2026 - May - Ulm

'The best thing about Neu-Ulm is the view across the Danube to Ulm.' This provocative statement is not mine, but a classic among the people of Ulm. For those of us who are outsiders, the two cities might seem like one entity, but the Danube clearly draws a line here. While the river flows right through the center of other metropolises, here it not only marks the end of the city, but also signifies a change of federal state. Crossing the bridge from Ulm, one walks directly from Baden-Württemberg into Bavaria towards Neu-Ulm. The older of the two sisters is, as you might guess, Ulm. Here stands the prominently visible landmark: the Ulm Minster. With its height of 161.53 meters, it was the tallest church tower in the world until recently. (You can read more about it in my other report: https://vakantio.de/reisetante/2026-mai-ulm-ulmer-muenster?published=1 We chose to stay overnight in a completely different record-holder: the Leaning House. It is even listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's most tilted hotel. With a tilt of 9 to 10 degrees, it makes the Leaning Tower of Pisa (just about 4 degrees) seem almost straight. In the room, there is a special round pencil available to test the slant of the floor, a funny idea! However, when it comes to sleeping, it is still quite comfortable: The beds are precisely level on the mattress side thanks to a built-in level (!) to prevent anyone from rolling out of bed. In terms of personalities, the city has much to offer. Of course, there is Albert Einstein, who was born here, even though he spent only his first few months in Ulm. Another pioneer was ahead of his time: Albrecht Ludwig Berblinger, better known as the Tailor of Ulm. As an inventor and aviation pioneer, he attempted to cross the Danube with a self-built flying device on May 31, 1811. However, the treacherous downdrafts over the cold water brought him down before the eyes of the king. While later reconstructions on the slope proved that his design worked, he was mocked as a fool at the time and died in poverty. Today, the Berblinger Tower reminds us of his courage. I tried to climb it, but turned back just before the top. The thing sways so much that I got really scared. I wasn't alone in having this problem. Moreover, it is a real thrill to look down through the open stair steps while it seems hard to maintain one's balance due to the swaying. Those who prefer a more relaxed experience can stroll through the romantic fishermen's quarter or walk along the banks of the Danube. Friedrichsau, Ulm's largest park, is also definitely worth a visit. But back to the beginning: Neu-Ulm also has a lot to offer with its many green spaces. My personal highlight there, however, was indeed the walk along the shore with this fantastic panorama of Ulm on the other side. And right there, this delightfully wicked joke came to my mind: 'What is the best thing about Neu-Ulm?' 'The view of Ulm.' 'And the second best?' 'The bus to Ulm.'