Oktoberfest - 2025

• 9/17 - Denver

  • Ashley leaves Denver @ 6:35 PM

• 9/18 - Hamburg

  • Ashley arrives in Hamburg @ 12:15 PM

• 9/19 - Hamburg

  • Morning

    • Speicherstadt (UNESCO-listed warehouse district)

      • Stroll the canals, bridges, and brick warehouses — great photo spots.

      • Visit Miniatur Wunderlad

    • Chilehaus in the Kontorhaus District — striking 1920s brick expressionist architecture.

    Lunch

    • Try Labskaus (traditional sailor’s dish) or fresh fish rolls (Fischbrötchen) at Fischmarkt Café or a Speicherstadt café.

    Afternoon

    • Elbphilharmonie Plaza — free panoramic view over the city and port.

    • Walk along the Landungsbrücken piers.

    • Option: Take a harbor boat tour for views of container ships and the Elbe.

    Evening

    • Dinner in Portuguese Quarter (near Landungsbrücken) — famous for seafood.

    • Short night stroll through Speicherstadt — the illuminated bridges and canals look magical.

• 9/20 - Hamburg

  • Morning

    • Planten un Blomen Park — visit the Japanese Garden and tropical greenhouses.

    • St. Michael’s Church (Michel) — climb the tower for 360° views.

    Lunch

    • Eat around Große Elbstraße (lots of fish restaurants) or in Karolinenviertel for more bohemian cafés.

    Afternoon

    • Explore Jungfernstieg & Binnenalster (inner lake promenade).

    • Walk to Rathaus (Town Hall) — can take a guided tour.

    • Shop along Mönckebergstraße or visit Levantehaus (beautiful arcade).

    Evening

    • Dinner in Schanzenviertel — trendy restaurants and lively bars.

    • St. Pauli & Reeperbahn for music clubs, quirky bars, or theater.

• 9/21 - Hamburg

  • Morning

    • International Maritime Museum (great storytelling about Hamburg’s port history).

    • The Emigration Museum BallinStadt for migration history.

    Lunch

    Afternoon

    • Visit HafenCity — modern architecture, waterside cafés, and urban parks.

    • Optional: Ferry #62 from Landungsbrücken to Övelgönne for a scenic ride with harbor views. Walk the Elbstrand beach.

    Evening

    • Farewell dinner at a fine harbor-view restaurant (e.g., Vlet, Störtebeker in Elbphilharmonie, or Rive).

    • Walk along the Alster Lake for sunset.

  • Caitlin leaves Orlando

• 9/22 - Frankfurt/München

  • Ashley leaves Hamburg @ 6:00 for Frankfurt

  • Caitlin arrives in Frankfurt @ 10:00

  • Ashley & Caitlin rent a car and drive to München

  • Airbnb in Schwarbing-West

• 9/23 - München

  • Zugspitze https://zugspitze.de/en

  • Neuschwanstein Castle

  • Augustiner-Keller (Beer Hall)

  • Oide Wiesn

• 9/24 - München

  • Marienplatz & Glockenspiel

  • BMW Welt & Museum

  • Deutsches Museum

  • Hofbräuhaus (Beer Hall)

  • Englischer Garten

• 9/25 - Sasbachwalden/Strasbourg

  • Hotel Grüner Baum

  • Schnapps Hike - https://www.my-weekend-in-alsace.com/rando-schnaps-sasbachwalden/

  • Visit Strasbourg for Dinner and sightseeing

    • Strasbourg Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Strasbourg)

    • La Petite France

    • Boat Tour

• 9/26 - Köln

  • Morning

    • Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom) — Iconic Gothic cathedral; climb the south tower for sweeping views (best early to avoid crowds).

    • Roman-Germanic Museum (Römisch-Germanisches Museum) — Roman artifacts and the famous Dionysus mosaic (check current opening status; parts may be under renovation).

    Lunch

    • Grab a Kölsch beer and Himmel un Ääd (mashed potatoes, apple sauce & sausage) or Rheinischer Sauerbraten at a traditional brewery like Früh am Dom.

    Afternoon

    • Walk through Altstadt (Old Town) — cobblestone streets, colorful houses, and river views.

    • Visit Great St. Martin Church.

    • Stroll along the Rhine Promenade.

    Evening

    • Dinner at a riverside restaurant in Old Town or the Belgian Quarter (Belgisches Viertel).

• 9/27 - Köln

  • Morning

    • Visit St. Gereon’s Basilica – Unique Romanesque architecture.

    • St. Maria im Kapitol – Oldest Romanesque church in Cologne.

    Lunch

    • Picnic or café lunch in Stadtgarten or Volksgarten parks.

    Afternoon

    • Explore the Belgian Quarter – boutiques, galleries, and cafés.

    • If you’re into Roman history, see the Praetorium and underground archaeological zone.

    • Alternatively: Day trip to Bonn (just 30 mins by train) for Beethoven House & Rhine views.

    Evening

    • Dinner at a traditional Wirtshaus or beer hall.

  • Eigelstein-Torburg

  • Melaten-Friedhof

• 9/28 - Ense

  • Fürstenberg Castle Ruins

  • Kloster Himmelpforten

• 9/29 - Ense

  • Möhnesee (Lake Möhne)

  • Leave in the evening to Hamburg to visit Manuel

• 9/30 - Hamburg

  • Caitlin spends the day in Hamburg

• 10/1 - Hamburg

• 10/2 - Peine

• 10/3 - Peine

• 10/4 - Hamburg

• 10/5 - Hamburg

  • Ashley leaves for Denver