Hey, friends!🤗
I want to share a story that might inspire you to embark on your own adventure. In 2024, my fiancé Klim and I decided it was time to turn our lives into a real-life quest. After two years without a proper vacation (at most, just a week here and there), we finally decided to take a whole month off. And what did we plan? A road trip across seven EU countries! 🚗✨
But before hitting the road, we had one important task to tackle: upgrading our car. Our faithful 20-year-old Opel had served us well, but long-distance travel had become a nerve-wracking experience. Breaking down in the middle of nowhere? No, thank you! So, we traded it in for a Suzuki Vitara, and let me tell you, with this car, we felt not just free but also much more confident. 💪 🔥😎
We live and work in Germany, in a small town called Goch, right on the border with the Netherlands. Both of us are tattoo artists. After two years of endless work, we realized it was time to hit the pause button, rediscover the world, and, most importantly, enjoy life. That’s how our grand plan was born: a journey through Germany ➡️ Austria ➡️ Slovenia ➡️ Croatia ➡️ Hungary ➡️ Slovakia ➡️ and the Czech Republic. 🌍✨
First Stop: Bamberg, Bavaria 🍺
Our journey began in the historic city of Bamberg. If you're a beer lover, this place is a must-visit. They brew a famous smoked beer here — the flavor is so unique that words can’t do it justice. It’s like drinking liquid bacon (in the best way possible). 😋 We highly recommend trying it if you ever visit Bavaria.
For us, though, Bamberg was more of a transit point. We didn’t stay long, as our next stop was waiting — the mountains on the border with Austria. 🏔️
A Tiny Hotel in the Mountains 🏞️
Honestly, I can’t even remember the name of this place. It was a small family-run hotel nestled deep in the mountains. We found it by chance while mapping our route. But, as they say, the best moments are often unplanned.
Imagine this: the view from our room looked out onto endless mountain peaks covered in lush greenery, and the air was so fresh you could breathe it in forever. 🌿🌄
The next morning, we woke up to the aroma of local cuisine. The hotel restaurant served something truly unforgettable — traditional dishes from the region that made us want to stay longer. This little corner of the world felt like a postcard brought to life: peaceful, picturesque, and simply magical. 💫
The Dreamy South of Germany: Mountains, Forests, and a Fairytale Lake🏔️🌲✨
As we ventured deeper into southern Germany, we were blown away by the surreal beauty of the landscape. This region felt like stepping into a postcard — towering mountains, dense green forests, and charming villages scattered across the valleys. The views here were absolutely unreal. 🌄 Every few kilometers, we couldn’t resist pulling over to soak in the scenery and make a cup of tea on our little camping stove. It was pure romance. 🫖❤️
But our excitement grew as we approached our long-anticipated destination: Königssee. This lake is one of Germany's most iconic natural treasures, and for a good reason. It’s nestled in the heart of the Berchtesgaden Alps, surrounded by majestic peaks that seem to touch the sky.
Facts About Königssee That Will Amaze You 🌊🏞️
📌Crystal Clear Waters
Königssee is one of the cleanest lakes in Germany and Europe. Its waters are so clear that you can see several meters down, even from a boat. The lake’s stunning emerald color comes from its purity and the surrounding alpine vegetation. 🌿
📌Germany’s Fjord
Often called "Germany’s fjord," Königssee’s long, narrow shape and steep cliffs give it a striking resemblance to the famous fjords of Norway. The lake was carved by glaciers during the Ice Age, leaving behind this breathtaking natural wonder. 🏔️
📌St. Bartholomä Chapel
On one of the lake’s shores, you’ll find the picturesque St. Bartholomä Chapel, with its red onion domes. This 12th-century chapel is only accessible by boat or a challenging hike, making it feel like a hidden gem.
📌 Echo Wall
One of Königssee’s unique features is the Echo Wall. When boats pass by certain parts of the lake, the crew often demonstrates the incredible echo by playing a trumpet or shouting. The sound bounces off the surrounding cliffs, creating a magical auditory experience. 🎺✨
📌 Berchtesgaden National Park
The lake is part of Berchtesgaden National Park, one of Germany’s oldest protected areas. The park is a haven for wildlife, including golden eagles, red deer, and alpine marmots. 🦅🦌
The Königssee Adventure: A View Worth a Thousand Words🌊🏔️
When we finally arrived at Königssee, we knew one thing for sure: there was no way we could explore everything this lake had to offer in just a few days. As much as we wanted to dive deep into every corner of this alpine paradise, we also needed to save time for our next adventures in the EU. So, we had to make a plan.
Step 1: Strolling Through the Market and Lakeside 🌿🛍️
Before diving into activities, we wandered through the lively market near the lake. The place was buzzing with stalls selling everything from handmade crafts to local snacks. It felt like stepping into a storybook — the cheerful atmosphere, the laughter of tourists, and the scent of freshly baked pretzels in the air.
After the market, we took a peaceful walk along the lake’s edge. The water’s color was mesmerizing, a perfect blend of emerald green and sapphire blue. We couldn’t get enough of it. Standing there, soaking in the stillness and beauty, we felt like time had paused just for us.
Step 2: Up, Up, and Away — Taking the Funicular 🚠✨
Next, we decided to see Königssee in all its glory from above. The funicular ride seemed like the perfect way to do that. At €20 per person, it wasn’t exactly cheap, but let me tell you — it was worth every cent.
The ride itself was surprisingly long, which only meant more time to admire the jaw-dropping views as we ascended. My fiancé Klim and I were glued to the windows, capturing every moment on camera. 🌄 We’re even planning to upload a montage of our trip to YouTube soon — stay tuned for that! 🎥
What made this moment even more special was Klim’s reaction. You see, Klim is afraid of heights. Yet, as we climbed higher and higher, he was so captivated by the beauty of the landscape that he forgot his fear entirely. He kept moving around the cabin, looking out at every angle, pointing out details I might’ve missed. It was both adorable and brave.
Oh, and I have to mention his outfit — Klim was wearing this puffy jacket that made him look like a giant marshmallow. 😂 Watching him light up with excitement, moving around like a curious kid, is a memory I’ll always cherish.
Once we reached the top, the view was absolutely breathtaking. From that height, Königssee looked like a piece of art — the sparkling water surrounded by towering mountains. We took a hike along the cliffs, letting the crisp alpine air fill our lungs. Every step felt like we were walking through a dream.
The Ever-Changing Beauty of Königssee 🌥️🏞️
Reaching the summit was like stepping into another world. The weather up there had a mind of its own — one moment the sun was shining, and we were taking off our jackets, the next, a cool breeze swept in, and we were bundling up again. But honestly? That only added to the magic of this place. The constant shift between warm sunshine and brisk mountain air made the experience even more unforgettable.
Even though our visit to Königssee was short, we’ve already decided we must come back. Next time, we want to stay longer, bring a tent, and fully immerse ourselves in the wild beauty of this region. Camping here under the stars, surrounded by mountains and the lake’s tranquil waters, feels like the ultimate dream. 🌌⛺
Capturing the Magic 🎥📸
We took so many photos on our camera during this trip, and I’ll be sharing some of them in the comments for you to enjoy! The views were too stunning not to capture, and I hope they’ll inspire you to visit Königssee one day.
Also, a little heads-up: tomorrow, I’m planning to post a video on my work pages in Instagram and TikTok, where we’ll share the highlights of this trip, including some fun moments from the funicular ride. If you’re curious, feel free to check it out — I’d love to hear what you think!
Link:
https://www.instagram.com/ksena.morf_tattoo?igsh=YzBtbXE4NWkxOHh6
Got Questions? Let’s Chat! 😊
If you’re planning to visit Königssee or just want to know more about this magical place, feel free to ask me anything. I’ll be happy to share more details or help you plan your own adventure. Let’s keep the conversation going!
Stay tuned for more updates from our road trip across Europe. 🚗✨
Truly this is an amazing piece. The view and angle of the shots reveal are pro in photography.
Oh, thank you very much. Are some of our best photos collected here? Because here I posted photos, mostly those that I took on my mobile phone. There are a lot of interesting things left on the camera. But now our camera is still at work and I haven't sent a photo yet, just one photo with me, I love it. 🥰🙏😇
Wow this is beautiful to honest and you look cool.
Thanks 🫠
Let me know when you come to Vienna! We can go for a Beer 😇
When we were in Austria, our stop was Salzburg, my fiance's sister lives in this city. They hadn't seen each other for a year.🥹🤭
And one of our goals was to see important people whenever possible. That made this trip even more enjoyable. 🥸☺️
But our plans for the next vacation are to choose a certain country and stay in it for a while to get acquainted with the culture and interesting places. Maybe we'll meet for a beer. 🍺😉🍻
I lived in Salzburg for 7 Years. Love the city but very very turistic. It sometimes has Venice levels of annoyed inhabitants :)
Yes, we noticed that. There are a lot of people, we usually choose quieter places. 😅
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