February Weekend in Germany - A Few Questions from a Novice
Oct 21st, 2004, 01:30 PM
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February Weekend in Germany - A Few Questions from a Novice
Hello,
This is my first time planning an international trip entirely on my own and I need a little help...
I am trying to plan a surprise weekend for my husband for Valentine's Day/Birthday for February 10-15th (we would actually be in Germany for 4 nights on a Fri the 11th - Mon the 14th). I have found roundtrip from Denver to Frankfurt via Dallas at $367 a ticket including taxes and fees from my corporate travel so I am tentatively planning to spend our time in Wurzburg and Rothenburg (both relatively close to Frankfurt I believe).
We would arrive at Frankfurt at 7:10am and my plan right now is to train immediately to Wurzburg and spend Friday and Saturday exploring the Residenz, the Festung, the Julius Spital winery, etc.
Sunday morning we would train to Rothenburg and spend all day and most of the day on Monday there. Then we'd return to either Wurzburg or Frankfurt so that we could catch our 10:30 flight out on Tuesday morning.
Here are my questions...
Will the museums and shops in Rothenburg be open on Sunday since that will be our only full day in the town (Criminology Museum, Christmas shops - I remember these from childhood)?
What type of discounts can I expect on hotels in February? I'd love to keep it at about $1200 trip but with $734 of that being taken up by airfare, I'm not sure it's possible. We can "cheap out" on food and take second class trains, but what is a reasonable price for a hotel in the middle of February in these two cities? We'd need a clean double room with or without a bathroom en suite... am I dreaming to think we might find this for around 60E at this time of year?
Thank you so very much to anyone who can help!
-Jill-
This is my first time planning an international trip entirely on my own and I need a little help...
I am trying to plan a surprise weekend for my husband for Valentine's Day/Birthday for February 10-15th (we would actually be in Germany for 4 nights on a Fri the 11th - Mon the 14th). I have found roundtrip from Denver to Frankfurt via Dallas at $367 a ticket including taxes and fees from my corporate travel so I am tentatively planning to spend our time in Wurzburg and Rothenburg (both relatively close to Frankfurt I believe).
We would arrive at Frankfurt at 7:10am and my plan right now is to train immediately to Wurzburg and spend Friday and Saturday exploring the Residenz, the Festung, the Julius Spital winery, etc.
Sunday morning we would train to Rothenburg and spend all day and most of the day on Monday there. Then we'd return to either Wurzburg or Frankfurt so that we could catch our 10:30 flight out on Tuesday morning.
Here are my questions...
Will the museums and shops in Rothenburg be open on Sunday since that will be our only full day in the town (Criminology Museum, Christmas shops - I remember these from childhood)?
What type of discounts can I expect on hotels in February? I'd love to keep it at about $1200 trip but with $734 of that being taken up by airfare, I'm not sure it's possible. We can "cheap out" on food and take second class trains, but what is a reasonable price for a hotel in the middle of February in these two cities? We'd need a clean double room with or without a bathroom en suite... am I dreaming to think we might find this for around 60E at this time of year?
Thank you so very much to anyone who can help!
-Jill-
Oct 21st, 2004, 01:59 PM
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There are Carnival (Fastnacht, Fasching, Karneval) celebrations all over Germany, but especially in the Rhineland. The biggest and best are in Cologne and Mainz. These celebrations reach their height on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday Rosenmontag) before Ash Wednesday (Feb 5,6 and 7 in 2005), and in Mainz there is a big parade each day, with the Rosenmontag parade the climax.
Mainz is very close to Frankfurt, so I'd recommend you go there.
You'll want to book accommodation right away, however.
Mainz is very close to Frankfurt, so I'd recommend you go there.
You'll want to book accommodation right away, however.
Oct 21st, 2004, 02:14 PM
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Firstly, Karneval or Fasching is the pre-Lent celebration held in many German towns, but mainly in the catholic areas of the country. Mainz and Cologne are where the biggest and booziest events are.
You can't do much about the date of Karneval as it is directly related to when Easter falls, and therefore when Lent starts. But you could bring your trip forward, and you might catch some action in Rothenburg. Würzburg is a Protestant town and there might not be much public activity there.
I have found several hotels in Wü you that meet your price criteria:
Gasthof zum Goldenen Löwen
Würzburgerstrasse 19
Doubles are 22E per person for a room with WC and Bad.
Hotel Garni Etap
Nürnbergerstrasse 129
Doubles are 21E pp with WC and Bad
There are quite few more at this price level in the categories of Gasthaus, Gasthof and Hotel Garni.
Rothenburg may be a bit more difficult to find cheaper places like this.
You must come fromthis area yourself and so I don't need to tell you what a great town Würzburg is for a few days visit.
harzer
You can't do much about the date of Karneval as it is directly related to when Easter falls, and therefore when Lent starts. But you could bring your trip forward, and you might catch some action in Rothenburg. Würzburg is a Protestant town and there might not be much public activity there.
I have found several hotels in Wü you that meet your price criteria:
Gasthof zum Goldenen Löwen
Würzburgerstrasse 19
Doubles are 22E per person for a room with WC and Bad.
Hotel Garni Etap
Nürnbergerstrasse 129
Doubles are 21E pp with WC and Bad
There are quite few more at this price level in the categories of Gasthaus, Gasthof and Hotel Garni.
Rothenburg may be a bit more difficult to find cheaper places like this.
You must come fromthis area yourself and so I don't need to tell you what a great town Würzburg is for a few days visit.
harzer
Oct 21st, 2004, 02:44 PM
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It sounds like a great little trip. I can't help with hotels, but it you are staying late enough into the evening in Rothenburg, try to catch the "Night Watchman's tour". It is a 1 hour walking tour, with a very interesting historical story about the town. You meet at the "water trough" in the town square, I believe it is at 8pm. You'll see a tall guy dressed in medieval garb, carrying a long staff of some sort. It is in English, the guy is funny, and costs 4 or 5 euro. Have a great time!!
EK
EK
Oct 21st, 2004, 02:45 PM
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Thank you so very much to everyone who has posted. I am going to do some more checking around on airfare to see about moving our trip dates and then I am sure I will be back.
Thank you also for the info on the hotel rooms in Wurzburg. I spent 2 weeks there as a child in a "kid's exchange student" program in the summer, and I have very fond memories of the town (especially the hedgehogs in the Residenz gardens!)
Thank you also for the info on the hotel rooms in Wurzburg. I spent 2 weeks there as a child in a "kid's exchange student" program in the summer, and I have very fond memories of the town (especially the hedgehogs in the Residenz gardens!)
Oct 21st, 2004, 04:55 PM
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We like the Roter Hahn Hotel in Rothenburg. It's right across from the Kriminal Museum -- great location, nice owners. They show a dbl room for 88 Euros but you may be able to do better in the off season if you send them an email and ask for their best rate.
http://www.roterhahn.com/en/index_en.htm
http://www.roterhahn.com/en/index_en.htm
