Tell us about your most recent Untour:
In August 2011, my daughter and I returned to the German Castle for a week. It felt as if we were coming home. The Baron and Moritz greeted us upon arrival, treating us like old friends stopping for a visit. We stayed in the Carola Apartment, as we had in 2008. It is a perfect location for us. I love to drive so we generally cover a lot of territory. Sommersdorf is a great central location. During our week we visited Munich, Ansbach, Nuremberg, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Eichstatt, Basel (Switzerland), and Eguisheim (France). Believe it or not, we also spent plenty of time in and around Schloss Sommersdorf (pictured below with resident stork –that small black speck — perching at the apex of the roof) enjoying the peace & quiet of the immediate surroundings and small villages. The semi-resident storks were a new addition to the Schloss and provided many photo opportunities for me. We’d stay forever if time and money were unlimited. The German Castle makes both my inner princess and country girl very happy indeed.
Favorite UnTours Memory:
In 2008, my daughter and I took 3 UnTours back to back during the month of June. We spent one week each in Paris and Venice, finishing with two weeks at the German Castle. I started planning years in advance and the excellent UnTours staff helped me from beginning to end, enabling me to achieve this dream trip. My favorite memory of that first German Untour was the joy of spending two weeks in a place where we instantly felt at home and one that helped to explain so many of our family traditions. As 11th and 12th generation descendents of German immigrants, it was amazing to find how many of the German traditions and sensibilities survived over 250 years of American life. The hospitality of our hosts and fellow Untourists gave me the courage to explore our heritage, answer our questions, and immerse us in the Germany I had hoped to find, and did. Living in a rose covered castle, surrounded by a moat and farm fields, driving on the Autobahn, exploring Germany on my own schedule, all life long dreams come true.
How is taking an Untour different from other ways of traveling:
I love to travel. I’ve taken tours (UGH!) and I’ve traveled on my own. UnTours is a great combination of both that allows me to be completely responsible for my daily choices while providing regional resources and support. I can relax as much as I want or I can push as hard as I want. Free to be me, with a safety net. Das gute Leben!
Describe UnTours in just 3 words:
Freedom – Immersion – Supportive