Beautiful Bavaria

Right around St. Patrick's Day, we traveled to Munich and the surrounding area on the first leg of the Austin Family vacation. Kyle and Arie have been friends since childhood and were in each other's weddings, so it was great to spend some time together. I don't know what was better, the company or the fact that Arie and Barb planned the itinerary from start to finish!

First stops were Neuschwanstein Castle and King Ludwig II's Castle. These castles inspired the Disney Castles we all know and love. In a word, they were breathtaking. 

L to R: Nathan (2.5), Sophia (10), Evy (5 Mo), Shelby & Nicolette (8)

L to R: Barb, Arie, Nicolette, Sophia, Nate & Kyle

It's good to be King, this is the view from his bedroom 

L to R: Sophia, Arie, Nate & Kyle

The crew outside King Ludwig II's castle 

The lake where King Ludwig II (and, if memory from the tour serves, his psychiatrist were found drown)

My boys

Waiting for the tour of Neuschwanstein. There were no photos allowed, but it was truly, truly something. 

In Munich, we visited the famed Haufbrau House, Marienplatz and the Rathhaus Clock (and Starbucks, of course). Munich is a great city and I cannot wait to go back. 

Haufbrau house entrance 

The adults in this shot spent St. Patrick's day (the night before this pic) at the Haufbrau House...
Time for some hair of the dog?

This is where the regulars keep their stein--under lock and key!

Navigators 

Fountain at Marienplatz 

Marienplatz and Rathaus Clock

Waiting for the noon chime at Rathaus Clock  

Raaawwwr!

Nathan fell deeply in love with Sophia 

:) sbc