I Dream of Germany- By Jen Campbell

Many would say it’s a pipe dream, I’m a Mom, Wife, a Full-Time Employee, as well as a Part-Time "Dream Maker" (otherwise known as a professional travel consultant)! You mention the words Germany and my mind goes back to beautiful castles, great food, tasty drinks, gorgeous locals, friendly Germans and wonderful memories of the 6 years I lived there.  Many say you “can’t go back” well I beg to differ… I may have been young, single and naïve, but those memories of Germany are ones no one can take from me.  For me, this was my happiest times to date.  It was also some tough times for me, but made me who I am today: determined, perfectionistic, a natural-born leader, spunky, tough as nails and loyal til’ the end.  This year as an exchange student to Germany matured me into the woman I am now…and I’m so proud!

I’ve only been back to Germany once in 20+ years to visit, and it was an absolute “dream come true!”  I walked German cobblestone streets, inhaled the fresh, crisp unspoiled alpine air, and viewed castles that have only been in my dreams for so, so long.  We visited Heidelberg (the town I could live in forever) walked to a few old ancient ruins and of course…a trip to the not to be missed: Neuschwanstein Castle.  We gradually made our way down into the Black Forest…to some of my favorite sights in all of Germany.  Garmisch-Partenkirchen was a really neat, quaint, German village set at the foot of the absolutely stunning Alps. Over a cup of coffee and slice of German Cake, a small, impromptu band swung through town playing some old, traditional German songs…it couldn’t have been arranged more perfectly!

We finished off the nearly 2 week adventure with a trip to the much anticipated, biggest party on the planet: Oktoberfest!  Mom got slightly frisked by a few ladies who had perhaps over-indulged themselves with beer, had at least ½ a liter of beer spilt down her back, we experienced a quick-lived bar brawl with a beer stein hit to the head over an unlucky locals brow, and rapidly discovered that one doesn’t EVER order Wine in a Beer Hall…or else the angry waiter will snap your head off!!
 
One thing is for sure, you can take the girl out of Germany…but you’ll never take Germany out of the girl!!  That trip made me realize that traveling (and heading back to Germany over and over again) is my passion and one I can’t let sit back and collect dust.  I must go back! It’s my destiny!!  After this trip, I made a personal vow to myself, to not be gone from my self-proclaimed “mother land” for so long ever again.
 
To quench my thirst of Germany, I came home and began planning a group trip back to Germany.  Me and 14 others are headed on a glorious trip to Germany, this fall- which I will take the lead as one of the tour guides.  We’ll check out some of the same areas that I absolutely adore, and a few others that will be new to me too.  I’ll be sure to share my blog post on this epic trip once I return with lots of amazing pictures as well, so stay tuned. And when I get back...you better believe I'll be planning another trip there again!

About the Author- Jen Campbell is a self-proclaimed travel lover, who’s been to Germany 6 times- working on 7, who enjoys planning trips for clients, when she’s not out on her own journey discovering quaint café’s in Europe, or Sunny Tropical Island Destinations in the beautiful Caribbean. Check out her Blog Page Here: http://www.escapedestinationstravel.com/travel-blog

One of our wonderful blog post readers, Nicole Jacobs from Portland, Oregon shared one of her favorite guides to exploring our amazing country, while on the road. She is discovering that right in our very own amazing continent, there's so much to see and explore. 
She and her family are on an amazing back road adventure  through out America, exploring what our amazing country has to offer!

If you would, please take a few moments to check out her recommended website! It has some terrific links to places to get out there to see:
​https://www.titlemax.com/resources/unforgettable-road-trips-in-america/