Nicole

Greetings!<BR><BR>I'll be on my business trip to Stuttgart on coming April/May. I know there are plenty of attraction in Germany, for example, Munich, Lake Constance, Black Forest, Castle Neuschawanstein, Rhine River... etc. all those seem like really nice places that I mustn't miss. <BR><BR>As I only plan to extend my stay there for not more than a week, beside 5 days in Stuttgart, I'd like to seek for your advise, which places are most convenient, for me to travel from Stuttgart? As you can see, the places I mentioned above are somehow located far from each other, it seems like I can only choose either go west for Black forest & Rhine River, or go east for Munich & Castle Neuschawanstein, or towards southern for Lake Constance?? Everything seems attractive to me, but specifically, I love nature beauty compare to arts and theatre(It's hard for me to compare, actually <BR>So, any comment?<BR><BR>I plan to travel by train/bus/boat, as it'll allow me to see the beautiful scene along the way, and not that expensive, correct me if I am wrong? Btw, what is the approximate cost(excluding accomodation), for travel in these places for 1 week?<BR><BR>Btw, what are the attractions in Stuttgart? I'll have some free time after 6pm each day for my stay there but I find that most of the shops close at early evening, 5-6pm? Any suggestion?<BR><BR>I am still planning for the trip, as Germany will be the first destination, I hope it will be enjoyable, even though I'll be going alone. <BR><BR>Looking forward to your comment/idea, thank you in advance!<BR>

christi

Hi Nicole,<BR><BR>I am an American living in Stuttgart so I hope I can help you. I really love Lake Constance (which the Germans call the Bodensee), it is only about 1.5 hours from Stuttgart by car and a very easy drive. My favorite towns on the lake are Meersburg and Lindau and they are both beautiful. If the weather is nice I woud also take a boat ride. As far as Stuttgart goes there aren't a lot of attractions and I really would not spend my time there. If you don't want to adventure too far out you can take the train to T&uuml;bingen which is a nice university town or to Heidelberg which is beautiful also. Another neat town about 1.5 hours away is rothenberg o.b. Tauber and it is a medieval walled city. There is a lot of info on these places in the internet if you do a search. If you like the mountains I would go down to Garmisch (you can take the train) and take the funicular up the Zugspitze (Germany's highest mountain) and Neuswanstein castle is in F&uuml;ssen which isn't too far away either. I would not waste my time at the Black Forest, I have been and in my opinion there are much better options. If you like palaces there is a really good one about 30 minutes north of Stuttgart in Ludwigsburg, it is called the Residenze I believe and you can take the train and bus there. I would really recommend buying Rick Steves Germany guide, it helped us out immensely when we first moved here. The rhine river cruise is also nice--I would start at St. Goar and explore the fortress (oldest on the Rhine) adn take a 1 hour ride down to Bacharach and explore that town too. I hope this info helps and let me know if you need more info. I am sorry for not providing more info but my husband is in the hospital so I don't have a lot of time but I do want to help. Also, one of my favorite places is Lucerne, Switzerland, about 3 hours from Stuttgart. Take the cable car up Mt. Pilatus and a long boat ride on the lake if you want amazing scenery.<BR><BR>Have fun!<BR>Christi

christi

Hi again,<BR><BR>Just wanted you to know that the shops in downtown Stuttgart (along K&ouml;nigstrasse, the main shopping street) are open until 8 pm Mon-Fri. but the small towns will close by 6 pm. For nightlife go downtown to Stuttgart for bars, clubs and restaurants. For a change of pace, there are several spas in Stuttgart and surrounding towns so you could treat yourself to a mineral bath and massage--try the Mineraltherme in B&ouml;blingen or there are 2 in Stuttgart but your hotel should have some info for you.<BR><BR>Also, trains are quite expensive if you are travelling alone so I would really recommend renting a car. The roads are easy to manage but just make sure to have a good map and plan out your route ahead of time--I use www.mappy.com and it helps me every time. <BR><BR>Good luck,<BR>Christi

Nicole

Hi Christi,<BR><BR>Thanks for your ideas! I've came across the travel sites and somehow almost drown/overloaded by the info That's why suggestions come from someone who familiar with the place, like you, are really appreciated. I am actually trying to find out location of the places you mentioned. Yeah, Stuttgart has less attraction compared to other regions in Germany, but anyhow I need to be there for the first week during my stay. Thus I plan to take it as an opportunity to adapt to the culture before I start my solo journey. Anyway, glad to know about the mineral bath and massage things , as I would actually be in B&ouml;blingen <BR><BR>Yes, I love mountains, lakes, castles, palaces and all those amazing scenery, exactly! I understand that driving would be more fun but somehow I've a prob with it as I am not used to drive on the right-hand side. <BR><BR>I must say your messages did bring confidence to me and I really appreciate it. More suggestion are always welcomed. Thanks and best wishes to you.<BR>

MH

Dont be afraid to drive over here, you will get used to it in a few days. There are a lot of foreigners here and if you get lonely for a taste of home, stop in any Irish Pub and you will meet UK'ers & Aussies. There is one in every village. Have fun while you are here, eat some wurst, drink some beer and relax and enjoy the scenary...you will wish you lived here...

anissa

I lived in Konstanz and it was about a 2 hour train ride from Stuttgart. Meersburg and Lindau are nice towns (I prefer Meersburg to Lindau), but don't forget to check out Konstanz. There is a beautiful cathedral there, and the Insel Mainau is wonderful - you wouldn't believe some of the plants that can grow on that island, it is a tropical paradise. You can also catch a boat ride from Konstanz down the Rhein and go into Switzerland and see Stein-am-Rhein and Shcaffhausen. Make sure that you go to the Rhein Falls if you are into nature/scenery etc! Very spectacutlar! If I were you, and the weahter cooperates, I would do the boat ride across the lake to Lindau - we did it on a day trip and saw everything and had a pleasant day of it.

sam

Nicole - <BR><BR>Where are you flying in and out of?

Rex

I would recommend this thread about Germany - - brimming with more ideas - - people's favorites - - than you will know what to do with.<BR><BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessages.jsp?fid=2&tid=1307795<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Nicole

Thanks for all the suggestions! Now I am even more excited! Wish I can be there a.s.a.p!<BR>I've a (silly) question here, do I need a international driving license, if I choose to drive? What is the most convenient/safest public transportation for a woman traveller? <BR>Sam, I'll arrived at Stuttgart Airport, and I haven't decide where should I flying out to Amsterdam, it really depends on my itinerary. Again, any idea from all of you?<BR>

victor

There are lot of places to see in Germany. We were there in Oct for 3 weeks and had a good time. <BR>If you need more details, read our trip report at www.vgpma.com/travel/<BR><BR>Driving is the best option, in our caes.

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Jaime

Nicole. re: International Driving License. AAA can issue one. I don't know if you need one, but at $20, I thought it better to have it done here.