Day 3 (March 12) MUNICH. Started the day with a great traditional European breakfast. The restaurant was next door to the hotel. Food and service was good and free (always a bonus). After breakfast, we took the train back to Marienplatz. I really liked the subway system here in Munich (although the directions were in German) I found it easy to get around and people very friendly and willing to help us—most people we found spoke English. We walked around downtown, stopping at shops, and the visitor’s center. I asked where the Friendensengel (Angel of Peace) was (I must have pronounced it wrong—because I got a very strange look)—I showed the photo in the guidebook to the woman at the front desk, and she told us how to get there—we'll have to wait until tomorrow—because we'll have to drive there. At 11:00AM, we were back at Marienplatz to watch and listen to the Glockenspiel (in the winter it only chimes at 11:00). It re-enacts two stories told in dance and music. It was pouring—and I mean pouring, down rain. We were soaked to the bone. We walked over to the Cafe Glockenspiel afterwards and had hot chocolate and apple strudel. It was very good and rich! Then we walked around downtown Munich some more. We saw Residenz Munich, the National Theatre, St. Peters and St. Michael's Churches, went back to Church of Our Lady to see the inside, saw the Theatrinerkirche, Field of Marshalls, Englischer Garten, and New and Old City Halls. After a quick bite of something to eat at McDonald's, we decided to spend the afternoon at Dachau. We hopped back on the train to Dachau and then onto a bus to the concentration camp. We spent the afternoon touring the camp and museum. What a sobering and humbling experience! When it started to get dark, we went back to the bus stop and then took a quick subway ride back to Munich. We ate dinner at a restaurant a couple doors down from the hotel—had lamb sandwiches and Coke. Man, oh man—do I miss Pepsi!
Day 10 (March 19) VIENNA/SALZBURG. Could not leave Vienna fast enough—we asked if there was an easier way to get out of the city—NOPE! You have to drive all the way around the Ringstrasse. We stopped at a gas station for breakfast/snacks and then back onto the Autobahn, heading towards Salzburg. We decided to spend another day in Salzburg and called the same B&B and asked for another night---they were happy to accommodate us. She put us in a larger room—but charged us the same price as the smaller room. The room had a wonderful four-poster bed. We spent the afternoon visiting more sites—we wanted to see Mozart's apartment and the museum, and we finally were able to do some shopping. We purchased some Brandy for a friend, who asked us to pick some up while we were there, and then walked around the Mozartplatz and the little market—buying warm pretzels and viewed the inside of the Cathedral, once more trip to Mirabell Gardens and I lost count how many times we walked back and forth over Mozart's bridge. All in all another good day in Salzburg—I really hope to be able to visit this great city again someday! That evening, the owner of the B&B helped us order pizza for us and we enjoyed pizza and orange soda up in our room.
Day 14 (March 23) LUZERN/MUNICH. Ready to head back home. For the most part, we enjoyed our time in Europe. This truly had been a once in a lifetime trip. After breakfast at the hotel restaurant and then checking out—we took a scenic drive—just taking our time—with no cares in the world—just out enjoying the scenery and mountains—we had plenty of time before we needed to be in Munich. When we finally reached our destination, we checked into our hotel for our final night in Europe. We stayed at the Golden Tulip Olympic Hotel. We choose this hotel because it was close to the airport. Nice and clean and free Wi-Fi, but no free breakfast. Bad Hotels.com—lied to me again. Grrrr! Only one other thing I wanted to see before we left Munich, so after we checked in, we drove to Nymphenburg Palace. The grounds and park were incredible. We stayed until dusk, and then headed back to the hotel stopping at a gas station to fill up the gas tank for the last time, and grab a couple of sandwiches for dinner. The following morning we boarded a plane back to Seattle—all in all, this had been a excellent trip and I really do hope we have the opportunity to visit Europe again.