Uncle Jack left Chicago, IL, Tuesday May 14, 2024. And, arrived back in Chicago, Friday, June 14, 2024. Below are my list of stops and basic rational for this route.
Several years ago I was planning on visiting my good friend, Hermann near Salzburg, Austria and sing Sound of Music songs while we visited Sound of Music movie sights. Instead, I chose to have back surgery!
While planning this 2024 adventure to Salzburg, AT, with Hermann, I added several more stops including; Halle (Saale), Colditz, Nuerenburg, Dresden in Germany and the Romantic Road. So, in 2024; I started in Halle (Saale) Germany (First flying into nearby Lepzig, DE, international airport [The cheapest flight into Lepzig was on Turkish Airline with a layover in Istanbul.]) and then I drove south through the Easter side of Germany to Munich, Germany and took a train to Salzburg and Vienna. Of coarse when in Austria I had to visit Vienna and cruise on the Blue Danube River to Slavinia and Hungry.
I ended up visiting 40 cities in 6 countries on this adventure.
When I visit Walt Disney Worlds’s EPCOT theme park I always stop by the German Pavilion’s large scale garden model railway layout named The Romantic Road. (FYI: Deutschland’s Romantische Straße = Romantic Road = charming, attractive, nice, eye-catching.) This layout represents Bavaria’s medieval heartland. (I was told that many locals in these Bavarian Alps still dress in dirndls and lederhosen, and yodel when they’re happy!)
Below are my list of stops on this adventure. Click photo or locations name to view detailed information and photos.
Istanbul, Turkey.↑
Halle (Saale), Germany.↑
Castles, Palaces, City Walls, Moates & Gates.↑
Colditz, Germany.↑
Dresden, Germany.↑
Bohemian & Saxon Switzerland.↑
Hřensko, Czech Republic.↑
Janov, Czech Republic.↑
Food & Beverages.↑
Nüernberg, Germany.↑
Würzburg, Germany.↑
Hotels.↑
Tauberbischofsheim, Germany.↑
Wertheim am Main, Germany.↑
Lauda-Königshofen, Germany.↑
Weikersheim, Germany.↑
Rottingen, Germany.↑
Bad Windsheim, Germany.↑
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany.↑
Dinkelsbühl, Germany.↑
Nördlingen, Germany.↑
Schwangau, Bavaria, Germany.↑
Müchen, Bavaria, Deutschenland.↑
Salzburg, Austria.↑
Bratislava, Slovakia.↑
Budapest, Hungary.↑
I’m calling driving in Germany, an “adventure!” This is because I drove through a country who’s first language is not English! Also, requiring me to learn German road signs. I originally had problems with my Google GPS, until I reached the Romatic Road. Plus, many hotels in my price range and locations did not have AC or an elevator/lift!
In Bavaria I walked through medieval towns and villages, fairy-tale castles, over rivers, by lakes, mountains, forests, near alpine farms and therapeutic pools, monasteries, wineries and of coarse, breweries. I should have budgeted a full day in just Bavaria.
I chose my adventure in May and the beginning of June before the most tourists arrive. This seemed to work. But, one tour was canceled because; of lack of participation. • Another was joined with part of one I had already taken. • I was asked on a third tour to reschedule!
My first overnight stop was Halle (Saale), Germany, because I wanted to walk through the Market Plazas my great, great, grandparents walked during the 1860’s.
In Germany and Austria, many businesses are closed on Sundays. I chose to take a train from Munich to Salzburg on a Sunday. I planned my trip starting from June 2, which helped me decide when to fly into Leipzig and when to return to Chicago from Vienna.
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