When we were in our 20s we had the opportunity to take a Christmas Market Cruise along the Danube. It changed my life forever. It was one of the first trips I’d taken out of the US and I fell in love with the little towns and their festive Markets. I’ve always wanted to go back and spend some time in the Area. And so the plan for this trip is to do that.
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
Fly to Germany
Arrive in Germany
Nuremburg
Nuremburg Day Trip to Regensburg
Nuremburg
Munich
Fly Home
Day 0
Fly to Germany
Day 1
Arrive in Germany
Arriving in Munich, we’ll immediately take a transfer and make our way to Nuremburg thru Amberg.
Booking a private driving tour of the Appian Way or hidden Rome, staying mostly in the car with optional short stops (catacombs, aqueduct park views, or Piazzas)
We’ll Check in at our hotel, Hotel Mancino 12, and relax for a bit.
evening – WALK & Dinner
Then lets start our special time in Rome with a rooftop drink at Notos to start the evening off!
Around the corner we’ll check out to the Galleria Sciarra (closes at 8pm)
Then a trip by another famous stop, Galleria Alberto Sordi (closes at 8PM), across from the Piazza Colonna with the marble Column of Marcus Aurelius which was erected in AD193.
Finishing the short walk for dinner at Il Vicolo Nel Corso and then back to our hotel.
Day 2 – Rome
Morning – Walk
We’ll start our day off with Breakfast at Hedera – Osteria Contemporanea. From there We’ll take a walk to:
Basilica of Saint Mary of Minerva (10:30 – 1) – see if you can get into the closter next door at the Il Chiostro di Santa Maria Sopra Minerva. Entrance is to the left of the Church.
2. Pantheon
3. Church of Saint Louis of the French – Cappella Contarelli (9:30 – 12:15)
4. Palazzo della Sapienza
5. Piazza Navona
Fountain of the Four Rivers by Bernini
Sant’Agnese in Agone Church by Francesco Borromini
Fontana del Moro by Bernini
Stadium of Domitian (closes at 6:20pm)
Fountain of Neptune by Bernini
6. A stop for a couple treats! Two Sizes for Tirimisu, Barretta Pesce e Porchetta for Pork sandwiches, and La Boutique del Limoncello Roma for a little Limoncello tasting!
7. Walk through the stalls of Campo de’ Fiori
with a stop at Forno Campo de’ Fiori for one of their sandwiches or pizza.
8. Passetto del Biscione
8. Via dei Giubbonari a cute Roman street not to miss!
Day 3 – Rome
morning – Trastavere Walk
Santa Cecilia in Trastevere
Chiesa di Santa Maria dell’Orto
Mercato di San Cosimato
Sotterranei della Schola Cantorum e della Basilica
We’ve talked about several options for trips for 2026 & 2027 but we need to start narrowing down the options. How do we want to spend our time? Land Journeys? Cruises? a Mix? and how many trips can we afford to take? So here are some options we’ve talked about:
5/3-5/10/27 – 7 nights West Coast (LA, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Astoria, Victoria, Vancouver) $7180
Celebrity – I included drinks, wifi and gratuities to compare with the cruises above. if we don’t do the full package it could be cheaper (or not) and these can be booked on Costco so you get the costco cash
In the southwest corner of Germany where it meets up with Switzerland and Austria is a beautiful lake called Lake Constance. Every time I do any research about it, I think about planning a week-long visit to the area. Its finally time to do that and then maybe we can go for my 50th birthday
ITINERARY IN PROGRESS…
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Arrive in Zurich Drive to Lake
Konstanz
Stein am Rhein St Gallen
Meersburg
Lichtenstein
Lindau Tettnang
Zurich
Fly Home
Sunday
Arrive in Zurich and rent a car for the week. The drive from Zurich to Lake Konstanz is about an hour. Since we want to visit some areas around the Lake, I’m leaning towards a Southern lake hotel location. Right now I’m thinking about the Best Western Rebstock in Rorschacherberg. Pretty views, AAA rates and reliability. It also has a restaurant with great views and outdoor seating.
Konstanz is a 50 min drive around the lake. Once we arrive in Konstanz there is a nice 1/2 mile walk from Schnetztor, Emperor’s Fountain, Münster Unserer Lieben Frau to Rheintorturm and then a walk down the promenade back to Schnetztor is about a mile. Somewhere in between we can find a nice place for lunch and maybe a drink after.
After a fun day in Konstanz there are
Tuesday – Friedrichshafen & Meersburg
Perhaps a stop at the Zeppelin Hangar Restaurant to watch the Zeppelins take off and land (a ride is 300-500E so we probably won’t be coughing up the cash for that!)
Have an afternoon snack or dinner at Gutsschänke with a beautiful view of the town and lake.
from tripadvisor.com
Here are some local winery recommendations:
Winzerverein Hagnau eG:
Location: Weinstraße 3, 88709 Hagnau am Bodensee (around 10 minutes by car from Meersburg)
About: This cooperative winery in Hagnau, a nearby village, offers a wide selection of wines produced by local growers. They often host tastings where you can sample different varietals, including Müller-Thurgau, Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris), and Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir).
Weingut Haltnau:
Location: Seestraße 9, 88079 Kressbronn (about 30 minutes by car from Meersburg)
About: Situated in Kressbronn, along the northern shore of Lake Constance, Weingut Haltnau is a family-owned winery known for its high-quality wines. They offer guided tours of the vineyards and cellar, followed by tastings of their award-winning wines, including Riesling, Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc), and more.
Weingut Graf von Kesselstatt:
Location: Hauptstraße 37, 78465 Dettingen-Wallhausen (about 20 minutes by car from Meersburg)
About: This historic winery, located near the town of Wallhausen, has been producing wine for over 650 years. They specialize in traditional grape varieties such as Müller-Thurgau, Grauburgunder, and Kerner. Visitors can enjoy tastings in the elegant tasting room and learn about the winemaking process.
Weingut Hirschhof:
Location: Rosenstraße 12, 88709 Meersburg
About: Located right in Meersburg, Weingut Hirschhof is a small family winery producing a range of wines, including Müller-Thurgau, Grauburgunder, and Spätburgunder. They offer tastings in their cozy courtyard or wine cellar, providing a convenient option for visitors staying in Meersburg.
Wednesday – Stein am Rhein & St. Gallen
Stein am Rhein is a hour drive from Hotel Rebstock. About 20 min into the drive stop in St. Gallen and visit the Abbey and its library…
Once you arrive in Stein am Rhein walk around town. The town’s medieval centre retains the ancient street plan. The site of the city wall, and the city gates are preserved, though the former city wall now consists of houses. The medieval part of the town has been pedestrianised and many of the medieval buildings are painted with frescoes.
Old Town (Altstadt):
Wander through the picturesque Old Town of Stein am Rhein, characterized by its beautifully painted medieval buildings adorned with intricate frescoes. The main street, Rathausplatz, is particularly scenic, lined with historic houses and quaint shops.
Rathaus (Town Hall):
Admire the stunning façade of the Rathaus, or Town Hall, which dates back to the 16th century. The building features ornate frescoes depicting scenes from local history and legends, making it a highlight of the Old Town.
St. George’s Abbey (Kloster St. Georgen):
Visit the Benedictine Abbey of St. George, located just outside the Old Town. Dating back to the 11th century, the abbey boasts Romanesque and Gothic architecture, as well as a beautiful cloister. Guided tours are available to explore the abbey’s history and architecture.
Museum Lindwurm:
Discover the history of Stein am Rhein and the surrounding region at the Museum Lindwurm. Housed in a historic building near the town center, the museum features exhibits on local art, culture, and archaeology, including artifacts dating back to Roman times.
Schloss Hohenklingen:
Take a short hike or drive to Schloss Hohenklingen, a medieval castle perched on a hill overlooking Stein am Rhein and the Rhine River. Explore the castle grounds, enjoy panoramic views of the town and surrounding countryside, and visit the castle museum to learn about its history.
Rhine River Promenade:
Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Rhine River promenade, which offers scenic views of the river and the surrounding landscape. Relax on one of the benches or grab a drink at a riverside café while taking in the tranquil atmosphere.
Travel a little farther up the Rhein to Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland and have dinner overlooking the falls.
on the way back travel along the river and lake with a hour+ drive. Take a quick stop to watch the sunset (around 8-8:30pm) at Werd island with the beautiful Wallfahrtskapelle St. Otmar.
Perched on a hill overlooking the capital city of Vaduz, Vaduz Castle is a symbol of Liechtenstein and one of its most recognizable landmarks. While the castle itself is not open to the public as it serves as the residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein, visitors can admire its exterior and panoramic views of the surrounding area.
Vaduz:
Explore the charming capital city of Vaduz, which offers a mix of historic landmarks, modern architecture, and cultural attractions. Highlights include the Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein (Liechtenstein Art Museum), the Postage Stamp Museum, and the pedestrianized Städtle area with its shops and cafes.
Gutenberg Castle (Schloss Gutenberg):
Located in the town of Balzers, Gutenberg Castle is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Liechtenstein. Visitors can tour the castle grounds, explore the museum inside the castle, and enjoy panoramic views of the Rhine Valley from the tower.
Red House (Rotes Haus):
The Red House, located in Vaduz, is a historic building dating back to the Middle Ages. It is one of the oldest surviving structures in Liechtenstein and is now home to the Liechtenstein National Museum. The museum showcases the history and culture of the principality through exhibits on archaeology, art, and folklore.
Liechtensteinisches Landesmuseum:
The Liechtenstein National Museum, housed in the Red House, offers a comprehensive look at the history and heritage of Liechtenstein. Visitors can explore exhibits on topics such as archaeology, natural history, and the princely family’s art collection.
Alpine Scenery:
Liechtenstein’s picturesque Alpine scenery provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and skiing (in winter). The country’s mountainous terrain offers stunning vistas, peaceful trails, and the chance to connect with nature.
First Stop in Vaduz, the capital of Lichtenstein. Make sure to stop at the Post Office to get our passports stamped!
Just south of Lichtenstein is Heidi’s House a must visit when someone in the group is named Heidi.
Next drive up into the Northern hills to visit Hopfengut N° 20. HOPFENGUT No20 in Tettnang combines hop production, a brewery, a museum, a shop and a restaurant; Here, the fourth generation of the Locher family produces the finest aroma hops for breweries around the world and transforms them into high-quality beer specialities. Whether you are tasting the beer, visiting the museum, checking out the shop making the most of a convivial end to the day in our restaurant, enjoy a fascinating journey into the world of hops.
from Bodensee.eu
This is a beer making region and the town is picturesque. Its worth a short visit. Tettnang
Looking for a quick getaway full of relaxation, food and music. We are! So we’ve decided on a October getaway on a Pacific Coastal Cruise. Here are the details.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
PDX to San Diego
San Diego
Catalina Island
At Sea
San Francisco
San Francisco
At Sea
Ensenada
San Diego
San Diego to PDX
Day 1 – Friday
Alaska Flight XXX PDX to San Diego, BC 6:59pm – 9:47pm Staying at Manchester Hyatt Grand (Costco deal)
Organized Travelers 