Euorpean Adventure Part 5: The Family Burger!

Our Saturday in Germany was our busiest! Omid and I were both battling bad colds and actually slept in later than we wanted to, so we got a late start to our day. We took the train from Heilbronn to Leingarten where Daniel and his daughter Jasmin met us. Omid and I have known Daniel for years, but this was the first time we got to meet his family.

Back seat selfie with my new friend, Jasmin!

Fun fact: Everyone smiles in the same language. ☺

Daniel, Jasmin, Omid and I went wine tasting at the Rolf Willey winery.
So different from wine tasting in the US.

Fun fact: wine tasting is FREE and visitors can taste as many wines as they want.

Wine tasting in Leingarten can be an all day affair!

Such good sport!
We spent a fair amount of time at Rolf Willey and Jasmin didn't complain once!

What bottle should we try next?!
 

After we were finished tasting & purchasing wine, we picked up Anne & Leonie and headed to Schloss Ludwigsburg.

Fun Fact: Schloss Ludwigsburg is one of the largest Baroque style palaces in Germany.

The palace grounds was host to a large pumpkin festival. Jasmin and Leonie were really excited about visiting.
Fun fact: Kurbis is pumpkin in German!

The gardens at the palace were beautiful! We saw several couples taking wedding photos here.
 

Not to be outdone, we took our own selfie!!

Fun fact: Right after this photo, Anne took her first, ever selfie!! ☺

♥

 

 

After walking the palace grounds, we headed back to Anne & Daniel's house for a dinner of yummy raclette!

Both girls helped to prepare the feast.



☺

Leonie made everyone name tags. So sweet!

Jasmin hamming it up for the camera!

So much delicious food!
Daniel purchased every type of German sausage available and we tried them all!
#yummyraclette

New friends!

European Adventure: Part 4: Heidelberg Castle

Friday morning, Edgar, Daniel and Omid had to go to the office, so I was on my own for sightseeing. I took a train to the town of Heidelberg, then caught a bus that dropped me off at the base of a very steep hill. Right at the bus station, you look up and Voila! There is Schloss Heidelberg looking down at you.

Fun fact: Schloss in German = castle

It was super cold (39*) in Heidelberg. Thankfully, I found a shop that sold hat/gloves and was able to save my ears/hands from the bitter cold.

Marktplatz Heidelberg

Heidelberg is so cute! Totally reminded me of Leavenworth, Washington

I wish I had a taken a photo of the long, steep hill to get to the back side of the castle. I like to think I am in pretty good shape, but I had to stop several times just to catch my breath. It was no joke. There is a funicular that you can ride to the top (round trip $7). If you purchase a castle tour, the ride down is included in the price.

Finally made it to the back entrance.

View from the top!

Heidelberg peek-a-boo!

Castle courtyard

I joined a castle tour ($10) and it was in English. Our group had consisted of Americans, Brazilians, and Australians. We learned that the castle dungeon was never empty and was always at capacity.

Fun fact: This wine barrel holds 12,000 gallons of wine.

Even funner fact: This wine barrel holds 55,000 gallons of wine AND has a dance floor on the top!

I spent the entire day at the castle and down in Heidelberg. It was a great day adventure. I took the bus and the train back to Heilbronn to meet Omid and the gang for dinner.

Say cheese!
Elena, me, Daniel, Sasha, Peter, Edgar & Omid

We had dinner at this great restaurant. Edgar and I got the chef's choice tasting menu (4 courses). Daniel really tried to convince me to order the schnitzel, but I couldn't pass up the tasting menu. It was absolutely delicious and I am so glad I ordered it.  We also sampled several local wines at this restaurant. Each one was better than the last.

Fun fact: German wines are absolutely delicious!