Max Kovler

I will be going to Germany in September for 10 days and would like suggestions regarding what there is to see and do. Since I'm not going for very long I would like to make sure to see as much of the best as possible. Although I like castles and cathedrals and stuff, I would also be interested in peoples' impressions of other areas of travel that are their favourites. <BR>Thanks in advance for your advice. <BR>

Trina Baughn

I know you were looking for info on stuff other than castles & cathedrals, but that's about all there is over here. Fortunately, many of the castles are set in the middle of wine valleys, so the scenery is beautiful. Here's my top 5 list: <BR>1. Rhein River from Koblenz going north. Stop in cities like Rudesheim & Bingen. Very pretty mountains covered in vinyards and dotted with castles. <BR>2. Black Forest <BR>3. Baden-Baden (Spa town in Black Forest, nice casinos and restaraunts) <BR>4. Bavaria - Fussen, Garmish, etc. <BR>5. Berlin (haven't been there, but will go before I leave after hearing so many great stories from friends) <BR>Hope this gets you started.

Sharon

Hi Max. Two "must-see" in Germany in my opinion are: <BR>1. Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria which is the model of the Walt Disney castle and an architectonic wonder. <BR>2. Berlin with the Tiergarten,Brandenburger Tor, Ku-Dam, Checkpoint Charlie and its lovely clubs and places. <BR>Have a nice trip.

Lee

Max: I lived in Germany from '83 to '86 and have visited every major city from Berlin to Frieburg and Trier to Bertchesgaden. I do not disagree with the other posters as they are correct. In light of this, I suggest just what my wife and I did upon my return (her first time) to Germany last summer for ten days: We arrived in Frankfurt and stayed two days in Sachsenhausen. This is the "older" part of the city just south of the Main River with it's many pubs and restaurants set along mainly pedestrian-only thoroughfares. This is Frankfurt's best area for sitting outside, dining, etc. We crossed the bridge to the Romer which is a reconstructed "old style, town square" area with cafe's stores and churches. There is also St. Bartholomew's cathedral, where you can walk up into the steeple for the best view of the city and river. We wandered up into the Hauptwache or main shopping area and then visited the beautiful Opera. On our third day, we drove to Rothenburg on the Tauber, which is a medieval walled city several hundred years old and quite intact. Great place! We returned to Frankfurt that evening and the next day we drove to the Rhine River at Rudesheim (take the cable car ride above the vineyards!) and proceeded up to Koblenz, crossing the bridge there. There are countless castles on each side. We drove down the other side and stayed at the Schlosshotel Rheinfels, which is next to a castle ruin at St. Goars. The next day, we drove the remainder of the way to Mainz, crossed to Wiesbaden and continued to Munich, where we checked into our hotel and had dinner at the Hofbrauhaus. The next day, we drove into Garmisch-Partenkirchen and took a cable car ride on one of the mountains. Awesome! We then drove into nearby Ettal to visit the beautiful basillica and then to Linderhof castle (don't miss it!) and to nearby Oberammergau to have dinner. We returned to Munich and left the next day along the "Romantic Road" for Fussen and Neuschwanstein Castle. We spent the day there and then drove back to Frankfurt. The next day we took the short drive to Heidelburg to see the castle on the Neckar River and visit the lovely university city. We returned to Frankfurt and spent our last day relaxing. What a trip! My wife had never been to Europe and she loved it! Our photo album is really something. My only regret was not getting over to Bertchesgaden and into Salzburg, Austria, but then again, that's why we're going back next May, to "finish" our trip. This itinerary won't work for everyone, but it worked for us. We put 2,600 km on our rental car and the trip turned out better than I hoped. Have fun and a good trip!

Andree Bogner

Dear Travellers! <BR>I do not agree with Trinas view that there are just castles and cathedrals to see in Germany. I live in North Germany and whenever I read about Americans going to Germany the majority of them think that having seen Bavarian Castles and towns they know the whole country. I wish they would realize that this is only a snap shot of Germany and its culture. If you went to explore the towns and the landscape in the North (Bremen, Lübeck, Hamburg, Wismar, Schwerin, Rostock,Baltic islands, Lüneburger Heide, etc.) as well as the places in the South of Germany you would see that there is much more to experience than castles and cathedrals. A major city like Hamburg for example offers a tourist a wide variety of cultural experiences and a great cosmopolitan atmosphere which conveys a proper picture of what life in Germany is like- and that's definitely not just 'Lederhosen', 'Walt Disney- castles'and waking up in the morning with a cowbell sound in your ear! <BR>If you have been to different places within Germany (and there are a lot of different places concerning culture, architecture and life style)you will get a real impression of the country and then feel free to judge about it. Enjoy your trip!!!

Linda

You can't see all of the facets of Germany in 10 days, so you need to set your priorities as to what you want to do. The only place that is a must to me is Berlin--the history from ancient times (museum with a real ruin) to WWII to the Cold War. Checkpoint Charley Museum was great, the old Olympic Stadium where Jesse Owens won, so much more. The people are great & the city is so interesting!! But, there's beautiful Bavaria, the romantic road, fairy tale road, the northern area. Have fun!!

Trina Baughn

Andree- <BR> <BR>In response to your comments, I'll digress, just a little. I have been living in Germany for the past 4 years. I've travelled extensively throughout Germany and the rest of Europe. I guess I've become a tad synical in my views. Everything starts to look the same after a while, thus my comments. Remembering the days when I first arrived, I recall the wonders of city shopping, country drives, and exploring tiny villages. I still am pleasantly surpised every now and then when I discover a new area of Germany. Just last week I drove through Saarland and enjoyed a local fest. Very nice. Germany is still a beautiful country in my eyes, I've just grown a little tired of it and am a bit homesick. Didn't intend on offending anyone.

Andree Bogner

Dear Trina! <BR>I have read your message- thanks for replying to my little comment. I didn't mean to offend anyone either- I just wanted to emphasize the fact that the majority of American tourists tends to visit the southern areas and gets only an incomplete view of the country, especially because Bavaria differs a lot from the rest of the country. In consideration of this fact I took your message as an opportunity to write an 'advertisement' for the northern parts and cities. Now that you have explained your personal view and situation I can understand it much better. My comment was also supposed to be a tip for Max and his holiday planning. I know that 10 days are not a lot of time but if you have the opportunity to see different parts of the country you should definitely make use of it.Thanks a lot for your understanding. All the best- Andree.

Trina Baughn

Andree - <BR> <BR>You're welcome. By the way, was in Hamburg briefly during February and loved it. Found some type of mall w/ an American Cafe/Deli that I fell in love with. Also neat to watch people's fascination w/ the fake crown jewels. <BR> <BR>Trina

kam

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned Rothenburg or King Ludwig's Castles. Been to Berlin twice, once before the wall came down and then about 4 years ago. It's still interesting, but the wall made it a truly unique and very poignant place to be. Lee's itinerary sounds fantastic. But, you can't see it all and with all the suggestions you've received, you're back to the same dilemma!! Good luck! <BR>