I loved driving - memorable scenery through the Black Forest and Bavarian Alps, but also endless rolling hills and villages appearing out of nowhere of white buildings with red roofs and churches. Lots of solar farms and windmills. A lot of roundabouts!!! Learned "einbahnstrasse" means one way street quickly, not because I went wrong way but because when following directions wondered why I kept seeing the same street name (duh!).
- Bring your own toiletries - a couple hotels had combo body/hair washer dispensers in showers and by sink, but not all
- Towels were small and only one per person - bring your own if you have luggage space; no washcloths so pack those too
- Most toilets have two wall buttons for flushing, small for liquid only and large for solid
- Totally obsessed with their use of simple toilet paper roll dispensers, none of that complicated spring stuff we have in America
- Some public places charge to use toilets (WC) - € 0.50-1
- I overpacked - wore some things twice, didn't wear makeup other than sunscreen, CC cream and mascara
- One feather bed per person, no sheets
- Water at restaurants is carbonated, labeled "classic" in markets; if you prefer non-carbonated then look/ask for "still" water
- Europeans are more leisurely with meals - you have to ask for bill if you're ready to move on; tip included in most meals, else receipt will say "tip not included"
- Beer much stronger than U.S.
- Not as many English speaking people as I assumed - should have learned more German though Sassy quite good at interpreting (ei sounds like long "i", ie sounds like long "e" and ß sounds like "ss")
- Trains are THE best way to travel within large cities - my strategy of finding hotels near public transportation paid off as we could park car, check in and begin sightseeing without worrying about traffic or where to park
- Dog lovers - on the subway, in restaurants, random
- A LOT of walking (I averaged 20,000 steps each day) - cobblestone streets; mind bikes, traffic lights, and directions (many streets break right vs left from a central marker/monument)
- Gelato is everywhere and amazing! Especially hazelnut with toasted nuts 😉
- Have plenty of coins - € 1 and € 2
- Be flexible - impromptu zoo visit and mountain gondola ride were more fun than Neuschwanstein castle
- Note to self - check for holidays (national, regional, religious)
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