Another huge shoutout to Laura with Vincent Vacations!!! She got us this catamaran cruise and it was the funnest thing we’ve done this vacation at Jamaica Sandals Royal Caribbean!
Drinks, snacks, snorkeling, water slides and games, dancing, and margaritaville!!!
Thank you again Laura for hookin’ us up with this excursion!!!Why October Is a Beautiful Time to Visit Germany
October is a wonderful time to visit Germany. The weather is comfortable, the crowds are thinner, an...
Laura Brasher Brown
Independent Travel Agent
Email Me Travel Inquiry Form Registration Form | Payment Form | Travel Lead FormWhy October Is a Beautiful Time to Visit Germany
October is a wonderful time to visit Germany. The weather is comfortable, the crowds are thinner, and fall adds a beautiful backdrop to historic cities and countryside. Fun fact: despite its name, Oktoberfest actually runs from late September into early October in Munich!
Munich & Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site
While in Munich, we visited the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site. This was a deeply somber experience, but one that every person—if given the opportunity—should experience at least once.
Dachau was the first Nazi concentration camp, opened in 1933, and it became the model for all others. During our visit, we toured the grounds and facilities and learned about the treatment of prisoners as well as the soldiers who guarded them. More than 200,000 prisoners passed through Dachau, and tens of thousands died due to execution, disease, starvation, and abuse.
We used a tour company for Dachau, though a well-seasoned traveler could visit independently. It’s a short bus ride from Munich, and the memorial also offers excellent self-guided tours.
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Dachau[/caption]
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The entry into Dachau.[/caption]Romantic Road Day Tour: Harburg & Rothenburg
Next on our itinerary was a Romantic Road day tour to Harburg Castle and Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Once again, I chose to use a tour company since this excursion involved many moving parts. Travel was by a comfortable chartered bus.
Our first stop was Harburg Castle, home to one of the oldest, largest, and best-preserved castles in southern Germany. Harburg Castle is famous because it shows what a real medieval castle looked like and how it functioned—unaltered, practical, and enduring. I don’t know why, but I’ve always been fascinated by castles and seem drawn to them whenever I travel in Europe!
Our next stop was Rothenburg ob der Tauber, one of the most perfectly preserved medieval towns in Europe. It looks and feels exactly as you’d imagine a small European town: cobblestone streets, authentic food, local shopkeepers, and endless charm.
This is also a great example of why understanding logistics before booking tours is important. If you’re traveling with someone who has limited mobility or uses a wheelchair, Rothenburg may be challenging. The streets are truly cobblestone, and there are many hills that make navigation difficult. However, if you have a power scooter, it’s absolutely worth considering.
We ate lunch at Baumeisterhaus, a great spot for classic Bavarian fare and a beer break during your visit to Rothenburg.
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Rothenburg[/caption]Travel Bumps (Even for Travel Agents!)
Even travel agents have bumps in the road sometimes. On our way back to Munich, our bus broke down, and we spent nearly two hours on the side of the road waiting for a replacement. On the bright side, we were offered free drinks—including beer—to keep spirits high! It was a beautiful day overall, even if the ending was a bit uncomfortable for a short time.
Exploring Marienplatz
We visited Marienplatz several times during our stay. It was easy to access using Munich’s excellent public transportation, located just outside our hotel.
Marienplatz is the historic central square of Munich and the heart of the old town. It’s famous for the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus) with its ornate Gothic façade and the Glockenspiel, which performs daily with moving figures depicting Bavarian history. Lively and pedestrian-only, Marienplatz is surrounded by shops, cafés, and historic buildings, making it a central gathering place for both locals and visitors.
Bavarian Beer & Food Tour
One evening, we joined a Bavarian beer and food tour, and it was fantastic! A food or beverage tour is always a fun way to experience a European city.
Our guide was a young local who had extensive knowledge of Munich, Bavarian culture, and the history of beer in the region. Partnering with a savvy guide gives you an insider’s look at this cherished tradition. We visited local haunts, enjoyed Bavarian nibbles, and shared the experience with fellow beer enthusiasts.
We stopped at the famous Hofbräuhaus to soak in its magic before heading to the Alte Hackerhaus, where we enjoyed a traditional Bavarian dinner. Along the way, we sampled several beers and plenty of pretzels—yum!
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Hofbräuhaus[/caption][caption id='attachment_27016' align='alignnone' width='225']
First beer on our beer tour![/caption]One of the most enjoyable parts of the tour was meeting people from all over the United States. It never fails—we always seem to meet a fellow Cowboy (Oklahoma State!), along with others who once lived in Oklahoma.
A Day Trip to Salzburg, Austria
On our final day in Germany, we ventured into Austria, taking a train to Salzburg. We walked around the charming city square, enjoyed what may have been the best food of the entire trip, and leisurely strolled through the streets.
Did you know that goulash in Salzburg doesn’t include noodles? I didn’t—but it was the best goulash I’ve ever had! My husband ordered schnitzel, which was also excellent. We both agreed this was our favorite restaurant of the trip. Naturally, I also found some delicious chocolate to sample.
This area of Salzburg is dotted with adorable boutique hotels, making it a wonderful option for travelers looking for a charming place to stay.
Of course, a visit to Salzburg wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Mozart and the iconic musical The Sound of Music. Our guide filled us in on all things Mozart—who is everywhere in Salzburg—and we strolled through the beautiful gardens where the famous “Do-Re-Mi” scene was filmed. The gardens are absolutely lovely, and the fountain still stands as the centerpiece.
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Best goulash ever![/caption][caption id='attachment_27019' align='alignnone' width='225']
The gardens where The Sound of Music was filmed.[/caption][caption id='attachment_27018' align='alignnone' width='225']
Salzburg[/caption]Laura Brasher Brown
Disney Travel Agent Tulsa
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My passion for beach vacations began years ago and remains my favorite way to relax and recharge. Over time, my husband and I have explored a variety of breathtaking destinations, including Mexico, Turks & Caicos, Punta Cana, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, St. Thomas, and St. Kitts.In June 2022, we took our first trip to Europe on a river cruise with AmaWaterways, which opened our eyes to a whole new ... Read More >>>
