I returned from my second trip to Europe several months ago, this time visiting many more countries and experiencing cultures that I had never experienced before. Travelling solo for almost three weeks was certainly out of my comfort zone and something I’d be grateful to do again.
This time, I once again flew to Hamburg, Germany from Auckland via Dubai, which, fun fact; is currently the 3rd longest flight in the world and if memory serves me was 17 hours and 5 minutes from the City of Sales to the home of the tallest building on this planet. Once arrived, I was incredibly grateful to once again be taken care of by my girlfriend and her family for the first week or so until we decided to venture out for a week long road trip around Germany.
Hamburg, Germany
Speicherstadt, 2019
The first stop on the journey was Cologne, on the eastern part of Germany, in North Rhine-Westphalia. We roamed the city for several days taking into the beautiful architecture that it had to offer, the crown jewel being the Cologne Cathedral, it is a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1996. It is Germany's most visited landmark, attracting an average of 20,000 people a day. At 157 m (515 ft), the cathedral is currently the tallest twin-spired church in the world, the second tallest church in Europe after Ulm Minster, and the third tallest church in the world. An absolute marvellous piece of architecture and the reason why many tourists visit the city.
Cologne, Germany
Alstadt-Süd, 2019
From this city, we traveled South to the enchanting town of Monschau. It took a couple hours, passing beautiful landscapes of open fields and massive forests, all taking in the summer heat. The town we were going was a place I had only seen pictures of, and as a photographer it had been on my travel bucket-list for several years at that point, so I was incredibly excited! I had basic compositions in my head already thought up as we drove and when we finally reached there I was blown away, the architecture was unlike anything I had seen before and the atmosphere was almost mystical like. We roamed the town for several hours and surprisingly it didn’t have a ridiculous amount of tourists for how famous the town is among photographers and on social media. Certainly a must-visit if you’re ever in the Eastern part of Germany.
Monschau, Germany
Monschau, 2019
From here we decides on visiting the beautiful little town of Cochem, directly east of the City of Frankfurt. We had done some previous research and come to the conclusion that it would be well worth the stay so we sorted accomodation and away we went. The German country side is absolutely beautiful with sections filled with wild dear and if you’re lucky enough to find one they’re a quiet the sight. The town is right on the river Mosel which connects to the longest river in Germany, the river Rhine. A peaceful town and definitely one to visit if you prefer a bit more nature whilst still being connected to the world.
A short drive away and you’ll reach the famous Burg Elz castle, arguably the most famous castle in Germany and a structure that seems straight out of a fairy-tail. It’s about a 2 hour return walk if memory serves, along an old dirt track through a forest. A perfect seeing for an incredible piece of architecture for sure and one well worth a visit.
Cochem, Germany
Cochem, 2019
Burg Eltz, Germany
Burg Eltz track junction, 2019
Once, we had finished up from here we decided to go visit the longest suspension bridge in Germany, which spans 360m and sit up to 100m above the ground. An experience I may have underestimated, I wouldn’t consider myself afraid of heights but walking across this for the first time definitely had the legs tingling a bit. An absolute spectacular piece of architecture, and because of it incredible length its been know to sway quite a bit during strong wind so I’d be wary of this when planning to cross.
Geierlay Suspension Bridge, Germany
Hünsruck, 2019
The next beautiful piece of architecture in Germany we visited is located in the city of Leipzig, several hours drive from the bridge. The Monument to The Battle of the Nations was proposed in 1813 to commemorate the Napoleon’s defeat at Leipzig, known as the Battle of Leipzig or the Battle of the Nations. It was completed in 1913 and was paid by mostly through donations. The main structure is composed of two-stories. On the first story, a crypt is adorned by eight large statues of fallen warriors, each one next to smaller statues known as Totenwächter (Guardians of the Dead). On the second story, features a Hall of Fame four statues representing the four legendary historic qualities ascribed to the German people: bravery, faith, sacrifice and fertility.
Monument to the Battle of the Nations, Germany
Leipzig, 2019
