Today’s post is 1200 words, 35 photos, a 6 minute read. Enjoy!

Hi everyone,

This week Wayne and I are on the move. We are taking a Deutsche Bahn train from Vienna to Regensburg, Germany on the Danube River. There we’ll begin the search for Wayne’s ancestors and enjoy the sites in the city.

Before we get started, if you missed the two posts from Vienna, click here and here.

The Trail to Germany

After a good nights sleep, I was up, showered, packed, and down in the lobby by 8:30 AM. The hotel arranged for a taxi to the train station about a 10-15 minute ride. Traffic was light, it was Saturday morning. We had plenty of time to grab something to eat and have a coffee before boarding the train at 10 AM. It arrived right on time. There was a scrum to board and when we found our seats they were occupied. I boarded car 21 not 22. The passengers were very helpful in pointing us to the right car.

After finding our seats and stowing our luggage, we settled in for the smooth three and half hour ride to Regensburg. We entertained ourselves by chatting and getting caught up on email and messages. In my backpack, I found the card my Traveling Partner made me that listed the items I have at times left behind during previous trips. We had a good chuckle but I kept it handy as a reminder when we moved to a new location.

The seats in front of us were occupied by a family of four. The mom was seated by the little girl, the dad with his son. However, the dad was practicing his instrument, a lute guitar, I think. His son was left to entertain himself, occasionally poking his dad for some attention.

Regensburg

It was early in the afternoon when we disembarked from the train. It was a sunny, cool fall day. It was a good to breathe some fresh air. When we exited the station, we looked around for a taxi stand and didn’t see one. Finally, a taxi drove up to unload passengers. When I asked about taking us to the Hampton Inn, he glanced to a traffic circle in the distance where there were a couple of taxis waiting for passengers. He motioned us in and we took off.

One of our rooms wasn’t ready so we walked along the Danube to the city center where all the action seemed to be. Along the way we noted that the Danube is a busy river with tour boats, flat bottom long boats, barges, and pleasure craft. During our two-night stay in Regensburg, we saw at least three cruise ships in port like the Viking Gullveig in the photo below. It can hold up to 190 guests plus a crew of 53. In addition to stopping in Regensburg, Danube River cruises also call on Passau, Bratislava, Vienna, and Budapest.

We were hungry and thought about eating at the world’s oldest continuously operating public eatery, Historische Wurstküchl, commonly known as the Regensburg Sausage Kitchen.  They have been grilling and serving sausages since the 12th century.

We were standing around put off by the long lines to pick up sausages when a waiter came by and asked if we wanted a table. “Yes!” we replied, He seated us with a couple who were nearly done with their lunch. Apparently it’s common in European countries to seat people together when the place is busy. It’s a good way to meet locals. 

We both ordered a beer and a plate of sausages and sauerkraut. Both were very enjoyable.

A Little About Regensburg

After devouring our lunch and beer, it was time to explore the city. Regensburg, population about 160,000, is a historic city in Bavaria that is easy and pleasant to explore. Its old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with many medieval buildings, narrow streets, and small squares. The Stone Bridge crosses the Danube River and has connected the city for centuries. St. Peter’s Cathedral stands near the center of town and is known for its tall towers and detailed stonework. With its compact layout, cafés, and riverside views, Regensburg is a good destination for visitors who enjoy history and a relaxed pace.

The Stone Bridge

The Stone Bridge crosses the Danube very near the Sausage Kitchen. Construction began in 1135 and was completed in 1146. Until the 1930s, this bridge was the only way to cross the Danube for many miles. As we walked toward the bridge, I noticed this group of women posing for a group photo. I thought I might as well take one too. Notice the bridge in the background.

Now closed to motorized vehicles, thousands of people cross over to one side or the other stopping to admire the river below.

Looking back into town, the twin spires of St. Peter’s Cathedral. Another landmark in this historic city.

The area across the Danube from Old Town is Stadtamhof, once independent but now a part of Regensburg. There are a number of restaurants and small shops along the street. We stopped for ice cream for our dessert. I had pistachio.

On our way back to Old Town, we stopped often to admire the views. It was so quaint and much quieter than bustling Vienna.

This group appeared to be enjoying the nice weather. Based on their dress, we wondered if they had been at some folk festival. I wonder what the woman standing is looking at. Do you?

Old Town (Altstadt)

Back across the bridge, we walked toward the city center. The ancient narrow causeways were crowded on this Saturday afternoon.

St. Peter’s Cathedral

St. Peter’s Cathedral in Regensburg is a large Gothic church located in the center of the old town. Construction began in the 1200s and continued for several centuries. The cathedral is known for its two tall spires, detailed stone carvings, and beautiful stained-glass windows. Inside, visitors can see high vaulted ceilings and many religious artworks. It is still an active church today and remains one of the most important landmarks in the city.

I’m not sure what this building is near the Cathedral but it was picturesque.

King Ludwig I

King Ludwig was the king of Bavaria from 1825 until the 1848 revolutions where demands were made for political reform, national unity, and greater civil liberties. Ludwig stepped down and turned the governing of Bavaria over to his son. A couple of  interesting things to note about good old Ludwig. In 1844 there were “beer riots” in Bavaria after Ludwig increased the taxes on beer. He relented after the rebellion, the masses quieted down and returned to drinking their beer. Of much greater importance, his wedding to Therese in 1810 is considered the first Munich Oktoberfest. In the future, I’ll take you to one day of the 2025 version.

We walked around Old Town doing some photography for fun. We wandered into a courtyard and snapped several photos.

We finished where we each took a group selfie. This qualifies as a good time for photographers!

Join me next week for a drive to a village near the Czech border and I’ll take you on a boat ride on the Danube.

THE FIVE SENSES PLUS ONE

Saw – a lot of countryside from the train, busy train station, historic sites, the Danube River

Heard – the quiet on the train, strumming of the lute guitar, voices of many people

Touch – doors, wall of Sausage Kitchen

Smell – smoke from the Sausage Kitchen, a couple of guys at the train station who needed showers

Taste – sausage and sauerkraut, beer, pistachio ice cream, pastries, coffee

Learned – history of the Sausage Kitchen, Stone Bridge, and Cathedral

Until next week, happy travels!

Tom

PS: Click here for a link to the post about my book “Farm Boy.” Contact me if you are interested in purchasing a copy. Thanks to all have plunked down your hard earned dollars and read the book. TM