Germany... and then what?

[Gatsby]

DH and I are planning our first trip to Europe for this March! His sister lives in Heidelberg, Germany (not sure if that is the correct spelling!), so we will be flying in to Frankfurt and staying with her for a few days. We will be in Europe about 10 days or so, depending on DH's work schedule. After Germany, we'll be without the ILs. So, here are my questions...

1 - I'm sure SIL will have lots of suggestions on what to do, but she also is very different from us and has two children that travel with her. What are your suggestions for must-sees in Germany? I'm interested in Berlin, just b/c I'm a history-buff, but nobody I've talked to seems to think much of that idea.

2 - What else should we do? Do we have time for one more country/city or more? We are kind of at a total loss of where else to go! I've been reading and reading, and there are just so many possibilities that I don't know what is reasonable for the short time we have there.

3 - Would it be reasonable to fly into Spain, drive through France to Germany, and fly out of Frankfurt (or vice versa)? Or would that be too much for 10 days?

In our daily lives here in the US, we love wine, B&Bs, going off the beaten path, history, museums, theatre, meeting new people, and food! Can these things help me narrow down our options?

Thanks in advance!!

[emmjay]

I think Berlin is an interesting city with plenty to see (the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie Museum, etc.). I also think the east of Germany is an interesting area in general. If you can convince your family, some suggestions I would make would be Berlin, Leipzig and Dresden in Germany, and then you could go to Prague and Krakow or something.

Alternatively, you could go west from Frankfurt and visit the Alsace region of France (wine!), and depending on the time you could extend your trip to Paris and other parts of France, or possibly Belgium/Luxembourg.

If you want to visit the south of Germany, I would say Munich and some other Bavarian towns like Garmisch and Berchtesgaden, and then you could visit Salzburg and Vienna. Actually, you could go through Austria to Slovenia. Slovenia is awesome - it is like a miniature Europe all in one little country. It has mountains, beaches, castles, villages, great wine, and it is definitely off-the-beaten path (at least for Americans). And it's way cheaper than Germany! We were there during January, and there was snow in the mountains and central part of the country, but at the beach (Piran) it was in the 50s/60s and sunny. Ljubljana, the capital, is around 400 miles from Frankfurt.

Wow, now I think I probably added a bunch of things to your list of options instead of helping you narrow anything down! :) I will say that DH and I have similar interests as you and your DH, and if we were taking this trip we would go from Germany to Vienna and Slovenia.

[houseblend]

Heidelberg is an adorable city - what a great place for them to live! I haven't been around much of Germany so I can't speak for most of it. Cologne is not too far and has a gorgeous cathedral and on the other end Munich is really nice as well. Frankfurt is not too exciting IMO - a very modern city with nothing all that interesting.

10 days is definitely plenty to explore another country as well. Maybe dedicate a few days to Germany and then I would personally go with one other place, either France or the Netherlands based on your interests. A drive from Spain through France would be gorgeous that time of year, but it is about 10 hours from Frankfurt to Provence (south-east France), so Spain would add on even more driving time. A great program for figuring out driving times in Europe is www.mappy.com. All depends on your tolerance for viewing the scenery via car versus getting out and seeing the sites.

The Netherlands is supposed to be beautiful in the spring with field after field of tulips. Plenty of history there as well.

Too many choices to decide from!

[DaniML]

I think emmjay gave you some great ideas. I'm German and grew up in Frankfurt (which has some interesting things as well - it's worth a day trip at least, then again I'm biast, I love Frankfurt as it's home).

You could also go up north to Hamburg. Hamburg is an absolutly georgous city with lots to see and do.

we were taking this trip we would go from Germany to Vienna and Slovenia
I think that's what I would do given the amount of time you have.

Not sure how you feel about WWII and all it's history, but there is a concentration camp (Dachau) very close to Munich that is a must see if you are interested in this topic at all. Here is some more info about Munich (http://www.muenchen.de/home/60093/Homepage.html).

[Gatsby]

Thanks, everyone! Argh... We're still no closer to deciding, which is delaying our ticket purchase. I think we need to draw out of a hat or something!

At one point we had decided to just do Germany because there is so much there we want to see. And maybe plan a day or two layover in Paris just to get a glimpse of the infamous tower... Of course that was just one of 1,000 ideas.

Has anyone been to Amsterdam to see the Anne Frank house? Just wondering if it's worth a visit.

We are deciding on stuff this weekend, so I'll report back with our final decisions.

Thanks again for all of your help!

[DaniML]

I've been to Amsterdam and LOVED it. I did not visit the Anne Frank house. The group of friends I was with wasn't interested in it so we didn't go. But Amsterdam in itself is a really cool city.

[Gatsby]

Thanks, DaniML! What would you suggest doing in Amsterdam? If there's so much good stuff, it might be worth the trip! My SIL has been, but I think she just took the kids to the Frank house and maybe shopping. What would you recommend?

[DaniML]

Depends on how much time you have, but yes, I think it's worth the trip. You could take a train from Frankfurt (or maybe even Heidelberg) if you don't want to rent a car and then spend a couple of days in Amerstdam.

Plus, I just noticed that U.S. Airways has a sale on fares to and from Amsterdam. Not from all airports though. Go to www.usairways.com and see if they have any specials from your airport.

[houseblend]

Sorry, DaniML...I didn't mean to offend. :( I didn't get to spend much time there, so it was based on the little I did see.

[DaniML]

No problem, Houseblend! I wasn't offended. I agree that Frankfurt doesn't have that much to offer in the way of tourism, though there are some interesting things to see :).

[bookworm]

In Amsterdam, I found the Anne Frank house worth visiting (I loved the book). I also really enjoyed the van Gogh museum and a canal boat tour. Then, of course, there is the "other" side of Amersterdam, which can be fun depending on your interests....

[Gatsby]

Hi, everyone! Thanks for all of your help and suggestions. DH and I have decided on our basic schedule... Here's what I posted in my journal...

-------------------------

DH and I also decided on our broad itinerary for Europe in March. We are flying into Frankfurt, where his sister will pick us up and we'll spend a few days with her and her family in Heidelberg (not sure about the spelling...). Then we're taking the train to Berlin for about 24 hours. Then training it to Amsterdam for two days. Then we are taking the train to Paris, where we will be based while we take several day trips to places like Normandy. And of course we'll roam around Paris as well. Then we'll fly out of Paris. We only have about 10 days total, so not much time at all. But, I'm excited and I hope it doesn't get here to quickly because I'm enjoying the anticipation!

In and around Heidelberg, we are going to let SIL decide what is the best stuff to do. I imagine, from MIL/FIL stories, that we'll go to the Black Forest and on some wine tasting tours. I don't think I want to do the Rhine River tour though. Sounded VERY long... In Berlin, we are interested in the Berlin Wall, etc... I'm a huge history lover, especially WW2. In Amsterdam we are doing the Anne Frank house for sure, but have nothing else planned yet. In France, I want to see Normandy, but that's the only side trip we have planned so far. In Paris, the tower of course, the Louvre, Notre Dame; mostly we just want to wander around and immerse ourselves in the bistros and shops and stuff. And see if my french is good enough to get us by without the locals hating me too much ;)

----------------------------------

Thanks, bookworm! I'm glad to hear someone recommend the Anne Frank house because I really wanted to go, but wasn't sure. We're planning to spend 2 nights in Amsterdam, so I definitely want to do the canal boat tour. If you have any other recs on what else to do there, feel free to share. I've heard about the "other" side, and I don't think we are interested... at least not for this trip :)

Thanks for the heads up on the airfare DaniML. Unfortunately from Chicago we'd have to travel by February 17, and we can't go until March. They were GREAT prices though.

[houseblend]

Sounds like a wonderful itinerary! You'll have so much fun!

[AmyE]

Gatsby - you have an excellent plan! I'm so jealous!! Heidelberg is a lovely, lovely town. For day trips, you might consider asking your SIL to take you to Nuremberg, too. Close, and interesting WWII history with trials, etc. Berlin is an amazing city - it's where I did my study abroad, since I'm also a history buff, and focussed in particular on central Europe before and after WWII. For Amsterdam, I'd always wanted to go to the Rembrandt house museum. Paris is... Paris.
Bring a warm wool sweater and a lightweight umbrella for your trip, though. Berlin in March is cold and damp, and Normandy will be chilly as well. (Unless, of course, you're from South Dakota or Michigan, in which case 45 degrees and drizzle is actually spring!)

[Gatsby]

Thanks, houseblend!

Don't be jealous, AmyE! Sounds like you've had some great trips of your own :) Thanks for the recommendations - I have a long and growing list of things to choose from and it is HARD! I'm from Chicago, so 45 and drizzle is not too out of my element!

[njlorelei]

I know you've already posted an itinerary but in your first post you said you love wine. Are you a fan of Riesling? If so, then you should definitely try to spend a day (or more) in the Mosel River area. We took a 10 day trip to Germany in September and spent the entire time just traveling up and down the Mosel and Rhine Rivers. Lots of great Rieslings, lots of castles to tour (if you'd like something like that), and just a relaxing time.

[Gatsby]

Thanks, njlorelie! Would Mosel be part of a Rhine River boat tour? I know my ILs went on one of those last year that included stops for wine tasting and lots of castles... I'm not sure if we're going to do that or not (sounded like it lasted FOREVER). For the few days we are in Heidelberg, we are letting my SIL set the schedule... I may mention that to her though if you think it's worth it. Oh, and I do like Rieslings...not my favorite, but I definitely don't discriminate ;)

[LIZNKEITH]

Coming in a little late to the game, but I also second doing the Rhine River tour if you get the opportunity. It sounds like you'll have a whirlwind trip, so you may welcome the half-day trip on the river. I had a great time and the scenery is beautiful.

Also, some places I'd suggest in Bavaria are Rothenburg and Fussen. DH and I did a 3 week European backpacking trip in '03 and spent a lot of time in Germany. I would gladly go to Bavaria again over Paris, London, Rome, or Berlin. It's all a matter of preference though. I just felt like I experienced more of the culture in the smaller towns and it was a lot more enjoyable (or at least less stressful) than dealing with the hustle and bustle of a big metropolis.

[TriSigmaNC]

You also are so close to Austria, it's worth a trip.
Also, you can't miss the Neuschwanstein (sp?) castle (Disney castle). It's gorgeous.

If you sort of like Reisling, try any Auslese wines as well.

[njlorelei]

The Mosel and the Rhine Rivers meet in the city of Koblenz. We took a Mosel River cruise that ran from the the town of Traben-Trabach to Bernkastel-Kues and it took about 3 hours. There are tons of different cruises on both the Rhine and Mosel Rivers. Some are all day, others just a couple hours. There are probably some that do go on both rivers.

Here's a website that gives more info about the Mosel region if you are interested: http://www.chiff.com/wine/europe/mosel.htm

[elissa]

Great timing--we are headed to Germany in March to visit my brother before he deploys and while we are there want to visit some places besides Germany. We have not really started our research, but Munich and Vienna are definitely on my list as well as potentially Berlin. Keep the ideas coming!

[Gatsby]

Thanks, njlorelei! I'm going to check into a shorter river cruise. I'm just afraid I'd tired of it after a few hours (short attention span ;) ).

Is your brother stationed in Germany, elissa? My BIL was stationed in Hanou (??) and recently got transferred to Heidelberg.

[elissa]

Gatsby Is your brother stationed in Germany, elissa? My BIL was stationed in Hanou (??) and recently got transferred to Heidelberg.

Yes, they just moved in October for him and then his family went over in November. They are in Ansbach (sp) and will be there for three years. I am going over due to pregnancy and the fact that he will likely get deployed in June or July so I need to go before that and before I can't travel!

[Gatsby]

My BIL was stationed over there for three years too - that was about four years ago :rolleyes: They are now expected back to the states in the summer of 2008... They are having a blast, though. He was deployed to Iraq for a year and just got home in October, so they are super happy now.

My neice and nephew have already informed me that we are going to the "Cinderella castle." :) I think they were looking for an excuse to go again!

I'm looking into the Rhine River tour - just want to make sure I don't get stuck on that boat ALL DAY ;)

Question: I think the ILs are planning to take us to the Black Forest.... Is that worth it? I don't want to waste a lot of time doing things that seven year olds enjoy ;)

[HeatherFL]

There is an Amsterdam Thread Here (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1921). I am so glad you'll be going. And yes, the Anne Frank house is very worth seeing. It was not at all what I expected, which I think made it that much more impactful. I saw her diary and there I was in awe thinking, "There it is." That book changed the world and it's right there in front of you. Amazing. I'll give you some recommendations for Amsterdam, just let me know if you want them here, PM'd to you or in your journal. :)

~H.

[alegria]

I live in Heidelberg, and it sounds like you are getting tons of great ideas! I haven't seen Berlin yet, but if I were to have a few days here, I'd want to see Heidelberg, Rothenburg (which is a two hour drive away - definitely doable as a day trip) and Garmisch, as well as Neuschwanstein Castle and Munich if you have time. The Salzburg/Berchtesgaden area, also south-east, is just beautiful, as well. Cologne is supposed to be great, but it's the other direction from all the places I mentioned and Berlin!

You already posted an itinerary, so sounds like you have your plan pretty well set. I can't wait to see Amsterdam but I will say that I don't think the tulips are out until April or May (just mentioning that since someone else did - don't even know if it's in your plan to try to see them). Not sure though. The only thing I'd worry about is that Berlin is a 5 hour train ride north, and then Paris is south. You may end up spending more time than you want just traveling.

If you have any questions that I can help with, let me know, although since you have family here, you're probably getting an earful from everyone! Hope you have a good trip, and give us a report when you return! :)

[Gatsby]

I'll give you some recommendations for Amsterdam, just let me know if you want them here, PM'd to you or in your journal.

Hi, Heather! Sorry it's taken me so long to get back in this thread. Thank you for the Amsterdam thread. I'd love to hear any recommendations you have. Feel free to post them in my journal whenever you have the time!

Thanks for all of the great tips, alegria! I can't believe someone on CC lives in Heidelberg... small world, I guess. We will be spending a lot of time on the train on two occassions, but we have planned them for times that we'd want to be resting anyway, so hopefully it will work out. Plus, I love just looking at the scenery along the way. When I find my list of possiblities to do while in Heidelberg, I'll post them and see what you recommend - I do need to narrow it down a bit :)

[Gatsby]

Any hotel recs for Berlin? We'll only be there one night, so something pretty convenient to the main attractions would be great...

(Also taking hotel/B&B recs for Amsterdam and Paris :) )

[HeatherFL]

Bumping this up. :)

Anyone that can be give me an idea if it's nuts to consider going to Germany during Christmastime? I'll do the cold, but will it be like "oooh ahh pretty snow" or drizzly, grey and miserable? Or maybe even a combination? The person I'm planning this with speaks German, so that'll be cool and I've wanted to go for awhile. If it's possible to fit Austria in too, I'd love to do that too. Mozart, Opera and the Sound of Music! ;)

THANKS! :)

~H.

[emmjay]

Heather -

I spent Christmas in eastern Germany (Leipzig) in 2005 and I loved it! We were with DH's friend (he lives in Germany) so we had someone who was familiar with the area and speaks German too. They have Christmas markets in the town squares, which are really cute and a lot of fun, and it really was a great place to be for the holidays. In fact, we talked to both my parents and my ILs and we might all go to Germany for Christmas sometime in the future as a family trip.

We mostly had ooh aah pretty white snow, but there was the grey drizzle too - that doesn't bother me too much, though! Also there aren't too many tourists and I thought it was a great way to see how another country celebrates Christmas. I say go for it!

:)

[mrselle]

Hi Heather,

I’m an army brat and my family and I lived about an hour from Stuttgart in a little town called Schwäbisch Gmünd for 2 ½ years when I was younger. From what I remember Christmas was absolutely beautiful and not as commercialized as it is here in the States. It was pretty cold with lots of snow. As emmjay mentioned, the Christmas markets in the town squares are lots of fun. One year my class and I took a train to Nuremberg and walked around the Christmas market there. Very cold, but lots of fun.

[DaniML]

Hi Heather,

I was born and raised in Germany and have to tell you that it can really depend as far as the weather goes. Where in Germany are you planning on going?

As others have mentioned the Christmas Markets are great! They are beautiful and so much fun. Be sure to drink some Gluehwein if you decide to go.

[HeatherFL]

emmjay and mrselle Oh it sounds so wonderful! Thank you both for the feedback!

DaniML To be honest, I don't have a plan for what cities I want to visit. The person who is going with me is part German, so I am sure he'll have some ideas. I've never heard of Gluehwein! I'm going to Google it now LOL! ETA: OMG that looks SOOOOO delicious!

Thank you all, again. I'll be back with itinerary ideas and maybe you all would be so kind as to give me input. :D

~H.

[diam124]

I also think that the weather depends on where you are going. I lived in Dusseldorf as a kid and I don't remember ever having a white Christmas. It was generally cold and dreary, but not snowy.

[HeatherFL]

Thanks, diam124

Okay, I think we have it narrowed down, kind of. :)

Fly into Amsterdam (he'd like to start there even though we've both been he didn't really do the museums, so maybe two days there) go to Munich, find some time for Vienna and go back to Amsterdam or maybe vice-versa the Vienna and Munich part. This is all just in the rough planning phase as you can probably tell. But the point is, we'll fly in and out of Amsterdam. Leaving December 20th and coming home December 30th. Day trips, things like that we'd also want to do. :)

~H.

[Mrs. M.]

Heather, if you are going to Munich and Vienna, you must see Salzburg! Take the train or drive from MUC to SZG (about 1 -2 hours), spend a day or two, then continue on to Vienna (3 - 3.5 hours).

[DaniML]

I agree with Mrs. M about seeing Salzburg. It's such a beautiful city.

Also, if you're doing Munich, your chances of a white snowy Christmas are greater. It always seemed to snow more down there than it did in Frankfurt (where I grew up).

[psusna]

Seeking Germany travel advice :)

DH is in Leipzig right now for work and will be returning to Germany in January. This time I'm going along and this time he's going to Nuremberg. I'll be on my own during the days (3 of them) but we'll stay over the weekend to do our own thing.

Any recommendations for lodging (in case the hotel selected by his company is crap) and sight-seeing activities that I can do solo? I think for the weekend stay over we may go to Austria, at least that's the idea I'll be pitching when he gets home ;)

TIA!!

[DaniML]

Unfortunatly I don't know much about Nuernberg, but it's pretty easy to get around by yourself in most major cities in Germany. The hotel should have some info for you as well.

Sorry I don't have any more info for you. Nuernberg is one of the cities I never got to while still living in Germany.

[psusna]

DaniML: No problem. I've got to get a good travel book and surf the Internets for ideas :) Is it safe to assume, though, that it's going to be mighty cold and possibly snowy in mid-January?

[DaniML]

Is it safe to assume, though, that it's going to be mighty cold and possibly snowy in mid-January?

Yep, you can pretty much count on that. Make sure you have a warm coat :).

[Winter Biscuit]

I also think that the weather depends on where you are going. I lived in Dusseldorf as a kid and I don't remember ever having a white Christmas. It was generally cold and dreary, but not snowy.

Bumping this up, as it looks like I am accompanying DH to Germany for work in April :) We'll be flying into Dusseldorf and staying there for a few days (that's where DH's conference is). I'll be on my own for 2-3 days while he's working -- any suggestions for things I can do on my own in Dusseldorf? I don't think I've seen anything mentioned yet.

We haven't yet figured out what else we'll do while we're over there -- maybe visit Amsterdam or Paris or both -- but I'm sure I'll be back to this thread to re-read all the suggestions already tossed out. :)