How a sprained ankle, 5,000 miles, and a love for pastries made for this plus-size travelers first time to Germany unforgettable.

Holy Shit, We’re Actually Going to Germany

Here’s the thing—this trip wasn’t originally my idea. It all came about because of my husband’s job. He works at HP (yes, Hewlett-Packard, the computer people), and he travels a lot—mostly within the U.S. or Canada. But when his boss casually mentioned that he might be sent to Germany, we both thought, yeah, okay, sure.

Fast forward six months, and we were still at maybe. Then four months out, they gave him the go-ahead to buy his plane ticket. A month later, we felt safe enough to use our saved-up miles and book mine, but we made sure it was refundable. Just in case. Because we still weren’t convinced this was actually happening.

But then… time kept passing. No cancellations. No last-minute changes. Just one undeniable fact: We were really going to Germany.

And then, I sprained my damn ankle.

Best travel hack I learned? Ask for help. Don’t push yourself to exhaustion just to avoid being an inconvenience. It’s not worth it.

Then there’s the sheer length of travel—about 24 hours of transit to get to Europe. We’re talking cars, parking lot buses, terminal trains, security checks, and of course, those delightful economy seats. Thankfully, I can sleep anywhere (literally, strap me in and give me 10 minutes, I’m out). My survival kit includes:

• Chargers
• Noise-canceling headphones
• Downloaded music, podcasts, and TV shows
• Melatonin + Tylenol PM (highly recommend for long-haul flights)

Touchdown: Munich, Germany

After an eternity of travel, we finally landed. If you’ve ever been on a long-haul flight, you know there are three things you immediately need:

1. A real bathroom – Because I refuse to touch airplane toilets if I can help it.
2. Food – Delta’s inflight meals? Meh. Functional at best.
3. A place to sleep – Even if you’re not ready for bed, just knowing where you’re laying your head that night brings peace.

Pro Tip: Germany takes Sundays seriously. Most stores, restaurants, and vendors are closed, so plan accordingly. We learned this the hard way after getting bamboozled by Google Maps multiple times.

---

Exploring Göppingen

Our first stop was Göppingen, and let me tell you—this was an underrated gem. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express, right in the heart of a pedestrian-friendly market area. Food highlights:

• Gül Kebap – So good we ate there twice.
• Gelato spots nearby – Because Germany does ice cream really well.

We also visited Oberhofenkirche, a stunning church with nearby historical sites. But the real highlight? Hohenstaufen Castle. Getting there was an adventure—tiny winding roads lead to a small parking lot at the base of a church, and from there, you hike. My boot made this interesting, but the views? Worth every painful step.

Pro Tip: Bring a picnic. We didn’t, and we regretted it.

---

Southern Germany: Castles & Lakes

Neuschwanstein Castle

This is the castle. The one Disney’s Cinderella Castle was inspired by. It’s breathtaking, but if you want a guided tour, buy tickets way in advance.

• There’s a bus to the hiking area, but from there, be ready for a steep trek.
• The best photo spot? The suspension bridge above the castle. Just be prepared for crowds.

Eibsee Lake

I had one non-negotiable for this trip: Eibsee Lake.

It’s a local favorite, and for good reason—crystal-clear water, hiking trails, and rental spots for kayaks and paddle boats. As a self-proclaimed water baby, I was in my element. My husband literally said, “Just a girl in her element.” He was right.

---

Esslingen am Neckar: My Favorite City

Esslingen felt like the quintessential Germany—cobblestone streets, charming shops, and amazing coffee. If you go, don’t miss these spots:

• Kano’s Breakfast Esslingen – Get Kano’s breakfast. That’s it. That’s the recommendation. 12/10.
• FLO Schwesternherz – Cozy pastries + hot chocolate perfection.
• Cafe Findelkind – Decent breakfast, but not life-changing. 5.7/10.

---

Exploring Munich

Munich was a day-long adventure, packed with history, food, and iconic sites:

• Nymphenburg Palace – Gorgeous grounds + gondola rides. Nymphenburg Palace ended up being the location for my couples destination session as well.
• White Sausage – A must-try German breakfast, but texture-wise… not for me. My husband loved it, though!
• The Residenz München – A self-guided tour through opulence. Worth the price.

---

Final Stops: Frankfurt & Würzburg

Frankfurt:

• Walked the Iron Footbridge and explored the Römerberg.
• Ended our night at Palmengarten Frankfurt, a beautiful botanical garden. Pro Tip: Bring a picnic here!

Frankfurt also included a family session through a park and another stop for delicious gelato. 

The Romantische Straße

Or more commonly known as the Romantic Road in English.

TIP: If I were to redo the order of our trips, I would do it based off this map- which we unfortunately stumbled upon near the end of the trip.

The Romantic Road follows along the path from Würzburg to Füssen, which was created to serve as a popular tourist attraction to rebuild after WWII. Now however it makes for an incredible drive, stunning historical signs including medieval walled towns of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbühl and Nördlingen (a personal favorite of mine).

Highlights:

• Castles: Neuschwanstein Castle, Burg Harburg, and the castles of King Ludwig
• Towns: Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbühl, Nördlingen, and Augsburg 
• Nature: The Franconian wine region, the River Main, and the Alpine peaks 
• Culture: The Tauber Valley, the Lechfeld, and the Pfaffenwinkel region 

---

Final Thoughts: Would I Do It Again?

Absolutely. Germany had never really been on my travel bucket list prior. It didn’t disappoint in stunning landscapes, great food, and a blend of old-world charm and modern vibes. Would I do it again with a sprained ankle? Hell no. But Germany? Maybe.

Next time, I’m bringing better shoes and a picnic.

---

If you loved this travel recap and want more adventures, follow along at ashleyvaughnphotography.com or on Instagram at @ashleyvaughnphotography.