Kelheim and Weltenburg Abbey

We decided to stay close to home for the 4th of July and enjoy some of the beautiful Bavarian landscape. What better place to go than Weltenburg which is known for its oldest monastery brewery making some of the world famous dark beer. 

We drove to Kelheim (about 30mins from Beratzhausen) and took the ferry from Kelheim to Weltenburg Abbey.

*Special Note: the ferry price is 9.70euro per adult/children under 6 free

*Special Note: the ferry from Kelheim to Weltenburg takes 40mins (the tour is in English & German)// the ferry from Weltenburg back to Kelheim takes 20mins

Ferry Ride

view of Weltenburg Abbey from the ferry

St. George Church in Weltenburg Abbey

Klosterschenke Weltenburg

This is the restaurant that seemed to be the main reason most people were taking the trip; because it's where you can get the world famous beer. The food at the tables around us looked really good but we didn't order anything but a side of pommes to go with our beer.  It's just not appealing to us to gobble down huge turkey legs, big slabs of meat, piled high pasta & potatoes in the middle of the afternoon while melting in the heat.

However, we did try the famous dark beer & I wasn't a fan. I don't normally drink or like beer so I wasn't surprised that I didn't like it. To me it tasted like a mix of beer and dark coffee (I don't like coffee either)-- which is a strange combo; I just couldn't wrap my head around the flavor.

I'm certain if you love beer & you love dark brewed coffee this would be your fave!!

*Special Note: they only do brewery tours on Saturday and Sunday--I didn't know that ahead of time so we weren't able to take a tour.

Playing in the Donau River

Now this was the main reason we came to Weltenburg to enjoy the beautiful scenery and the river. We brought our umbrella, beach chairs & cooler with drinks & snacks found a nice spot and started the family fun!!

*Special Note: they offer mini group boat rides on the lake. The water is very nice & not too deep so great for swimming & playing.

Views from the Top of the Abbey

I walked up what seemed like a hundred slippery stone steps to get to the very top of the Abbey & the views were nice but not nice enough for all of those steep steps. Their is a huge area up their also lots of benches, riding trails, huge green space, and a cute little church.

the umbrella by the water is where we were set up

the steps to the top

Hall of Liberation at Kelheim

Don't miss out on seeing this beautiful historic landmark!! The city views from the very top are amazing!!!

*Special Note: Admission tickets are 3.50euro per adult/kids under 18 free. Parking is 2.50euro

view from the very top

Florence, Italy

Florence was the second half of our Italy vacation.

Getting There

We took the high speed train from Rome Trevini train station to Florence SMN train station. I purchased the tickets online off of the main Italian Rail website: www.trenitalia.com. 3 one-way train tickets cost 48euro total (19euro per adult ticket/10euro per child ticket) and seat assignments are included. The train was very nice & comfortable; seats recline, outlets, & book lights. The travel time from Rome to Florence was about 1hr & 20mins.

*Special Note: the main Rome train station is packed with people trying to scam and get money from tourist anyway they can. Do not accept assistance from anyone that is not an official train employee.

Returning Home

We flew on Air Dolomiti airline from Florence airport (only 15mins outside of the downtown area)to Munich Airport. This was our first time flying on Air Dolomiti (sister airline of Lufthansa) when I was doing my trip research I found the airline because they specialize in discount flights from Frankfurt & Munich to several main cities throughout Italy. 3 one-way tickets cost us 127euro total. 

Yes, it is a discount airline with luggage restrictions but you still get all of the normal amenities (hot towels, complimentary beverage/snacks, & a free newspaper of your language choice) and the best part is the leg space it's not crammed with extra seats like other discount airlines.

From Munich Airport we took the regional train back to Beratzhausen (our neighborhood train station).

I have to try & find these jam filled croissants they gave out on he plane. They were delicious!!

Ponte Vecchio Bridge

Ponte Vecchio Plaza

Ponte Vecchio Museum

Piazza Della Repubblica 

San Lorenzo Plaza

Duomo 

Chiesa di Santa Trinita

San Felice Church

Florence University

I'm sure their are several difference campuses throughout Florence; this particular campus was right outside the walled downtown area. It had an huge green landscape area with tons of trees and a playground area. It was a great spot to get away from all of the crowds; relax in the shade & Rory got to run around and play.

City Sights

We say hoards of people gathered in this one area so I wanted to know what they were all looking at and this was it.  Everyone was touching the pig and taking pictures.  I'm not sure what the significance of this pig is but I had the Rorys touch the pig and snapped a few shots.

Based on Lil Rory's expression I don't think he understood why he was touching the pig either

How would I sum up Florence in 3 words: Shopping, Shopping, Shopping!! So much beautiful leather--if I lived here full time I would be so super skinny because I would spend all of my grocery money on leather jackets, purses & shoes. :-) This is the perfect location for a girls trip...so mom & sis start saving your money!

Good Eats

When in Italy you have to try the spaghetti carbonara. It's not like that stuff you get everywhere else (what I always thought was spaghetti carbonara and didn't like) with peas added in and thick gooey sauce.  It was so delicious (it's on almost every menu in Italy) smooth velvety egg sauce, fresh ham, and perfectly cooked pasta...yummy

gelato selfie

Lodging

Right outside the door from our vacation rental was the Santo Spirito Plaza and everyday they had a large market set up with vendors selling all types of things. A great place to go for antiques & unique gems.

We rented this apartment off of airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/539313 and it was in a great location and we were able to walk everywhere in the downtown area of Florence.  Since we travel so much we always like to rent apartments because it gives us so much space and the opportunity to make our own food so we don't have to eat out for every meal. I took a few pics just so you can get an idea of how nice these places are. This particular apartment had an amazing shower with the shower heads that go all the way down and spray your entire body, a rain shower head, a hand held shower head, a fan, a light, a radio with surround sound--I have to get one of these when I move back to the States.