Blogs from Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany, Europe - page 3

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Europe » Germany » Bavaria » Regensburg June 27th 2015

Saturday 27 June 2015 Today we say goodbye to our host in Weissbach and leave the Alps. We are heading north to Regensburg, an historic city in Northern Bavaria. Just as we pack the car and get ready to leave the first drops of rain start to fall. It looks like a wet drive north. Our friend Polly is determined to have us racing along the autobahn at some incredible speed through Munich to Regensburg. We notice a highway that takes a more direct route through some interesting countryside but at a much slower pace. So we confuse Polly and plot some rather insignificant places into the GPS so that we stay on B15 all the way. The first part of the trip along the autobahn goes quickly. We notice heavy traffic going the other way ... read more
Regensburg
Regensburg
Regensburg

Europe » Germany » Bavaria » Regensburg June 17th 2015

When one learns a language in their native county they often underestimate or even don’t give though to how communication works in the country they plan to visit. Thinking that all Germans spoke German, I too underestimated the power of dialects. Whilst staying in Bavaria I have been pummeled with the local dialect known as Bayerisch. It is German where every syllable is swallowed by the speaking person. Vowels are changed so something as simple as “danke” will be said “donke” but sounding like a Scottish man saying donkey. The fact about this dialect is that is a different language I travelled to Berlin over the weekend with my colleges and was able to hear and experience the language I have studied for a year in the States. Hoch Deutsch or High German is the language ... read more

Europe » Germany » Bavaria » Regensburg June 15th 2015

Regensburg is a town built 2000 years ago by the Romans. The ruins of the Castra Regina fort has stone inscribed in AD 179 when Marcus Aurelius was emperor. It has the oldest stone bridge in Germany, built in the twelfth century, although it was under restoration when we were there and completely covered up. Regensburg is Germany's largest medieval city and the historic city center was undamaged during WWII. Regensburg is also the home town of Don Juan de Austria and they had a statue erected of him. He was the illegitimate son of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and through many twists and turns became very powerful and successful. This town had its golden years between 1200-1500 and was very successful as a major trading route. Now take all of that history and think ... read more
Don Juan's Birth Place
This entrance dates back almost 2000 yeas.
East tower of Castra Regina circa AD 179.

Europe » Germany » Bavaria » Regensburg June 11th 2015

Excitement filled my mind as I had been accepted into the German Language Study Abroad program in the day before the program. I bought an EU rail global pass in anticipation of traveling all over Europe. Dr.Alexander and my GER 202 Michelle Gerber had provided me with contact information, an itinerary about the program and weekly emails updating me on the current weather, packing ideas, and even a concerning email about a train conductors strike that was taking place 2 days before my departure. None the less I was headed over with wide eyes and an open mind. My first week in Germany on the Regensburg German Language program would interesting to say the least. Upon arriving at the Phoenix airport I had an influx of questions and concerns enter my mind. Am I going to ... read more

Europe » Germany » Bavaria » Regensburg December 18th 2014

Since we are on a travel day tomorrow, we decided to stay in Regensberg and see some things we have missed. We set out along the park across from the hotel, the Dornberg Park, and followed the green belt through to the Danube River. The parks must be lovely in the summer with tall mature trees, gardens, ponds and fountains. The Danube is quite underwhelming as it flows flatly along with little turbulance. We walked along the river, over a foot bridge and along to the very old stone bridge built in 1000. It's under repair so we couldn't see much of it. This took us back into the old town on the southside and on to the cathedral of St Peter which dominates the Regensberg skyline. It ks the seat of the Catholic church here ... read more
The Danube
Mood lighting
Street scene by the old bridge

Europe » Germany » Bavaria » Regensburg December 16th 2014

The hotel seems to be very full, presumably because the Christmas Markets are so popular. This meant waiting to get breakfast until quite late. We're now wiser and will hopefully beat them to the post tomorrow. Later in the morning we headed for St Emmerams Abbey by walking around the back of the park across from the hotel and back to the palace grounds where the market was last night. The church and palace seem to merge into each other by different parts being either rebuilt or added to. It is now known as a basilica and once had a monastery attached to it. It was founded in 739 but seems to have very old parts built over in time. On first entrance you are struck by the magnificence of the interior with amazing paintings, intricate ... read more
A street scene
The Christmas tree outside the Rathaus
Isn't it lovely? A shop window.

Europe » Germany » Bavaria » Regensburg December 15th 2014

We said our fond farewells to Bruno and Gertrud and headed off into inknown territory by train to Regensburg. The train was 20 minutes late! (yes, true) which put out the whole time table for us. It meant waiting an hour longer in Munich. The trip was fairly non de script with nice rolling farms all the way. We had a short walk from the station in Regensberg to our hotel, the Maximillian at the end of a park and on the edge of the Old Town. What convenience. It was already dark so we could not see much but from our very spacious room on the 3rd floor we look out over old roofs to spires and the twin towers of the cathedral. This town is supposed to have the most churches in a small ... read more
The Markets inside the St Emmeram castle
A maid comes to tell a Christmas story

Europe » Germany » Bavaria » Regensburg December 15th 2014

This morning we took a walk through bustling Christmas Market area in the main square of Regensburg. Our destination was the palace of Thurn & Taxis - where we enjoyed a guided tour through part residence/part museum. The remainder of the day was free to explore the old town and for more gluehwein at the Christmas markets... read more

Europe » Germany » Bavaria » Regensburg December 14th 2014

This morning we met the additional family of 4 who are doing the "pre-tour" to Regensburg. Our 20-seater coach arrived on time - and we headed off on our 1 hour journey north from Munich airport to the town of Regensburg on the Danube river. Whilst we had cloud cover all journey - no chance for snow as the temperature was too warm. Checked in to the ACHAT hotel - but as our rooms were not yet ready - we had to wander the Christmas markets until 2pm before we could get our rooms. Kathie and I ate at the local Hofbrauhaus while the others found various restaurants or coffee shops. Tonight we'll go out for a meal in another local restaurant. Then it will be an early night. Tomorrow we have our guided tour of ... read more

Europe » Germany » Bavaria » Regensburg December 8th 2014

Geo: 49.0165, 12.1009It was nice waking up today without the thought of hauling those suitcases somewhere. We were still up at 6:30 but Karen cleaned and organized while I checked email and loaded photos to the blog. We went downstairs for a complimentary breakfast which was great. After breakfast, we decided to make a side trip to Nuremberg. They have a large Christmas Market there and we have the time so we caught the train around 10:30 for the one hour ride.Grabbing a taxi at the Nuremberg HBF, we were at the Market in 10 minutes. It is pretty large and it took us several hours to cover. The larger cities usually have several markets scattered about town but we only have time for one of them. Nurmberg is famous for its "prune people", little people ... read more
The Prune People
So Many Choices....
Carriage Rides Around the Markets




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