4 Night Layover in Frankfurt
 

On our way to the Holy Land in November, we have an extended layover in Frankfurt to acclimate to the time change and to wait for the rest of our tour group. We have 4 nights/days before we joint them. We've spent all our time researching the Holy Land portion of this trip.

We've never been to Germany and I'm embarrassed to say have absolutely no idea what we should do. Do we stay in Frankfurt? Do we hop a train for somewhere else? We will not have a rental car. Our layover was last minute so we are clueless as to how to make the most of our time during our layover.

We love to shop, see the countryside, sight-see, maybe a museum or two.

Any hotel/lodging suggestions would be great. We prefer Starwood properties, but not opposed to others.

joint them = join them
Guess I'm thinking Amsterdam. :)

The trick is that you will be there in late November - so the countryside will not be very attractive. Staying in towns - but not just Frankfurt makes a lot of sense.

I would grab a couple of guidebooks and check out town within an hour or 2 of Frankfurt by train - keeping in mind that it will get dark early and sights will not be open for longer summer hours.

It will be early November...but that probably doesn't change your suggestion of staying in towns. Thank you!

We spent two nights in Mainz, Germany, several years ago. There is a church there with Marc Chagall windows that would be worth seeing.

Hit the submit button too quickly. You can take the train from Frankfurt to get there.

<< We spent two nights in Mainz, Germany, several years ago. There is a church there with Marc Chagall windows that would be worth seeing. >>

orangetravelcat1 has well understated this church. The windows are among the most magnificent I've ever seen - all shades of blue. You can google images but they will not do justice to these windows. The church is St. Stephens and is not well marked. Just keep walking up hill and eventually there will be some signs. There's also lots of other things to do in Mainz (about 40 minutes from Frankfurt on the train - the TI will give you exact directions to get there).

I would stay in Frankfurt. You'll be jet lagged the first day (if arriving after an overseas flight). Do a walking tour of Frankfurt on one day (very interesting tour). Visit Mainz another day. There are lots of options for the last day.

There's plenty of suggestions for the area around Frankfurt already posted on this board from someone who lives there. Do a search on Frankfurt and you'll come up with lots of suggestions.

Here is a good post from Trip Advisor that tells you in detail, how to take the train into Frankfurt from the airport, as well as a few ideas about what to see and do there.

If you are going to the Holy Land, then perhaps either of the Jewish museums in Frankfurt would be interesting for you, and also the Jewish Holocaust Memorial?

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowTopic-...urt_Hesse.html

Thank you all...this is very helpful! While we're not Jewish, the Holocaust Memorial is a must do.

Mainz also sounds like a definite day trip. We just need to decide on one more day trip and we'll be set!

Once the rest of the group arrives for their 10-hour layover, we're going to Mass and then a walking tour of Frankfurt. Then off to Amman.

I'd stay in Frankfurt as suggested above. You probably really have 3 days? The first will be the jet-lag, get a feel for area day. I think there's plenty to do and no need to mess with moving, with the time and energy that takes.

I spent almost 3 weeks in the area last summer and went so many places from Frankfurt and also spent several days there. Here's the link to my trip report if you want some suggestions of where to go:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...kfurt-area.cfm

Here's a suggestion or two, much like what Adrienne says above:

Day 1--? Depends on when you get there and where you are. You could go to Hoechst via a short trainride; wonderful half-timbered houses, a small castle, porcelain shop, some good restaurants.

Day 2: There's a wonderful walking tour of Frankfurt conducted in English that goes everyday. http://www.frankfurtonfoot.com/ I'd start with that your first full day there. Then with remaining time go to or back to some places in Frankfurt. The museums along the river bank are quite wonderful and varied; the Dom is worth a re-visit; your guide will have suggestions for you and for places to eat.

Day 3: Mainz is a terrific day trip. The church with Chagall windows, the cathedral, and the Gutenberg museum. Wonderful.

Day 4: For your other day, there are so many places, close and further away, that can be seen via a train-trip from Frankfurt. I'd probably suggest the Rhine Valley; there are so many permutations of how to do that. Research and ask specific questions if that appeals. An easy option is train to Rudesheim and a short boat trip from there. I'm not positive of what runs in November on the river. Heidelberg or Weisbaden are other possibilities.

I would agree with the area around Rudesheim/Geisenheim. If the weather is good, this would be a lovely way to spend some time. I recall thinking that Weisbaden looked nice, but I was there on a beautiful sunny warmish spring day.

http://www.spiritualtravels.info/art...ur-in-germany/

you could go to Wittenberg by train.

You are all awesome! Thank you so much!

We will actually have 3 full days plus the days we arrive/depart. We arrive to Frankfurt early morning so we'll try to stay awake the whole day to get our bodies on schedule. The day we leave we'll be with our group for their 10 hour layover.

Adrienne is right. I understated the Marc Chagall windows in Mainz. Definitely a must see.