Melissa

Hi. My husband and I are heading for Germany in two weeks and we'll be there for about ten days. My brother is stationed near Heidelberg but as it turns out he will not have any days off to do much exploring with us. I am finishing up a semester in graduate school and can not believe we are leaving so soon.... I need to make some plans! If anybody has any ideas we will be so thankful. We would like to go to Holland, France and Switzerland but don't know if that's too much to bite off for our first trip. We want to see Germany as well. We have tossed around the idea of going skiing, hiking, biking... anything outdoors really. Thanks!

Steven Smith

You can spend several days in and around Heidelberg, seeing the castle, walking through the Christmas markets near the church, etc. It's a great town to get a field for traveling in Europe. <BR> <BR>Outside of that, I'd suggest getting a 5 day rail Europass. You can get a 1st class pass for 2 people traveling together for about $500. It entitles you to travel anywhere in Europe. BTW, it's for 5 (or 10, 15..) days of travel, not 5 consecutive days. <BR> <BR>It's probably a little cool (read: FREEZING!) to do the biking thing. <BR>

Steven Smith

You can spend several days in and around Heidelberg, seeing the castle, walking through the Christmas markets near the church, etc. It's a great town to get a field for traveling in Europe. <BR> <BR>Outside of that, I'd suggest getting a 5 day rail Europass. You can get a 1st class pass for 2 people traveling together for about $500. It entitles you to travel anywhere in Europe. BTW, it's for 5 (or 10, 15..) days of travel, not 5 consecutive days. <BR> <BR>It's probably a little cool (read: FREEZING!) to do the biking thing. <BR>

Lee

Melissa: I used to live in Frankfurt and may provide an idea. <BR> <BR>As the previous poster stated, visit the town and the castle above the Neckar River of Heidelburg. <BR> <BR>I would rent a car. taking the train is OK when you are going point A to point B and back, but I believe it to be too restrictive as far as "come and go as you please" touring. <BR> <BR>You could drive to Baden-Baden and see some beautiful countryside and take in some great skiing. <BR> <BR>Drive up to the Rhine River valley starting at Rudesheim and continue to Koblenz. You can drive back on the other side down to Mainz, stopping at the beautiful towns, spending a night or two and seeing all of the castles. <BR> <BR>Drive from Heidelburg over to Rothenburg and spend a night there. It is a beautiful medieval walled city that will be magical at that time of the year. Take a rather short drive to Dinkelsbuhl, an almost undiscovered town like Rothenburg. <BR> <BR>Drive to Munich and see the Marienplatz and Kriskrindel Christmas market. Stay a night there, also. <BR> <BR>Drive 1 1/2 hours southwest and see Garmisch (you may choose to ski here rather than Baden-Baden, but it will be crowded), nearby Ettal and Oberammergau. Visit Linderhof castle since you are so close. <BR> <BR>If time permits, visit Neuschwanstein Castle near Fussen. <BR> <BR>I would hold off on Holland/France/Switzerland and use them as an excuse to go back again. <BR> <BR>We are doing something much like what I'm suggesting, only for next May. <BR> <BR>Have fun! <BR>

Rod Hoots

Assuming that you're flying in and out of Frankfurt, I suggest that you rent a car and visit Heidelberg and Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, and Interlaken, Switzerland. Heidelberg is not a winter kind of place so one and a half days there should be enough. You could then spend two or three days each in Garmisch and Interlaken, and get in a day or two of skiing in each. The roads are well maintained on that route and you shouldn't have any problem driving. <BR>

Bob Brown

I lived in Germany (Kiel - Hamburg) for 10 months once. What the others say is very true. The car is probably the better option for touring. <BR>I cannot add to the other statements. <BR>But, be prepared that many businesses shut down for several days during the Christmas break. I heard that this was the case, but I underestimated the length. I literally could not purchase food except at a restaurant or bierstube. <BR>

Trina

Melissa - <BR> <BR>I think you can fit a day trip or two into your schedule to Holland, Switzerland, or Paris. All three are within a 5 hour drive of Heidelberg. Right now, we're getting some pretty harsh snow for our region, and depending on how it is when you get here, you may not want to drive. Another option not mentioned are day tours. Ask your brother to check into what the USO, Carlson Wagonlit, & other military-associated travel companies will be offering during your stay there. They can be much cheaper than driving and are quite conveniant. The only major draw back is that they can be very tiring. Email me direct if I can offer further assistance, as I live an hour away from Heidelberg. <BR>

Melissa

Thank you all for your help... I have been drowning in grad school and your suggestions are just what I needed to really start getting excited about the trip instead of dwelling on work!!! Thanks again. <BR> <BR>Melissa <BR>