An Epic Family Adventure: Our Two-Week Vacation in Germany

Welcome to our unforgettable two-week family vacation in Germany! In this blog post, we will take you on a journey through the diverse and captivating cities and regions we explored as a family of six. From the vibrant metropolis of Berlin, to the charming medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, to the picturesque Bavarian Alps, Germany has something to offer every traveler. Join us as we share our experiences, recommendations, and tips for making the most of your family vacation in this beautiful country.  For this post, we will share an overview of each city we visited, along with some amazing photos.  Then we will follow-up with a series of future posts where we take a deeper-dive into the sights, sounds and tastes that each locale has to offer!

Exploring Berlin’s Vibrant Culture

Our adventure began in Berlin, the vibrant capital of Germany. The dynamic cityscape instantly captivated us, and there was something for everyone. We marveled at the historic Brandenburg Gate, immersed ourselves in history at the Berlin Wall, and loved the lively atmosphere at Potsdamer Platz. When you’re there, don’t forget to try the famous currywurst and stroll along the East Side Gallery for some incredible street art.

Dresden is an Architectural Gem

Dresden, with its stunning Baroque architecture, was our next stop. One of our main excursions in this city was the hike to the incredible Bastei Bridge, above the Elbe River in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.  Seriously, worth the stop no matter what!  While in Dresden, we also visited the Altmarkt (Old Market Square). In fact, our hotel was right in the center of the square.

Nuremberg’s Historical Significance

Nuremberg’s Old City welcomed us with its medieval charm. We explored the Imperial Castle, the Schoner Brunnen (beautiful fountain) and Market Square. The city’s deep history and delicious breakfast pretzels and Lavazza coffee at The Brezn left a lasting impression.  The beautiful Pegnitz river runs through this old town and directly under the historic Heilg Geist Spital, where we had the most amazing German dinner at Weinstuben.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber’s Medieval Charm

Stepping into Rothenburg ob der Tauber felt like traveling back in time. The medieval walls, half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets and the charming Market Square were highlights. We spent hours exploring shops, eating great German food and strolling along the historic ramparts which surround and protect this beautiful city. Had we known that we would love Rothenburg so much, we would have planned at least three nights here. Learn from our mistake – Rothenburg ob der Tauber deserves several days.

Bavarian Wonders – Fussen, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Berchtesgaden, and Munich

Turning South and heading into Bavaria, we were greeted by rolling hills, green fields, crystal blue lakes and towns rich in old world charm.  Picturesque Fussen and the iconic Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles provided the perfect gateway.  In Garmisch-Partenkirchen, we hiked through breathtaking alpine landscapes, toured the “Top of Germany” at the Zugspitze, and marveled at the Eibsee and the Partnachklamm. Berchtesgaden’s serene lakes – the Königssee and the Obersee – and the historic Eagle’s Nest were unforgettable highlights. Finally, Munich beckoned with its modern city conveniences, the iconic Marienplatz, Olympiapark, abundant biergartens and the finest transportation system we’ve ever experienced. Stay tuned for upcoming blog posts that will break down all that we did in each location.

Travel Tips for Large Families:

1. Accommodation Planning: Opt for spacious accommodations that can comfortably accommodate your family’s size. In Germany (and most of Europe), rooms generally only accommodate two people.  This meant that we often had to have three rooms.

2. Flexible Itinerary: Allow room for individual interests within the overall itinerary. I could spend every single day on a hiking trail, or in the woods.  Some of our crew, however, like to have down time and relax. Make sure you make time for both.

3. Communication: Keep everyone involved in planning and decision-making to ensure a harmonious trip. Wherever we travel, we involve the entire family in the decision-making process.  Each person gets to pick a few must-see landmarks.

4. Pack Light: Traveling with six can mean a lot of luggage, so pack wisely and consider purchasing GREAT luggage.  We chose Monos, which made the frequent switching of hotels MUCH easier! Check out their luggage here. You won’t be disappointed! BEST LUGGAGE EVER!

5. Capture Memories: Assign a family member as the designated photographer to capture precious moments. We have several of those in our family! Now all we need is a tag-along friend so that we are all in the photos at the same time!!  I’m taking applications.

6. Sample Local Cuisine: Don’t miss out on trying regional dishes.  Perhaps I took this tip to heart: I think I ate my weight in pretzels, and my son, Landin, ate every piece of pork schnitzel in Germany!

An Epic Family Adventure

Our two-week family vacation in Germany was a remarkable adventure filled with history, culture, and natural beauty. From Berlin’s modern style to Rothenburg’s medieval charm and Bavaria’s stunning landscapes, Germany offers a diverse range of experiences for families. We hope our itinerary and tips inspire you to embark on your own unforgettable vacation in this amazing country. Safe travels!

YOU TOO CAN GO TO GERMANY…OR ANY OTHER PLACE YOUR HEART DESIRES!

Right now, the sign-up bonus will give you 60,000 points when you spend $4,000 in three months. This is our all-time favorite travel card (and really the most important one to begin traveling for free). It’s called the Sapphire Preferred, by CHASE. I’d love to chat with you about how we travel to so many destinations spending only the money that we have to spend anyway on everyday expenses (utilities, clothes, groceries, fuel, etc…). Click here to learn more:

LET’S GET TO THE POINT!

Also, here’s a link to the step-by-step process that we followed to see places that I once thought were completely untouchable for an average family of six, like mine! As well, please follow along on my social media channels, on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  

*This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission, or a referral bonus, for recommendations – at no cost to you.  We only recommend products that we personally use, trust, and enjoy.