After the Graz program is over on June 23, I plan to do a little traveling around Europe before I fly home. Here is my rough itinerary for after the program:
June 23: Graz to Venice, Italy
June 24: Venice, Italy
June 25: Venice, Italy to Kaufbeuren, Germany
June 26: Kaufbeuren
June 27: Kaufbeuren
June 28: Kaufbeuren to Munich / Munich / Munich to Berchtesgaden
June 29: Berchtesgaden
June 30: Berchtesgaden to Nuremberg / Nuremberg
July 1: Nuremberg/ Nuremberg to Berlin
July 2: Berlin
July 3: Fly home from Berlin
This isn’t definite yet, but this itinerary covers many of the places I want to see after the program in Graz is done. Here’s why I want to visit these places:
Venice, Italy
I do not know any Italian at all, so this leg of my trip may be interesting. Basically the reason I want to visit Venice is because it is one of the most famous cities in Europe.
Plus, it seems as though this city shows up for a cameo appearance in most movies anymore. In fact, I was watching “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” last night when, surprise, there was a scene set in Venice.
The canal system and the fact that the city is sinking also adds to its charm. How cool would it be to take a small boat to work? While I am there I will definitely make sure to take a boat ride through the canal system.
Kaufbeuren, Germany
Last year I was an exchange student in this little Bavarian city so I am going back to visit the family that I stayed with. I have scheduled a few days here because I hope to be able to take a few strolls through the city and visit some of the shops that I missed during my last visit.
Munich, Germany
I have only allotted a few hours to Munich between trains because during my trip to Germany last spring I visited the city twice.
Two to three hours will be plenty of time to take a walk down to the Marienplatz to see the beautiful Rathaus (City Hall). Also, I will definitely be stopping in at the Hofbräuhaus again.
Berchtesgaden, Germany
Berchtesgaden is the home of the Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle’s Nest). The complex was built as a present for Adolf Hitler’s 50th birthday on the top of Mt. Kehlstein in the Bavarian Alps. Ironically, Hitler was allegedly afraid of heights so he rarely vacationed at the home.
The house is now a restaurant and museum. From the house, visitors can see a stunning view of the valley and lake below.
Nuremberg, Germany
I wanted to visit Nuremberg because it is a very historical and beautiful city, plus it is between Berchtesgaden and Berlin.
Nuremberg is infamous because it is essentially the birthplace and death place of Nazism. During WWII, it was heavily bombed and much of the city today dates back to post-WWII reconstruction. That said, Nuremberg is still a very beautiful Bavarian city.
I plan on only staying one night before leaving for Berlin, but I hope to visit a few of the cities museums along with the Hauptmarkt and the St. Lorenz Kirche.
Berlin, Germany
There is so much to see in Berlin that I allotted extra time for sightseeing. I honestly do not know where to begin in Berlin.
The Reichstag? The Brandenburg Gate? The Berlin Wall? Tiergarten? Checkpoint Charlie?
This city is just a really awesome city, and I am very much looking forward to my visit.
Hiroshi Motomura summed up Berlin the best: “Berlin combines the culture of New York, the traffic system of Tokyo, the nature of Seattle, and the historical treasures of, well, Berlin.”