My Grand Tour of Europe: Germany
THE ROUTE IN FULL
(1) London • (2) France • (3) Switzerland • (4) Italy • (5) Germany
Base map: Designed by Freepik
KEY SITES: Days 26-28
Marienplatz
Our first German stop was Munich, and soon after arriving we set off to check out Marienplatz, which has been the city’s main square since the 1100s! Unfortunately, it was a bit too hot and crowded to stick around to see the Glockenspiel ring 🙁 Here I have displayed The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, much of which is set in a town on Munich’s outskirts.
Sendlinger Tor
On the way back from Marienplatz, I came across Sendlinger Tor. Located at the southern edge of Munich’s historic area, it is one of the three remaining gothic town gates. In the dusk light, the gate and its surrounds had a very fantasy-like feel, which is why I chose to display Patrick Rothfuss’ epic fantasy The Name of the Wind.
Dachau Concentration Camp
Before departing the Munich area, we made a visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp. Dachau was the first of the Nazi concentration camps in German, and operated from 1933 until 1945. Those who have visited will know that words are not sufficient to describe what it is/was like. Here I have displayed The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne, where concentration camps are a key theme.
Weinheim
Our last stop on the way to Frankfurt Airport was in the stunning and historic town of Weinheim. The oldest parts are over 1250 years old and feature narrow streets lined with half-timber houses. Early in the morning it was so lovely and peaceful! Displayed here is A Thousand Perfect Notes by C.G. Drews, because I thought that this was the kind of place poor Beck Keverich deserves to live 🙂
GALLERY
And so my “Grand Tour of Europe” draws to an end. Thank you very much to my parents, who organised (and funded!) the trip…and to my brother for managing to prevent the rest of us from killing each other somewhere along the way. These have been some of the best—but busiest—four weeks of my life, and I have created so many wonderful memories that I will carry with me forever. I can’t wait for my next adventure!
Are you travelling at the moment? Have you been to Germany? What are your favourite books with German settings?
Rebecca Alasdair
Rebecca Alasdair
I'm an Australian indie author who hoards books, loves dogs and coffee, and has a tendency of staying up all night!
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Bryan Fagan
Beautiful pictures. Thank you for sharing. Germany is on my list. The memories of this trip will last a lifetime. Happy you were able to do it.
Rebecca Alasdair
Thanks Bryan. I’m definitely going to have to go back a second time!!
Ari
Excellent choice of books for the locations and some truly stunning pieces. I can imagine your tour has been a wonderful cultural banquet for the senses.
Rebecca Alasdair
Oh it most definitely has. As someone who lives in a country who is so “young” (architecturally speaking, that is…we have some wonderful aboriginal heritage), it’s really quite hard to comprehend how OLD everything is in Europe! It’s so utterly different and I feel so lucky to have been able to explore a piece of it!!