I'm making my first trip to Germany next month to visit a friend there on business. My friend is staying in Heidelburg and I am intrested in day trips which I can take by train from there. I was told not to miss the concentration camp Dachu (?) outside Munich. Can anyone suggest anything else NOT to miss? Lastly, where's the best place to purchase a train ticket in the states for Germany? Thanks!

Mark: Germany is quite different from the US. Expect to see and do things that maybe you hadn't considered. The city transit and train systems are among the world's best. Very easy to use. Your travel agent can arrange a rail pass or you can buy it there. <BR> <BR>Heidelburg is an hour south of Frankfurt and is close to Rothenburg, the Rhine River valley and easy to get to other spots. <BR> <BR>I've been to Dachau and I guess that it's somewhere to go if you are into that sort of thing, but I don't think I'd return. Nearly all of the buildings are torn down and the exhibit hall is the only real structure left. <BR> <BR>From Heidelburg, you can take the train to Fussen and see King Ludwig's Neuschwanstein castle. You can head over to Rothenburg, a 16th century medieval town and you can also visit the Rhine from Rudesheim to Koblenz and then back "down" the other side to Mainz. You will see castle after castle on that trip. You could take a train into Munich or to Ulm and several other places, it depends on how much free time you have. The trains are easy to figure out. Heidelburg itself is a university city with the Heidelburg Schloss or castle, which you should certainly visit. The city is very nice. You'll enjoy Germany. <BR> <BR>Have fun! <BR>

Spent five years in Heidelberg and am sure you'll enjoy it. After visiting the castle and other tourist places, spend some time walking along each side of the river. Rather than attempt day trips by train, strongly recommend renting a car. Rothenberg would be a nice one day trip. Also drive down the Neckar River to Heilbronn and return on back country roads. Would advise against driving all the way to Munich just to see Dachau - it's interesting but save it for another trip. <BR>

Visit the vineyard and castle/hotel Hornberg about 30 minutes south of Heidelberg ( train stop @ Neckarzimmern). Great restaurant for dinner. <BR>Also Burg Gutenburg has twice daily live demonstrations of raptors - eahles, hawks, etc. This castle is also about 30 minutes south of Heidelberg, by car or train. <BR> <BR>

Spring, Summer and Fall you can take a boat trip on the Neckar and see the castles along the route. <BR>You can also go to Schwetzingen Castle. There is a bus that goes there from Bismarkplatz, the center of Heidelberg. Stuttgart, Baden-Baden, Rothenburg ob der Tauber and Wuerzburg are also about <BR>an hour away by car or train. My relatives in Heidelberg have done day trips to Strabourg, France in the Allsace region. Many people understand German and the cooking is a combination of both countries. sites to see include, cathedral, art museum and canals. Get a map and guide books for complete information on these places.