Spring break has always been a favorite time of year for millions of students around the country including Megan Brunell. Because it’s her senior year, she decided to go all out with a trip to Germany.

“Germany has always been somewhere I’ve wanted to go, but just never had the chance to. I got the full German experience from Bratwurst to castles to an incredible view of the Alps,” Brunell said.

Her trip began with a 3-night stay in a small city called Wiesbaden nestled in west Germany, close to the French border. Wasting no chances, Brunell actually took two separate day trips to France because of the short distance.

“Since I study French in school, I am also really fascinated by the language and culture. Colmar was one of my favorite places of the whole trip,” Brunell said.

From Wiesbaden, she went by train to Freiburg to stay with her roommate’s cousin. Her roommate’s father was born in Germany, so much of the family still resides in the country. While in Freiburg, Brunell toured the city, spent a day wine tasting, shopped, and hiked up the German countryside of Munstertal where she got to visit a typical German farmhouse.

“Those were some of the most beautiful country views I have ever seen,” Brunell said.

Brunell also got the chance to visit Freiburg’s university and see how other students studied. She walked through some of the buildings and even ate lunch at the cafeteria, or as the Germans say, the “Mensa.”

“It was a lot different than Tennessee. The buildings were mixed in with the rest of the city buildings, there wasn’t really a campus. Also, there were no sports or any recreational areas for students either,” Brunell said.

After Freiburg, Brunell and her roommate traveled to their final destination of Schwaebisch Hall, a sleepy Germantown where her roommate’s father was born. From here, they traveled to Munich, and one of most famous European castles, Neuschwanstein.

They rented a small vacation home at the foot of the Alps in the German state of Bayern, known to Americans as Bavaria. Here Brunell got to hear traditional German music and eat traditional foods such as pretzels, Schnitzel and Knoedels. This was one of the trip highlights according to the girls.

Along with the thrice daily bakery stops.

Brunell says she was sad to leave Europe’s enchantment behind and return back to Knoxville.

“I am so glad I chose Germany for my spring break. Most people would chose a cruise or beach trip, but I got to experience so much more than that,” Brunell said.