirt--but no sports coat; and used them once.

As for time--I never feel I have enough time to do it all! We have started doing an add-on day at the beginning of our trips to get used to the time, give us a travel day if we need it (weather delays etc), and days at the end to do other things. But the tour itself has down time for adventurers to wander about and take in other sights. From other reports it sounds like the two nights in Trendelburg is more than enough (we had one night--and that was fine with me; the activities are away from the hotel site, and the town surrounding the castle there is small). We were surprised (happily) by Munich and so I was very glad we did an add on there (2 days). Rothenberg was just amazing and two nights there is fine--try to get up early one morning to walk some of the wall!

We brought about $400 in Euro--good for airport coffees/food, and there were many Christmas Market stalls that did not take credit cards. The large restaurants (mostly) took credit cards, although I was suprised one time when the restaruant didn't (in Heidelberg)--fortunately I had just enough in Euros on me! I used an ATM once (in Munich) for extra Euros--very easy. We brought dollars (in envelopes) for the guide tips--the hotels all have safes in the rooms, and it was just easier to have that taken care of and not worry about getting the tip money while on the trip.

As for a suitcase...we brought a fold up soft case, and Disney surprised us with additional fold up cases (one for each room). We ended up cramming everything into our existing 4 pieces of luggage and into our backpacks (our carry on bags for the plane), so we didn't use the extra bags. But we didn't buy that much either. Frankly--if you do buy a lot, have it shipped home OR get a small case in Munich (plenty of stores around). We didn't want to pay the extra bag fee, so we just stuffed and stuffed!

It is a great trip--loaded with surprises!

[healthrn]

Thank you for all the wonderful info and taking the time to do that. Love your pictures and just can't wait to see it in person. I did book one extra day before the trip. I may regret not booking an extra day after.

Thank you:banana:

[disneytraveler]

Hi,
I just booked my Fairy Tale trip for Sept 2010. I was wondering if I may ask a few questions?

1. What to pack? Do we have to bring anything formal for the dinners? Or do they expect us to dress semi causal?

2. Do you feel like you had plenty of time to see everything you wanted to?
enough free time?

3. Did you bring Euro with you or can you use your credit cards even at the dining locations that you go to on your own.

4. Should we bring an extra suitcase for the extras that you buy?

Thank you for your time!
healthrn

The summer weather was sunny hot. So bring a good sunvisor and summer clothes,rain jacket or poncho in case of rain. I took some eros with me and used my visa card at the machines. Some dining places wont except credit card if the charge is too low.
I did not bring any formal dining clothes. Not too dressy. You may want to bring an extra luggage for stuff. I did not because i shipped stuff home. If you go to the christmas store in Rothenburg you can have stuff shipped.

[disneytraveler]

Thank you for all the wonderful info and taking the time to do that. Love your pictures and just can't wait to see it in person. I did book one extra day before the trip. I may regret not booking an extra day after.

Thank you:banana:

You are welcome:goodvibes

[healthrn]

The summer weather was sunny hot. So bring a good sunvisor and summer clothes,rain jacket or poncho in case of rain. I took some eros with me and used my visa card at the machines. Some dining places wont except credit card if the charge is too low.
I did not bring any formal dining clothes. Not too dressy. You may want to bring an extra luggage for stuff. I did not because i shipped stuff home. If you go to the christmas store in Rothenburg you can have stuff shipped.

Thank you for the advise. I do have a few more questions.
I have read people like their walking shoes better for this trip then their tennis shoes. What is the difference?

You used their atms to obtain euros : Was it in English, is there a charge and are they ready accessible all over on the trip?

Than you again:banana:

[disneytraveler]

Thank you for the advise. I do have a few more questions.
I have read people like their walking shoes better for this trip then their tennis shoes. What is the difference?

You used their atms to obtain euros : Was it in English, is there a charge and are they ready accessible all over on the trip?

Than you again:banana:

i preferred walking shoes for all the stairs in the casltes. I dont know why people prefer them more than tennis shoes. There are lots of cobble stones sidewalks also. The walking shoes probally are better for your feet in that regard.

:rotfl:The Atm in the bank across our Munich hotel was in German language. I had to figure out in trial and error what each button was. There was an Atm in Rothenburg to but i did not see until we left there. I am sure the airport have them. There was a charge that appeared on my statement.

[healthrn]

i preferred walking shoes for all the stairs in the casltes. I dont know why people prefer them more than tennis shoes. There are lots of cobble stones sidewalks also. The walking shoes probally are better for your feet in that regard.

:rotfl:The Atm in the bank across our Munich hotel was in German language. I had to figure out in trial and error what each button was. There was an Atm in Rothenburg to but i did not see until we left there. I am sure the airport have them. There was a charge that appeared on my statement.

Thank you once again! I will go shopping for some good walking shoes. I did buy the Rosetta stone to help with understanding some of the language. May be that will help?
Thank you :banana:

[briano72]

wow, sounds like a great trip

[disneytraveler]

:goodvibes:wizard:Thanks ,It was magical!:)