I’ve always been a huge fantasy fan. It’s been my dream to explore castles and see beautiful architecture that isn’t captured in the US. I wanted to be able to walk into a different world as depicted in my favorite stories. On my trip to Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic, my dream became a reality.
Every city felt like walking into a fairy tale. From towering gothic cathedrals to winding cobblestone streets, I often had to remind myself I was still in reality and not a story. In Munich we visited Neuschwanstein Castle which was the real life inspiration for Disney’s Snow White castle. It was an unbelievable sight that made me, for the first time in my life, admire in true awe. Seated in the Bavarian Alps, surrounded by forests, the view was just as breathtaking as the castle itself.
Each stop on our trip had its own distinct characteristics. Berlin’s cathedrals stood as powerful reminders of faith and history. Wittenberg showed us the roots of the Reformation as we saw where Martin Luther posted his original 95 theses. The skyline of Prague was dotted with spires leading up to Prague Castle where we saw outstanding stained glass in St. Vitus Cathedral. We ended our time near Kutna Hora in which we saw the interesting yet eerie Bone Church where faith had to overcome plagues and wars.
The architecture across Europe tells the stories of emperors, wars, religion, and resilience. I’ve found that no photos can truly capture the feeling of standing under centuries old ceilings and hearing church bells ring throughout a city square.
For someone who often finds themselves in fictional worlds, this wasn’t just a trip but magic made real, cultures brought to life, and stories turned tangible.
