I will be in Frankfurt in July for one week <BR>I am looking for a couple of side trips. <BR>Do you reccomend any that are less than 3 hours away by train or auto? I have heard that Rothenburg, Heidleberg and the VW Factory in Wolfsburg are all worthwhile trips. Do you have any other any other additions or do you have any reccomendations on any of my suggestions? Please let me know. <BR> <BR> Thanks , <BR> Barb Clark

You already have some good ideas. A couple more would be Wurzberg and a Rhein cruise to see a ton of castles along the river. <BR>There are over 25,000 castles in just the western part of Germany in various shapes. <BR>

Don't miss the Mosel River Valley - it's <BR>prettier than the Rhine; Berkastle-Kues <BR>is touristy but pretty and well worth <BR>a visit. <BR>Unless you're really into VW's, I seem to remember that Wolfsburg was kinda far to the north and there was not so much that was scenic around there (25 years ago, anyway). I think it's closer and more interesting to go west into Luxemburg, if you have the time. <BR>

Personally, I'd skip Heidleberg. Rothenburg is more interesting. But if I had only one day I'd agree with the above post and tour the Rhine. Its easy to get to Cologne from Frankfurt, (a great city to see too). You can take cruises from Cologne, or take the train on down and take a shorter cruise. Trier on the Mosel is a great place.

You might want to go into the Black Forest and visit towns like Freiburg and Triberg. They are an easy train trip from Frankfurt. <BR> <BR>If you go to Cologne, the cathedral there is magnificent. <BR> <BR>Rothenburg is nice, but it is extremely touristy. I don't know if you are planning to spend the night, but it is much nicer at night than during the day. <BR> <BR>You might want to check out the book "Daytrips Germany" by Earl Steinbicker. He gives a common sense approach to various areas around Germany.

Hello, <BR> <BR>since I live near Frankfurt I`ll offer some alternatives to the before mentioned. If you are a bit like me and don`t want to meet 5000 fellow tourists I would visit Buedingen, 40km northeast of Frankfurt. It`s a beautiful small, walled city. After that continue to Friedberg(medieval little town, as well) and after that to Limburg(wonderful Dom). Limburg would fit into the thread about small but not so well-known cities. From Limburg it`s only an 0.5 hour drive to the Rhine.. <BR>Another idea would be a trip along the Main river. Seligenstadt, Miltenberg, Lohr, Wertheim and Aschaffenburg are all very well worth seeing and not more than 1.5 hours away. Don`t miss the castle in Mespelbrunn! It`s a castle on the water, surrounded by a lake and looks pretty much like being from a fairy-tale. <BR>Whatever you decide-skip VW in Wolfsburg. It`s too far away, I think a one-way drive will take at least 4 hours. <BR> <BR>If you have further questions I`ll be glad to help you. <BR> <BR>Miriam <BR>

Than you all for thr the great tips. <BR>Please do not hesitat to make any additions. <BR>Thanks in advance.

Boat trip from Heidelberg on Neckar River <BR> <BR>Drive thru Odenwald

Miriam has some really great ideas for some practicable day trips from Frankfurt. Some of the other suggestions (Triberg, Trier) betray just a little unfamiliarity with German geography. Who wants to spend six hours getting there and back? Your own suggestion of Wolfsburg is not realistic either, as someone else pointed out. <BR> <BR>Another area to explore from Frankfurt is to the west: Mainz, Worms, Speyer are all very rewarding.

Harzer, obviously you did not read the original post or maybe your geography of Germany isn't so great. The person asked for trips less than 3 hours. A trip from Frankfurt to Triberg can be made in 21/2 hours by train. Some people are willing to do that and think it's a nice trip. I know because I did it or I would not have recommended it.

Goettingen in the Harz, an old university town <BR>and STRASSBURG!!!

Good suggestions. <BR>Does anyone know how many days the <BR>Rhine flames celebration last? I know it starts on July 7th. Does it continue for a week or just one day? <BR> <BR> Thanks.