Want to take our 13 yo daughter to Germany in late March. She is fascinated by castles, secret tunnels, dungeons, etc. She loved castle in England we stayed at, the highlight of her trip. So we'd like to stay in several castles for this trip if possible. Going to concentrate along Romantic Road, though nothing is set. Also, we'll be there 8 days - enough time to fit in Prague?? Thanks for input.

Here is one you could search<BR>http://www.germany-castles-hotels.com/

From a previous posting - - but NOT along the Romantic Road:<BR><BR>=============================<BR><BR> Need help finding a castle to spend the night at in Germany<BR> <BR>Author: Denise ([email protected])<BR>Date: 03/21/2001, 09:09 am<BR><BR>Message: Hi, I'm trying to find a castle to spend the night at in Germany. we'll be in the Southwest and Northern Bavaria areas of Germany. Around (Heidelberg,Rothenburg ob der Tauber,)I've seen alot of castle hotels on the web but not quite what I'm looking for.I'm searching for one with the thick stone walls on the outside, and the rooms on the inside to also have the original stone showing. I would love to have anyones suggestions. thanks <BR><BR>----------------------------------------<BR> <BR>Author: Rex ([email protected])<BR>Date: 03/21/2001, 10:27 am<BR><BR>Message: Denise, <BR><BR>You might want to clarify if you mean southwest Germany (i.e., Black Forest), or southwest Bavaria (i.e., Fussen, Oberammergau, Garmisch) - - in any event, you sound like you need fresh first-hand experience, and I don't really have it for you. <BR><BR>Here are two runners-up from my personal experience: <BR><BR>For hotels, the Parkhotel Wasserburg-Anholt (near the Dutch border, aroud Duisburg) certainly has a real castle &quot;feel&quot; about it. Real thick stone walls, though I don't recall that they were &quot;touchable&quot; on the inside. I think that my room had what appeared to be &quot;real&quot; timbers for the ceiling, but it has been 6 or 7 years. It was a small room up under the eaves, and I think it may be the last one they rent out. In any event, it is wrong geographically for you. <BR><BR>And though you can't STAY at Schloss Neuweier (outside Baden-Baden in the Black Forest), it sorta fits your criteria (alas, a restaurant only), though they will traipse you through much of the rest of the Schloss to reach the dining room. We ate in a room that totally occupied one turret, complete with crossbow holes. The perfect size for a party of nine. Very cool. <BR><BR>Good luck in your quest! <BR><BR>Best wishes, <BR><BR>Rex <BR>

topping. for catherine.<BR>

You might want to look into staying in Rothenberg o.d.t. It's a great walled city that you'll find lots of info on if you search in this forum. Your daughter may really like the Criminal Museum in that city with all sorts of macabre tales and implements there for her enjoyment! It's along the Romantic Road and a lovely city to spend at least a day or two in. Don't miss the Night Watchman's tour as well.

Have to second or third Rothenburg! Went there with my parents and sister years ago and it is a blast for both young and old alike. And the criminal museum mentioned above will fascinate your daughter.

The tour of the city hall at Regensburg includes a visit and good overview of the medieval dungeons. Very well preserved and scarily real, it has a number of medieval atifacts used for torturing. It sort of feels funny recommending this for your 13 y/o daughter, but hey, it was a lot of fun. As far as cities, Rothenburg is a must. Dinkelsbuehl and Noerdlingen were two of my favorite stops on the Romantic Road. Dinkelsbuehl looks like a giant gingerbread town. Breathtaking. <BR><BR>As far as Prague, there is so much to see in Southern Germany, but if you are set in Prague, it is doable. By the way, Prague is one of my favorite cities. Are you guys renting a car? Do consider March weather in the equation when weighing on time schedules.

If you end up in the Rhine River region, you might be interested in staying at Auf Shoenburg, a castle in Oberwesel. It's recommended in Karen Brown's book. They have a very nice restaurant (I speak from personal experience) as well as accommmodations. There are rooms with a view of the River.

Catherine? I find it so rude when somebody post a question, get tons of good advice and doesn't even bother to acknowledge.

topping for Andi

Oops, holidays and family visits got me a tad distracted... Thanks for the great input. <BR><BR>Medieval dungeons and criminal museums - my daughter will be thrilled. (Honestly though, she is a well adjusted kid, good student and shy, not creepy or anything!) <BR><BR>Looks as though this trip will have to be postponed until June due to husband's schedule. But weather may be better then, though I worry about crowds. Have sent away for some info, think we'll concentrate on Germany this trip and save Prague for another time.<BR><BR>Thanks again, everyone, for your suggestions!<BR><BR>

Catherine,<BR><BR>We have stayed at Burg Lauenstein, a delightful castle north of Coburg. In fact, it is called a &quot;haunted&quot; castle, though our three visits there did not bring out the &quot;White Lady&quot; ghost. It's very inexpensive, and perched on top of a hill overlooking the village. It can be found on the German Castle Hotels website by going to the map and punching on &quot;963 laue&quot;.