Advertise on podcast: Germany Travel Planning with Cate

Imagine running off the side of a mountain and soaring over Neuschwanstein Castle. That's just one of the many amazing experiences Caitlin, her husband, and their 8-year-old son had on their spring break trip to Germany and France.  In today’s episode, Caitlin and I talk all about their spring break trip, which she planned around her adventurous young son who’s in a German immersion school in the US. Caitlin used our DIY Germany Travel Planner to find attractions and hotels along her road trip route and I loved hearing all about their trip!  In this episode we talk about: Paragliding off Tegelberg over Neuschwanstein castle Europa Park - how it compares to Disney and how many days to spend there The nature area only 10 minutes from Neuschwanstein Castle that most visitors drive right pastThe best tine to see Marienbrücke The Austrian Ehrenberg castle ruin and highline suspension bridge Seeing a local Pippi Longstocking play in German in Munich  Kid-friendly hotels in Munich and Europa Park, including one with cars right in the lobbyThe Eiffel Tower and Paris park experiences they found magicalCaitlin's advice for fitting a lot into a week without wearing everyone out - and more! If you love what we share in our podcast, just wait until you see what we can do for your trip! Complete custom itinerary + travel plan One-on-one travel planning consult with Cate Itinerary review by Cate DIY Germany travel plannerGermany train travel made easy Our recommended tours, guides, and more 15 things we take on every Germany tripOur hotel recommendationsLoving the podcast? Help us bring you more episodes! 1. Please leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps make our podcast visible to more travelers. 2. Buy us a coffee or 2. That helps support production costs.   Thank you for listening!

Tabbetha Richardson had been promising her daughter for years that she'd take her to see where she was born in Germany.   They recently made it happen with a multi-generational road trip through Germany and Austria. A few years ago I helped Tabbetha plan her first trip back to Germany with her grandson, so it was such a treat to hear about this one - which included  running a half marathon, running into someone who remembered Tabbetha’s grandson from her trip with him a few years ago, and an unplanned stop that turned out to be her favorite of the whole trip.  In this episode, Tabbetha and I talk about: What it's like to go back to Germany 37 years after living there with the militaryBreaking up a 7-hour drive from northern to southern Germany with a stop that turned out to be her favorite of the tripWhere they stayed in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Munich, and Salzburg The tours that were worth every euro and how they made the best of a booking mistakeWhether a visit to Hallstatt lives up to the hypePacking and other tipsIf you love what we share in our podcast, just wait until you see what we can do for your trip! Complete custom itinerary + travel plan One-on-one travel planning consult with Cate Itinerary review by Cate DIY Germany travel plannerGermany train travel made easy Our recommended tours, guides, and more 15 things we take on every Germany tripOur hotel recommendationsLoving the podcast? Help us bring you more episodes! 1. Please leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps make our podcast visible to more travelers. 2. Buy us a coffee or 2. That helps support production costs.   Thank you for listening!

Can you really visit Hamburg, Cologne, Paris, and London by train in 8 days as a family with teens? Yes - and my guest today is here to talk all about it!  If you're weighing up a multi-country itinerary, are considering traveling by train or are seeking tips for planning a fast-paced trip, you'll love this trip report episode with Nathan.  We talk about:  Why Nathan and his wife chose Hamburg as their Germany destination Booking the trains when the route they planned wasn't running that weekWhether 1st class was worth it How to include a stopover in Cologne when you're traveling with luggageHow the navigated a tight connection in Mannheim  Highlights from Hamburg, Paris and London What Nathan would tell any family thinking about fitting 4 cities into one weekIf you love what we share in our podcast, just wait until you see what we can do for your trip! Complete custom itinerary + travel plan One-on-one travel planning consult with Cate Itinerary review by Cate DIY Germany travel plannerGermany train travel made easy Our recommended tours, guides, and more 15 things we take on every Germany tripOur hotel recommendationsLoving the podcast? Help us bring you more episodes! 1. Please leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps make our podcast visible to more travelers. 2. Buy us a coffee or 2. That helps support production costs.   Thank you for listening!

If you're wondering what else to do and see in Germany beyond the destinations you always year about, this episode is for you. Today I'm sharing a conversation I had with Lynne Nieman over on her Wander Your Way podcast. She invited me on her show to share my favorite destinations in Germany and also go deeper into the parts of Germany most first-time visitors don't know about. In this episode we talk about:  My top three German cities  Seeing Berlin's layered history without spending your whole trip getting from place to placeUsing Freiburg as your base for the Black ForestThe northern islands most first-time visitors don't know Germany hasTrains vs. a rental car and how to choose transport for your trip Getting around comfortably when you don't speak GermanChristmas markets - and a mistake too many travelers unknowingly make My personal history and relationship with Germany If you love what we share in our podcast, just wait until you see what we can do for your trip! Complete custom itinerary + travel plan One-on-one travel planning consult with Cate Itinerary review by Cate DIY Germany travel plannerGermany train travel made easy Our recommended tours, guides, and more 15 things we take on every Germany tripOur hotel recommendationsLoving the podcast? Help us bring you more episodes! 1. Please leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps make our podcast visible to more travelers. 2. Buy us a coffee or 2. That helps support production costs.   Thank you for listening!

If you want the food on your Germany trip to be as memorable as the sights, this episode is for you. I'm thrilled to have Kori Knappe, one of our awesome Complete Custom Itinerary clients, back on the show to talk about her favorite food experiences from her 1 week Christmas market road trip through Bavaria.  Listen in to hear about Kori's favorites so you can add them to your own itinerary:  The Nuremberg sausage restaurant that's been grilling since the 1300sChristmas market food and drink beyond GlühweinThe King Ludwig inspired 4-course dinner near Neuschwanstein Castle What a Michelin star tasting menu in Munich is really likeWhy the smallest and simplest place Kori ate at might have been the bestThen listen to Kori's trip report episode here!  For show notes, photos, links, and helpful trip planning resources, visit > https://www.mygermanyvacation.com/the-meals-that-made-koris-bavaria-christmas-market-road-trip-unforgettable/ If you love what we share in our podcast, just wait until you see what we can do for your trip! Complete custom itinerary + travel plan One-on-one travel planning consult with Cate Itinerary review by Cate DIY Germany travel plannerGermany train travel made easy Our recommended tours, guides, and more 15 things we take on every Germany tripOur hotel recommendationsLoving the podcast? Help us bring you more episodes! 1. Please leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps make our podcast visible to more travelers. 2. Buy us a coffee or 2. That helps support production costs.   Thank you for listening!

If you're thinking about a road trip through Germany and neighboring countries, this episode is for you. In this trip report episode, I talk with Angela, about her 3 week roadtrip through Slovenia, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.  Listen in to hear what renting a car and driving across four countries was like, the day in Bavaria her twin teenage boys still talk about, Angela's tips for planning and enjoying an epic vacation with teens, and more.  For show notes, photos, links, and helpful trip planning resources, visit > https://www.mygermanyvacation.com/3-weeks-4-countries-2-teens-planning-enjoying-an-epic-family-road-trip/  If you love what we share in our podcast, just wait until you see what we can do for your trip! Complete custom itinerary + travel plan One-on-one travel planning consult with Cate Itinerary review by Cate DIY Germany travel plannerGermany train travel made easy Our recommended tours, guides, and more 15 things we take on every Germany tripOur hotel recommendationsLoving the podcast? Help us bring you more episodes! 1. Please leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps make our podcast visible to more travelers. 2. Buy us a coffee or 2. That helps support production costs.   Thank you for listening!

If you're feeling nervous about something going sideways on your Germany trip, this episode is for you. Travel mishaps happen to the best of us.  That's why today I'm sharing 5 mishaps of my own from traveling around Germany and other parts of Europe, as well as what I learned from each one and what they taught me about handling the unexpected.  None of these mishaps were much fun in the moment, but they're all stories Aaron and I still laugh about today! I hope my mishaps give you a good chuckle....but more than that, I hope you come away feeling more confident about handling whatever your trip brings.  Be sure to listen to the end for my tips for feeling less nervous and more confident about traveling to Germany! For show notes, photos, links, and helpful trip planning resources, visit > https://www.mygermanyvacation.com/5-travel-mishaps-ive-had-in-germany-and-europe-and-what-each-one-taught-me/ If you love what we share in our podcast, just wait until you see what we can do for your trip! Complete custom itinerary + travel plan One-on-one travel planning consult with Cate Itinerary review by Cate DIY Germany travel plannerGermany train travel made easy Our recommended tours, guides, and more 15 things we take on every Germany tripOur hotel recommendationsLoving the podcast? Help us bring you more episodes! 1. Please leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps make our podcast visible to more travelers. 2. Buy us a coffee or 2. That helps support production costs.   Thank you for listening!

Does getting your phone set up to use in Germany sound intimidating? In this episode I talk with Michelle Chang from the DIY Trip Summit and Intentional Travelers about what you need to know about using your phone in Europe so you can spend less time stressing about connectivity and more time actually enjoying your trip. If you love what we share in our podcast, just wait until you see what we can do for your trip! Complete custom itinerary + travel plan One-on-one travel planning consult with Cate Itinerary review by Cate DIY Germany travel plannerGermany train travel made easy Our recommended tours, guides, and more 15 things we take on every Germany tripOur hotel recommendationsLoving the podcast? Help us bring you more episodes! 1. Please leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps make our podcast visible to more travelers. 2. Buy us a coffee or 2. That helps support production costs.   Thank you for listening!

Travel costs in Germany and all over Europe have gone up - and that means the decisions about where to spend and where to cut back matter more than ever. In this episode, I and other destination experts from the UK, Portugal, Ireland, and Spain share the most commonly enjoyed splurges, where smart travelers save so they can spend on what matters most, and insider money saving hacks. 🗺️ Meet the destination experts: Cate - Germany Destination Expert https://www.MyGermanyVacation.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mygermanyvacation    Tracy - UK Destination Expert https://www.UKTravelPlanning.com UK Travel Planning Podcast: https://uktravelplanning.com/uk-trave... Julie - Portugal Destination Expert https://www.juliedawnfox.com Free Portugal Trip Planning Starter Pack: https://juliedawnfox.com/toolkit/ Jody - Ireland Destination Expert https://www.IrelandFamilyVacations.com Free TRIP Framework guide: https://ifv.kit.com/2c6b9a215f Karen - Spain Destination Expert https://www.spainlesstraveled.com Free discovery call: https://www.spainlesstraveled.com/discovery-call    Michelle - DIY Trip Summit & Intentional Travelers https://www.IntentionalTravelers.com Free phone checklist: https://intentional-travelers.kit.com/b162437a23  If you love what we share in our podcast, just wait until you see what we can do for your trip! Complete custom itinerary + travel plan One-on-one travel planning consult with Cate Itinerary review by Cate DIY Germany travel plannerGermany train travel made easy Our recommended tours, guides, and more 15 things we take on every Germany tripOur hotel recommendationsLoving the podcast? Help us bring you more episodes! 1. Please leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps make our podcast visible to more travelers. 2. Buy us a coffee or 2. That helps support production costs.   Thank you for listening!

When you're planning a trip to Germany or elsewhere in Europe, narrowing down where to go can get overwhelming.  Which city should you start in?  Should you skip the overcrowded spots?  How do you know if a place is "worth the hype"? In this episode, I and other destination experts from the UK, Portugal, Ireland, and Spain walk through how we help travelers make these decisions. 🗺️ Meet the destination experts: Cate - Germany Destination Expert https://www.MyGermanyVacation.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mygermanyvacation    Tracy - UK Destination Expert https://www.UKTravelPlanning.com UK Travel Planning Podcast: https://uktravelplanning.com/uk-trave... Julie - Portugal Destination Expert https://www.juliedawnfox.com Free Portugal Trip Planning Starter Pack: https://juliedawnfox.com/toolkit/ Jody - Ireland Destination Expert https://www.IrelandFamilyVacations.com Free TRIP Framework guide: https://ifv.kit.com/2c6b9a215f Karen - Spain Destination Expert https://www.spainlesstraveled.com Free discovery call: https://www.spainlesstraveled.com/discovery-call    Michelle - DIY Trip Summit & Intentional Travelers https://www.IntentionalTravelers.com Free phone checklist: https://intentional-travelers.kit.com/b162437a23  If you love what we share in our podcast, just wait until you see what we can do for your trip! Complete custom itinerary + travel plan One-on-one travel planning consult with Cate Itinerary review by Cate DIY Germany travel plannerGermany train travel made easy Our recommended tours, guides, and more 15 things we take on every Germany tripOur hotel recommendationsLoving the podcast? Help us bring you more episodes! 1. Please leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps make our podcast visible to more travelers. 2. Buy us a coffee or 2. That helps support production costs.   Thank you for listening!

Getting around Germany and elsewhere in Europe on your vacation is one of the most important decisions you'll need to make. Drive, train, bus, plane, or hire a driver - each option comes with trade-offs. In this episode, I and other destination experts from the UK, Portugal, Ireland, and Spain share how to think through transportation decisions, including when driving makes sense and what to do when it doesn't. 🗺️ Meet the destination experts: Cate - Germany Destination Expert https://www.MyGermanyVacation.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mygermanyvacation    Tracy - UK Destination Expert https://www.UKTravelPlanning.com UK Travel Planning Podcast: https://uktravelplanning.com/uk-trave... Julie - Portugal Destination Expert https://www.juliedawnfox.com Free Portugal Trip Planning Starter Pack: https://juliedawnfox.com/toolkit/ Jody - Ireland Destination Expert https://www.IrelandFamilyVacations.com Free TRIP Framework guide: https://ifv.kit.com/2c6b9a215f Karen - Spain Destination Expert https://www.spainlesstraveled.com Free discovery call: https://www.spainlesstraveled.com/discovery-call    Michelle - DIY Trip Summit & Intentional Travelers https://www.IntentionalTravelers.com Free phone checklist: https://intentional-travelers.kit.com/b162437a23  If you love what we share in our podcast, just wait until you see what we can do for your trip! Complete custom itinerary + travel plan One-on-one travel planning consult with Cate Itinerary review by Cate DIY Germany travel plannerGermany train travel made easy Our recommended tours, guides, and more 15 things we take on every Germany tripOur hotel recommendationsLoving the podcast? Help us bring you more episodes! 1. Please leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps make our podcast visible to more travelers. 2. Buy us a coffee or 2. That helps support production costs.   Thank you for listening!

What does it actually take to plan a trip to Germany for 3 generations — grandparents, parents, and teenagers — and have everyone love it? That's exactly what our client Tracey Lavelle did, and she's here to tell us how everything went. In this episode, Tracey takes us through all 8 days on the ground and shares the highlights, logistics tips, and her family's most magical moments. If you're planning a multi-generational trip to Germany, you'll love this one!  For show notes, photos, links, and helpful trip planning resources, visit > https://www.mygermanyvacation.com/how-to-pull-off-a-multi-generational-germany-trip/ If you love what we share in our podcast, just wait until you see what we can do for your trip! Complete custom itinerary + travel plan One-on-one travel planning consult with Cate Itinerary review by Cate DIY Germany travel plannerGermany train travel made easy Our recommended tours, guides, and more 15 things we take on every Germany tripOur hotel recommendationsLoving the podcast? Help us bring you more episodes! 1. Please leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps make our podcast visible to more travelers. 2. Buy us a coffee or 2. That helps support production costs.   Thank you for listening!

You can find travel advice all over the internet. The problem? Much of it is oversimplified and not actually right for your unique trip.  That's why in this episode, I talk through my answers to recent travel planning questions from our Facebook community that are more complex than they might appear at first.  If you love what we share in our podcast, just wait until you see what we can do for your trip! Complete custom itinerary + travel plan One-on-one travel planning consult with Cate Itinerary review by Cate DIY Germany travel plannerGermany train travel made easy Our recommended tours, guides, and more 15 things we take on every Germany tripOur hotel recommendationsLoving the podcast? Help us bring you more episodes! 1. Please leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps make our podcast visible to more travelers. 2. Buy us a coffee or 2. That helps support production costs.   Thank you for listening!

If you're flying to or from Germany and you've ever thought about stopping elsewhere in Europe, Portugal might be exactly the detour you've been looking for. It's stunning, the food is outrageously good, and it couldn't feel more different from Germany!  I recently sat down with Julie Dawn Fox, a Portugal destination expert with nearly two decades experience living there. In this episode, Julie shares her best advice for best stopover destinations, where to stay, what to eat, what to see -- and what to skip.  For show notes, photos, links, and helpful trip planning resources, visit > https://www.mygermanyvacation.com/how-to-plan-a-lisbon-stopover-julies-tips-picks-stopover-series/ If you love what we share in our podcast, just wait until you see what we can do for your trip! Complete custom itinerary + travel plan One-on-one travel planning consult with Cate Itinerary review by Cate DIY Germany travel plannerGermany train travel made easy Our recommended tours, guides, and more 15 things we take on every Germany tripOur hotel recommendationsLoving the podcast? Help us bring you more episodes! 1. Please leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps make our podcast visible to more travelers. 2. Buy us a coffee or 2. That helps support production costs.   Thank you for listening!

Are you thinking about taking FlixBus on your trip to Germany? We've taken FlixBus several times in Germany, Hungary, Serbia, Slovenia (and a tiny bit of Italy), so in this episode  I share our experiences to help you decide if it's a good option for your trip.  If you'd like to explore taking the train in Germany, listen to Ep 23 here next! For show notes, photos, links, and helpful trip planning resources, visit > https://www.mygermanyvacation.com/our-flixbus-experiences-and-review/ If you love what we share in our podcast, just wait until you see what we can do for your trip! Complete custom itinerary + travel plan One-on-one travel planning consult with Cate Itinerary review by Cate DIY Germany travel plannerGermany train travel made easy Our recommended tours, guides, and more 15 things we take on every Germany tripOur hotel recommendationsLoving the podcast? Help us bring you more episodes! 1. Please leave a 5-star rating and review. It helps make our podcast visible to more travelers. 2. Buy us a coffee or 2. That helps support production costs.   Thank you for listening!