Newlywed in the City: Europe Recap #4

From Prague, we had a long travel day to Stuttgart, Germany. After a taxi, plane, two trains, and metro ride we arrived at our hotel and went to bed right away since we would have an early start the next day. We met our friend Bernhard at the train station in Lauffen where he and his girlfriend Anne live. Anne prepared us a delicious German breakfast of homemade rolls, meat, cheese, eggs, and fruit. After we finished breakfast Anne & Bernhard took us for a walk through their town. There were beautiful vineyards all around. After the walk, we headed to Neckarsulm to tour the Audi production plant. I am not much of a car person but this tour was incredible. We got to see all the stages of the car production from the coil of aluminum being cut into parts, the parts being welded, and the assembly. We learned that when a person picks up their new Audi from the production plant, they are treated to breakfast, the plant tour, and a 5-course lunch before they get to meet their new car. P promised we would be returning. After the tour we met up with Bernhard's parents in Beilstein to tour the Schlossgut Hohen winery. Bernhard's dad has been studying wine making and practiced his knowledge on us. We were lucky to get to sample so many delicious wines and meet the owner, Hartmann Dippon. After the tour Bernhard, Anne, Patrick and I headed back to their apartment (with wine of course) to make dinner. Anne taught us how to make spaetzle (German dumplings) and we are eager to make it ourselves. Unfortunately we didn't have much time to spend with them the next day as our train for Paris left around noon but are grateful to Bernhard for meeting us in Stuttgart for breakfast. We feel so lucky to have such thoughtful friends like Bernhard and Anne and look forward to seeing them again soon, either in the United States or in Europe!