It turns out that thanks to not being immune to a couple of contagious childhood illnesses, it is illegal for me to work until I am at the end of my twentieth week of pregnancy. So, whilst I am at home for the next couple of weeks, I shall make the most of it by writing about the places we have visited recently, but I have been far too unorganised to tell you about. Better late than never though right?
So here’s my feedback on beautiful Fussen – famous for exquisitely handmade violins, its incredibly iconic neighbour, and for being at the very end of the Romantic Road.
Should you have Neuschwanstein on your Bavarian bucket list (and let’s face it, many visitors do), then more fool you for if you don’t make time to stop off at Fussen! Friends have been telling us to go for years, but we hadn’t made it – until recently.
Reminiscent of gorgeous Rothenberg, just surrounded by forests and mountains instead of being perched on top of a hill, Fussen has stacks going for it. Castles, baroque buildings, winding picturesque streets, an indoor food market (where you can sit with a drink, try a few local specialities, and/or just people watch), plenty of gorgeous walks in the surrounding countryside, and it also boasts several decent restaurants. And if that’s not enough it’s a mere 3 miles from the Austrian border so you can pop to another country for a while should you wish.
Yes it’s a little touristy, but then again most of the “big” stops on the Romantic Road are. If you can get past that, then it’s worth spending a day or so here at least – exploring, walking and eating. I would say it’s worth it for the scenery alone!
Where to stay: We stayed at the incredibly welcoming Hotel Sonne, currently enjoying a No.1 spot on Trip Advisor, and for good reason. It’s centrally located, the staff are friendly and welcoming, our interconnecting rooms quiet, comfortable and well-appointed, and the breakfasts just incredible. Deciding what to have will take you some time in the morning, which proved most problematic for the Small Girl who takes after her father in her indecisiveness. Luckily it is a buffet breakfast so that solved that problem!
Where to Eat: We ate at Ristorante Kelari for lunch on one day. This Greek restaurant reminded us of recent holidays in warmer climes, and set us up for the rest of the day with delicious souvlaki, grilled squid, tarama and Greek salads.
We also had a great dinner at Ristorante Pizzeria il Pescatore (you must book to get a table), for an evening full of Calabrian specialities, and the nicest home-made pizza I have tried outside of Italy. It’s worth asking for a small pizza for any children you may have with you. If that’s small, I hate to see what the large one looks like!
I have added Fussen to our list of places that all of us would return to before our time in this part of the world is up…
Oh, I almost forgot. This week it has come as something of a surprise to find out that I have been nominated for a Brilliance in Blogging Award for my photography. I didn’t get a travel nomination this year, which I have to say I am quite relieved about considering all long haul travel is off the radar for me at the moment at least! Although I am in amazing company amongst friends whose photography skills I can only dream about, if you would like to vote for me, I would be forever grateful! Thanks so much!
Love your blog! Great post about one of my favorite places! Thanks for that. I’m a German living in California for the past seven years and we spent a few weeks in Hopfen am See in the last couple years. It’s my happy place :-) The mountains, the architecture, the lakes, the food – so great. I’m planning on going back next year for sure. I started a blog in the spring, but I’m an absolutely newbie to the whole scene and I still don’t really know what my main topic actually is ;-) It’s probably too late to vote, but I’ll definitely check it out.
Thanks so much Kathrin, lovely to hear from you! I am glad you liked the Fussen post! Good luck with your new blog, don’t worry about a particular niche, just blog about what you enjoy! :)
What a beautiful place. You are so lucky to have such interesting places a cars drive from you. Of course I have also voted for you – chip of the old block (dare I say that?). x
Thanks Mum. You know where I would rather be though! :) xx
What a perfect location (and weather!) to showcase your photography skills – just beautiful. Fingers crossed for the Bibs xxxx
Thanks so much Trish! xx
A very well-deserved nomination – I think you take wonderful photos Emma. Fussen looks wonderful. My knowledge of Germany is very limited, and have only ever visited Cologne for a weekend, and also a couple of British army bases for highly alcohol-fuelled weddings and not much opportunity to visit elsewhere, but the more I see of it – through your eyes – the more I’m convinced we need to spend some time there. It looks so beautiful (and I don’t mind a bit of touristy every now and again).
Thanks so much Sally. Honestly, it has a lot going for it, from fabulous Berlin, to beautiful Bavaria, it’s well worth exploring! :) x
Well done you on your nomination :o)…. really well deserved, your photography is gorgeous, and will vote too. Fussen is very fairytale, I’m not surprised its popular with the tourists. Hope your pregnancy is going well – is chicken pox one of the things you are not immune too? Well at least you get to rest! X
Thank you very much lovely. All going well so far, I am not immune to Fifths Disease and Toxoplasmosis apparently, and as I work with young children it’s simply not allowed here… xx
I’ve never heard of the Romantic Road before, I now need to make sure I learn more about it as it sounds wonderful.
It’s very romantic you know! :D Thank you! :)
I missed the pregnant memo sorry. Congratulations. Fussen looks lovely.
Thanks very much! :)
oh yes I had heard about the if you work with children you can’t work until 20 weeks,.. but I didn’t know you were pregnant, so congratulations!
and were the violins expensive? I’d love to buy one!
Thanks so much. I didn’t actually see a violin shop, but I imagine they probably are here! :)
Voted! I was just thinking how amazing your photos are when I saw the nomination! Gotta go to Fussen now too…
Thanks very much Vanessa! :)
Looks beautiful against the blue sky and that stunning backdrop! Gorgeous photos, I’m not surprised in the slightest that you’ve been nominated for an award. You have my vote x
Thanks so much Tracey! :)
ONce again you have shown me somewhere that is now firmly on my “must see” list of places. It looks stunning. And that sky …. Gorgeous.
Thanks so much T! :) x
It looks so beautiful! I keep adding to my list of places to visit because of you lovely!
Thanks Otilia! :) x
ooh such glorious photos. i would love to go there!
Thanks very much Sherry! :)
Love your descriptions and your photography. Just put this on my list of must-see places.
Thanks so much Donna! :)
Huge congrats on the award and no surprise to me, these are stunning pics, and stunning scenery too. Well done you for writing up all these gorgeous posts and making the most of the time too :)
Thanks very much Penny! :) x
Your pictures always look like something from a fairytale! So pretty. Enjoy your enforced break lovely x
Thank you Jenny x
What a beautiful place to visit, so much fabulous architecture and art – that painted building is magnificent.
Utterly stunning post, this couple of weeks off work is going to be good for the readers :)
Thank you lovely Mari xx
Do teachers get paid while they are not allowed to work. That would be like a pre-maternity leave. Cool. And your photos definitley deserve to win.
I have insurance that covers my lost pay for 6 weeks! Thanks so much! :)
No way, you aren’t allowed to work until 20 weeks! What an interesting rule. FYI the link to vote for you doesn’t take me to where I can vote for you, but rather where I can vote for a different award. I’d love to vote for you, so let me know where!
I know. Get yourself checked for Fifths Disease and Toxiplasmosis, and if you work with small children, that’s the end of you working up until the end of 20 weeks! :O Thanks so much for attempting to vote. I have had a look at the link, I think there’s an option to scroll down through the different awards. I really appreciate it. Thank you! :) x
I want to be there now! If I hop on a plane, will you take me whilst you are off? ;)
Definitely! As long as you don’t mind me stopping frequently for trips to the loo and to stuff my face with raspberries! :D
Oh it looks so beautiful! Gorgeous, gorgeous pictures! Definitely on my list – I’m wondering if I can persuade DS1 to do his 6months there in his third year placement!
That would be great! Keep persuading Chris! :) x