Our morning was spent at Wartburg castle, a short hike away from Eisenach. It is a truly jaw dropping building. The architecture in and of itself is eclectic, clearly arising from a range of centuries and styles. The foundations were laid in the 11th century, and has had a huge variety of reconstructions and add-ons since.

Here is the entrance to the castle.

The castle’s history is humbling: it was the site of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary and the inspiration for The Minstrels. It was here that Martin Luther hid away to translate the New Testament into German, providing monumental steps for both Lutheranism and the German language. 

I wish we had gotten to poke around more. All over there were mysterious, old doors with locks that we simply were not allowed beyond. It certainly makes one wonder! We did look through the museum there, peering into rooms both incredibly simplistic and insanely lavish. 

One place we were permitted to explore was this tower:

Oh boy!

Here we are at the top! 

And here’s s view back at (some of) the castle. 

After exploring Wartburg, we hiked back to town and boarded a series of trains to take us to Rothenburg ob der Tauber, which is one of the most adorable places I’ve ever been. Just inside the wall of the “old town,” we were greeted by a bubble-blowing teddy bear. 

This is just in case you thought I was kidding. Ha.

We went straight to our hotel, more like a bed and breakfast, with a candlelit bar downstairs hosting very little empty wall space, a piano, and a friendly atmosphere. It is from here, eating a bratwurst, that I write to you.

And here is our room for the night! Good night from Germany (most likely good afternoon for you).

• Germany Chemtrip