Hannover - Day 16
This post captures the bittersweet final days of my Germany trip. I enjoyed easy mornings with coffee at a cute café called Fluffy, indulging in a chocolate sleeping bear cake, and found a fun indoor escape from rainy Hannover with a few rounds of bowling—complete with Jonas granny bowling for me. We also had an amazing pizza and salad dinner at a spot he’d been raving about, followed by a slow, aimless wander through the city as his makeshift tour guide. Ultimately, the trip ended with a heavy heart as I boarded my train back to Hamburg, reflecting on all the incredible experiences and friendships formed, before facing the long flights home through Heathrow, exhausted but grateful for every moment.
Hannover - Day 15
After a late night at the hostel that left me caffeine-deprived the next morning, Jonas and I kicked off our Hannover adventures with a visit to the stunning Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen and Georgengarten, exploring Baroque masterpieces, grottos, and sprawling landscapes while walking over 12 miles and getting to know each other beyond our online chats. Along the way, we stopped for drinks by the water, discovered quirky statues, and stumbled upon a lively holiday celebration with music, food, and beer. Later, we stocked up on drinks and a deck of cards at a busy train-station grocery before dressing up for dinner at a familiar spot, where dancing, a tipsy lady, and great food made for a memorable evening. We wrapped up the night at Oscar’s with a packed bar and a hilarious round of “Would You Rather,” imagining Jonas with an ’80s mullet—definitely a unforgettable day in Hannover.
Hannover - Day 14
On my first full day in Hannover, I kicked things off with a coffee mission at a tiny bakery inside a grocery store, then wandered the city discovering quirky highlights—from an adorable postal bike to a small, eerie cemetery tucked in the middle of town. Strolling through Maschpark, I snapped photos of the “not-so-new” New Town Hall and found a ruined church hidden among modern buildings, both perfect for photos. Lunch at Brauhaus Ernst August hit the spot with a lime beer cocktail and Cordon Bleu, and later I met my friend Jonas for his first-ever Thai meal, enjoying the cool night with food, drinks, and a few laughs before wrapping up at Oscar’s.
Hannover - Day 13
This post marks the transition from shared adventures to solo travel as Caitlin headed home and I continued on to Hannover. After a few last photos in our cozy Frankfurt hotel lounge, I set off—now juggling four bags and armed with a homemade cheese-and-meat sandwich for the road. The morning rush at the Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof was wild, but I navigated it like a pro and found my platform without a hitch. Once in Hannover, I had to kill some time before check-in, so I wandered the city, grabbed a burger for lunch, and later treated myself to a long nap. I wrapped up the night with a couple of cocktails at a local bar—a laid-back, easygoing day that felt like a nice reset before the next leg of the journey.
Frankfurt - Day 12
Our final days together in Germany were a perfect mix of peaceful walks, laughter, and a little chaos. We started with a quiet hike around Jacobi Pond, complete with quirky sights like a “frog crossing” sign, a tree that sprayed water (appropriately called Pinkelbaum), and some mysterious chicken-head graffiti. For Caitlin’s last day, we tried our hand at axe throwing—her being the pro and me just hoping not to embarrass myself—though I did manage a bullseye once! We wrapped things up with Kuchen from a local bakery, a photo of the tiniest roller-skate car, and a farewell dinner at Atschel, where we ended up sharing a table (and plenty of laughs) with a group of Swedes. Between jokes, LinkedIn swaps, and my questionable sense of humor, it was the perfect, hilarious ending to Caitlin’s German adventure.
Frankfurt - Day 11
Frankfurt was full of quirky moments and a little chaos. We started with a coffee stop while Pearl charged, where a friendly stranger hilariously fed me a bite of his cake airplane-style. At the zoo, Germany’s lack of air conditioning hit hard—the tropical exhibits were hotter than a sauna. The afternoon was a relaxing DIY snack and face mask session, followed by a German-language drive-in showing of The Conjuring. Drinks and popcorn were great, but the nachos? A total disaster.
Düsseldorf - Day 10
This day was a mix of spontaneity, mishaps, and unexpected charm. I started by revisiting Cologne’s Melatenfriedhof cemetery, finally finding the Grim Reaper statue I’d missed before—and discovering a quirky candle vending machine that Caitlin loved. On the road to Düsseldorf, our ever-demanding electric car, Pearl, needed yet another charge, leading to a spontaneous detour to the peaceful Botanischer Garten Düsseldorf. Later, we explored the quirky Tiger & Turtle Magic Mountain after accidentally following some locals through the woods (don’t worry, it ended well!) and stumbled upon the scenic ruins of Kaiserpfalz Kaiserswerth during another charging stop. We ended the day in luxury at a Hilton near Frankfurt, enjoying a fancy dinner, a round of Barbie Uno, and a bottle of “Pee Wine”—the perfect mix of chaos and comfort.
Köln - Day 9
On day nine we decided to switch things up and take a spontaneous day trip to Aachen. The highlight was standing in three countries—Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands—all at once! After snapping some fun border photos, we grabbed a light lunch and a beer before heading back. Along the way, we spotted the cutest little Amazon delivery car and couldn’t resist stopping for some Spaghetti Eis (because it’s a must in Germany!). Back in Köln, we visited the stunning Kölner Dom, where Caitlin lit a candle for her dad and we admired the Shrine of the Three Kings. We ended the evening perfectly—with a cozy bowl of Gulasch and the discovery that, in true German fashion, beer is cheaper than water.
Allerheiligen Wasserfälle
What started as a change of plans turned into one of the most memorable adventures of the trip. When weather postponed our schnapps hike in Oberkirch, we pivoted to the scenic Allerheiligen Wasserfälle trail in the Black Forest—an enchanting path of waterfalls, mossy rocks, and monastery ruins. Along the way, we encountered mountain goats, misty forest air, and even crossed unexpectedly into France. Though unplanned, this hike perfectly captured the charm and wonder of the Black Forest, leaving me eager to return and explore more of its hidden trails and villages.
Stuttgart - Day 7 & Sasbachwalden Day 8
What started as another day of chasing chargers for our stubborn electric car—lovingly nicknamed Pearl—turned into a mix of chaos and laughter. Between running on empty, pouring rain, and five charging stops, we somehow squeezed in a spontaneous meet-up with my friend Daniel for Kaffee und Kuchen, a broken liquor bottle incident, and a much-needed Döner dinner with him and his wife. The next morning in Sasbachwalden brought a peaceful reset: breakfast with stunning hillside views, a foggy and mysterious Black Forest hike, and a few quirky photo stops—including a creepy playground and a pay-to-pee restroom. We ended the long day in Köln, recharged (literally and figuratively) with sushi and sore feet.
Oktoberfest - Day 6
Our day in Munich revolved around one thing—Oktoberfest. We started the morning in Marienplatz with coffee, pastries, and a quick stop at a quirky public drinking fountain before watching the Glockenspiel and browsing the local market. True to form, Germany greeted us with yet another gray, rainy day as we explored the massive Englischer Garten, where we even stumbled upon a random cigarette vending machine in the middle of the park. The big event, Oktoberfest, was… well, not quite what we expected. Between the rain, steep prices, and state fair vibes (just with lederhosen and lots of beer), it didn’t quite live up to the hype—but the food was fantastic, and it’s definitely one of those “do it once” experiences.
The Alps - Day 5
What began as a cold, rainy drive to Zugspitze turned into pure magic when the gondola rose above the clouds, revealing a sea of white and sunshine. After missing out on Neuschwanstein Castle, we visited Linderhof Palace instead—complete with “Tour Guide Caitlin” keeping things entertaining. The day ended perfectly with hearty Bavarian food, great beer, and warm Apfelstrudel at Scheidegger.
In Transit - Day 4
What was supposed to be a smooth travel day from Hamburg to Munich turned into a comedy of travel mishaps and unexpected adventures. From a canceled train mid-journey and swollen feet to the chaos of trying to charge an electric rental car in Germany, it felt like everything that could go wrong did. But the day ended on a high note—arriving in Munich just in time for a cozy Bavarian dinner at Marienplatz and a moonlit stroll past the glowing Rathaus, where “Tour Guide Caitlin” made her debut and laughter replaced the day’s frustrations.
The North Sea - Day 3
A spontaneous invitation from my friend Alex turned into a memorable day exploring northern Germany like a local. From an unplanned detour to Itzehoe to braving near-gale winds along the North Sea, the day was full of unexpected adventures. We visited the Nord-Ostsee Canal, the impressive Eider Barrage, and the windswept shores of Sankt Peter-Ording before warming up with coffee and cake in the charming town of Friedrichstadt.
Hamburg - Day 2
Day two in Hamburg, I explored the serene beauty of Parkfriedhof Ohlsdorf, wandered the colorful chaos of the Reeperbahn and St. Pauli, and found peace in the lush gardens of Planten un Blomen Park. Along the way, I shared laughs, coffee, drinks, and pizza with my new friend Oualid, making it a day that perfectly captured Hamburg’s mix of history, culture, and vibrant energy.
Hamburg - Day 1
This Germany trip began with a red-eye flight, a cozy airport speakeasy, and a chaotic Heathrow layover before finally landing in Hamburg. My hostel wasn’t ideal—a shared bathroom and a startled bunkmate’s scream—but it added to the adventure. With a loose plan and a train station nearby, I spent my days exploring at my own pace: enjoying coffee by the Landungsbrücken piers, visiting the International Maritime Museum, and photographing colorful street art. One evening, I met Oualid, an Algerian beekeeper en route to Copenhagen, and we shared drinks and stories—proof that the best travel moments are often the unplanned ones.