2 Months in Deutschland- What is there to see?
 

A long time ago I posted a message regarding my trip to Germany next summer. I am staying there for almost two months. My boyfriend and his family are going to show me around the country, but I was wanting to know if you all can recommend some places to visit so I can tell my boyfriend's family where I might like to go. I know for a fact that we are going to Heidelburg. We are also going to France for a couple of days to see Paris and some other places. I just want to get some research done on some of these places so I can get a feel for the country before I visit.
Thanks,
Some 16 Year Old Girl in the U.S.

You could spend the entire 2 months in Bavaria. See beer, drink beer. ((b))

Heidelberg is a TERRIFIC destination - the Old Town and Castle are absolutely beautiful! My husband and I took a trip to Germany in May of this year and we have nothing but wonderful things to say of our first stop in Heidelberg. From there we went to Munich and Fussen. It greatly depends on your interests but we loved the history and architecture in Munich - the Residenz, Marienplatz, and breathtaking churches Theatinerkirche and Frauenkirche. We traveled to Fussen to see more of the Alps and visit Neuschwanstein Castle, which we enjoyed immensely....very touristy but so worth it. If you visit Neuschwanstein, be sure to tour the Hoenshcwangau (sp?) Castle as well where King Lugwig grew up. We enjoyed that castle even more than it's famed counterpart. Best of luck to you in planning your trip! Two whole months - I'm jealous! :)

All of the above that has already been mentioned and a few suggestions of my own... Berlin (tons of stuff to do for all interests), the Saltmines (loads of fun, esp the "train" ride in and the slides down!!) which are close to all of Ludwig's castles, Trier for a taste of Roman History (and not so far from Heidleberg) if you are over near Trier stop in Luxumbourg and see Patton's grave (plus the city is beautiful), Cochem, Burg Eltz, Cologne all known for their castles and church respectfully, the Bodensee - again lots to do for all interests, esp outside type interests (and close to Switzerland if you want to get "one more country" in). It all depends on what interests YOU - do you like museums, hiking, castles, churches, "touristy" things, out of the way small towns, culture (like art, plays, dance etc)???? These are the things that help determine where you should go...

Don't miss Munich and the Rhine Valley. Pick up a guidebook and study up to get a feel for the country. Don't forget your camera!

Since you say you are going to Paris, maybe you could cover Strasbourg (the cathedral in late afternoon is stunning). I also loved Cochem on the Mosel.
The Rhine is great. Wuerzburg and Nuremburg are great too.

Ah. To be 16, with 60 days of Germany to look forward to.
What things interest you? What bores you to tears?
Do you like: castles/chateaus/medieval architecture? museums/galleries? scenery? not that you have to know, at 16 maybe your tastes aren't honed yet.
Tell more.
PS. There are better castles than Neuschwanstein, none more commercial.

When are you planning on going? Germany, as I guess many other European countries have different activities going on throughout the year. Fall- main Fest time, summer Rhine-a-Flames (awesome), spring - take a weekend trip to see tulips in Holland... I like to stay in Bertesgaden, it is on the border of Germany and Austria. I plan day trips from there to see the castles and spend a day in Salzburg, see salt mines or go hanggliding. I usually drive through Austria to Fussen to catch the breathtaking view of the Alps and then on through the Black Forest - Triberg on to Heidelberg.

A two year old thread, that still seems good to me:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...mp;tid=1283646

Best wishes,

Rex

Thank you everyone for posting! I appreciate it so much. Wow, all these places sound fantastic! I have been doing some research whenever I can. I have been reading Rick Steves and some other stuff whenever I go to the bookstore or library. Trust me, I find myself there often.
I also forgot to mention that I believe we are going to Italy for a few days too. I'm really not sure just yet because we are thinking of the costs. My parents are also coming for a week or so. Then I'm free to stay with his family for the whole summer. Unfortunately that isn't possible because I have so many activities to do right before school starts. Geeze, so much stuff to do in so little time. LoL, but I'm happy. I know I would like to go to Bavaria and some of the northern regions. I would like to go to Dachau and Mannheim. I don't know what there is to do in Mannheim, but my friend moved there because his dad is in the Army.
I'm really looking forward to trip. Some of these places sound great.
Some of you asked me what interests me? Okay, I love museum, small towns with little shops, big cities..okay just about everything! I wouldn't know about hiking or anything like that. I haven't necessarily become one with nature just yet, but I'm sure I would enjoy hiking and camping. They sound like fun.
Another thing I would like to ask before I forget...Have any of you ever hosted a German student before? Next school year I am hosting my boyfriend's younger brother. He is my age and we both have common interests. I know that he is not a troublemaker or anything like that. I was just wondering if any of you had positive experiences as a host? What were the negative aspects? Is there anything I should pay special attention to? See I will be doing more my boyfriend's brother than my parents. He and I will be doing a lot of things together because my parents work a lot. I just want to get to know his culture better and know what to look out for when he lives with us. This is our first time hosting. Thank you everyone for your very informative posts!
Ciao,
16 Year Old Girl in the U.S.
P.S. For the life of me, I can not find Friedrichsdorf on the map! I know it is very close to Frankfurt. Is it a suburb or something? Thanks again.

First, Friedrischsdorf, the one near Frankfurt, is roughly 5-10 miles north. (For details check http://www.viamichelin.com, choose the "Hessen" entry for when the choices come up.)

Here's a few ideas of local stuff that might be of interest. Very close by is the Hessenpark open-air (freilicht) museum. You'll also be in the Tanus "mountains" (more like large hills, but I grew up in New Hampshire), so there should be some short hikes and other "mildly" outdoorsy stuff to do. There's some very nice biking trails in the area, especially a bit away on the Lahn up by Limburg/Geissen. I would strongly suggest a trip to Marburg, which is a university town and has a wonderful castle on the hill, a great gothic church, and a fair amount of shopping. (I may be biased as I've lived there for the past 20 months. :) ) Being near Frankfurt, you'll be quite close to the best part of the Rhine (between Koblenz and Bingen). Most of these can be just a day (though the Rhine is worth more than 1).

As other people have mentioned, Berlin has something for everyone. I would suggest traveling down to the Alps, so Füssen (near the famous Neuschwanstein castle) or Garmisch-Patenkirchen (site of Germany's highest mountain). Another idea my be the Bodensee (Lake Konstanz). You might also try to head further north, e.g., Hamburg or Lübeck, and east, e.g., Dresden or Leipzig. Basically, since you have so much time, try to get a feel for several parts of Germany.

One more thing, don't be afraid to take the train. I don't know how your boyfriend's parents are, but many Germans avoid the train. (Of course, many also take it regularly as most of the passengers are Germans.) You can get a couple of special tickets for really cheap including the "Good/Happy Weekend" (Schöneswochenende) ticket for €28 for travel anywhere in the country on Sat or Sun for up to 5 people (only on local RE/RB trains). You can get a similar ticket for €25 for travel anywhere in Hesse for any day (after 9 am, also up to 5 people).

Wherever you decide to go, enjoy this great oppurtunity.

Paul
(An American living in Marburg)

Lucky you!

Your first line says it all!

"My boyfriend and his family are going to show me around the country"

You will probalby see things that us 'visiters' can only dream about! Having the locals show you around is the best way to go!!
John

Your first line says it all!

"My boyfriend and his family are going to show me around the country"

The great thing is that they are German. I know that his family knows a lot about their countries history which makes it even better! I'm so excited. I talked to my boyfriend's father and he mentioned some of the places that he and his wife are going to show me. I know I will definetely have a first class tour of Frankfurt! My bf practically knows his way around there because he is playing with his orchestra almost every night for rehersal!
I think we will be going to Berlin also. All of you said there is something for everyone and everyone is telling me that I will love it.
Rail passes sound like a great idea! I will probably buy some since I will be moving around the country quite a bit.
Is taking traveler's checks a good idea? Is there anyway I can exchange American money to the Euro before I leave the U.S? Or is it best to just have the exchange when I arrive? I don't think it will be a problem to have USD switched to Euro because his father is a banker. Thanks again.
Lovin A German Guy

It really is great to see places with the "locals". We visited friends who live in Berlin and we wouldn't have seen everything we did (like the morning market and the music festival) if it wasn't for them.

As to money issues, my suggestion would be to take some TC's in USD as backup, especially if you can get them for free. For most of your money I would suggest an ATM card. (If you don't have one, get one.) I would guess your boyfriend/his parents will get you from the airport so you probably won't really need money right away. You'll be lucky in that if something drastic happens (probably won't) you'll have some backup support.

Once again,
Enjoy your trip,
Paul

Wow...16 and your parents are allowing
a 2 month trip to Europe to see a boyfriend. Call me old-fashioned!

Berlin. Don't miss it.