Living in Germany

Living in Germany: Our Charming Stay in Heitersheim & Freiburg

After bidding farewell to the beautiful city of Basel, Switzerland, our family's journey took an exciting turn as we ventured into Germany. Our destination? The quaint town of Heitersheim, where we discovered that sometimes the most memorable experiences come in small packages – and sometimes those packages include chickens! 🐔

Getting There

The train journey from Basel to Heitersheim treated us to spectacular views of the German countryside. Rolling hills, picturesque villages, and vast farmlands painted a perfect picture of rural Germany. While German trains are typically known for their punctuality, we learned firsthand that even the most reliable systems can have their quirky moments!

Our Unique Home Exchange Experience

One of the most delightful aspects of our stay was our home exchange accommodation. If you're not familiar with home exchanges, they're an excellent way to experience a destination like a local – and in our case, it came with some unexpected responsibilities. We became temporary chicken caretakers! This added a wonderful authentic touch to our German village experience and gave us a true taste of local living.

Pro Tip: Interested in trying home exchange? Check out our experience and get started here.

Life in Heitersheim

Heitersheim proved to be the perfect spot for experiencing authentic German village life. The town's peaceful atmosphere and friendly locals made us feel immediately at home. Our days were filled with:

• Morning chicken feeding routines
• Exploring the local neighborhood
• Enjoying home-cooked meals
• Experiencing the slower pace of village life
• Interacting with friendly neighbors

Day Trip to Freiburg

No visit to this region would be complete without exploring Freiburg, a charming university city nearby. Our day trip to this historic town was filled with:

Highlights:

• Wandering through medieval streets
• Admiring the stunning Gothic architecture
• Savoring traditional German cuisine
• Experiencing local culture at the cinema
• Navigating an unexpected late-night adventure (more on that below!)

Local Food Experience

We treated ourselves to a classic German meal in Freiburg, immersing ourselves in the local culinary culture. The hearty dishes and warm atmosphere perfectly embodied the German dining experience.

Travel Tips for the Region:

1. Transportation: While German trains are generally reliable, always have a backup plan for late-night travel
2. Language: Basic German phrases can go a long way in smaller towns
3. Local Experience: Don't shy away from home exchanges - they offer unique opportunities to live like a local
4. Day Trips: Freiburg is easily accessible and worth visiting
5. Timing: Allow for flexible schedules, especially when planning evening activities

The Unexpected Adventure

Our Freiburg experience came with an unexpected twist when our 11:45 PM return train was replaced by a bus, turning our journey into a 2:30 AM arrival! While this might sound challenging, it became one of those memorable travel moments that make for great stories.

Family Split

During our stay, our family temporarily split up, with Julia and Angelique heading back to Switzerland for a camp in the Valais region, while Tyler and I continued exploring the German countryside. This kind of flexibility is part of what makes family travel interesting and allows everyone to pursue their interests.

Final Thoughts

Our time in Heitersheim and Freiburg showed us yet another beautiful facet of European living. From caring for chickens to navigating late-night transportation adventures, each experience added to our understanding of German culture and life.

Whether you're planning a family trip to Germany or just dreaming about future travels, we hope our experience inspires you to consider exploring these lesser-known gems of Baden-Württemberg.

Watch Our Living in Germany Video

Hope you enjoyed the video! Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more exciting travel adventures. Have you ever stayed in a small German town or experienced a home exchange? We'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!