Unforgettable German Adventures & The Viking Vili River Cruise: A Week of Discovery

Welcome to Week 2 of our real-life travel and adventure diary! This week, our journey takes us deep into the heart of Germany, leading to the luxurious embrace of the Viking Vili River Cruise. Get ready to experience the unexpected twists, breathtaking landscapes, and culinary delights we encountered as we navigated through charming towns, historic cities, and majestic castles.

**Short on time? Here are our top recommendations and travel finds from this week’s adventure:**
🏨Find the Best Hotels and Vacation Rentals for Your Trip
📍Discover Exciting Tours and Activities

Exploring Germany’s Heart and Cruising the Danube on the Viking Vili

**Sunday – Jet Lagged in Stuttgart and the Magic of the Black Forest**

The week kicked off with a battle against jet lag in Stuttgart. After days of exploring Rothenburg and a drive from Munich, my body was protesting. I succumbed to a marathon sleep, drifting in and out for a solid 14 hours. Between a lingering cold from home and the time difference, I was utterly wiped out. John recounted how I’d been a glazed-over mess at breakfast, staring blankly at the buffet, unsure what to even choose. A few more hours of sleep proved to be a lifesaver, rejuvenating me enough to tackle the day.

With no concrete plans, we decided to embrace spontaneity. A quick Google search led us to images of the enchanting Black Forest, and its picturesque beauty immediately captivated us. “Why not?” we thought, and set off on an impromptu road trip.

Our drive through the Black Forest was nothing short of magical. We wound through small, charming roads, discovering hidden villages and taking in the dense, dark evergreen canopy that gives the region its name. We found ourselves in the delightful towns of Hornberg and Triberg, renowned for their intricate cuckoo clocks. John, much to my surprise, became utterly enchanted by these handcrafted treasures and insisted on having one shipped home! It was an unexpected, yet charming, souvenir. Of course, no visit to the Black Forest would be complete without indulging in a slice of authentic Black Forest cake right in its birthplace – a rich, decadent treat that perfectly capped off our day.

Our unplanned adventure concluded in Singen, Germany, at a hotel with the most peculiar lamb theme. Lambs adorned every corner, from the lobby to our room – a truly random but comfortable end to a day of spontaneous exploration.

**Monday – Switzerland Surprise and Roadside Rescues**

Monday proved to be one of those travel days where every step forward felt accompanied by ten steps back. We departed Singen with a clear itinerary: drive towards Oberammergau, then loop back into Munich, sticking entirely within Germany. However, our phone’s GPS had other ideas. We somehow found ourselves crossing the border into Switzerland, ending up at a gas station, utterly baffled as to how we’d strayed so far off course. Apparently, our phones believed we needed coffee in Switzerland! After a quick, unplanned Swiss coffee and tea, we reoriented ourselves and headed back into Germany. So, John can now add Switzerland to his list of visited countries, thanks to an accidental detour! And yes, you can buy microwave-ready Swiss fondue at a gas station – a revelation that has me dreaming of a future, intentional fondue-fueled trip to Switzerland.

The day’s comedic misadventures continued. We missed an exit, causing our GPS to recalculate a new route to Oberammergau. We anticipated a mere 20-minute addition, expecting to see more charming small villages. Little did we know, a much larger delay awaited us.

Lunch was a quick stop at McDonald’s – not the most authentic German meal, I’ll admit, but John did try a German sausage option, which appeared to be primarily sausage and copious amounts of mustard. A definite bonus of European McDonald’s? The McCafé, offering actual chai tea! While it didn’t quite taste like any chai I’d had before, it was hot and provided a much-needed caffeine boost.

Our journey then hit an unexpected snag: we found ourselves approximately ten cars behind a major accident. What truly impressed me was the incredibly calm and organized response of the Germans. Everyone immediately pulled over to the far side of the road, creating a clear, open lane down the middle for emergency vehicles. There was no honking, no yelling, just a quiet, respectful collective action. We spent two hours parked by the roadside, watching a helicopter land and numerous emergency vehicles attend to the scene. People simply played on their phones or chatted quietly. It was an astonishing display of efficiency and civic responsibility, unlike anything I’d ever witnessed. Though unplanned, we were immensely grateful to be safe and not involved in the accident itself.

We finally reached Oberammergau in time for a quick dinner and a few photos of its famously painted buildings before continuing our drive to Munich. After checking into our hotel and dropping off our luggage, it was back to Munich airport to return our rental Jaguar and officially transition to the next exciting phase of our trip.

The Munich airport is about 22 miles outside the city, and to save on costs, we opted for the train instead of a cab – a smart decision that saved us approximately 80 euros. However, the day’s trend of sideways adventures was far from over. We easily secured train tickets and boarded the train from the airport to the central station. From there, we only needed one more train for four stops to reach our hotel – seemingly “easy peasy.”

We hopped on the next train, traveled two stops, and then, without warning, it abruptly halted in the middle of a tunnel. The train conductor walked by, giving us a curious look, as we were the sole occupants of our car. All announcements were in German, leaving us completely in the dark. My claustrophobia began to stir, and a mini-panic set in, fearing we were stuck or had somehow boarded the wrong train. Just as my anxiety peaked, the train started moving again…back to the station we had just left! To this day, I have no idea what transpired. We quickly disembarked, found another train line, and finally arrived at our hotel three hours after leaving the airport. “An adventure” barely scratches the surface of what that evening entailed.

The night concluded with a much-deserved beer for John and a “Jumping Kangaroo” cocktail for me. I’m still not entirely sure what was in it, but after such a day, it tasted absolutely divine.

**Tuesday – Royal Grandeur: Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Castles with Viking**

Today was the day we’d been eagerly anticipating! We officially joined our Viking River Cruise tour, happily handing over the reins of planning and driving to the experts. The excitement was palpable!

Our morning began with a delicious breakfast and a warm introduction to our Viking guide. We then boarded a comfortable Viking River Cruise bus, embarking on our tour of the iconic Neuschwanstein and Linderhof castles. And let me tell you, our guide, Michael, was phenomenal – easily the best guide I’ve ever encountered anywhere in the world. His captivating storytelling, diverse music collection, insightful pictures, brilliant humor, and profound knowledge of Germany made the 90-minute drive to Neuschwanstein fly by. I was genuinely sad when his presentation had to end because we had already arrived!

Our tour of Neuschwanstein was everything I had dreamed of and more. Twenty years ago, on a visit with my parents, I missed the horse-drawn carriage ride up the hill. This time, we embraced the “fairytale” experience. While certainly picturesque, I’ll be honest, it was also a bit smelly, and the horses needed to take breaks on the road – an “added bonus” to the experience! Nevertheless, the carriage saved us a ¾ mile hike up the snowy incline, and on the way down, our fellow passengers spontaneously broke into Christmas carols, adding a truly festive touch to the journey. The castle itself was magnificent, a true architectural marvel nestled amidst a stunning landscape.

After a delicious German meal, we enjoyed a scenic driving tour through Oberammergau before heading to the opulent Linderhof Castle. The entire day was a dream. I captured nearly 400 photos on my phone of these magnificent castles, eager to share every detail soon. They truly were that gorgeous!

Twelve thousand steps and over 200 stairs later, we were exhausted but happy. An early night in the hotel room with room service was the perfect end to our day. Navigating a German-language room service menu was an adventure in itself, but we successfully ordered pizza, crème brûlée, and apple strudel – complemented, of course, by some local beer!

**Wednesday – Rainy Munich, BMW Inspiration, and the Hofbräuhaus Dilemma**

Wednesday began with a bus tour of Munich. It was pouring rain, and I was incredibly grateful to be on the bus, sheltering from the downpour. Even capturing photos through the rain-streaked windows was a challenge! We made an unexpected stop at BMW Welt (BMW World) to use the restrooms and admire the latest models. Surprisingly, I found inspiration there! BMW had several killer motivational quotes displayed, which I absolutely loved and captured photos of.

From BMW, we headed into the heart of Munich for an hour-long walking tour. Despite being absolutely drenched (I’d inexplicably left our umbrella in our suitcases back on the bus!), we embraced the situation with laughter and smiles. The tour concluded at the famous Glockenspiel, a mesmerizing clock and show in the city center – a definite must-see if you’re ever in Munich.

John had a burning desire to visit the legendary Hofbräuhaus, a place his dad had always raved about. Conveniently, it was right next to a Starbucks, fulfilling my own craving for a hot drink. My chai tea from Starbucks, much like the one from McDonald’s, tasted unique but was warm and comforting. At Hofbräuhaus, the atmosphere was buzzing, filled with lively music and clinking steins. However, while the beer flows freely and famously, the food left a lot to be desired. My beloved cheese spaetzle was sadly disappointing. My advice? Go for the beer and soak in the ambiance, but perhaps plan your meals elsewhere.

After our tour, we regrouped and set off for Austria! The bus ride was incredibly relaxing, a huge perk of Viking River Cruises is that their buses are equipped with onboard bathrooms – a truly vital amenity halfway through the journey, especially after enjoying some Munich beer. Upon arriving in Salzburg, we had the option of a quick city tour, but with work to catch up on, we opted for a quiet dinner at our hotel instead.

I’ll let you guess who enjoyed which beverage from the tray above! A funny detail about our Salzburg hotel room: it was on the top floor, right under the roof. John, at his height, had to duck to get close to the bed, and even I, being fairly short, found myself hitting my head on the sloped ceiling! A truly unique accommodation experience.

**Thursday – Salzburg’s Awakening and the Enchantment of Christmas Markets**

We awoke to the delightful sounds of Salzburg and the gentle river outside our window. Finally, a mostly uninterrupted night’s sleep, only waking once at 3 am. Jet lag has been a persistent companion this week, but I woke up feeling genuinely refreshed! The day began with a magnificent breakfast feast at the Radisson Blu Salzburg. Oh my goodness, the croissants were beyond delicious; I heroically limited myself to just one, but tomorrow, two might be a necessity!

We embarked on a two-hour walking tour of Salzburg, a city rich in history and charm, and I’ll be sharing all the details soon! The most exciting news? The Christmas markets were opening today! YES! YES! YES! I immediately informed John to prepare, as it was time to shop and indulge in all the glorious festive treats. You won’t believe the sheer amount of sugary goodness that abounds at these markets. I swear it’s possible to gain ten pounds just walking through the Salzburg Christmas Market before even trying a single thing. Naturally, I took it upon myself to sample as much as possible, purely for research purposes, of course!

After a quick stop at a Starbucks, conveniently located in the same square as Beethoven’s birthplace, it was time for some downtime. John’s knee was bothering him, and jet lag was still lingering, so we enjoyed an afternoon nap and caught up on some work at the hotel. Then, it was back to the Christmas Markets! I am utterly, madly, deeply in love with the Salzburg Christmas Markets. From the mouth-watering food and comforting glühwein to the adorable crafts, everything filled me with joy. You can find pretzels in every imaginable variety: coated with Gouda cheese, sweet donut pretzels, and even pretzel paninis – hello, deliciousness!

**Friday – Sound of Music Magic and Boarding the Viking Vili**

Our day began by departing Salzburg with an enchanting Sound of Music Tour, led by our exceptional Viking Guides. Right as we left the hotel, we spotted the iconic bridge from the movie.

We visited the famous convent, the iconic gazebo, and many other memorable locations from the film. I’ll be sharing a dedicated post soon, detailing our entire Sound of Music tour. It was truly wonderful, and I’m so glad we re-watched the movie just before our trip, making the sites even more special.

Can we just take a moment to appreciate the ridiculously beautiful Austrian countryside? I mean, WOW! The picture above perfectly captures my state for the entire bus ride: face pressed against the window, snapping countless photos. The scenery was simply mesmerizing!

During our travels, we also visited a magnificent palace adorned with multiple unicorn statues – absolutely amazing and wonderfully whimsical! Now, I really want one for my own home.

As I might have mentioned a million times already, I am utterly smitten with Christmas Markets! They are just so incredibly fun. We stopped at the St. Gilgen Christmas Market, and it was nothing short of amazing. My experience here has me seriously contemplating booking a future Viking River Cruise specifically for the Christmas Markets. The atmosphere, the delicious food, the warming glühwein, and, of course, the pretzels – I simply adore them!

Woohoo! We finally made it to the Viking Vili! The line to board looked intimidating, but in reality, it took us a mere three minutes to check in and reach our room. We were astounded by the efficiency, exchanging amazed glances as we settled into our cabin just minutes after stepping onboard.

I must introduce you to my new favorite friend: the glorious coffee/hot chocolate dispenser! We’ve formed a close bond over the past 24 hours, and I anticipate a lifelong friendship by the end of this voyage. This magnificent machine dispenses pure bliss, completely FREE, anytime you desire. While I always carry my own chai tea packets, the ship also offers four or five different types of tea next to the machine. And for an added touch of heaven, there are fresh cookies available in the afternoon. It’s easy to see why I’ve fallen head over heels for this heavenly device!

One of the delightful dining options for dinner on the Viking Vili is the Aquavit Terrace, which boasts smaller, intimate tables and a charming solarium atmosphere. It’s the perfect spot to relax and watch the scenic world drift by as you enjoy a delicious meal.

**Saturday – Passau’s Charm and River Cruise Serenity**

Our morning in Passau began with a delightful breakfast in the Aquavit Terrace. We particularly loved being able to gaze out over the city from our breakfast table, starting the day with a picturesque view.

The beauty of the Aquavit Terrace is its flexibility: you can choose from the generous breakfast buffet or order à la carte from the menu. We enjoyed a bit of both, creating a truly delicious and satisfying breakfast. I was especially impressed that they prepare fresh muesli right on the ship!

Can we talk about how incredibly cute these German-themed children’s outfits are? Even without kids, I found myself swooning a bit over them. Sadly, they didn’t have any cat outfits – which is probably a good thing, as I’m fairly certain my cats, Kitty Kitty and Fluffy, would scratch my eyes out if I even tried to put them in one!

We had the option to join an included Viking tour to the magnificent church in Passau, but we decided to explore it independently. We had heard rave reviews about its interior and knew we’d want ample time to photograph its stunning details. Oh, my goodness, the church was beyond amazing! While I’m not a highly religious person, stepping inside left me in awe, compelling me to sit and simply stare at its grandeur. I can’t wait to share some of those breathtaking photos with you soon.

And yes, we took a selfie with a giant gold bull – as one does when such a magnificent statue serendipitously appears on the street!

I continue to be “that crazy girl” sporting sandals while everyone else is bundled in boots and sneakers. With temperatures hovering between 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit, people often give me curious looks, as if I’ve lost my mind. Rest assured, I’m not getting frostbite, just opting for comfort! I plan to stick with my beloved Birkenstocks until the snow truly flies, and perhaps even push it a little beyond that if I can.

We re-boarded the Viking Vili around noon and spent the remainder of the day in a state of pure, blissful relaxation. A leisurely cruise ship nap, diving into a captivating romance novel, and indulging in endless coffee and tea from my favorite machine – that pretty much sums up our perfect lazy afternoon.

Next stop: Country #53, the enchanting Czech Republic! Be sure to check back next Sunday for the newest installment of our weekly travel diary and more real-life adventures and stories. A huge thank you to Viking for graciously hosting us on the magnificent Viking Vili this week!