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My 14 year old son and I are spending a week in Germany touring by car (in/out of Frankfurt)in April. Need to stop in Stuttgart and Munich. Any ideas, suggestions as to low-cost car rentals, wonderful small hotels, itineraries in the surrounding areas would be much appreciated. Cheers

Make sure you get a car with enough power. You want to be able to keep up with the other drivers, which you won't be able to do if you get the lowest end economy rental car.

hi there, if You wanna go to the races, Ted's ok. If You wanna go for a holiday, dont give too much on Ted's advice. Car rentals are nearly all the same price at the airport. Sometimes You find in here a company You can make a bargain when booking in advance from teh USA. But sorry, dont know the www. Hotels in Stuttgart You will find under http://www.stuttgart-tourist.de/deutsch/hotels/index.html Things to do in Stuttgart? Soooo much. What are You intersted in? Hm, You are going with Your son. If he (You) are in cars visit the Mercedes-Benz or the Porsche museum. Go with the cable car up to Degerloch. From there use the bus to the tv tower. You have a nive view all over the town and the surroundings. Visit the market hall restaurant at the balcony for a coffee and look down at the thing to go round. Visit a soccer match from the local team VfB. Take a river cruise on the Neckar (not so shure whether the go in April). Stuttgart is the capitol of the German(European) Rap scene. Ask the tourist information about any activitis arround this. have fun Gar

Well, I won't hesitate to agree with Ted, you won't enjoy driving nearly as much with an under-powered car (i.e., less than 1.6 or ideally 2.0 liters engine). And car rentals are MUCH more affordable if arranged before arriving in Europe with a company like www.autoeurope.com for example. Finally, I will take issue with the advice to visit the Porsche "museum" also, the Porsche factory TOUR is wonderful - - one of the best things I have ever done anywhere in Europe. It absolutely requires reservations, and you typically get those with the help of your Porsche North America dealer (which means you are an owner or are seriously looking to buy - - I was neither - - went with an owner). But the "museum" is about the same size as a 4-lane bowling alley. Not worth finding your way there if that's all you're planning to do. Best wishes, Rex

I used Europe by Car for car rental in Germany last year. About the same price as Auto Europe.

Hi Grahame, Hotels: Frankfurt - stay at the tallest Hotel - the Marriott-great view of what the germans call "Mainhattan"(Frankfurt city) stay in Heidelberg - Hotel "Der kleine Prinz" - very traditional in the heart of the pittoresque old town, one of the beautifulliest in germany, in Stuttgart - Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin Hotel - right in the heart of town. München - if you want soemthing quiet stay at the Madarin Oriental, or in the heart in fron of the "Hofbräuhaus", the Hotel "Platzl" (nearby the Hard Rock Cafe former Planet Hollywood). Sighseeing: Heidelberg itself, Porsche/Mercedes at Stuttgart, but also have a look at your map check out for the city of Metzinge, south of Stuttgart(20min ride). You will find the home of "BOSS"/"Hugo Boss" fashion outlet, as well as LEGO, ESCADA, Bally and many others. further on your way to München. Legoland will open at May 2003. Augsburg is very nice to see. München - the worlds largest technical Museum - "Deutsches Museum" and IMAX, south of München - Schloss Neuschwanstein (Castle Swanstein/90kms) or Zugspitze (germany highes mountain 2985m you can look on certain days up to 200km nothwards/90kms south of münchen), The "Tierpark"(Zoo) also a wonderful thing and a lot of other museums. If you want to enjoy a moment of relaxation ride to Garmish-Partenkirchen on the way - stop in Murnau at the "Hotel Alpenhof Murnau" a Relais & Chateaux Hotel. A chalet hotel with traditinal sytling and bavarian food at its best. Also have a look at the "Schloss Lindenhof" in the neighborhood or take a ride on the "Starnberger See"(Lake in front of Munich). My very warm suggestion would be the "Andechs" a old church with own brewerie and traditional dishes with great overview over the "Ammerlake". Reminder: Kids are allowd to drink beer in germany from age of 16. But especially in bavaria, kids are allowed to proof younger of this famous stuff 3-4%. If you have time go to "Lake Königssee", Bertesgarden, very scenery lake at the Nationalpark out there. Need more infos? Ask or email me Shain/Germany/Düsseldorf Weather in April: normal days: 12-16 day/3-8 night wet exception on so called "Fön" days often weather situation around München. Than its for one to two days much warmer, dry and sunny. Skiing possible and snowfall also down to München city from time to time

Hi Graham ,again more info abaout car size, smallest - VW Lupo up to 180km/h midsize - VW Golf - up to 200km/h full size - BMW - up to 240km/hrs (sportive) funniest - VW Käfer(new beetle) up to 180km/hrs Generally it is advised to drive 130km/hrs but - you absolutely feel free to drive. But - around Stuttgart you will find a lot of construction sites, jams and slow downs generally 60-80 km/hrs FRA-STR 220km STR-MUC 220km Alternative: FRA-STR . use the ICE-train - high speed train of german railways average of 250-280 km/hrs -so it takes less than 75 minutes Or STR-MUC also a great experience. Choose seats with screens. Advice: trains have smoker/non smoker sections. Very clean, effective, ergonomic train. Shain/Germany/Düsseldorf