What to See When Spending a Weekend in Nuremberg, Germany

On November 13, 2020November 13, 2020 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn GermanyLeave a comment

We took the train from Frankfurt to Nuremberg during the first week of January during our time in Germany. It was more or less a spur of the moment trip, so we hadn’t researched anything about Nuremberg before deciding to go there. We loved living in Germany as we would pull up the train app on a Thursday and book a trip for Friday and away we would go. It was a quick trip and very cold at the time, but we had a wonderful time there. As with any trip, just relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere of the city is the most important thing, but there are a few places that should not be missed when visiting Nuremberg.

Nuremberg Castle – The castle in Nuremberg is a must location to visit for a variety of reasons. First of all, since it sits above the city central, as many castles do, it provides wonderful views of the city. It is also part castle, part fortress, and part medieval village. Whether just walking along the fortress walls and enjoying the views or going through the castle rooms, you can easily spend a couple of hours touring the castle grounds.

The Most Stunning Feature Inside of the Church

Gothic Architecture of the St. Lorenz Church

Saint Lorenz Church – As with many cities in Europe, the main cathedral dominates the skyline and is worth taking time to visit. Although the church was originally a Catholic cathedral, it was converted to a Lutheran church after the reformation. With wonderful artwork and typical gothic architecture, it is certainly worth spending about an hour visiting the church.

The Nuremberg Trial Courthouse – You don’t need to be a history buff to visit the famous courthouse in Nuremberg where the trials of the leaders of the Nazi party were held following the end of WWII. It is a stark reminder of the horrors that people are capable of when their power is left unchecked. It was also probably the most notable use of international law to punish those who committed the atrocities of the Holocaust as well as other war crimes. The courthouse is a short distance from the old town area of Nuremberg, but it is worth taking the time to visit this famous location.

Old Town – We found a wonderful little boutique hotel in the Old Town area of Nuremberg called the Hotel Drei Raben (the three ravens). It was the perfect location to tour the medieval old town area of Nuremberg and simply walk the historic streets and walk along the Pegnitz, which is the river that runs through the city. There are many wonderful restaurants and pubs to enjoy as well, especially when needing to find some warmth on a cold winter day.

We truly enjoyed our time in Nuremberg, perhaps partially due to not having any preconceived expectations prior to our arrival. Our trip there was very short as we really only had one full day in Nuremberg, but we certainly made the most of it.

Enjoying a Memorable Weekend in Heidelberg, Germany

On October 26, 2020October 26, 2020 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Germany1 Comment

One of our first weekend getaway from Frankfurt was to visit Heidelberg. Heidelberg is the location of the oldest university in Germany and has a wonderful old town area. Because the Heidelberg University has been considered one of the finest universities in Europe since it was built in the 14th century, it has attracted scientists, philosophers, and literary figures throughout its history. Located on the Neckar River, the scenery is absolutely stunning, especially in October, which is when we visited.

Sitting on the hill above the city is the Heidelberg Castle, which is well worth touring and hearing about its fascinating history. The views of the town below make the difficult climb up the stairs that lead from the city to the castle entirely worth it. Just walking around the castle grounds is amazing and is definitely a highlight of a visit to Heidelberg. In addition to the castle, taking a stroll along what is referred to as “Philosopher’s Walk” is an absolute must.

Heidelberg is definitely a popular tourist destination and even during the time that we visited, there were plenty of crowds. We enjoyed walking the streets of the old town area with its Baroque architecture. We enjoyed the local beer, Heidelberger, as well as a wonderful meal that didn’t translate to English very well (“pork stomach“), but was delicious none the less. The historic town square with the shops and restaurants is a great place to take a break from all of the walking and relax for a while.

“Corn Market” with the Castle in the Background

After walking the streets of old town, we made our way to the Old Bridge with its old gate and monument statues. There is also another square called the “Corn Market” where you get wonderful views of the castle as you gaze at the fountain and statue in the center. Perhaps because it was one of the first places that we visited outside of Frankfurt, but our weekend in Heidelberg is definitely one of our favorite memories of our time living in Germany.

Fascinating Architecture Everywhere Throughout the City

Warwick Castle in Warwickshire, England is an Amazing Experience

On September 10, 2020September 10, 2020 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn England, Travel Tips3 Comments

We have plenty of wonderful memories from our trip to England, but one of our favorite memories is of Warwick Castle. Walking around the grounds of the castle is like walking back in time to England’s rich history when lords, ladies, and knights ruled the land. Seeing how the wealthy from generations past lived was quite fascinating and the castle provides plenty of historic displays within the manor. Considering what life was like for most people who lived in that period, the contrast couldn’t have been greater compared to those fortunate enough to be born into such wealth.

The rooms have been preserved and are decorated to portray the ambiance of the time period. As you walk through the castle, each new room is more splendid than the next. You can almost hear the mannequins talking about the next glorious ball or what to do with the land. It is truly a window into the past that was very special to see.

The grounds are gorgeous and we could easily imagine dawning a riding outfit as we went fox hunting on the open fields. There is even a catapult next to a stunning river that runs through the castle’s property. Climbing up to the top of the castle walls, there are spectacular views of Warwickshire, where the castle is located. Seeing the sprawling fields around the castle helps you understand the expanse of the estate and get a feeling for the farms that would have been worked by the subjects of the manor.

Obviously it is set up to attract tourists and as such there are some things that take away from the overall experience. There is a haunted tour of the tower where costumed characters jump out at you around every corner. No trip to a castle is complete without a trip to the dungeon, but the haunted house theme was a little unnecessary. That being said, we really had a wonderful time seeing every part of the vast estate.

If you’re in England and have the opportunity to visit Warwick Castle, we would highly recommend it. Just to see the gorgeous countryside, the Tudor homes, and the grand mansion is definitely worth the trip. Warwickshire is located near Stratford-upon-Avon, which made it a perfect place to visit while also visiting the birthplace of Shakespeare. Walking the grounds of a true castle that is as well-kept as Warwick Castle allows you to truly understand how grand and opulent their lives truly were.