FRANKFURT AIRPORT

30-31 May 2025

We laze in charming Würzburg as long as possible. Temperature reaches mid-seventies and the sun is blasting. However, sadly, we must board an ICE direct train from the Hbf to Frankfurt’s Airport. It is over an hour delayed, proving the Germans right in their complaints about their trains.

However, once onboard, our trip is smooth and speedy. We arrive into the airport, practically beneath our hotel the Hilton Garden, within less than 2 hours. Just enough time to choose our “favorites or not-so-much list.”

How Did It Go?

Best city visited? Martha and I agree that Regensburg and Rothenberg were our favorite cities.

Least favorite city visited? Unfortunately, Munich by default. For Martha, she was born in Munich and also visited in the 1970s. Everything was very different. Munich has grown and it could not compete with the smaller, medieval cities we visited. 

The Nürnberg Card proved worth its 38€ cost. We used it for several museums and trips on the trams worth over 53€. 

Helpful APPS included the VGN Fahrplan for transportation in Nürnberg; the MVV-App for Munich transportation; and most valuably the DB Navigator app for Germany’s trains. 

I also, once again, found the eSim from Airalo inexpensive ($8.50 3GB/30days) and reliable.

Bavarian Itinerary 2025

I love exploring in this part of Germany. Be it the history, culture, natural beauty or beer, Bavaria has much to offer the traveler. We enjoyed traveling by clean and efficient trains. The food was tasty and varied. Besides tradition German, we dined at Greek, Mexican, Thai, Italian and Indian restaurants. Meals were excellent. And most German dishes were good. Yes, I really do like sausages and sauerkraut. Perhaps that reflects my German ethnicity and Midwestern roots. And, my beloved Hefeweizenbier represents the beating heart of the Bavarian state.

Always learning interesting tidbits

Traveling offers endless opportunities to learn. One of those opportunities presented itself at Munich’s Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds followed by my second visit to the Memorium Nuremberg Trials Museum. Both are excellent venues for attempting to understand the appeal of Hitler and his followers in their march toward the end of democracy and the murder of millions of human beings who did not fit into their vision of entitlement, superiority and power. Much of what I read and saw strikes a familiar tone with what is happening in my own country, the United States, under the hatred and ignorance of the MAGAs. 

The Nuremberg Trials did not try anyone for crimes against Germans. The trials were meant to bring accountability for the unprecedented scale of atrocities committed by the Nazi regime and primarily focused on “crimes against peace,” “war crimes,” and “crimes against humanity” committed during the war, with a focus on actions against those outside of Germany, especially against Jews, Poles, Soviets, Roma, and other civilian populations. The goal was to establish international legal precedents, not to address all wartime injustices. (Sadly, TacoTrump may never experience his Nuremberg moment.)

I also read, in a bit of shocking irony, that the United States bought the gas used in Vietnam from the Germans. I researched that topic and am relieved that this claim is not true. While the US did use chemical weapons and Agent Orange in Vietnam, we had our own chemical industry and developed our own chemical weapons. Still, nothing to be proud of and certainly doesn’t place the US in good company.

Travel teaches one a lot about one’s own country and culture. I learned that Americans arrive at the train stations early. We are trained, I suppose, by the need to second-guess our own transportation which tends to be late, slow or just non-existent. The German trains were on time, mostly on the minute, and Germans tended to show up about 5 minutes before the train departed. The apps assisted with all this punctual planning. Martha and I still worried and arrived early. 

Staying at the Airport

I have come to appreciate hotels that are directly connected to airports. Less stress, always comfortable, numerous restaurants, and easy connection with one’s flights. I stayed at the Hilton Garden in 2021 and had the worst 15 minutes of travel while waiting to clear my Covid test. This year, departure is easy-peasy.

I’m not a huge fan of Frankfurt Airport, especially if passing thru on a connecting flight. I’ve lost a few pairs of kiddie scissors to their baggage scanners. I am talking about those little round-tipped scissors one buys for a first grader. Totally legal for US but anathema for FRA handlers. There is always a line, a slow line.

Today, we easily check-in, spend some relaxed time in the Lufthansa Lounge. We depart on time for the US.

As long as Denver’s Immigration doesn’t request to see my FB posts, I am sure I’ll be home on time.