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Tag: Germany

Liechtenstein and Neuschwanstein Castle

Liechtenstein and Neuschwanstein Castle

Today we would visit Vaduz, Liechtenstein which is Liechtenstein’s capital.  Liechtenstein is only 64 square miles making it the fourth smallest country in Europe.  The residents enjoy a high standard of living.  There is less than 2% unemployment. As we approached Vaduz, we saw the Vaduz Castle.  It is the palace of the Prince of Liechtenstein – his official home.  It was acquired by the family in the 1700’s.  The latest restoration occurred in the early 1900’s.  There is a…

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Zugspitze and Linderhof

Zugspitze and Linderhof

On this day of our tour we would see natural beauty and an architectural wonder. We began our day by heading for Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany.  We first took a cogwheel train to Lake Eibsee.  A cogwheel train has a third rail with “teeth” that allows the train to handle a steeper grade.  When we got to Lake Eibsee, we took a cable car to the peak of Zugspitze. The first  picture below is of the cogwheel train. …

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Oberammergau and the Passion Play

Oberammergau and the Passion Play

We drove from Munich to Oberammergau.  Along the way, we saw houses with beautiful paintings on them.   The technique used is like that of a fresco where paint in applied to wet plaster.  As the plaster and paint dries, the paint becomes permanent (can’t be dissolved by water).  Paintings like these are referred to as Luftlmalerei.  They became popular in the 18th Century and were used to convey one’s wealth.  Many of the houses around Oberammergau have paintings related to…

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Munich

Munich

Munich is a very easy city to get around.  The town square, Marienplatz, was within walking distance of our hotel.  It has served as the center of Munich since 1158.    Years ago, markets and tournaments occurred here.  Today, it is a common gathering place and also the site of Christmas markets during the holiday season.  The Mariensäule is a Marian column which was originally built in 1638 to commemorate the end of Swedish occupation following the Thirty Years’ War.  A…

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Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial

Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial

We went on Tauck’s Alps and Dolomites tour in 2015.  The tour would ultimately take us into Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and Liechtenastein.  We flew into Munich and arrived a day before our tour was scheduled to begin.  Before we left home, I had booked an independent tour to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial.  Our guide met us at our hotel and then accompanied us on a short train ride and bus ride to Dachau.  A tour of Dachau has…

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