Tips for a Lovely One-Day Trip to Ulm

After one intensive trip to LEGOLAND Günzburg, one day left before returning to Berlin, we decided to head to Ulm, a destination that I always had on my mind. Few years ago, this place come to the travel routes of visitors in the South of Germany, and their lush Instagram accounts, but as we visited, shortly after Corona times, it was relatively tourists-free, although it was the peak of the summer season. 

As in many other German cities, expect some permanent ongoing construction works happening all round the year, clock and season, and Ulm was no exception to that. However, few minutes after we were able to find a quiet oasis of nature, in the middle of a modern, business-like architecture. 

Some random sculpture makes even the most mundane shopping experience different. Of course, just another excuse for shopping...

But as we slowly advance towards the old city, we may realize that all the roads will take it inevitably to the famous Ulm Cathedral. 

But Ulm besides the Cathedral, whose building started in the late Middle Ages, the city has a much older history. Remnants of the times when it used to be a Free Imperial City of the Holy Roman Empire are carefully preserved and integrated into the very contemporary architecture.

Nothing compares though with the majestic entry of the Cathedral, the Ulm Münster, whose intricacies may request a very long explanation and examination time. It is an impressive view, no matter your religious belief, if any, particularly in terms of work of art and techniques.

Back to normality, the streets are inviting us to many new discoveries. As usual in this part of Germany, the shops do have their specialty advertising with their typical symbols near the door, testimonies of the times past when the many travellers and locals too, needed some meeting points without necessarily being able to read various directions.

From pastry to chocolate shops, there is so much to choose. And no one seems to hurry up to grab something as there is no tomorrow.

You can just take a seat, sip something slowly in the front of a typical building. Consider it a lesson in local lifestyle. Taking some careful notes.

History nowadays can be taught in so many different ways, including via street art, and Ulm offers some elaborated examples in this respect.

The words on the walls of this educational institution do invite to creative adventures - draw, pain, sing...Sounds like a different take on schooling.

We don´t have too much time for pedagogical inquiries, however, we are enjoying the changing landscape and the many oasis of quietness and relaxation.

And although I really love to discover places off-the-beaten path, the picture-ready traditional places do have my heart and my camera´s attention too.

So much to see though, including for an architecture lover as me.

I wish I can see how those houses are looking from inside. This will be a plan for another trip.

As in many other places I´ve visited in this part of Germany, like Füssen, there are beautiful paintings on the wall turning the city in a cosy, expensive living room.

As Ulm is situated on the bank of Danube, there are more water-related activities and lanscapes as a consequence. In the old times, it may have been an impediment, due to floodings, but we, in the 21st century, we can only enjoy the many opportunities.

Compared to other places, the facade patterns are changing, and I bet here is also something to learn more about.

Given the multi-layered history of the city, there are places to see from so many historical times. Add time travel as another thing to do while in Ulm. 

As we are walking around the old city´s fortress, a very different bridge to a different timeline is displayed in the front of us: Neu/New Ulm and its cubic architecture.

When we turn our eyes to the left, the architectural timeline is a bit different.

In between, the Queen Danube, the one and only I am chasing from Romania, via Budapest and Wien and further on in Germany.

I am moving my camera in different angles, to get, as usual, the best of it. I can imagine that for people living here, talking a stroll every other days alongside the Danube is one of the most natural and pleasant things to do.

Curious by nature, I cross the bridge on the other side to check Neu Ulm area. It is the kind of architecture everywhere in Germany those days, anonymous by nature, but maybe comfortable. Also, this generation is more inclined towards transparency, as the big glass walls testify.

From the Danube point of view, obviously, everything flows.

Back in the old city, we are trying to solve riddles: for instance, is there any secret love story that once happened behind those walls?

Soon we are distracted though by some frescoes displaying interesting historical stories that may need a proper reading too.

Maybe it is about time just to enjoy, without looking always for scientific and historical explanation? Ulm invites me to, it seems.

This colourful colibri bird decorating the entry to the Kolibri store, close to Ulm Münster, may seem to take away our busy thoughts.

But there are more stories to be read on the walls. Maybe street art was after all, a German invention?

The Museum of Modern Art/Kunshalle looks like another interesting addition to the full catalogue of wonders in Um. So sad that I am not able this time to see it from inside.

The Ulm City Library is also bolding facing the historical questions since 20 years already.

We are back in the old city, still wandering around.

It´s a rather pleasant walk, keeping my camera busy.

People use to say a lot of bad things about German cuisine, but every time I hear this, I mention my beloved Schwarzwald Torte. And now, please excuse me while I am having my treat at Cafe Mohrenköpfle. Very recommended for the smooth texture and the delicious taste.

On the way back to the train station, after many intensive walking hours, we are still able to be surprised by unexpected details.

Our trip is done. Just another dream travel trip to Germany made true. And a promise to come back soon to explore more.

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Spending a Short Relaxing Time in Leipheim, Germany

After almost two years of pandemic struggle, my first long trip outside Berlin was in one of the regions that I always like to visit in Germany: the colourful and history-rich Bavaria/Bayern. The main aim was to enjoy a full adventure day in Legoland while catching up with my travel to-do-list on the side. 

My headquarters for this trip was Leipheim, where affordable stay near Legoland was secured thanks to a travel package I purchased via Limango Travel, that included accommodation and the entry price to Legoland. I didn´t know what to expect from this place, but as usual, I trusted my traveller intuition and started to explore the place.

The main impression you got out of the train is the castle. From the top of the hill, it overviews the whole area, surrounded by a defense wall. Nowadays, it is a great place to have a panoramic view over the region, but once upon a time, it served as a defense structure. The first stone of the castle was laid as far as the 11th century, but different styles were added across centuries, until the current Renaissance-style. 

We arrived there during the weekend and walking the streets of Lepheim on a Sunday, which is a very quiet day normally in Bavaria, looked as we had the place to ourselves. I don´t remember to have seen any human walking, and only few cars were slowly breaking the surrounding silence.

But even without too many sightseeings to check, it was enough. The castle slopes, for instance, were offering some unexpected surprises, with statues hidden under the lush ve getation. Not hidden enough for not caughing the eye of the hungry traveller.

Walking at least twice the day around this landscape was a soothing experience, after two years of pandemic. I was really longing for the neverending horizons.

There are a lot of agricultural activities happening around, from old times. However, frequent wars and conflicts affected the region´s wellbeing. During the Napoleonic wars, for instance, famine and hardship affected Lepheim. The first good harvest afterwards, in 1818, was celebrated as Kinderfest - children´s fest, maybe in reference to the children who were no more victims of famine - and since then, the second weekend of July is an occasion for local celebrations. 

As a tourist, I just enjoy the long walks and the spectacular sky. At the time, I was not too much into jogging, but I suppose someone doing it would have really appreciate the perspective as well. If you are looking for a treat, there is a bakery that can offer you some special local pastry - Bäckerei Müller.

But I am always appreciating the urban feeling, and Leipheim delighted my eyes with some colourful half-timbered houses, in the local style and colours.

Although we haven´t see any tourist around, there are some historical tours leading the visitors to different places around - and there is even an ostrich farm few kilometers away - but most off the roads lead to the castle.

Personally, I liked it more how it does look from the street, as it gives you the feeling of entering a fairy tale place, or at least a Middle Ages saga. But there are no stories of honor or love added to its, mostly stories of fight, bloodbath and conquest.

As a contemporary historian, I am looking for signs of the old times, and more than once I was pleased to notice in Leipheim old architectural remnants and company writing that were most probably from the end of the 19th century. 

And there is some modern, although too dark and neo-Gothic for my taste, art structure, decorating the main square. At least, there is some freshness coming from the running fountain.

Some other places, are simply lovely, that feeling that one may only experience during the short-lived German summers. The modest reds of the roses is beautifying even the most mundane white wall. This is how I want to remember most of the places from October onwards.

As I am a Danube lover, Leipheim offered me also a pristine view of the old European river. Danube played a big role in the industrial development of the place, as situated on the way between Ulm - to be visited soon - and Augsburg. The construction of the bridge over the Danube and the highway brought Leipheim out of isolation.

While coming back and forth from my travels, I always tried to took some minutes to visit the river, feeling grateful to be here and celebrate my travels. We may be small and mortal compared to the Danube, but at least we are here to tell our travel stories. Again and again.

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