europe un(lish)ed: bavarian beauty

On Friday, August 29, 2014, Ryan and I celebrated our -1 year wedding anniversary. Yes, that's right, we celebrated such a thing. And what better way to celebrate the one year mark until our wedding than to take a romantic trip to visit.... wait for it... Ryan's family. Ooh la la.

Follow me for a second: Ryan's uncle Chuck is married to Gigi whose sister Christine lives in Berchtesgaden with her husband David. Berchtesgaden. I will decently pronounce it for you upon request the next time you see me, or Ryan will pronounce it for you like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Christine and David have lived there for 25 years and run an English speaking tour company. They are wonderful people and even better hosts! Even though I met them for the first time upon arrival on their front doorstep, it really was like visiting family for the weekend. Before I explain the details of our wonderful (yet, once again, sopping wet) weekend, let me give you a little background about Berchtesgaden, Germany. Berchtesgaden is located in the Bavarian Alps, very close to the border of Austria and the city of Salzburg. It is well known for being the second seat of power for the 3rd Reich and home of the Eagle's Nest. If you want to know more, click the hyperlink above to their tour company's website, or better yet - go visit. It's only a couple hours from Munich!

Christine and David treated us to some wonderful local cuisine, such as fresh cheeses from Alms in the Alps, homemade Mirabelle plum tart, and real, genuine aceto balsalmico. David also treated us to sabrage, or sabering of a champagne bottle, both nights that we dined at their house. I know I promised not to share pictures of food, but I'm already breaking that promise. Sorry!

Champagne and dessert!

Traditional balsamic vinegar comes from Modena, Italy, is a reduction of pressed grapes, and is subsequently aged for at least 12 years in barrels.

On Saturday, despite the fog and rain, we took the first boat of the morning out on Konigssee. We enjoyed the scenery, some breakfast beers, and some delicious fresh caught fish.

Only one family has rights to fish on Konigssee. They catch fish every morning, smoke them in their small lakeside restaurant, and serve them up with bread and butter.

Delicious little fishy.

After our bellies were full of fish and beer, we hit the Eagle's Nest Tour with Christine as our guide. It was extremely fascinating to get such an in depth picture of Hitler, the Nazi party, and it's presence in Bavaria.

In the Nazi documentation center. The propaganda, signs, and stories were all in German, but the pictures say it all.

Our wonderful tour guide! About to head in to the Nazi underground bunkers. They built apartments for everyone in case they needed to go into hiding - they were never fully completed or used.

Down in the bunkers. What's left of one of the apartments.

This was a slot in the wall for a rifle, aimed at the entrance staircase.

The Allies arrived in Obersalzberg on May 4, 1945.

Bunker tunnel.

In the elevator up to the Eagle's Nest.

The only view we could get from the top.

Sabrage round #2 back at the house.

View of the Eagle's Nest from the house.

Our final day in Berchtesgaden was spent on a beautiful hike in the mountains. It consisted of a series of bridges that crossed over the river and waterfalls. It ended with a steep climb to a church, and of course a hut for beers!