This Was Supposed to Be a Quiet Day!
The Surprise Festival That Turned a Peaceful Day Into Chaos

Brian Schwan
7/12/2025

Some travel days feel like transitions. Others feel like adventures with a steering wheel. This day was both.

We left our quiet Airbnb in southern Germany and hit the road with a map route, a packed lunch, and high hopes for some scenery. Our final destination was Appenzell, Switzerland—but getting there was half the fun. We wound our way through parts of the Black Forest, paused at one of Europe’s largest waterfalls, stopped by a soccer stadium (of course), and ended the day by pulling into a town that looked peaceful on the map… only to find ourselves in the middle of a massive festival.

So much for a quiet arrival.

We set out in the morning and drove the scenic route, starting with a stop at the Freiburg SC soccer stadium (a must for our soccer-obsessed crew). Afterward, we continued south toward Neuhausen am Rheinfall, home to the Rhine Falls, which was a quick detour and absolutely worth it.

As we crossed into Switzerland, we passed through Rorschacherberg, a beautiful lakeside town, before climbing into the mountains toward Appenzell. By the time we arrived, the sun was low—and the town was loud.

Turns out we’d rolled in during one of the biggest town parties of the year, complete with music, crowds, vendors, and a kind of festive chaos we hadn’t anticipated.

The Scenic Route That Delivered

There’s something deeply satisfying about letting a map guide your way across Europe. Yes, we had GPS, but we also modified and followed a Michelin Guide drive, and it led us through a gorgeous variety of scenery—rolling hills, small towns, alpine lakes, and mountain passes that made everyone stop talking and just look.

We made unplanned stops for snacks, for pictures, and once just to let the kids get out and run around a random field. It was that kind of day: easy, open, and full of surprises.

Soccer Stops are Sacred

We couldn’t drive through Freiburg without stopping at the SC Freiburg stadium. For the boys, seeing where the Bundesliga matches happen was a big deal. We walked the perimeter, took photos, and geeked out over signage.

Even when there’s no game, visiting a soccer stadium is like visiting a museum when your family’s into sports—it gives context to something they love, and makes them feel even more connected to the place.

The Power of the Rhine Falls

The Rhine Falls is one of Europe’s most powerful waterfalls, and while it’s not the tallest, the sheer volume of water was mesmerizing. We stretched our legs, took some photos, and let the sound of rushing water reset our road-weary brains before continuing on.

It was just enough of a break to refresh everyone for the second leg of the drive.

Appenzell’s Surprise Welcome Party

When we finally pulled into Appenzell, we were expecting quiet mountain charm and a slow evening. What we got instead was... a crowd. A big one.

Turns out we had unknowingly arrived during a town-wide summer festival, with live music, food vendors and crowds filling the square. It was festive. It was loud. And it was just a little overwhelming after our long drive.

That said, it was also kind of perfect. We grabbed dinner, wandered a bit, and let the atmosphere wash over us. Everyone was in a good mood—locals, tourists, teens on scooters, grandparents clapping along to music. It felt like the entire valley had come out to celebrate.

Eventually, we made our way to our guesthouse just outside of town. It was cozy, quiet, and exactly what we needed after being dropped into the middle of the party. The hosts were warm, the room comfortable, and the mountain views a gentle reminder that tomorrow would be a whole new kind of adventure.

Practical Tips

Use the Michelin Guides. Their scenic routes are incredibly well-curated and lead you through areas you might otherwise miss.
Be flexible on festival weekends. If you're staying in a small town, check event calendars—you may either want to join the fun or avoid it entirely.
Pack snacks and water. Scenic drives mean fewer fast food stops—but also fewer meltdowns if you’re prepared.
Stadium stops are a win for kids. Even 20 minutes at a favorite sports landmark can make the whole day feel special.
Book lodging just outside the center. Especially during festivals, having a peaceful escape makes all the difference.

This was a day of unexpected contrast. Open highways gave way to tight cobblestone streets. Waterfalls gave way to accordions. And what we thought would be a quiet evening in a sleepy town turned into one of the liveliest nights of the trip.

But that’s the beauty of road trip days—you never know what’s coming next. You just follow the road, follow your curiosity, and sometimes… follow the sound of a brass band echoing through the Alps.

Want to keep following the journey?
Up Next: Gondolas, cliff hikes, and the most famous mountain house in Switzerland—plus a reminder that courage shows up in surprising ways.

Part 15: Some Places You Visit. Others, You Feel.

Appenzell hit us differently.

We’d been in motion for nearly two weeks: zipping from Milan heat to Swiss mountaintops, through French villages, German wine towns, and unexpected festivals. It had all been incredible—but also a lot. Then, on a sunny Sunday morning, we woke up to crisp mountain air, a slower rhythm, and a day that unfolded with so much heart and beauty, we almost didn’t want to write about it. We just wanted to stay in it.

But here we are. Because this is the kind of travel story that reminds you why you pack the bags, book the flights, and chase those moments in the first place...

by Brian Schwan
7/13/2025

Catch Up On Past Blog Posts

Part 13: Stretching Our Legs

Not every day on a big European trip is castles and cathedrals. Some days are for laundry, catching up on work, stretching your legs on a trail, or just wandering aimlessly through a town you picked off a road sign. This was that kind of day. And it turns out, we needed it...

by Brian Schwan
7/11/2025

Part 12: Strasbourg and the Spaces In Between

There are some days on a big trip that feel carefully plotted, with tickets booked and schedules to keep. This wasn’t one of them. Instead, this day was about wandering. It was about letting the road decide. We’d been moving at a pretty steady pace through Italy, Switzerland, and now France—but this day gave us a chance to go slower, take a few scenic detours, and find joy in the in-between places...

by Brian Schwan
7/10/2025

Part 11: And Then There Were Four

After a big travel day—and a big goodbye—it felt good to slow down.

We had officially dropped off our daughter with friends in France, where she’d be spending a few days immersed in the local culture, sleeping under a different roof, and seeing Europe through someone else’s lens. The shift was real. Five travelers became four. We didn’t rush that morning. It was one of those quiet in-between days. Not a “bucket list” kind of day—but the kind that becomes memorable because it didn’t need to be...

by Brian Schwan
7/9/2025

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