This is the fifth and final blog in my series about the group tour my husband and I took with my students and their parents and friends to Europe this June. If you haven’t checked out Parts 1-4, I urge you to do so. The photos turned out to be amazing!

This week we are returning full circle, to Germany. First, the town of Freiburg. I say “town” but the population is around 200,000, so … not really a town in the purest sense, but the old town is medieval and gorgeous. The Gothic cathedral was a sight worth visiting. The intricate carvings and decorative artwork coupled with exquisite stained glass windows and a beautiful nave made this building an outstanding tribute to craftsmanship and a concentrated effort to induce reverence and awe in the worshipers who attended mass each week.

Freiburg’s streets have tiny streams running through them. These were once used to water animals. It is said if you put your foot in one of the streams, you will marry someone from there. We found a string of yellow rubber ducks tethered to a grate in one of the streams. There was a flea market surrounding the cathedral with food, crafts, flowers and so much more. We ate at an Italian restaurant and the pizza was delicious. Instead of hanging signs to indicate the type of business, symbols in mosaic patters are set into the cobblestones in front of the establishment. A very unique and interesting idea.

The final destination was Heidelberg, famous for its castle and gigantic (said to be the world’s largest) wine barrel. We visited the castle and enjoyed seeing the gate with its intact portcullis. The views from the top of the castle looking down on the city were fantastic, despite the drizzle. It was our only rainy day of the entire tour, so we really weren’t complaining. Once down in the old town we found many things to amuse ourselves, including some excellent gelato. We saw the university, the Rathaus and purchased some final souvenirs before meeting up with our group and traveling on to our hotel for the final night in Europe.

So, we have reached the end of the journey. Please share your dream trip. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?