Three generations trip to Germany (part one, many photos)

This winter, my wife's grandmother (89 years old) decided that she would like to take a trip to Germany, visiting places, friends, and distant relatives that she had seen with her husband (who dies a few years ago). Of course, she couldn't go alone, so my mother-in-law, wife and I happily accompanied her on this trip.

After flying from Philly to Frankfurt, we picked up the rental car (a Prius to save gas and get me an automatic, since I'm no good with a manual transmission) and drove to Baden-Baden for a relaxing day.

Bridge over the stream in Baden-Baden
(click for lightbox on all photos)


We took a tour of the casino



And spend the evening at a spa





The next morning, we left Baden-Baden and drove to some castles. First was Trifels:











Followed by the complex at Dahn, where there are ruins of three castles. My wife's grandmother walked all the way up the hill to get here, and it was not an easy hill. Quite an accomplishment for her.













We were staying at a small, family run guesthouse for a couple nights here. My wife's family had been staying there for years, and the owners knew her family well. They were great, and had nice conversations with us during breakfast (we were also the only people staying there at the time, March, right around easter in this case, is not a big time for tourism in Germany). Although I understand little German, it was nice having such great hosts.

The following day, it was the ruins near the town of Bad Dürkheim. First the Limburg Abbey (unfortunately it was very overcast)















Then it was on the the better preserved Hardenburg.












And, to get at least one stair shot into the group:


After Hardenburg, it was time to get some lunch. My wife's grandmother remembered going down the road someplace to get lunch at a little inn along the road. Se remembered a name, but wasn't too sure. So, we head down the road and after a while, there is was. Not quite the name she remembered, but close, and a nice place to get lunch. Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of it. An easy afternoon followed, doing a bit of walking around town on the way back to the geusthouse. Not the really busy trip that my wife and I usually schedule, but a nice change of pace.


I think that's the end of part one. Part two will be the Rhine Valley, and part three will be the end of the trip, alonr the Nekar and the Romantic Road.

Thanks for looking everyone.

For more photos, visit http://jziegler.smugmug.com/Travel/469010