admin, Author at Life with the Lokeys

With its fairytale castles, beautiful lochs, and romantic highlands, Scotland has always been a place full of magic and superstition. We spent the last week in Scotland on our 2nd honeymoon celebrating our 20 year wedding anniversary. It’s the first time we have been away from all our boys in 18 years. Of all the places we have been, Scotland has been my absolute favorite. It truly felt like taking a step back in time. There is no place more magical than the Scottish highlands. Here is my ultimate guide through the fairytale country of Scotland, and how to plan the perfect Scotland vacation.

Day 1: Edinburgh, Scotland

We flew into Edinburgh, Scotland. There are several airports you can fly into it just depends on where you would like to start your road trip through Scotland. We found that Edinburgh was the perfect place to start our Scotland vacation. There are so many amazing hotels to stay in, but we chose the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton because of its perfect location in Old Town. Another great hotel option in Old Town is The Scotsman Hotel. We spent the afternoon getting all settled in at our hotel. That evening we went out to explore and do a little souvenir shopping. While in Scotland, you must bring home a beautiful Scottish scarf and a wool coat. There are so many cute souvenir shops and restaurants in Old Town Edinburgh. We decided to have burgers and fries at a little cafe called Byron, and they were absolutely delicious. They were still celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee when we were there so Brandon had the Elizabethan Burger. We are big Outlander fans so after dinner we explored a few of the filming locations in Edinburgh. Here are a few of the places we explored: Bakehouse Close(where Jamie’s printshop was located), Tweeddale Court(Claire reunited with Fergus)Tolbooth Tavern, World’s End Pub, and the Palace of Holyrood House.

Day 2: Edinburgh, Scotland

We woke up early the next morning to explore the fairytale streets of Edinburgh. It was raining a little that morning, but we grabbed our umbrellas and headed out. We had the streets to ourselves so it turned out to be the perfect morning. We walked down the famous Royal Mile and Victoria Street. We took pictures in the rain at the beautiful Vennel Viewpoint. One of the most beautiful views of Edinburgh Castle. Around every corner was something new to see and explore. We decided to stop at The World’s End Pub for lunch. As an Outlander fan, we could not wait to eat here. It’s such a neat pub inside with so much old world charm. The fish and chips and Mac and cheese are amazing.

After lunch, we visited Edinburgh Castle. You can purchase tickets online or right at the gate to the castle. Edinburgh Castle is amazing! It’s a must see on any Scotland vacation. We spent several hours exploring the castle and learning all about its history. We then decided to head back to the hotel to get ready for dinner. I planned a special anniversary dinner at The Witchery by the Castle. It was the most romantic restaurant I have ever been to. I highly suggest making reservations ahead of time. We had the most delicious dinner. We ended the day by going to watch a movie at the Scotsman Picturehouse. It’s an old time movie theatre located in the famous Scotsman Hotel in Old Town Edinburgh. It was like taking a step back in time. The movie theatre shows both new and old movies. You can even order popcorn and drinks. We had the most amazing day in Edinburgh.

Day 3: Outlander Filming locations near Edinburgh

The next morning we set out on an Outlander adventure. We visited 5 different filming locations in this order:

1. Midhope Castle: I could not wait to visit Midhope Castle or Lallybroch to all the Outlander fans. It was like a dream come true. This castle was one of the places I was most looking forward to visiting. They were filming the next Outlander season while we were there. If you notice the blue storage container in the background of my pictures, it’s part of the set for the next season. I can’t wait to watch the next season to see what happens here. Midhope Castle is only about a 30 minute drive from Edinburgh. There is a small parking lot right at the entrance to the castle. It only costs 6 pounds to enter, and is open from 9:00-5:00. You can buy your tickets online or at the entrance to the castle. Be sure to check the website to make sure it is not closed for filming.

2. Blackness Castle: Next, we headed to Blackness Castle or Fort William to all the Outlander fans. It’s only a short drive from Midhope Castle. There is so much history that took place here. It was built in the 1400s and was even used during WWI. You can’t help but wonder what it was like here hundreds of years ago and who walked through this castle. Blackness Castle is also used in several episodes of Outlander.

3. Doune Castle: We were so excited to visit Doune Castle. It’s in two of our favorite shows. In Outlander it’s known as Castle Leoch, the house of Clan MacKenzie. It’s also in Game of Thrones as Winterfell in the first episode. Unfortunately, when we visited it was still under construction so we were not able to tour the castle. It should be open soon. It’s such a neat castle with so much history. We hope to visit on our next Scotland vacation.

4. Drummond Castle Gardens: Drummond Castle Gardens are the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen. After watching Outlander, I could not wait to visit these gardens. In the show, they are used as the Palace of Versailles gardens. We visited the gardens at the end of the day and had the place all to ourselves. It started to rain a little, but it just made the gardens more magical.

5. Falkland Village: Falkland Village or Inverness to all the Outlander fans is such a cute and quaint village. This cute village was used as 1940s Inverness in Outlander, and as soon as you enter the village you feel like you have taken a step back in time. There are several Outlander locations in Falkland: The Bruce Fountain (Where the ghost of Jamie looks up at Claire), Mrs. Baird’s B&B (It’s actually called The Covenanter Hotel and you can even stay in the same room as Claire and Frank), Farrell Furniture Store: This is actually called Fayre Earth and its the same window Claire looked in and saw the blue vase. It’s the perfect Scottish village to visit on your next Scotland vacation.

We had a delicious dinner and the most amazing Scottish waffles at The Covenanter Hotel. Since the Outlander room was booked for the night, we decided to head north to our next destination on our Scotland vacation. We stopped for the night at the most magical hotel. The Hilton Grand Vacations Craigendarroch is not far from where the Queen spends her summers at Balmoral Castle. The hotel and lodges are set in the most beautiful location. It was the perfect place to stop for the night before our adventures the next day.

Day 4: Craigievar Castle, Balmoral Castle, and Culloden Battlefield

Craigiever Castle: We woke up early the next morning, and headed to Craigievar Castle. Nestled on a picturesque hillside in the Scottish Highlands, this elegant pink castle is so beautiful and enchanting. Craigievar Castle is said to be the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle. The castle is open for tours from 10:30-4:00, but the castle grounds are open from dawn to dusk. We arrived early and had the entire castle to ourselves. There is a parking lot right next to the castle with a machine to pay for parking. This is my favorite castle in Scotland, and a must see on your next Scotland vacation.

Balmoral Castle: Balmoral Castle is the Scottish holiday home to the royal family. When the Queen is not in residence, you can tour the castle. We were there during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. There is a parking lot next to the entrance to the grounds of the castle. You are given a map to help explore the entire grounds and castle. The castle grounds are so beautiful and peaceful. I can see why the Queen loves it here so much. You can only tour a few rooms of the castle. My favorite part was getting to see all of the Queen’s ball gowns on display. They were so gorgeous. There is also a cute cafe where you can have lunch and tea. We had the most wonderful time and its a must see on your next Scotland vacation.

Culloden Battlefield: After watching Outlander, we could not wait to visit the Culloden Battlefield. The battle of Culloden took place on April 16, 1746. It was here that a tired Jacobite Army made its last stand against the British. The Jacobites fought to restore the exiled James VIII as King and were led by Prince Charles Edward Stuart, James’s son; George II’s government army (led by the Duke of Cumberland, George’s son) was equally determined to stop this happening. This battle would change the history of Scotland and the highland culture forever. There is an amazing museum that I suggest visiting before you explore the battlefield to give you an idea of everything that happened on that terrible day. Then you are able to walk along the trails of the battlefield that tell you the story of how the battle transpired. There are flags to show where the Jacobite and English soldiers where located in the battle. There are also stones to mark where the different clans lost their lives in the battle.

After leaving the battlefield, we headed to the most amazing hotel, The Culloden House Hotel. At the time of the Jacobite uprising in 1745-46, Bonnie Prince Charlie used Culloden House as his lodging and battle headquarters prior to the fateful battle on Culloden Moor. Today, it has been turned into the most beautiful hotel with an amazing history. The Culloden House is one of the most magical places I have ever stayed. I felt like I had stepped back in time. We went outside before dinner to take a few pictures and it started to rain. I ran for the hotel and the bagpipes started playing as I was running and it felt like I was transported back in time. If you are visiting the battlefield, you must stay here. It is such a beautiful and romantic historic hotel.

Day 5: Isle of Lewis: Calanais Standing Stones and Gearrannan Blackhouse Village

After an amazing breakfast at The Culloden House Hotel, we headed for the ferry in Ullapool to take us to the Isle of Lewis. From Ullapool it’s a two and half hour ferry ride to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. You are also able to bring your car over, which is what we did. The ferry is amazing and even has a cafe and coffee shop. We did have one slight problem. After checking the weather, we found out that a tropical system would be passing over the island when we were there. The wind and rain was so crazy. The ferry ride was a little rough, but once we got to the island the winds had really picked up. We didn’t let that stop us because we only had a day on this island before our next stop. We headed straight to the Calanais Standing Stones.

Ever since watching Outlander, I couldn’t wait to visit the stones in Scotland. Brandon lost me at the stones and thought well I guess she’s gone, just like in Outlander. He finally found me. I was so excited to see them that I raced ahead of him. You are able to get right up to the stones and wander through them. I did touch them but I guess I’m not able to travel through time. The Calanais Stones are absolutely amazing. The stones are over 5000 years old. They are older than the famous Stonehenge. They were an important place for religious and ceremonial activities. There is a visitor center with a small museum that tells the history of the stones. You can even have a bite to eat at the small cafe. It is such a magical and mystical place! Its a must see on your next Scotland vacation!

Next, we headed to Gearrannan Blackhouse Village. On a hilltop overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, is a group of traditional Scottish houses. Black houses or at least their ruins are found all over Scotland. This village of black houses remained occupied until 1974. As you walk around and look inside the black houses you are instantly transported back in time. It’s amazing to see how they used to live back then. You can even stay the night in one of the black houses. There is also a cute cafe and gift shop in the first black house. After our visit, the weather was starting to get bad so we headed back to our hotel. There are not a lot of hotel choices on the island. We stayed at the Caladh Inn, and it was perfect. We had a nice dinner and then headed back to get some rest before the next day’s adventures. There is so much to see and do on this island. I would recommend staying a few days to enjoy everything the Isle of Lewis has to offer.

Day 6: Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle, Eilean Donan Castle, and the Isle of Skye

The next morning we woke up early to catch the ferry back to Ullapool. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast and coffee on the ferry. After we arrived back on the mainland, we headed to Urquhart Castle which overlooks Loch Ness. Urquhart Castle is the perfect place to stop and search for Nessie. When I was little, I remember my grandparents visiting Scotland and telling me all about visiting Loch Ness and looking for Nessie. We sat for hours as they told me about their trip. I never thought I would actually get to visit the places they told me about. I know they were looking down on me and smiling. Urquhart Castle is located on the banks of Loch Ness and has so much incredible history. There is a museum at the entrance where you can watch a movie about the history of the castle before you head out to explore the ruins. Urquhart Castle really is the best location to spot the mystical Loch Ness Monster. We had the most magical time.

Next, we headed on to Eilean Donan Castle. It is one of the most breathtaking castles in all of Scotland. It was Brandon’s favorite castle we visited. It is situated on a small island in the western highlands of Scotland. There is a beautiful footbridge that connects the castle to the mainland. It is said to be the inspiration for the Disney movie Brave. It was raining when we visited, but it made it that mush more magical. Its not far from the Isle of Skye bridge so if you are visiting you have to stop and visit this amazing castle.

After exploring this amazing castle, we headed across the bridge to the Isle of Skye. The Isle of Skye is one of the most magical and enchanting places I have ever been. The Fairy Glen was our first stop. It was like something out of a fairytale or Lord of the Rings. My parents visited this place a few weeks before us and hid a little treasure for us to find. We had the best time searching for the treasure and exploring this magical place. Brandon climbed to the very top of the highest peak. It definitely felt like we were in a movie. We ended the day staying at the Cuillin Hills Hotel and it was the most magical hotel on the island. We had an amazing dinner and just relaxed and enjoyed the rest of the evening.

The next morning after a delicious breakfast we headed to the Glenfinnan Viaduct to watch the Jacobite Train also known as the Harry Potter Train cross the bridge on its journey through Scotland. It crosses twice a day at 10:45 and 1:15. Unfortunately the morning we went it was raining so hard and it was so foggy that we could not even see it. We hope to bring our boys back next summer to see it because they love Harry Potter!

So we headed on to the next stop of our Scotland vacation, Inveraray Castle. Ever since watching Downton Abbey, I could not wait to visit this magical castle in the Scottish Highlands. Inveraray Castle or Duneagle Castle for all the Downton Abbey fans is in one of the most beautiful areas in the highlands. We fell in love with this castle. We had the most amazing day touring the castle, exploring the gardens, and having lunch in the cute tea room at the castle. When we returned home, Brandon’s uncle sent him all their family history from Scotland. We found out that his ancestors were from the Clan Campbell and lived in this castle. We had no idea when we visited this castle. Now I know why I have so many redheads!

It was finally time to head back to Edinburgh. We spent the night in the magical Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh. Known as The Caledonian it was built in 1903 and is one of Edinburgh’s most significant landmarks. There were amazing views of Edinburgh Castle from our room. We stayed in the rest of the evening and enjoyed an amazing dinner in this gorgeous hotel.

Day 7: Princess Street and Ross Fountain

After having an amazing breakfast at the Waldorf, we headed to the Princess Street Gardens to see the Ross Fountain and the amazing views of Edinburgh Castle. This was our last stop before we had to leave Scotland. I kept telling Brandon that I have to see this fountain before we leave Edinburgh. I’m so glad we made it. Ross Fountain was built in the 1800s and is in the heart of Princess Street Gardens. The best part is the amazing views of Edinburgh Castle. It was a great way to end our amazing Scotland vacation.

Ross Fountain Princess Street Gardens Scotland

Scotland is the most magical and beautiful country I have ever traveled to. I hope you enjoyed my ultimate guide through the fairytale country of Scotland. I hope you have the most magical time on your Scotland vacation.

Read more about fairytale places to visit in Europe:

Ultimate Guide to the Fairytale town of Cochem, Germany

Ultimate Guide to the Fairytale Village of Colmar, France

The Most Magical Fairytale Village in Germany

The number one question I get asked is what kind of camera do you use! When I first started out blogging and taking pictures for instagram, I had the same question. It really has been the best investment that I have made for my blog and instagram. Buying a DSLR or mirrorless camera can be very overwhelming. I can’t tell you how much research I did to find the perfect camera! This guide is designed to help break down everything you need to know about buying a new camera for beginners. So lets get started!

First, you need to decide what kind of camera YOU need. What will you be doing with this camera? I am not a professional photographer so I was looking for something that took great pictures, was affordable, and lightweight and easy to carry on all my travel adventures. I hope you enjoy my ultimate guide to buying a new camera!

In this guide, I will break down all my research and help you make a better decision on which camera would work best for you. Buying a new camera is such a hard decision because of all the new technology that is out there. The three cameras that I was looking at was:

I used to take all my pictures with my iPhone, and I still believe you can take amazing photos with just your phone. There are several techniques you can use with your iPhone that will enhance the quality of your photos. I plan to write another blog post on that topic. However, with all the photos I was taking for my blog and instagram, I knew it was time to upgrade.

I did a lot of research before deciding on which camera to purchase. I looked at both price comparison and camera comparison. Most of the time, I am traveling when taking my pictures so I also knew that I needed a camera that was lightweight and easy to carry around. While all of these are great cameras, I hope to break down the reasons I chose my camera.

Mirror VS. Mirrorless

This was probably the hardest choice for me to make. I love that the mirrorless cameras are smaller and lightweight, which makes them perfect for someone who travels a lot. A mirrorless camera is a type of camera that works without a reflex mirror. Light passes through the lens directly to the digital sensor, which then displays your image on the camera’s LCD screen, allowing you to adjust settings and preview your image before its shot. On a DSLR camera, you can only see what the picture will look like after you take the shot. Mirrorless cameras also have a shorter battery life than the traditional DSLR.

Full Frame vs. Crop Sensor

Are “full frame” cameras worth the price? When it comes to sensor sizes, the two terms most often used are “full frame” and “crop sensor”. The term “full frame” refers to a sensor size that has the same dimensions as the 35mm film format. A “crop sensor” refers to any sensor smaller than a full frame sensor or a 35mm film frame. Full frame cameras do take better quality photos under extreme conditions like low light, active photos, etc. However, the differences can only be noticed by the professional eye. A high quality lens can easily make up for the slight difference in quality.

Full frame cameras are very expensive and a lot bigger and heavier than the crop sensor cameras. I decided that the slight edge in quality was not worth the price for the types of photos I would be taking. I can still take gorgeous photos with a crop sensor camera for a lot less money.

Lenses for your Camera

I believe the kit lens that comes with most DSLR cameras is a great lens for beginners. You can learn to use all the options on your camera and learn how to take great photos with this lens. Once you are more comfortable with your camera, you might want to invest in a new lens. Different lenses can help you create different effects with your photography. They will also improve the quality of your images in extreme conditions.

So…which Camera did I choose to buy

After researching all three of these excellent, lightweight cameras, I finally made my decision. I will have to say that you can’t go wrong with any of theses camera models. Ultimately, I decided to buy the Canon SL2(200D) DSLR.

I did love the new mirrorless lightweight cameras, but I decided that the traditional DSLR camera was the one that I wanted. I didn’t think that the feature to be able to see the picture before I take it was something that I would use that much. I also liked the feel and grip of the Canon DSLR more than the Fujifilm.

I chose the Canon SL2 over the Canon 90D because it was almost half the price for just a few extra features that I did not feel that I would use that much. The Canon SL2 is also smaller and more lightweight than the Canon 90D, which is a big selling point for me.

So the reasons I chose the Canon SL2 over all the other cameras was it was less expensive because it has a “crop sensor” but still takes amazing quality photos, it is lightweight and fits easily in my hand, and I can easily add new lenses as I become a more professional photographer.

I know that buying a new camera is such a hard decision. I hope this guide helps you when you make your decision! I truly believe that all the cameras on the market these days are great and you can’t go wrong.

There is nothing better than fall and pumpkins! After living on an island in Japan for four years, we were so excited to visit a real pumpkin patch. We were excited for the beautiful falling leaves, pumpkin patches, cozy nights, and everything pumpkin spice. Did you know that the largest pumpkin festival in the world is in Germany?! Here is my ultimate guide to all the best pumpkin patches and festivals in Germany!

1. Ludwigsburg, Germany: The largest pumpkin festival in the world

Every year, thousands come to celebrate fall and all the pumpkins at the Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival. Each year there is a new theme for the pumpkin displays. The festival is open from August 26 through December 4, 2022, and it is perfect for all ages. There is something for everyone. There are over 400,000 pumpkins from all over the world, and it’s located on the grounds of Bluhendes Barock at the Residenz Palace. At the festival, you can pick your favorite pumpkin to take home with you, try all the amazing pumpkin foods and drinks, take a tour of the castle, and just walk around and enjoy all the beautiful pumpkin displays. Click here for all the festival events and to purchase tickets in advance.

2. Pumpkin Festival at the Kaiserslautern Gartenschau

Located in the heart of downtown Kaiserslautern, this pumpkin festival is not to be missed. The Gartenschau is turned into a pumpkin wonderland. There are pumpkin displays all through the park. This is a great place for kids because there are several playground areas and even giant dinosaur displays. During your visit, you can try some pumpkin soup and warm hot chocolate. For more information on all the events click here.

3. Sunshine Pumpkin Farm

The Sunshine Pumpkin Farm in Gerhardsbrunn, Germany is the perfect place to take home the perfect Halloween pumpkin. The farm is located in a cute little village in Germany. They have a huge field full of pumpkins where you can pull them right off the vine. We had the most fun searching for The Great Pumpkin. After spending time in the pumpkin patch, you can head on over to the corn maze. They give you a stamp booklet to stamp at each station in the maze. Colt had so much fun running through the maze and getting his stamps. The farm also has lots of good snacks, and a farm store where you can buy local food and drinks. This is the town that we also get our farm fresh milk. There is a vending machine where you can fill up your milk bottles and take it home with you!

4. Hitscherhof Farm Festival

We had the best time exploring the Hitscherof Farm. This is another perfect place to pick out a pumpkin to take home with you. They have lots of different varieties of pumpkins to choose from. There are also a lot of activities for the kids. They have a Pumpkin patch tractor tour, a corn maze, hay bales for the kids to play in, and a bounce house. There is a also a farm restaurant that serves the best pumpkin waffles and pumpkin soup. They also sell a variety of other snacks and pumpkin drinks. There is also a farm store to stock up on your favorite local pumpkin food and drinks.

5. Gertrudenhof

Gertrudenhof is the cutest pumpkin farm and the most instagrammable of them all with its giant pumpkin pyramid. There is a Pumpkin Market, adventure playground area for the kids, a petting zoo, and a pumpkin cafe. There are so many varieties of pumpkins and gourds to choose from and take home with you. You can even get your favorite pumpkin spice latte here! You can’t leave without getting a picture in front of the cutest pumpkin pyramid!

There are so many beautiful fall farms in Germany. This is a great guide to some of the best pumpkin patches and festivals in Germany. If you have any more recommendations, I would love to know all about them. I hope everyone has a beautiful fall full of pumpkin kisses and harvest wishes!

You can shop all my favorite fall outfits here:

Read More about great places to visit in Germany in the fall:

Burg Eltz: The Perfect Spooky castle to visit this fall

Visit the fairytale town of Cochem, Germany this fall

Ever since we moved to Germany, everyone told us that we must visit the Moselle Valley region. Also known as the oldest wine region in Germany, the Moselle Valley is home to the largest Riesling crop area in the world. Surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards everywhere you look, Cochem was the first place I wanted to visit in this area. Cochem, Germany is a gorgeous town located along the Moselle River with its beautiful castle towering above the city. Here is my ultimate travel guide and a list of my top 5 things to do in the charming fairytale town of Cochem.

1. Visit Cochem Castle

Cochem Castle also know as Reichsburg Castle is what I was looking forward to the most. I highly recommend that you take a tour of the castle. You can reach the castle by foot or you can take the shuttle up. It’s a beautiful walk up to the castle and not that difficult so if you feel you can make it I would definitely walk. Guided tours are offered Monday-Sunday every 15 minutes from 10:00-5:00. They are only offered in German. There is also a castle tavern that serves delicious meals that you can enjoy after your visit. See a full guide to the castle right here.

2. Cochem Bridge

Take a stroll across the beautiful Cochem Bridge. The bridge overlooks the town of Cochem and its beautiful castle above. This was my favorite place to take pictures of this fairytale town. If you cross the bridge to the other side of the river, you can get even better views of Cochem and its cute colorful buildings and castle. On the other side, there are large grassy areas that are perfect for a picnic along the river. Colt had so much fun playing with the ducks, and running along the river.

3. Cruise along the Mosel River

One of the top things to do in Cochem is to take a cruise down the Mosel River. There are several places in town where you can buy tickets. There are so many different tours available to see this beautiful region and its picturesque fairytale villages along the way. If you are staying for a couple of days, I highly recommend taking a romantic boat ride down the Mosel River.

4. Wander the streets of Cochem

My favorite thing to do when exploring new places is just wandering the streets of fairytale villages like Cochem. The winding cobblestone streets and cute shops and cafes make you feel like you stepped back in time. We had the best time eating at one of the charming cafes with its gorgeous views of the river. We also shopped at all the cute shops and stopped in one of the bakeries for the best apple pie. There are also several wine stores that sell wines from the Cochem Region.

5. Visit Cochem’s old medieval city gates

The largest of Cochem’s city gates was built in 1332. The gate served as a landmark for travelers for hundreds of years and protected the town from enemies. Legend has it that when the city was being attacked, the townspeople stacked all their empty wine barrels against the gate and when the enemy stormed the gate they were barreled over with the wine barrels.

I hope you enjoyed my ultimate travel guide and list of the top 5 things to do in Cochem. I am so thankful that we finally made it to this charming fairytale village!

DAY TRIP TO BURG ELTZ: GERMANY’S FAIRYTALE CASTLE

TOP THINGS TO DO IN HEIDELBERG, GERMANY

THE MOST MAGICAL FAIRY TALE VILLAGE IN GERMANY: ROTHENBURG OB DER TAUBER

When planning our first big road trip in Europe, we knew we wanted to stay close to home as borders were just starting to reopen after being closed for the virus. We decided to spend one week exploring Bavaria and Austria. I never knew how absolutely gorgeous this part of Europe was. I felt like I had just stepped foot into the Sound of Music which was one of my favorite movies growing up.

Day 1: Neuschwanstein Castle & Highline 179

We started our road trip with the four hour drive from our home in Germany to Neuschwanstein Castle. The castles in Germany are so incredible. I always feel like I am living in a fairy tale when I visit a German castle. This castle is not only one of the most beautiful castles in Europe but its the most visited castle in Germany as well. It is said that this castle was the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty. When I was little my grandmother always used to tell everyone that I looked just like Sleeping Beauty when I was sleeping. I think being a princess is every little girl’s dream, and that is exactly why this beautiful castle was first on my list of places to visit. The castle is located at the foot of the Bavarian Alps, and has the most gorgeous views. We decided to take the hike up to Mary’s Bridge. The views from the bridge are absolutely breathtaking.

After visiting the castle, we headed to Highline 179, the World’s longest Tibet-style footbridge. It’s only about 25 minutes from the castle, and you will cross over into Austria on the way. The drive to the bridge is so beautiful. There is even a beautiful castle to explore at the top of the bridge. You can either hike to the top or take a cable car up to the top. We had already done a lot of hiking at the castle so we decided to take the cable car up. You will need a ticket for the ride up and to walk across the bridge. We were there at sunset and it made for the most beautiful views of the Alps from the bridge and castle.

After leaving the bridge, we headed to Garmisch where we would be staying for the rest of the week. This was the perfect location for all of our adventures we had planned. We are a military family so we were able to stay at the Edelweiss Resort, but there are so many cute boutique hotels in the area.

Day 2: Partnach Gorge

When we woke up the next morning, it was raining. We decided this would be the perfect day to explore the Partnach Gorge. Everyone was looking forward to visiting this gorge. The river that cuts through the gorge is a beautiful blue color that looks like something out of a movie. The gorge was like nothing I have ever seen before. I felt like we were in the movie Journey to the Center of the Earth. You will find parking near the old Winter Olympic stadium in Garmisch. From there you can either walk or take a horse-drawn carriage ride to the entrance of the gorge. It takes less than an hour to walk through the entire gorge. This is definitely not to be missed.

Day 3: Hallstatt & Salzburg, Austria

Before we ever moved to Germany, I came across a picture of Hallstatt, Austria, and I knew that one day I just had to visit. Hallstatt is one of the most beautiful fairy tale villages in Europe. It took about 3 hours to get there from Garmisch, but it was so worth it. Hallstatt is beautiful in both the summer and winter. The weather was absolutely gorgeous the day we went. I have heard that it can be very crowded but we were lucky the day we went and it was not that crowded. We loved just walking around and enjoying the shops and cafes. We also had the most fun renting a swan paddle boat and taking it for a ride on Lake Hallstatt. It was truly the best day ever.

After spending most of the day in Hallstatt, we decided to make a quick stop in Salzburg. One of my favorite movies, The Sound of Music, takes place here. This is where The Von Trapp Family escaped the Nazi Regime during World War II. There are so many amazing places to visit from the movie. You can even take a Sound of Music tour. I recommend researching the location of the places you want to visit and taking your own tour. We only had time to visit one place and I knew exactly where that would be. One of my favorite parts of the movie is when they sing “I am sixteen going on seventeen” at the gazebo. The gazebo is actually located on the grounds of Schloss Hellbrunn. You can visit the gazebo for free because it is not inside the castle. I wish I had more time to visit more of this amazing city.

Day 4: Eisbee Lake & Oberammergau Alpine Coaster

Lake Eisbee is truly the most beautiful lake I have ever seen. It has the most gorgeous turquoise water surrounded by the Bavarian Alps. You can hike around the entire lake which takes about 2 hours, but the views are amazing. I recommend getting there early when it is less crowded so that you can really enjoy the hike all to yourself. There are several beautiful places to take pictures along the trail. You can swim, sunbathe, or rent a boat on the lake. We decided to rent a paddle boat and explore the lake. It turned out to be the perfect morning.

After visiting the lake, we headed for the town of Oberammergau. Located above the town is an alpine coaster. The alpine coaster has 73 turns and is 2.6 km long. You ride the chairlift up to the top, and then get in line for the most thrilling ride down the mountain. We got there near the end of the day and there were no lines at all. The boys rode several times and had the most fun! There is also a neat playground at the top to play on before you ride back down. We were the only ones there so I even enjoyed the swings that overlook the beautiful Bavarian Alps.

Day 5: Innsbruck, Austria & White Water Rafting

I absolutely fell in love with Austria on this trip. With its beautiful mountains, cute villages, and amazing views. The town of Innsbruck is the cutest ski town, and I can’t wait to go back this winter and see it all covered in snow. The drive from Garmisch to Innsbruck is so beautiful as you drive though all the small ski towns and mountains. It is also a great place to go white water rafting. Brandon and the boys went rafting while Colt and I explored Innsbruck. The boys had the best day on the river with Feel Free Outdoor Professionals. They offer several different rafting adventures and other outdoor adventures. While the boys were on the river, Colt and I walked around the beautiful town of Innsbruck. I loved the colorful houses along the river with the Alps in the background. We also tried to get a famous apple strudel at Strudelcafe Kroell, but they were closed for renovations. We will definitely be back to try one this winter.

Day 6: Geroldsee & Mount Wank

Find someone who will drive to the middle of nowhere, hike around this lake and get lost along the way just so you can take a picture in this exact location. Geroldsee was also on my list of places to visit in Bavaria. I believe this spot captures the true beauty of everything this part of Europe has to offer. It’s beautiful rolling hills, gorgeous lakes, little wood sheds, and of course the amazing Alps in the background. When you visit, be sure to walk all the way down the rock road, turn on the second rock road, and follow it around to the lake. It is truly a magical place.

And Finally, to top off our trip we took a cable car up to the top of Mount Wank. It was the best way to end our trip in Bavaria. There are two different mountains that are popular in this area, Mount Wank and Zugspitze, which is the highest point in Germany. We decided to go up Mount Wank and enjoy a beautful lunch. The ride up in the cable car has the most gorgeous views. Once you reach the top, there are two restaurants and a children’s playground. The views from the top are absolutely amazing!

We had the most amazing time in Bavaria and Austria. My hopes are that this guide will help you on your next adventure! I can’t wait to go back and explore more of this area in the winter!

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