Germany is where my travel story began.
My first two-week journey through Germany changed the way I saw travel. I planned the entire trip myself—from the cities we would visit to the trains that would carry us between them—and discovered how much joy there is in slowing down, exploring, and letting a destination unfold around you.
That journey took us through beautiful towns, along the Rhine, into the mountains and deep into Germany's history and culture. But the moments that stayed with me weren't always the ones I had carefully planned. They were the unexpected discoveries, the local recommendations, the conversations, the beautiful walks, and the simple moments when we realized, “Wow. We're really here.”
That's what I love about Germany.
There are so many ways to experience it. You might wander medieval villages by rail, linger over wine in the countryside, explore castles and historic cities, celebrate at a Christmas market or Oktoberfest, travel along the Rhine by river cruise, or simply follow a path and see where it leads.
Your Germany doesn't have to look like anyone else's.
My job is to listen to what you want from your journey, draw from my own experiences and destination knowledge, and thoughtfully plan the details around you—so you can spend your time experiencing Germany rather than worrying about how to make it all work.
Maybe Germany will become part of your travel story, too.
Not just a beer festival—it’s a bucket-list experience where you come for the brews and stay for the stories.
Picture it: the sound of oompah bands in the distance, golden leaves drifting through Munich's crisp autumn air, and the laughter of travelers gathered beneath a grand festival tent. Steins are raised, hearty food is shared, and for a little while, you're part of a centuries-old Bavarian tradition.
But Oktoberfest isn't just about the beer—it's about the people and the moments you share along the way. Long tables become places to swap stories, toast new friendships, and experience Germany's joyful spirit up close.
It's culture, community, celebration—and one of those travel experiences that becomes a story you'll still be telling years later.
Imagine wandering through a German Christmas market as the afternoon fades into evening. Lights begin to sparkle overhead, the scent of warm spices and freshly baked treats fills the air, and every little stall seems to invite you to stop and look a little longer.
There is something wonderfully unhurried about these markets. Warm your hands around a mug of Glühwein, discover a handmade treasure to take home, listen to music drifting through the square, or simply pause and enjoy the people and traditions around you.
And every market has its own personality. Some fill historic town squares, some stretch along riverfronts, and others gather around a cathedral or castle, where you feel as though you've journeyed back in time.
This is Germany at a different pace—festive, welcoming and full of little moments worth remembering.
The first three nights I spent in Germany were here, in a little pension nestled against the castle wall in Bacharach. I fell in love with this quiet corner of the Rhine—with its half-timbered houses, cobblestone lanes and storybook charm.
It was one of the first places that made me slow down and simply enjoy being somewhere new.
Berg Eltz is tucked away in the forest between the Eifel, Moselle and Rhine, and getting there is part of what makes the experience so memorable. On my first visit, my husband and I took a ferry, caught a train, walked through the forest and climbed a rather daunting set of cliffside steps—only to arrive just in time for the last tour of the day!
It didn't go exactly according to plan after that. We got turned around, ended up walking through the countryside at sunset, and eventually needed the help of a kind local to get us where we needed to go.
And you know what? We still had an amazing day.
That's one of the things I love about traveling: sometimes the stories you didn't plan become the ones you remember most.
Baden-Baden is where Germany's elegant spa culture comes alive. Nestled at the edge of the Black Forest, this beautiful town is home to thermal baths that have welcomed visitors for centuries.
I was determined to experience Friedrichsbad, the traditional Roman-Irish bath house—and I had to convince my husband to come along. Let's just say he was not enthusiastic about the idea. We decided to go first thing in the morning, chose the most inclusive experience, and practically had the place to ourselves.
From the thermal rooms and cool-down pools to the traditional soap-and-brush treatment, massage and a glass of wine overlooking the town, it turned out to be one of our favorite Germany experiences. Even my very shy husband left raving about it and declaring he'd go again!
The Lech River, flowing from the Austrian Alps through Füssen, is one of my favorite places to simply wander and see where the day takes you.
One of my favorite days in Germany began with a walk along the river and continued past three beautiful lakes and up into the mountains. We stopped for lunch by the second lake, heard mysterious bells that eventually led us to a cow in the forest, and finally reached a little mountain café where we celebrated our climb with wine and strudel.
We were exhausted by the time we made it back to Füssen that evening—but it remains one of those wonderfully unplanned days that became a favorite memory.