Crowded in the Alps

Nope, I am still not a real fan of traveling in Germany. Growing up closeby the Alps, we are both not highly enthusiastic about this comparably narrow, crowded mountain region. Nevertheless, from time to time we go on an excursion, mostly to visit a friend of us who has a little shop (2 people allowed inside in Corona times!) in downtown Fuessen, called 100 % Handwerk and selling "handicrafts" from mostly local/regional small artisans/designers, like leather goods, knives, jewelry, and some knick-knack. She told us that in the last weeks business picked up considerably and that she's never ever seen the city so crowded. After having had to shut down for weeks in March/April she has fully recovered now.

Wish we could say the same thing as travel writers/journalists (focused on the U.S.A.),,,

Well, downtown Fuessen was packed - social distancing became rather unknown. Bikers (mostly either elderly people or families, the majority with e-bikes) taking over downtown Fuessen and the scenic roads around. Many people seem to still have vacation days left and/or are able to afford vacation (which sort of amazes me) and many stay in Germany this year for their annual summer vacation for obvious reasons. The Alps, besides the North Sea, are a top destination. Overcrowded streets, full restaurants, sold-out hotels, no parking - have become a problem. Not really fun IMHO.

It's only a 1 1/2 hour drive to Fuessen and we usually combine it with a dip into Hopfensee, a usually refreshing natural mountain lake. Also, we always get provisions in a dairy (Bergkäserei Weizern) and in a microbrewery (Kösselbräu) in closeby Eisenberg. Well, the lake promenade was packed this time, parking was a problem and, in addition, we have never experienced the lake that muddy and warm before. Much more SUPs and boats of all kinds in the water than swimmers.

Halfway, on the way back home, we have our fav beergarden in Holzhausen - a brewery at the same time. They are serving the probably best pork roast in the area - inexpensive, too! Only problem is to get a table, even if you come early, like us, at 5:30 pm. With space restrictions, they recently expanded the beergarden towards the space inbetween barns, but it's nicer to sit under the chestnut trees. It's completely self-service, you pay and pick up your beer on one side, your meal on the other. Primitive and simple, but unique and good.

On the way back home on side roads through fields and little villages, sun slowly going down, we stopped at the "Eizelle" - which is an old telephone booth, repurposed as a refridgerated storage room for fresh eggs from the adjacent farm. You pick your box of eggs (10), medium or large, and simply leave the money in a box.

It's been a good day, the weather was beautiful, but, nevertheless, I would rather travel somewhere else, far away,,,

Becoming modest travelers

Would never have thought, that it would make us happy one day to get out and visit a German city. At least, a city, we've never been to before. Out of principle, our opinion to date was/is, that we can always travel in Germany when we are "old and fragile" ,,, Nevertheless, last week we got a severe attack of cabin fever and took the car to drive to Regensburg with its famous cathedral (Dom) and its protected old town.

Regensburg - founded in Roman times as a legionary fortress has some interesting relicts - as Porta Praetoria on the photo – from these times and brought us back to our roots. Same for Eining/Abusina, a Roman auxiliary fort, to the Southwest, where we stopped by on the way back home (pic below).

Mainly, Regensburg is a city of (catholic) churches, the famous castle/monastery/church St. Emmeram and unusual tower houses for the wealthy families in the past. Being situated on the river Danube, the city was always a hub of trade and commerce. Nice compact old town, on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and an interesting new museum: HDBG (Haus der Bayerischen Geschichte), dedicated exclusively to Bavarian History.

On the way back, we also stopped in Weltenburg where the Danube spectacularly breaks through rocks and where the famous Asam brothers, one architect, the other painter, were responsible for the monastery/church with its famous baroque paintings.


Well, what I also wanted to talk about is, again, "traveling in times of COVID-19". Social distancing has become unknown to many people in the meantime, especially while standing in line and on the streets/pathways. Recklessness is back full swing. Masks are often leisurely hanging around the chin, the biceps, or, the nose is left free. But, in general, moral to wear masks is still pretty good. Rules remain strange in many regards: In a beergarden we visited, every other table/bench was left empty, but they put two parties with a max. of 6 people around one table! Waiters mostly wore fancy little plexiglass visors –, wondering how effective they are,,, No masks at a gelateria, but for the five steps from the entrance of a restaurant to the table.

The IBIS hotel we stayed at was brandnew and a good deal. In contrast to our Garmisch hotel, they had real glasses in the room and their bar was open all day. But, same as before: rooms are not cleaned anymore automatically. I do understand that cleaning personal shouldn't be in the room at same time as the occupants, but what against cleaning a room thoroughly every day, like before? Isn't it even more important now?