Hey, What’s up?

In this post, I’ll be sharing my not-so-recent trip to Europe. I visited Germany and Switzerland, but since I don’t want to write a novel, I’ll save my Switzerland adventures for another post. I traveled with my friend Qays—though he insists on being called Anjir. As always, traveling with him was a mix of adventure, chaos, and the occasional “what just happened?” moment.

The trip started off very on-brand for us. We took a train from Derby to London, and while I was peacefully seated, Qays decided—for reasons known only to himself—to get off at the wrong stop. LOL! I reached the airport first, and somehow, through divine intervention or sheer panic, he managed to make it just in time.

We had booked an EasyJet flight from Luton to Berlin, which cost around £70 for a one-way ticket. Thanks to our “excellent” planning, we booked it late and paid the premium for procrastination. Both of us had just finished night shifts, and after running on fumes all day, I passed out on the flight like a hibernating bear.

We landed in Berlin around 10 PM and took a train to the city center, which took about 30–45 minutes. We bought a 24-hour train pass for around €10–11. It was a great deal, but a word of advice: make sure to validate your ticket before boarding. They operate on an honesty system, but if you’re caught unvalidated, prepare to cough up some serious euros. Trust me, they won’t care about your “oops, I forgot” story.

Before checking into our hostel, we decided to visit the Brandenburg Gate at midnight. Why? Because we like making questionable life choices, and there’d be fewer people around for photos. It was totally worth it, though. Wandering around a famous landmark with zero crowds? Chef’s kiss.

We stayed at A&O Hostel in Berlin, which was cheap and close to the central train station. The place was decent, except for the shower, which was clogged so badly it felt like I was showering in a swamp. But hey, at least we could leave our bags there the next day while we explored Berlin.

The next morning started with coffee at a nearby café. (Spoiler alert: it ended up being the only meal I had until dinner.) Berlin’s central train station is massive—basically a mall masquerading as a train station. If you’re visiting, arrive early because finding your platform feels like a real-life escape room challenge.

Our first stop was the Reichstag Building, a stunning piece of architecture. We booked a slot to go to the rooftop for panoramic city views but, in typical fashion, ditched that plan to check out other spots. If you’re going, book your slot in advance—it’s free, though entering the dome might cost a fee. Check their website to avoid surprises.

We also stopped by the Holocaust Memorial. To be honest, it didn’t blow me away. It’s a significant historical site, of course, but I found it a bit underwhelming. Still, if you’re in the area, it’s worth a quick visit to reflect on its meaning.

Now for the highlight: Sanssouci Palace. It’s a bit of a trek from the city center, but totally worth it. This is where they filmed Queen of Tears, one of my favorite K-dramas. (Side note: if you haven’t seen it, please do—just bring tissues because Hae-In’s storyline will ruin you.) The palace grounds were gorgeous, even in winter, though I imagine they’d be even better in summer or spring when the vineyard terraces are in bloom.

By sunset, we found ourselves chilling in front of the Berlin Cathedral, listening to a violinist playing Billie Eilish songs. The guy was so good! (Lovely and What Was I Made For are my favorites—what are yours?) Moments like these make you forget the chaos of travel.

The Berlin Christmas markets had just opened, so naturally, we explored a few. They’re magical, but communicating was a struggle since most vendors only spoke German. Many stalls didn’t take card payments, and I had to mime swiping my card at every stall like a lunatic. After all that effort, I couldn’t even find a halal stall that accepted card payment. Classic.

That night, we took an overnight train to Munich, treating ourselves to first-class tickets for extra comfort. Of course, nothing is ever straightforward with us. A tree fell on the railway track, delaying our train by an hour. I was tired, grumpy, and ready to fight the universe, but thankfully, we made it to Munich the next morning.

From Munich, we took a bus to Füssen, a charming town known for the Neuschwanstein Castle. Staying in Füssen came with perks, like a free visitor pass for local buses, which we gladly took advantage of.

After dropping off our bags at the hotel, we made our way to Neuschwanstein Castle—and let me tell you, it’s massive! We decided to do some hiking, which rewarded us with spectacular views of the castle from higher vantage points. Winter turned out to be the perfect time to visit since the bare trees offered a clear, unobstructed view of the castle in all its glory.

While you can explore the interior and take part in a few activities, the entry tickets were a bit steep, so we opted to admire it from the outside. Fun fact: Neuschwanstein Castle was the inspiration for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle. Seeing it in person, it’s easy to see why—it’s straight out of a fairy tale! Unsurprisingly, the place was packed with visitors, so be prepared to share the magic with a crowd.

After a short hike, you’ll reach a picturesque bridge that offers an incredible view of the castle—it’s the spot where I took my favorite photo. That said, the bridge is a popular spot, so it tends to get crowded. If you’re not a fan of elbow-to-elbow tourism, I’d recommend going early in the morning to beat the rush.

Beneath the bridge, there’s a charming mini waterfall and a river that add to the fairy-tale vibe. However, be aware that if there’s been heavy snowfall recently, the bridge might be closed for safety reasons.

But don’t stop here if you’ve still got some energy left! A higher peak awaits, offering even more breathtaking views of the castle, and if you’re lucky, a sneak peek at the stunning Bavarian Alps. Trust me, the climb is worth it!

This is the breathtaking view of the Bavarian Alps you’re rewarded with if you keep hiking! So, don’t give up—the scenery just keeps getting better and better. The higher you go, the more magical it feels.

On your way back down, you’ll also get to see another castle—Hohenschwangau Castle—adding a nice bonus to the hike. Oh, and before I forget, there’s a bus you can take if you’re traveling with your parents, dealing with knee arthritis, or simply embracing your inner couch potato. No judgment—we all deserve an easy ride sometimes!

This is another castle, located just opposite Neuschwanstein Castle. It’s called Hohenschwangau Castle, and as for its history… well, I’d love to tell you, but I’m way too lazy to Google it. Let’s just say it looks important and leave it at that.

But honestly, look at that sky! It was the last time I saw such a vibrant blue and clear skies during the entire winter. It felt like nature was showing off just for us that day.

This is Alpsee Lake, located right next to Hohenschwangau Castle. The water is so crystal clear you can see straight to the bottom, and it creates a stunning mirror-like reflection of the surrounding trees. It’s like nature’s way of showing off its photography skills.

The best part? Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau Castle, and Alpsee Lake are all within walking distance of each other, making it super convenient to explore. I’d recommend spending an entire day here—it’s the highlight of Füssen, and honestly, there’s not much else to do in the town anyway. After soaking in the beauty, we headed back to our hotel, feeling pretty content with the day.

On our last day in Germany, we headed back to Munich to spend the day exploring the city. It was buzzing with people, giving me serious London vibes. Munich is home to some stunning buildings and cathedrals, not to mention the world’s largest park—the English Garden. Of course, we couldn’t leave without checking out the Christmas markets, which were as charming as ever.

Here’s the list of places we visited in Munich:

1. Marienplatz, Odeonsplatz, and Ludwigstrasse – Iconic spots with breathtaking architecture.

2. Munich Residenz – A palace that’s fit for royalty (or tourists like us pretending to be royalty).

3. Kaufingerstraße – The ultimate shopping street; window shopping counts, right?

4. Asamkirche – A small yet stunningly ornate church.

5. English Garden – A park so massive you could probably get lost in it—and we almost did.

6. Munich Cathedral – A towering masterpiece that demands your attention.

Munich definitely has its charm, but for me, Berlin edges out just a bit as the favourite.

And that’s a wrap on my trip to Germany! The next day, we hopped on a bus to Zurich, Switzerland—more on that in my next blog! I hope you enjoyed reading about my German adventure. If you have any questions about traveling in Germany or tips to share for others planning a trip, don’t hesitate to leave a comment!

Danke! (That’s “thank you” in German, by the way!)