Hi,<BR>I am planning a family travel to Amsterdam with my parents (50's) and wife. I plan to rent a van and hope to cover 2-3 other countries. I wanted to head Germany --&gt; Denmark or Germany --&gt; Czech route. In Germany I am particularly interested in seeing parts with WWII history, or parts of former East Germany, that still have a hangover from the Cold War era in as far as the culture/ lifestyle are concerned. <BR><BR>I have used the help of some wonderful Fodorites with great success for the past few years. I hope to do this again.<BR>Thanks

Here are a few ideas, depending on which direction you want to go:<BR><BR>www.burg-hotel-anholt.com - - this works whether you are headed north (towards Denmark) or towards the Czech Republic. Great place.<BR><BR>On the northern route, in Hamburg - - here's an excerpt from an earlier post:<BR><BR>=================<BR><BR>I have little or no reservation recommending a place IN Hamburg - - though it might seem fairly &quot;adult&quot; if you have little kids (i.e., no pool, more of a great place for a couple - - but still fine for kids). In a terrific old house; the owner is an eloquent life long resident of the city, and has fantastic books and photos on the rebuilding of Hamburg after the war, brick by brick. Like a 100 million bricks or something! Amazing.<BR><BR>The name is Hotel Hanseatic - - in a residential neighborhood north of the downtown city per se. No website, as far as I know.<BR><BR>Sierichstr. 150 <BR>22299 Hamburg<BR>Tel.: +4940-48 57 72<BR>Fax: +4940-48 57 73<BR><BR>I found it years ago in &quot;Europe's Wonderful Little Hotels and Inns&quot; - - a book rarely mentioned here (I am often surprised by that). And I relocated its details this morning on this website:<BR><BR>http://www.abaka.com/Germany/Hamburg.html<BR><BR>and they have a map there (incredibly TOO detailed!) - - enter the address (&quot;Sierichstrasse&quot;, then &quot;150&quot. After you get it, click on 6x6 and then &quot;Aktualisieren&quot;.<BR><BR>There are numerous other hotel listings on this same webpage.<BR><BR>=================<BR><BR>Likewise, to the north is Lubeck - - a great little city. This particularly works for taking the ferry between Puttgarden and Rodby.<BR><BR>There are way too many ideas to give you if you are headed towards Bavaria and the Czech Republic, but I'll suggest these two - - Ulmer Spatz in the town of Ulm and the entire town of Landshut, about 30 miles northeast of Munich.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>[email protected]<BR><BR><BR>

topping, for pg<BR>

pg... It depends on when you visit, but if you are in the Netherlands in the spring don't miss Keukenhoff, and any other time don't miss a garden in Netherlands. Have a grand time!

Danna,<BR>I am planning this between April 19-29<BR>Thanks

pg - if you are interested in East Germany, Berlin is an absolute must! Though a very cosmopolitan city, it still has some &quot;scars&quot; left over from the Soviet era - i.e. check point charlie, the wall museum and Alexander Platz &amp; TV tower. On the drive south toward the Czech Rep. you might want to stop over for a few hours in Wittenburg and see where Luther nailed his <BR>&quot;thesis&quot; to the church door. I would then drive down to Dresden where spend at least 2 full days. It is absolutely spectacular and still rebuilding from the fire bombing and years of neglect under Communism. Leipzig is also worth a stop. It has a delightful old town square, the church where Bach was the music director, plus the church where the East Germans started their rebellion against Soviet domination. From Dresden it is an easy drive to Prague unfortunately through once beautiful forests decimated by pollution. 15 years ago it was the most depressing site I had ever seen, but I believe a necessary experience. Hopefully it has improved by now as both Germany and the Czech Republic have worked hard to clean up environmental pollution - as a result the Elbe River was recently reopened to swimming throughout its course. Have a wonderful trip!