Traveling back to Germany

Rothenburg, Königssee..

- Lebensmittel im Supermarkt sind aktuell preiswerter als in Nordamerika
- Unterkunft auch, wenn du die Hotelketten meidest und dich in Deutsch verständigen kannst. (www.bensbauernhof.com)
- Politisch hat sich alles massiv nach "links" verschoben.
- Der Autoverkehr hat auch massiv zugenommen, die Bahn wird täglich schlechter.
- Der Euro hat die Preise verdoppelt aber die Inflation ist sicher noch niedriger als beu Euch.

Viel Spaß

Sounds like a fun trip.

Since you are basing in Stuttgart I would suggest you include Salzburg in your trip to Bertschesgaded (Koenigsee). It is very close and probably worth spending a night there. As you return look at ViaMichelin.com to map out a trip back through Mittenwald, Garmish, Ettal Monastery, Schloss Linderhof, Oberammergau, Wiesskirche, Fussen (Neuschwanstein).

Out of Stuttgart you are easily withing striking distance of Munich, The Black Forest, Bodensee, Heidelburg, and the Rhine River area.

Have fun!

A trip to Munich (either by car or train) is under 2-1/2 hours - the train might be better as it's a long day and you can sleep.

Also 2-1/2 hours by car (only) is Fussen/Neuschwanstein.

If 2 hours plus is to much, within a 1/2 hour drive or train from Stuttgart are Esslingen and Ludwigsburg.

Changed since 1989? The wall came down

Shops are open longer in the evening and smoking isn't allowed in reataurants (though in many bars). Otherwise, things haven't changed that much.

The Euro is said to have made things more expensive in restaurants and pubs, but I think the price increases since its introduction in 2002 have been modest, so inflation has reduced the prices. Maybe I just got used to it, but I think prices aren't outrageous in most places (actually I find them cheaper than in most of Western Europe). The exchange rate with the Dollar isn't too good for you, but I think currently the Euro is falling.

The hotels have trouble with the current crises, so there are a lot of good deals, in case you want to stay somewhere. You can take a look at www.hrs.de

As for another day: maybe Baden-Baden if you like the Spa, Heidelberg (castle, a very nice walk on the other side of the river), Speyer (wonderful small city, cathedral, museum and some very good brewery houses with outside seating if the weather is good) or Strasbourg just across th border to France. Should all be within 1:30 to 2 hours driving.

Stimmt! Du kannst bis 20 Uhr bei Aldi und Lidl und sonstwo einkaufen, wenn das kein Fortschritt ist! Aber in den südlichen Bundesländern nicht am Sonntag, denn da wollen wir immer noch unsere Ruh!

I really am pleased with the advice. I plan on adding Strasbourg to the day trip list and should be able to stop in Baden Baden on that same trip. When I was stationed in Stuttgart my family used to love going to the Fairytale Gardens in Ludwigsburg. Since the kids have grown I will have to come up with a "tourist" reason to get the wife to go. I am so looking forward to this trip. Hope the weather turns nice the first week of April.

Gary

While in Stuttgart, be sure to see the Mercedes museum and consider a stop at the nearby Ritter Sport "museum".

Hi Gary,
wish you all the best! Unfortunately in April the weather is proverbial for not being predictable. On the other hand, even if it rains in the morning you can hope for sunshine in the afternoon
Cheers, Hans

logos, Gott hat sogar in Berlin eingegriffen und den Sonntag gerettet

Hans, find ich gut!

Then again, maybe mother nature is getting all the nasty weather out of her system now so it will be beautiful when you visit (another snowy/rainy day today in Heidelberg!)

If you come up Speyer/Heidelberg way, consider a 1/2 day at Bruchsal Palace and its two museums as well as the (free) public gardens. Wow!

Dear GLS007,
glad to hear you are coming back this time as a civilian. Things certainly have changed since you left (not always for the better) but life is still peaceful. Cost of living (e.g. food prices) is cheaper in Germany. Hotel prices (unless you stay in 5 star hotel chains) are reasonable and restaurant food prices acceptable although the hamburgers are more expensive than in the US. Go and eat in local restaurants and you get good food for less. Most people understand english as you know. Gas is more expensive but cars don't need as much as the US gas guzzllers. As for day trips it takes you about 1,5 h to go to Baden-Baden from Stuttgart and another 40 min to Strassburg. Baden-Baden, a spa town, has beautiful thermal baths and the world most beautiful casino (Take a tie and Jacket and your passport) Clinton once said Baden-Baden is so beautiful you have to name it twice !!. And don't forget the cultural life Concert, Opera, Museums etc.
You may also consider to visit Bamberg or the Maulbronn (Both world heritage sites).
Enjoy your trip and show your wife your old stamping ground.!!

As you had South, if time permits, take a side trip to Ulm to see the cathedral - compare the tsyle etc. with Starssbourg (which I was going to strongly suggest as well). I was at EUCOM as a civilain in the early 80's and have been back many times. The area has changed and then again it has not... fewer Americans for sure, but the people are as great as ever!....don't forget to head into Stuttgart (perhaps on market day)

I lived in Stuttgart 2005-2007 and found prices very reasonable.

The Residenzschloss in Ludwigsburg is outstanding for adults as well, and not just for the gardens - the palace is beautiful and historically very interesting. I don't think your wife will be disappointed by a day there. I know there is at least one English tour per day - check the website. If you are lucky the tulips will be in bloom!

There is so much to see and do within an hour of Stuttgart - you don't really need to take long day trips. Burg Hohenzollern springs to mind, along with such quaint towns as Bad Wimpfen, Schwaebisch Hall, and Tuebingen.

If you have any interest in cars, the Mercedes museum is fantastic (and an architectural marvel, even if your wife is not interested in cars!). I hear the new Porsche museum is also very good.

Stuttgart is becoming more and more international, although you will not hear much English in the suburbs. In most tourist destinations, the locals will be thrilled to help you practice your better-than-tourist German.

Have you thought about staying at the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in Garmisch-Partenkirchen? It make a great place to day trip from.
http://www.edelweisslodgeandresort.com/home.html