4 Night Layover in Frankfurt

Old Oct 4th, 2013, 07:00 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 387
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
jewelhawg is offline  
Old Oct 4th, 2013, 07:01 AM
  #2  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 387
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
joint them = join them
Guess I'm thinking Amsterdam.
jewelhawg is offline  
Old Oct 4th, 2013, 07:16 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
nytraveler is offline  
Old Oct 4th, 2013, 07:28 AM
  #4  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 387
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It will be early November...but that probably doesn't change your suggestion of staying in towns. Thank you!
jewelhawg is offline  
Old Oct 4th, 2013, 07:51 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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 is offline  
Old Oct 4th, 2013, 07:51 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hit the submit button too quickly. You can take the train from Frankfurt to get there.
orangetravelcat1 is offline  
Old Oct 4th, 2013, 08:04 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
>

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.
adrienne is offline  
Old Oct 4th, 2013, 09:03 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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
Mainhattengirl is offline  
Old Oct 5th, 2013, 06:08 AM
  #9  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 387
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
jewelhawg is offline  
Old Oct 5th, 2013, 06:09 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
texasbookworm is offline  
Old Oct 5th, 2013, 06:41 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
simpsonc510 is offline  
Old Oct 5th, 2013, 07:12 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 25,493
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
http://www.spiritualtravels.info/art...ur-in-germany/

you could go to Wittenberg by train.
bilboburgler is online now  
Old Oct 5th, 2013, 11:16 AM
  #13  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 387
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You are all awesome! Thank you so much!
jewelhawg is offline  
Old Oct 5th, 2013, 11:22 AM
  #14  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 387
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
jewelhawg is offline  
Old Oct 5th, 2013, 09:52 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Adrienne is right. I understated the Marc Chagall windows in Mainz. Definitely a must see.
orangetravelcat1 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rtwin80days
Europe
17
Jul 7th, 2014 02:30 AM
Princess
Europe
7
Jul 5th, 2010 09:34 PM
oliverandharry
Europe
7
Nov 5th, 2005 05:18 AM
michelleNYC
Europe
8
Oct 22nd, 2004 09:36 AM
PJBT
Europe
3
Jul 26th, 2003 08:23 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -