phieaglefan

Ok, I've changed this so many times I can't count. I recently moved some days from Germany to Switzerland. Let me know if this is doable or if it's too scattered.

Day 1 Arrive Munich, travel to Kallmunz (NW of Regensburg to visit family)

Day 2 & 3 Kallmunz (family)

Day 4 Travel to Landshut & overnight (family)

Day 5 Travel to Garmisch with daytime stopover in Munich. Overnight Garmisch

Day 6, 7, & 8 Garmisch with day trips to: Zugspitz, Mittenwald, Innsbruck, Oberammergau, Linderhof, etc.

Day 9 Travel to Lindau or Meersburg on Lake Constance (Bodensee) Not sure which yet!!!

Day 10 Explore Lake Constance area

Day 11 Travel to Lugano

Day 12 Lugano

Day 13 Travel to Lucerne

Day 14 Day trip to Bern from Lucerne (Uncle's request)

Day 15 Travel from Lucerne to Zurich Airport for flight out.

Is Lugano too much to fit into this trip? I'm dying to see it. Mappy and ViaMichelin both have the travel time from Lindau to Lugano at 2 hours 40 minutes or the time from Meersburg to Lugano at 3 hours 15 minutes. We will have a car for this itinerary. Is this realistic?
Thanks for your imput!

Ingo

Yes, sounds doable. Lugano is not too far I think.

What I don't understand - although I am a fan of Bern (unlike others here) - why are you going to Bern? I would substitute it with the Bernese Alps. Gorgeous scenery. Your uncle must have a very special reason to pick Bern instead of the mountains!

Lucerne, by the way, is also a beautiful city with stunning scenery around, so it would be a good idea to spend the day there.

phieaglefan

Ingo,
First of all, thanks for your reply. I was beginning to think I was cramming.

On the reason for the visit to Bern, I'm not sure. My Onkel and his wife made approximately 20-25 trips to Germany and surrounding areas over 30 years. It's actually her family (my Mother's sister) that we're visitng. She passed away about 9 years ago. I suspect they went to Bern together. Anyway, he's 75 and I'm thrilled that he's going with my husband and I on our 20th Wedding Anniversary trip. I suspect it may be his last venture to Europe, so I'm not asking questions. We will, however get to spend some time in the German/Austrian Alps. I guess that will have to do!
Thanks again, Ingo

Ingo

It is a pleasure. Well, in this case I think you should fulfill the wish of your uncle. Maybe you can take the route from Lucerne via Interlaken so that you can see the Bernese Alps closer?

BTW, I think you should stay in Meersburg instead of Lindau. It is more picturesque IMO. And the surrounding area is nicer for exploration (Mainau Island, Pilgrim's church Birnau etc.)

You will have fun, I am sure.

Ingo

jmw44

Hi phieaglefan and Ingo, Since I'm a train rider, I can't comment on the drives. I'll just add a few comments. There's a tiny church in Seefeld that might be of interest to you as you pass through on your way from Garmisch to Innsbruck. The castle in Meersburg is a good one (especially the helmuts, though I'm sure my terminology is amiss), but do include Lindau in your Bodensee exploration -- it has wonderful streets and buildings and a marvelous harbor with lighthouse and lion. While in Lugano, try to save time for a boatride to Gandria for lunch or supper. And, yes, as Ingo suggests, make your drive to Bern via the Brunigpass for gorgeous views of mountains and lakes.

The itinerary sounds wonderful, if a bit tiring. Maybe you should just ignore my suggestions -- they'll just add to your to-do list. J.

JN

You have so little time in Luzern, which is a shame, really. Personally, with all the travel you have planned, I'd consider either cutting one day from the Garmisch area so you could have a full day in Luzern, or skipping the Lugano portion.

Winnepeg

E-A-G-L-E-S!!!

Sounds like a great trip. I'll be in Germany this summer

Will you be wearing any of your Eagles stuff while in Europe. I would like to bring my Runyan and T. Thomas jerseys with me for the summer. I just wonder if I should be attracting any additional attention to being an American travelling overseas.

Anybody out there been to Germany in the last few months. Wondering how extreme the anti American sentiment is running through some of the bigger cities.

Anyway, can't wait for September. With Owens and Kearse along with all the returning players from injuries we should have as good a shot as anybody to make it to the Super Bowl.

Have fun in Europe.

Mark

Ingo

Mark - I am German and live in a bigger city (Dresden), and I am wondering why you think there is anti-American sentiment in Germany? Not at all, at least here.

Winnepeg

Ingo,

Let's not even start a political discussion in Fodor's travel forum. That is one topic that we do not need to discuss here. Let's keep it out of Fodor's.

But, I will answer your question. Hard to believe that you haven't noticed the change in the attitude of your fellow Germans towards the Americans and our President.

I hope I am wrong. I only hope that you are right.

First of all, I am of German descent. Been there 30 times. Love Germany and everything about it. In fact, I am currently wearing the souvenir watch from the Frauenkirche in Dresden. My grandmother contributed some money to the rebuilding fund before she passed away. I am already planning my trip to see the re-opening of the Frauenkirche in 2006.

All of my relatives are still in Germany. My mom and dad came to America in 1957. I am scheduled to be in Sommerach along the Main River for 2 months this summer.

I can still remember when Ronald Reagan was President and he was referred to by my cousins and their friends as Ronald Ray Gun. How about the song "99 Luftballoons" in the early 1990's.

There is plenty of anti American sentiment throughout Germany. I have been advised by my cousins to avoid wearing anything with the American Flag or anything relating to 9-11 while I am there.

I am certain that if I start getting into talks with Germans about our role in the Middle East and the German attitude to Iraq, that plenty of anti American sentiment will come through.

My mother is quite nervous about me flying to Germany this summer. Her sister has already told her to tell me to be careful. It isn't like it used to be over there, so I am told.

Anyway, that's all I need to share. I just hope you are right.

Viellen dank!

Ingo

Mark,

very interesting what you share here. Thanks a lot for the background info.

(And a special thanks for the contributions/donations for the Frauenkirche. Yesterday they last stone was put on its place. The cross will be put on top on 22 June this year, the dedication (reopening) will be 30 Oct 2005)

You are right, let's keep politics out of here. If you want to discuss you can email me at [email protected]

I think it depends on what you understand under "anti-American sentiments". From my experiences and from what I have heard I believe that Americans are still welcome as before (can't speak for West Germany, and cannot speak for the times before the wall came down.) But you must expect that if you get into serious discussion (no-one will force you into that) about politics you will hear some opinions contrary to yours. This is not meant to offend you. Friends can have diverging opinions, right?

I am sure you will have a great time in Germany.

Ingo

phieaglefan

Thanks agin for all of your replies and suggestions.

JN, I have already cut one day from Garmisch, and I know we will be doing Lucerne a dis-service. I would certainly substitute it for Bern were it not for my Onkel's specific request.
I considered staying outside of Lucere and saving the entire city for another trip. I chose it not necessarily as a destination (although I understand it is a great one), but as a mid-point where I could travel easily to Bern for the day and still be within easy driving distance of the Zurich Airport.

Winnipeg, go EAGLES! I grew up outside of Philly and now live in Oklahoma of all places. I too am excited about Owens & Kearse, but will miss Vincent & Taylor. I hope your trip this summer goes well also!

Thanks again everyone!
Hilda

Winnepeg

Ingo,

Thanks for the level headed words. It seems to me that you have a very intelligent attitude to all of what has happened.

I agree with you, I still believe that I'll be welcome where ever I go in Germany, or else where in Europe. I realize that these conflicts are between governments and not necessarily the people. I only hope it stays that way.

I can't wait to get to part of Germany where I am staying. I rather doubt if there will be many Americans in towns like Sommerach, Volkach, Iphofen, or in towns along the BierStraBe. I am sure that it'll be alot of fun.

Just to give you a bit of background on my family. My mom was born in Langen, between Frankfurt and Darmstadt. My dad was born in Magbeburg and raised in Leipzig. Around 1942 the whole family left in the middle of the night to avoid what my grandfather saw as the Russian influences and walked the 600 kilometers from Leipzig to Munich. Left everything behind. After the wall came down, my grandmother was able to file a claim and get compensated for the house that they left behind.

I am planning to be in Dresden for the re-dedication of the Frauenkirche. I thought it was going to be in 2006. Well, I guess I'll have to be in Germany again next year. (Tough luck, huh?) Again, thanks for the info about the re-dedication.

One more small tidbit of info you might get a kick out of. After the wall came down and the East Germans began abandoning the Trabants all over the place, my cousins thought it would make good sense to export the Trabants to America to be sold as souvenirs. I got licensed with Customs to import the Trabants. Had three of them shipped over here. Tried to sell them as souvenirs. Never got any where with selling them. Ended up giving them away to local German clubs. I think the German name for such things is....schrott. Did I spell the word correctly?

I may get in touch with you again for some info and advice as the trip to Dresden gets closer. I'd be interested in spending some time in Dresden and also visit the only relatives left on my dads side of the family. They still live in Leipzig. Every Christmas they send us a package full of the German Christmas Stollens. The best Stollen I have ever eaten are the ones that come from Dresden.

Anyway, thanks again for the info.

Mark

adeewebstr

We went to the Bodensee last summer for my zepplin-entranced husband's 50th birthday. I had hoped to stay in Lindau at the - gone blank - highly rated hotel on the harbour. Thank goodness we couldn't get in! We stayed in Meersburg (will get back to you with the name of the hotel) and LOVED it. Once you get up the hill, it is much less touristy than Lindau, it is on a hill with vineyards going down to the lake, and it is - what to say -smaller and prettier. If you are at all interested in zeppelins/air travel - go to the Zeppelin Museum in Friedrichshafen (between Meersburg and Lindau by bus or ferry. It has a mock up of the Graf Zeppelin/Hindenburg (I'm NOT the expert, but I enjoyed the museum) that is very interesting. You can do an hour zeppelin tour, too - but it's expensive - only go if you are really into it. We had a wonderful time - went across the lake and rented a car to go into Austria. Unfortunately, it was during the murderous heatwave - it was odd being in the Alps in shorts (thank goodness I packed a pair at the last minute) and as hot as we would be at home in south Florida - but worse because of no a/c. Trying to eat hot, heavy German food in hot restaurants - I actually lost wieght!

travelinfamily

I just returned from a Germany, Austria, Switzerland trip last night. I have to say that Lucern was my favorite spot!! It was so beautiful, take a boat across the lake to see the other little villages on the water (they are spectacular). It is worth seeing!! Also, the comment on anti-american in Germany all I have to say is the first night in Munich I was called a "stupid american" while standing in line for the ladies room, that didn't impress me much but after that I didn't have any other negatives!! Have a great trip, if you like beer, the Mittenwald brewery made my favorite Weiss beer!!

Winnepeg

To Travelin Family,

Did you get a chance to do the Golden Pass train from Lucerne towards Montreaux. Glass domed train that really gave a nice view of the scenery in that part of Switzerland

Beautiful scenery. I lost the book that I had with me durig that trip to Europe, but it was some sort of book called the greatest railroad trips in all the world. The Golden Pass train, covered by Eurail, was one of the five recommended train rides in Switzerland.

Well worth the ride, even if you go only half way towards Montreaux. There were plenty of small villages and towns along the way.

Vickitty

Just wanted to slip in a slight comment of reassurance about any anti-American sentiments. I am an American, studying in southwestern Germany, and have never had any problems with anyone being anti-American. I am occasionally asked what I think of Bush, but in an honestly curious manner.

To not stray from the actual question, I would definetly reccomend Meersburg. It was a very nice city to explore, and the castle was a great highlight. We did our entire Bodensee excursion in one day, so that's no too short. I haven't really been to any of the other places you are thinking of though, so can't comment on the times allotted them.

adeewebstr

Gasthas Zum Baron - think I got the spelling right - is the place we stayed in Meersburg. Check the website for Karen Brown (wirtes books on B&Bs, romantic hotels, itineraries, etc) for more info on the hotel. We had one of the rooms with the sort of round tower sitting room - it's in all the pics - very nice.