What's interesting about Passau
May 17th, 2006, 02:26 PM
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What's interesting about Passau
Thought this title might draw attention. Our trip begins with 2 days in Munich, then because I wanted to see another interesting town in Bavaria, the travel agent recommended 2 days in Passau. I hadn't heard much about that city...was looking forward to seeing the castles, etc. Do you recommend changing locations? Or is everything pretty close together anyway? Thanks so much for the help!
May 17th, 2006, 04:25 PM
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I think it's a daily concert an noon. There are day cruises up the river you can take, and those are quite nice. It is also just a nice city to walk around in. Regensburg is quite close to Passau and is another very intersting place to visit. I would check that out if I were you.
May 17th, 2006, 04:40 PM
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You've made a good choice to visit Passau. To my mind (and I'm not from Passau but from Würzburg), Passau is, along with Bamberg, the most beautiful town of Bavaria. Since my girl-friend moved there for job reasons 5 years ago, I fell in love with the city. The location of the city is simply perfect, at the confluence of such important rivers as the Inn and the Danube, the town was built on a triangle shaped peninsula between the two rivers. Then, the city has not suffered any damages in the wars, all the narrow streets are still there, awesome. Although train connection to munich as well as road connetion is good (approx 90min), I'd suggest to change locations and stay overnight in Passau. The hotel I'recommend you, because it's a decent hotel and has the most beautiful sights of all, really close to the confluence of the rivers is the Hotel Schloss Ort: http://www.schlosshotel-passau.de/. Not too pricey, but solid and good. Being almost in Austria (the other banks of the rivers are in Austria already), Passau really is the most "austrian" town of Germany, it somehow breathes the air of Vienna already. If you like, rent a bike, e.g. at the train station, and do a bike trip along the river Inn to the next austrian town of Schärding. 20 km of unspoiled river nature, then a simply gorgeous little austrian city. Have lunch at the Wirtshaus "Zur Bumsn" http://www.bumsn.at/kontakt.php and head back to Passau - awesome, and the best part of the whole bike trip many people do from Passau down the Danube to Vienna. Donīt miss out on the city boat cruise covering the three rivers of the city, the so-called "Dreiflüsserundfahrt". It takes something like an hour and is really worth while doing. Climb the castle on the hill overlooking the city called "Feste Oberhaus" - great views from there. My favourite restaurant in Passau is the Heilig-Geist-Stiftsschänke in the city centre. A really old (dating back to the 14th century) restaurant with an authentic and everything but posh, but yet authentic austro-bavarian feeling. Yummy.http://www.stiftskeller-passau.de/
May 17th, 2006, 05:39 PM
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Passau is a charming small town. I was there last December and really enjoyed walking arround the streets and looking at the old buildings, and of course visiting the Christmas market.
A word about the organ concert: the church has the largest organ outside the U.S., and the organist is superb. We lucked into an all-Bach concert and were in heaven. I nearly froze to death in December; so you will find the church nicely cool in the heat of August.
A word about the organ concert: the church has the largest organ outside the U.S., and the organist is superb. We lucked into an all-Bach concert and were in heaven. I nearly froze to death in December; so you will find the church nicely cool in the heat of August.
May 18th, 2006, 02:20 AM
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The lunchtime concerts at the church often draw full houses, so be early. Near the station is a store that specialises in providing clothes for over-large men. (This might not be of interest to you, but it was/is to me!)
May 18th, 2006, 12:01 PM
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Oh, what wonderful help you all are! I just don't know much about Germany (thus the trip...) so didn't know what to think. I believe we'll stay with it. Thanks for the great advice! My oversized husband will enjoy the shopping tip!!
Aug 22nd, 2007, 06:53 PM
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It really is a shame that many people don't know much about Germany outside of the major cities and the "castles".
There so many lovely small towns and villages that most Americans never get to see. Narrow cobblestoned streets with enchanting half timbered buildings, old walls, gates and towers, some dating from the 13th and 14th centuries. Fascinating places but without the hordes of people associated with large cities and the major tourist attractions.
I hope your visit to Passau will make you want to return to Germany!
There so many lovely small towns and villages that most Americans never get to see. Narrow cobblestoned streets with enchanting half timbered buildings, old walls, gates and towers, some dating from the 13th and 14th centuries. Fascinating places but without the hordes of people associated with large cities and the major tourist attractions.
I hope your visit to Passau will make you want to return to Germany!
Aug 23rd, 2007, 05:03 AM
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bettyk
The OP, jodester, first started this post in 2006 and has probably completed his journey.
However we are in the midst of planning for our trip and are hoping to see just what you described. While we have seen many of the large towns (and castles!) we are going to visit the villages and small towns - such as Passau - on this trip.
Do you have any other suggestions?
Carol
The OP, jodester, first started this post in 2006 and has probably completed his journey.
However we are in the midst of planning for our trip and are hoping to see just what you described. While we have seen many of the large towns (and castles!) we are going to visit the villages and small towns - such as Passau - on this trip.
Do you have any other suggestions?
Carol
Aug 25th, 2007, 04:10 AM
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Brahmama--Where in germany are you planning to travel? I think the heading Passau on this post is making people think of that part of Bavaria but maybe we shouldn't be restricting our answers to that part of Germany?
I agree with violetduck about Bamberg and Regensburg. If you go to the Regensburg area especially with a car Weltenburg abbey on the Danube with famous beer, a big beer garden and an amazing Baroque church by the Asam brothers is interesting.
Other areas/towns to explore: Landshut on the Isar river and the Altmuhl valley/Naturpark (Eichstatt is the biggest town in the area)
I agree with violetduck about Bamberg and Regensburg. If you go to the Regensburg area especially with a car Weltenburg abbey on the Danube with famous beer, a big beer garden and an amazing Baroque church by the Asam brothers is interesting.
Other areas/towns to explore: Landshut on the Isar river and the Altmuhl valley/Naturpark (Eichstatt is the biggest town in the area)
Aug 25th, 2007, 02:26 PM
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In the center of Passau is an interesting memorial that's built above an ancient Jewish synagogue. It's a marble (I think) rectangle with round cement (?) "stools" for people to sit on. When I was there kids were having a great time sliding around on the slightly icy surface--it's a popular gathering place for families visiting the nearby Christmas market.
