peter

Hello everyone! <BR>JUst found this forum and I think it is great..... <BR>Read a lot so far- but still I wanted to ask all u experienced folks if Germany is worth a trip. I heard so many good things about it. My wife and I are planning our honeymoon and Germany would be quite exciting for us. Any advice what we should definetely see or go to..... <BR>Thanks a lot. <BR>Pete

Linda

Absolutely, yes!! Berlin is my favorite city and has so much history, culture and good people. For a honeymoon, you might consider a cruise on the Rhine and sitting at an outdoor cafe in Koblenz and drinking the local wine, the beautiful and fun area of Bavaria, the Romantic Road (from Roman not love), the little town of Hamelin and others on the Fairy Tale Road, the beautiful rebuilt cities of Dresden and Meissen. Whatever your taste, you can find it in Germany.

Dan

I just got back from a vacation that spanned Germany, France, Austria, and Italy. I went to some pretty amazing spots, but I have to say that Germany was my favorite. I would recommend a stay in Boppard on the Rhine river (A couple of days). Then a trip down to Baden Baden on the edge of the black forest for great wine, hiking, and german culture. I have suggestions on places to stay if you are interested. <BR> <BR>-Dan

Laura

I hate to sound so negative, but since you asked, I must admit that out of the 15 European countries that I've been to, Germany is my leats favorite. Unlike many of the countries, Germany doesn't offer the old historic buildings and architecture, since so much of it was destroyed in the war. And the Germans just don't afford the friendliness found with so many other cultures. If you choose Germany for your honeymoon, I'd also recommend combining it with some other city or region. Maybe Prague, Paris, Italy, etc.

Joe

Our experience was much different than Laura's. Yes, Berlin and othercities were badly damaged, but much of it is in reconstruction. Berlin is a beautiful and interesting City. Walking through the Brandenburg Gate, up the Unter den Linden to Alexanderplatz and then over the bridge to the Pergamon Museum (first rate,especially theGreek Exhibit)and then to the 13th Century Nikolai Church was a wonderful introduction to Berelin. People watching and window shopping on the Ku'damn was another fun afternoon and evening. Many cafes and pubs here. KaDeWe is Berelin's answer to Herod's (sp?) of London. The sixth floor with what looked like miles of exhibits of every imaginable tast treat was great fun. The museum of the Wall at "Check Point CharLie" is fascinating; what ingenuity. <BR> <BR>As for medieval towns, Bamberg, Nurnberg, Regensberg, Rothenburg, Dinkelsbuhl and parts of others (Speyer, Wurzburg, Freiburg,etc.) are delightful. <BR> <BR>The Rhine and Mosel River Areas are fantastic (ideal area for a honeymoon?); quaint villages, romantic little inns and small, ancient hotels, Castles (don't miss Burg Eltz, one of the most beautiful Castles in the World)and trips on the Rivers. <BR> <BR>Trier, Oberammergau, the Black Forest, Neuschwanstein Castle, Wieskirche (what an absolutely lovely Rococo Church), the list goes on. Germany is a varied, vibrant, interesting Country to visit. And "oh the wine". Fantastic wines all ovre the Country. <BR> <BR>One last point, we found the German People to be very friendly and hospitable. I think of the Pediatrician and his family we met at an outdoor jazz fetival in Bamberg, the group that invited us to sit with them in a Munich Beer Hall (What fun), the couple we shared a table with in a wonderful restaurant in Munich, the kindness of the Lipman Family at Hotel Haus Lipman on the Mosel River. <BR> <BR>I only wrote this much to make sure you have a good idea of the pleasures of Germany. Certainly, there are other places you could have your honeymoon, Paris, London, Prague, Budapest, etc., etc., etc. But if you are considering Germany, you should not be disuaded. We are not German.,but we found it a wonderful Country to visit. Good luck and best wishes.

Betsy

Yes! Germany is worth visiting. I've been several times, though only south of Frankfurt. It a naturally beautiful country. Trier, the Rhine Bavaria are all wonderful places. Like someone suggested earlier, if you have time combine it with another country like France, Switzerland or Austria.

Rex

Germany is so many things to so many people. Trust your instincts. You have already answered your own question when you said <BR> <BR>"Germany would be quite exciting for us" <BR> <BR>There are several good message "threads" on things that people like about Germany. Here is one of my favorites, which I will bring to the top for you. <BR> <BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/crossro...messagesframe& <BR> <BR>"best things to do in germany" <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR> <BR>

Tim

There is a nice article at nytimes.com travel section today about Regensberg. <BR>

Russ

It's hard for me to allow false statements and personal anecdote to be passed along as facts and truths without a response. <BR> <BR>Laura maintains, <BR>"Unlike many of the countries, Germany doesn't offer the old historic buildings and architecture, since so much of it was destroyed in the war." <BR> <BR>Perhaps Laura was only in Stuttgart, but as anyone who's ever been anywhere in Germany knows, the country is an absolute treasure trove of architectural history, with numerous and incredible examples from Roman times and beyond, both in original and restored states. Bamberg is just one example - the place has so many historically important edifices that its old town is one of UNESCO's world heritage sites! <BR> <BR>"Friendliness" is not an attribute based on some internationally agreed-upon standard, and I'd like to suggest that it's probably incorrect to judge any country or culture as friendly or unfriendly. One's personal impressions depend on what one brings to the venue of human interaction and on one's expectations as well as on the behavior of a foreign people, and unless you've lived in a culture for a while, you really can't understand how a place works. As a tourist, what you "feel" about a culture is highly subjective and transitory. I wouldn't dare generalize about "friendliness" in foreign countries, or even in Germany, where I have lived and spent a good deal of time. <BR> <BR>You will enjoy Germany. But I suggest that for the most romantic experiences, you should get out of the larger, better known cities and into the smaller places less manipulated by modern life.

e

I sort of agree with Laura. There are a few nice areas but the people are not that friendly and the country is totally <BR>land locked except for some rivers. <BR>I would choose a place like Paris, other nice villages in France like Normandy or Brittiany or villages in <BR>Switzerland or the Netherlands. <BR> Have Fun

Linda

Germany is landlocked?!? Paris is landlocked, except for the Seine. Switzerland is landlocked. Germany is not landlocked. The town of Bremerhaven (sp?)is one of the largest seaports in the world! And, as a seaport, it is on the SEA. Maybe Germany is not known for its beaches, but it is NOT landlocked.

Mr.B

Landlocked (ROTFL)... hehehe <BR> <BR>For a true maritime experience take a look at Hamburg or Kiel. <BR>You'll find many WONDERFUL beaches on both the North Sea and Baltic coasts... <BR> <BR>Linda - Romantic = Roman??????

Martin

To Laura and "e" - <BR>You're suggesting PARIS to find friendly people?? <BR>I'll take an "unfriendly" German anytime over the happy-go-lucky denizens of Paris. Don't get me wrong. Paris is certainly beautiful and the food magnificent, but if you are holding a friendliness competition the Parisians will be toward the end of the pack. <BR>I find Germans to be rather like Americans -- self-confident and open, but sometimes a bit too direct and impatient. But not mean-spirited as all too many Parisians seem to be.

Bob

Germany is great. We have been all over the country on numerous visits and lived there in the 70s. Bavaria is my favorite part of the country. <BR> <BR>One thing you may want to consider is a cruise on the Danube. We were on the MV Mozart in October. It left from German town of Passau and cruised the Danube to Vienna, Budapest and small towns in between. You only unpack one time in their very nice rooms and get good service plus see a lot of the area. It was very relaxing. <BR> <BR>Another good area to relax is to split your time between Berchtesgaden and Garmisch. Both have beautiful mountains and lakes and great scenery. It amazed me as an Army draftee in 1970 and still does today as I get back there as many times as I can. Have fun.

Sue

Just a couple of additions to the great suggestions that have already been made...In my opinion, the Mosel Valley is much more atmospheric than the Rhine Valley. There is less river traffic, and there is a generally laid-back feeling about the Mosel. Also, if you are going to be in the Nuremburg area, try to get a bit northeast (as I recall) of the city to a marvelous church at the top of a hill in the middle of farmland. It is called ViersehnHeiligen, and I thought it a more beautiful example of baroque architecture than many of the more famous churches.

richardab

I also disagree with Laura (sorry) I have been to most of the major Euro capiytals and sthe Germand were the most friendly I have met in all of Europe, especially in Bavaria. <BR> <BR>I also agree with Martin that Germans are forward 'self confident" people that have no problem with being direct. This doesn't bother me as I am a former New Yorker living in Los Angeles! <BR> <BR>Yes, many of the German cities were distroyed and rebuilt after the war and don't have the "old world charm" that you may find in cities like Paris and rome, but they do have tons of culture. Restoration is simply amazing, many buildings were leveled and rebuilt from the pieces to relicate their former glory. <BR> <BR>In my opinion Germany is a very modern and developed country but doesn't lack culture or sightseeing pleasures.

Al

We covered the country south of Munich from east to west and we very pleased with both the cities and the rural areas. Great residential architectural examples, which noticeably vary from region to region. We were never treated rudely or patronized and found people to be very helpful.

richardab

Please excuse my typos in the above message! I hit the POST button by accident before I proof read it!

Margot

Peter: <BR>By all means, go to Germany! My husband and I have been to Spain, England, Italy and Germany. Aside from the west country in England, Germany was our favorite place. <BR> <BR>We first went to Berlin. Before the plane landed, we met a couple who lived in Berlin - they had been sitting behind us, laughing at our attempts to pronounce the German translation of "Where is the bathroom?" They were very friendly, and gave us their phone number. They said that they had had such a good time in America, they would like to take us to lunch if we had a free afternoon. If it were up to me, I probably wouldn't have called. My husband, being a more gregarious and less suspicious person, called them. They met us at our hotel, drove us to a marina, and took us on a luncheon cruise on their sailboat. We saw a part of Berlin we never would have seen. I suppose there is a slight chance we also could have been hacked to pieces and thrown into the river, but this did not happen... <BR> <BR>We also visited friends in a town called Goslar, near Hanover. It is very quaint, very old (of course), and was just a pleasure to visit. <BR> <BR>All unflattering stereotypes of German people were completely disproved during this trip (to me, anyway). The people (for the most part) were warm, helpful, and just generally pleasant. The food was wonderful. The weather was beautiful. Lufthansa (spelling?) was a dream. <BR> <BR>Excuse my gushing...it was a great trip. Hope you go. <BR> <BR>Margot

Victor

I think Germany is definitely worth a trip especially the southern Germany. We went there last month and we really enjoyed it. All the hosts that we stayed with were very helpful and so were the people that we asked for help. I was not sure about Germany before the trip but it changed my opinion. By the way my trip report is at www.vgpma.com/travel/