dorkforcemom

What a wonderful trip report, Aggiemom! My DH & I took our mothers to Germany & Austria a few years ago and it does create a different experience. We just returned from our trip to Italy - I'm going to organize & post a report soon. (BYW - we're Red Raiders!)

dancintomusic

You really have quite a flair for writing! I thoroughly enjoyed this report and was so disappointed when it ended. I wish you had written more. Thank you for taking the time to share your memories with us.

travlsolo2

Aggiemom: Enjoyed your trip report! Which railpass did you buy? I, too, love the convenience of a railpass. Also liked Beilstein and Burg Eltz -- I rented a bike in Treis-Karden last year and biked along the Mosel River for 3 days; stayed in the tiny wine town of Enkirch one night -- the hotel proprietor never even asked me my name! Room and yummy breakfast was 28 Euro. Oh, to be there right now. Sigh.

aggiemom

Thanks for your kind comments, everyone. Travlsolo2 - I bought a 5-day Eurail Germany-Benelux pass saver available in first class only (2 or more people must travel together) for $242 each.

gomiki

aggiemom: Thanks for your report. It sounds to me as though you made the best of less than ideal circumstances. I think we were in Germany at the same time. We went to Venice and missed all the nasty weather. I can't imagine dealing with all that rain. Especially on a vacation!

Kudos to you and your mom and thank you for giving me a positive example of grace. I hope to remember you when my trip isn't going the way I want or "planned".

DeeDee

Thanks for the report, Aggiemom! Especially enjoyed your summary of what you would change about your trip.

We're going to many of the same areas of Germany next month. We are staying in Beilstein, too, but have a rental car.

While your trip had its difficulties, I'm sure over time you have wonderful memories of this special time spent with your Mom!

RufusTFirefly

Our three nights in Hotel Haus Lipmann comprised one of our most enjoyable hotel experiences in 30 years of traveling together. Glad it was there for you after your harrowing experiences at the beginning of your trip.

Did you get a chance to sample the macaroons? Delightful.

artstuff

I bow to you, aggiemom, for being such a good daughter. What a wonderful thing you did for your mom - and for yourself. Although your trip had some harrowing times, you seemed to always make the best of the moment. You will have memories that you will carry in your heart for the rest of your life.

Our next trip is planned for Germany, following a similar route that you took. Thanks for taking the time to post your trip report.

<i>&quot;After an excellent breakfast of eggs, meats, sausage, cereals, yogurts, fruits, tea, coffee&quot;</i>

All the meals that you described at Hotel Haus Lippman sounded delicious, however, it was the breakfast menu that sold my husband on staying there during our travels.

<i>&quot;We happened upon a German version of the Dollar Store. We had to check it out. What fun! It was called Mac Geiz and we bought some trinkets for my nephew and niece.&quot;</i>

I posted a questions about Dollar Stores in Europe recently, so I was glad to read this in your report. I'll be looking for a Mac Geiz on our travels. I imagine that the merchandise was pretty much the same as you would see in the United States, only more Tyrolian chalets and beer stines. Peace.

Robyn &gt;-

aggiemom

You are all so nice for taking the time to comment. I've enjoyed them all and you've help lift my spirits. I felt for a while that I had ruined my Mom's first (and maybe only) trip to Europe by not planning better (even though I was really confident going in). I think the weather was a HUGE factor, too. It made it difficult to do stuff because it was so cold and wet you just wanted to hibernate. And my Mom's few frailties seemed to become evident - that was a little sad, too.

Robyn - yes, ALL the food was delicious at HHL. The breakfasts were large and I didn't do them justice. The menu was not geared for the vegetarian in me but I usually don't worry - I always find something to eat. The service was superb - we really felt at home (better than home, if you've ever been to my house!) To Mr. Fly - they didn't have macaroons on the day I asked. And I forget to ask the next day - I know I must have missed out on something good!

So thanks again, everyone. I'd love to reply individually to everyone who has written but that may take a while. You have made me feel better about a less than perfect trip - and already the good memories are taking over. (Believe it or not, I'm actually forming ideas in my mind about where to go next!)

mari5

aggiemom...sounds like you are from TX, but perhaps not. Your trip sounds fun,and overall I would say it was successful.To save hassle in London You might have just flown non stop to Frankfurt(from Dallas or wherever) and cut out Amsterdam, but that is hindsight and I shouldn't even be saying that.
Your hotels sound great, and your &quot;MIS- experiences will get more humerous as time goes on&quot;, and you will remember the great and beautiful things you saw and did together with your mother.
My husband and I were in about the same area this year at about the same time(end of April first part of MaY), but had a car which made some difference. Flew into Frankfurt,(from Texas), drove down through Rothenberg, stayed in Ulm, on to Salzburg, Venice, LakeGarda,and back through Austria and GErmany,Lake Constanse to the Rhine River.) Isn't it all beautiful? and I loved reading your report and have made notes of your hotels, restaurants etc.
Interesting about the cell phone and am glad you got it to work. We just usually have a prepaid card(AT&quot;&amp;T at SAms) and call from the hotel (get outside number and use 800,no charge) and it's about 20 cents a minute to the States). Might try a cell phone sometime, for fun and possible convenience.
Your mother is very lucky to have a daughter like you and I'm sure she will remember this trip for a long time. A trip like this is somewhat grueling, but you did move along and see a lot and that's the way my husband and I usually travel.
Your &quot;negative&quot; parts of the report seemed to improve as the trip progressed, and that could be chalked up to the long overseas flight and jet lag.
I wish you well, and thanks for the nice report.