After our visit to Austria, we traveled back to Germany, arriving in the timeless city of Bamberg. Perched on seven hills—echoing the landscape of Rome—Bamberg felt as if it had emerged directly from a medieval painting. Our accommodation was situated on a hill, allowing us easy access to the old town. We strolled along cobblestone streets that wound past charming half-timbered houses and crossed beautifully arched bridges over the Regnitz River.
The Bamberg Cathedral, towering high above the city, is truly breathtaking. Built in the 11th century, its four towers dominate the skyline, showcasing a remarkable blend of Romanesque and early Gothic architecture. Within its walls lies the tomb of Emperor Henry II and Empress Cunigunde, intricately carved by Tilman Riemenschneider, with each figure depicted in a manner that conveys both reverence and artistry. Just outside the cathedral is the famous statue of the Bamberg Horseman, a mysterious rider whose identity has been debated for centuries, yet who seems to watch over the city eternally.
That evening, we dined in a restaurant that had been serving travelers since the 1400s. The wooden beams were dark with age, and the tables had been worn smooth by generations of laughter and conversation. The air was filled with the scent of roasted meat and herbs. We were served a meal that tasted like home—rich, hearty, and comforting—while outside, the autumn chill settled over the town. The contrast between the warm food and the cool night air felt like a small miracle, creating a perfect moment of contentment that only travel can provide.
We drove south from Bamberg, returning the car at Ramstein Air Base before boarding the medical transport bus provided by the Air Force (similar to this picture of the Italian bus). This bus would take us over the Austrian Alps into northern Italy. Although we had heard about this Space-A transportation option, we had never tried it before. It turned out to be a luxurious ride.
The journey itself was mesmerizing. We saw steep peaks dusted with the first snow, and wide valleys spread out beneath us. The air was so clear that it seemed to hum. Each turn of the road revealed new beauty: small villages nestled in green folds, church spires rising through the mist, and the steady rhythm of the wheels carrying us from one world into another.
Our next stop was Vicenza, located in the Veneto region, a place of quiet grace and golden light. The city is known for its piazzas—open squares where life unfolds like a symphony of voices, footsteps, and clinking glasses. It host the most beautiful concerts in the large square and we were fortunate to enjoy this one evening. We spent our days wandering leisurely through the arcades and colonnades designed by Andrea Palladio, admiring the harmony between architecture and everyday life.
We would sit in a piazza with a nice drink, watching families stroll hand in hand, children chasing pigeons, and the bells ringing softly from a nearby church. In those moments, the pace of Italy enveloped us—slow, deliberate, and full of joy in simple things.
And yet, amidst all that beauty, I find myself thinking of you. I miss you the most when I see families together — when laughter fills the air, when someone reaches across the table to share a story, and when love is evident in the small, ordinary gestures of everyday life.
Travel nourishes the soul, but it also creates a void where the heart quietly longs for those who are not beside us.
You are loved.
Tom and Nancy’s Journeys 