are any of these german towns worth seeing?
 

Mainz, Wiesbaden, Frankfurt AM, Heidelberg, <BR><BR>Thanks

I'm sorry, but this is an incredibly dismissive question! To a great many people each of them is worth seeing. For my part I've been to Heidelberg and found it charming.<BR><BR>You're welcome

Worth what? Your time? Your money? Your knowledge of German and European history? Define worth and we'll respond intelligently.

Author: xxx ([email protected])<BR>Date: 11/14/2002, 01:29 pm<BR>Message: I'm sorry, but this is an incredibly dismissive question!&quot;<BR><BR> <BR>Then why answer...you can ignore it you know!<BR><BR>US

Dear Alex:<BR><BR>I stayed in Mainz several years ago while my husband attended a wine conference. The spouses had various day tours to choose from. I did the &quot;Churches of Mainz&quot;. It was very good and we had excellent guides. St. Stephen's has the Chagall stained glass windows. We also went to Heidelburg, very nice. <BR><BR>Mainz is also home to the original Guttenburg Bible.<BR><BR>Good luck!! <BR>Michelle

Of the four you mention, I've visited only Frankfurt and Heidelberg. Frankfurt is a fairly typical modern city, more appropriate as a gateway than a destination. Heidelberg, on the other hand, is well worth a visit, especially if you enjoy walking. The Hauptstrasse boasts a number of interesting shops and restaurants; the Schloss (castle) is a fun hike and a very interesting visit, and Philosophers' Way - a hiking path across the Neckar River from the main town - is worth a visit. Along the way, you'll encounter a 1930s outdoor amphitheatre where Hitler Youth gathered. Again, quite fascinating. If you go in summer, you might get to take in one of the performances of the Student Prince at the castle.

Wiesbaden is a charming city. It wasw spared bombing and shelling by the Allies so that they could make it one of their headquarters.<BR>It is a wealthy city with a pedestrian mall full of tempting shops and stores. Many concerts and festivals are held in Wiesbaden.<BR>And there is an elegant casino where one can wager a few (or a lot) of Euros on roulette and blackjack. Coat and tie required.<BR><BR>Regards, <BR><BR>Jinx Hoover

I think Bad Durkheim and Friedelsheim are worth a visit.

Of the 4 you mentioned, I enjoyed Heidelberg the most and Frankfurt the least. Like any large city, there are lots of uninteresting places to see and Frankfurt is a fairly large city. I stayed at the Zum Ritter across from the library in Heidelberg, within easy walking distance of the castle.<BR><BR>This is a VERY subjective answer. . .

I agree, this is very subjective. I, too, have only been to Frankfurt &amp; Heidelberg of the 4. <BR><BR>In Heidelberg, I liked the castle and enjoyed a walking tour we booked with a transplanted American. It is a very nice place!<BR><BR>I know Frankfurt gets a bad rap as a destination in Germany, but I rather liked it. True, it looks a bit more modern than the other places you could visit, but there is still history there...and apfel wein! Also, at the time I had just come from Munich....Munich is great and has a lot to offer but the people there are so stressed out because it is overrun with tourists. When I got to Frankfurt, which is less tourist-laden, you could see the difference--the people seemed more laid back. Shopping was slightly cheaper too.

I liked Heidelberg better than Wiesbaden. I am tepid about Mainz, have not been to Frankfurt.

Frankfurt is the financial capital of Germany. Stock exchange and all the banks. If you are not a crook, no reasons to go to Frankfurt.

Oops sorry for the confusion. I will be staying in St.Goar for two nights and Trier for one night. I was wondering whether to stick with the towns along the rivers (Mosel and rhine) or whether it was worthwile venturing out to say mainz or heidelberg ie. venturing away from the river.

Frank Furter,<BR><BR>Let's see all people in finance are crooks...really intelligent statement!<BR><BR>US

Yes...Hedidelburg is very nice. The damaged castle, the bridge and the small side streets make it an interesting visit. Nothing exciting... but nice for an afternoon. Just get a cab from the train station to the castle hill and enjoy and walk down the hill to the town below. An excellent photo moment is across the bridge looking back at the castle.<BR><BR>US

Any comments about Luebeck? There's an airport there with cheap flights and I think it's near Hamburg.

Hi, I haven't been to any of the towns you mention (Frankfurt was only to catch a connecting flight) except for Heidelberg. I agree that it's a very nice, quaint town that you should see.

How long, total will you be in the area?? That will determine how far you should venture from St. Goar and Trier.<BR><BR>Good Luck,<BR>Michelle

Michelle,<BR><BR>I am going to be in lux city 1 night, st goar 2 nights and then trier 1 night (on the way back to paris). So I will be in the area for 3 1/2 days.

Given your limited amount of time, I would say no.

I agree with the above. You won't have enough time to skip over to these other cities. Enjoy the St. Goar area and the Moselle. Don't wear yourself out.<BR><BR>Good luck, <BR>Michelle

Thanks for the reply. By the way, how long does it take to drive along the mosel using the scenic route from trier to koblenz? I figure on stopping in traben trarbach, cochem and maybe one other little town. Maybe lunch in one, coffee/ wine in another.

Give yourself at least 4 hours to stop, eat and enjoy!!!<BR>Have fun,<BR>Michelle

Alex - may I suggest stopping in Bernkastel rather than Traben-Trabach. The bridge in Traben (the one thing worth seeing in Traben) was under major repairs when we were there this Spring, and covered with scaffolding.

Okay, I will take the suggestions. I am pretty much going to leave lux city in the morning after breakfast and plan on spending most of the day driving down the river (not on the freeway but the scenic route - michelin green). Need to be in St. Goar by nightfall for the hotel so I will just take a casual drive with lots of stops. It will probably take me most of the day.

Alex,<BR><BR>On your trip along the Mmosel be certain to leave time to visit <BR>Burg Eltz...one of the great castles in Europe!<BR><BR>US

Yes!! Burg Eltz is worth a stop. It closes for tours for the winter, but would still be worth seeing - hidden in the forest. Don't misss it.<BR><BR>Good luck,<BR>Michelle