I will be flying into Frankfurt and going to Schweinfurt for business. I will be there for eleven days end of december. I have only four free days, the other days I will be able to explore after 11 am. Should I rent a car to get to Schweinfurt? What would be the things to see to get the most out of my first trip to Europe. Thank you in advance for all replys.

hi there,<BR>taking a car depends woh independend You will be. Trains and busses are a good way to move arround in Germany, but it took time and is expensive. From Ffm to SChweinfurt by car will take You 2 hours. Schweinfurt is not my area, but let me try a few tips: Nice sidetrips from there are Bamberg (beautiful old town). Wuerzburg (barock castle and biggest wallpainting in the world). Kulmbach, nice littel town and good beer. Thueringer Wald/Suhl, nice "mountain" area where You can hike in the nature. Nuerberg, old town, big christmas market, good food. All this places are about or less 2 hours driving by car. <BR>have fun<BR>Gar

Gar,<BR><BR>don`t want to start an argument here, but 2 hours FFM to Schweinfurt? I made it yesterday in less than one hour...Otherwise your recommendations are good..<BR><BR>Miriam

thankyou for your quick responses. I have further questions: 1.What about protection of passport and atm cards while traveling? 2.Is there a quick<BR>way of learning "survival german language"? 3.What kind of car should I rent? (yes money is important, but experience is everything). 4.Are there any obvious things I should beware of-like airport navigation, gas stations, things to bring- whatever. Thanks again in advance.<BR>

hi Miriam,<BR><BR>hm, I never made it on my own, but taken a look into web.de/routenplaner and there it is: FFM/Schweinfurt, Distanz: 176,9 km, Fahrzeit:01:57 : I dont know what kind of car You get or how fast You drive, but less then one hour ... hihi. Normaly just the boys talk like this: Have done Hamburg - Munich last week in four hours, but I wasnt in a hurry...<BR>Ok, back to serious. I dont think You need any special protection for passport and atm cards while traveling in Germany. Just keep an eye on it and dont show it arround everywhere. A quick way of learning "survival german language"? Miriam help. She's much better in english than me and perhaps she knows a few tricks how to learn. For me every language is difficult. Best way to "survive" is ask the younger Germans (between 20 and 35), 80 % will know english. What kind of car? If You dont know how to work with a gearshift take a automatic. No other suggestion, take the cheapest if You dont need a big one for carrying big things. There is a very cheap company renting car in Europa, but only to be used from the US, so I dont know the name and site. Perhaps anyone knows this. If You dont find just ask the major companys (Hertz, Avis, Europcar...). You find them all at Frankfurt airfield. Other obvious things I'm not shure: airport navigation is easy. Gas stations are easy to find, mostly open from 6 am to 10 pm (on the highways 24 hours). Things to bring? Apapter for electrics, a raincoat and open eyes/minds. <BR>have fun<BR>Gar<BR>

Hello,<BR><BR><BR>Gar: ok,I have to admit that the Autobahn was unusually empty yesterday and yes, I like driving fast...<BR>Jim, Gar is correct suggesting to ask first the younger people if you need help with the language. No discrimination here, it is just a fact. Both my parents wouldn`t understand a word of your question if you ask in English and they are not uneducated, English was just not taught when they went to school. Other than that buy a good guidebook where one chapter focuses on easy phrases, like "Where is...?", "What is that?" etc. When in Germany, turn on the TV in your hotel-room and listen how words are pronounced. Go to cafes and listen to the locals (which might not be very useful when you are in Bavaria, f.e.) and don`t be too timid to start conversations, even if you begin talking in English. Most people I know will be happy to use that opportunity to improve their English.<BR>Reassport etc., use common sense and normal precautions. Theft happens all over the world, although I must admit that I was a bit shocked when two weeks ago, my purse with all my Credit Cards was stolen in the Frankfurt Marriott`s Champions Bar.Probably my own fault to feel safe anywhere...<BR>Which car, well, if money is an issue you should have a look into Autoeurope. It`s a broker. They offer good deals and work together with Avis and the like. You then collect your car at Avis, Hertz or whatever company they made the deal with. The rental contract is legally between you and Autoeurope.<BR>I highly recommend, if you don`t want to go as far as Nuernberg, the Main river. Just came back from a wonderful tour including Schloss Mespelbrunn(really a fairytale castle), Wertheim, Miltenberg and from there into Odenwald stopping in Amorbach, Tauberbischofsheim and Michelstadt.<BR>Absolutely unspoiled, small family-run hotels,reasonable prices, nearly no tourists and gorgeous even with the bad weather we have at the moment. <BR>If you want to know more about that region drop me a line.<BR><BR>Kind regards<BR><BR><BR>Miriam