Arrive Brussels morn.of 9/2 and depart Brussels morn.of 9/10. We would like some advice on travel in Germany. Car or train? If car which Car rental company? If train what sort of rail pass. One just for Germany and pay extra when traveling to other countries? Best towns to visit? Any towns just outside of Germany we should not miss? Any hotel advice? Wife is african American and I'm white any places we should stay clear of? Any one have comments on the Harley Davis fly and ride program in Frankfort? We would be thankfull for any advice. [email protected] <BR>Ken & Linda

7 days isn't long. I would check travel times with the German rail site at http://bahn.hafas.de and pick just a couple of cities and do day trips (i.e. Munich--to Berchtsgaden, Oberammagau, Rothenburg. If you do the German pass, remember to buy the tickets to Belgium from the last station in Germany & not from where you are. I enjoyed Hamelin, but Berlin was my favorite--may be too far to fit in for 1 week. Europeans are more tolerant of race, shouldn't be a problem.

We are going to be driving for a week in Germany in September, but from Salzburg to Frankfurt. <BR>It's a problem that you are arriving and departing from same city...can you change that? <BR>Check out the german tourist board web site, they do great driving holidays, as does Fodors 2000 Germany book - good routes. <BR>enjoy - maybe we'll bump into you on the road!

Thanks for the info. Sounds like I will rent a car from Europe By Car. Still working on my route. <BR> <BR>Thanks Ken

Ken <BR> <BR>Check out AutoEurope for renting a car in Germany. It's a US company that contracts with rental agencies in Europe. Good prices and great flexibility. No drop-off charges within the same country. You could take the train from Brussels to your first German city (maybe Aachen) and pick up and return the car there and then take the train back to Brussels for your return flight. Or you could pick up and return in Brussels. <BR> <BR>Suggest you spend your short time in Germany on the Rhine. You could start in Koblenz and drive/boat/train down to Bingen and back. Beautiful scenery. <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip

I would rent a car like you but spend a couple of days along the Rhein and then spent the rest of the time in Southern Germany (Bavaria) as suggested above. It is a beautiful part of Germany <BR>Munich,Berchtsgaden, Oberammagau, Rothenburg, Ludwigs castles. Salzburg is definitly worth a side trip, one of my favorate cities. <BR>Art <BR>

Assuming there are just two of you, there is no really good reason to rent a car for a seven-day trip that will rack up the km's. Cars mean parking hassles, traffic jams, unfamiliar road signage, navigating in unfamiliar territory, strange driving habits, $4+ per gallon gas, and the probability that the driver will miss out on lots of great scenery. Trains will take you nearly everywhere more quickly, comfortably, and probably more economically. I've rented 3 times in Germany (combined with train travel) and every time have been elated to get back into the frequent and efficient German trains. Two 4-day railpasses (they'll probably be worth it over point-to-point tickets if you'll be headed to Bavaria and another spot off your route from Brussels) will cost you about $260 if you travel together all the time (this is with a 50% discount on the companion's ticket.) Check into add-on's for other countries where you might be travelling extensively (Austria?) which cost around $30 - $40 each, as I remember. With the German Railpass, you can get to Salzburg for free since it's a border station. For Belgium, prices are usually very reasonable and the distances short. If there are 3 or more of you, ask for the multi-pass, which allows 3 people to make two one-way trips anywhere in Belgium (Brussels to the border town, in your case) for $30 total. <BR> <BR>You should definitely stop in the Rhineland for a couple of nights, especially if you're just arriving in Brussels and heading directly for Germany -- the Rhineland isn't too far to go for first-day train travel. Boppard is a great town with lots to do (river cruise, chairlift ride, Roman ruins, scenic old town and river promenade) and plenty of places to stay, and is just upstream and across the river from the best preserved castle on the Rhine, Marksburg Castle (good tour, even if you don't understand German -- they'll answer questions for you in English.)

we've only ever done Germany by car (very easy from the uk), so no reccomendations there, however one place you must not miss is Bamberg, an absolutely gorgeous town, with a castle on a hill, friendly people and winding cobbled streets ( and its the home of German beer!)

Ken- I did the Brussels- Germany 10 day trip 2 years ago.If you try to go to southern Germany (Bavaria) you will spend most of several of your 7 days on the train, leaving you 5 days. I would recommend that you rent a car and spend the first nite in Brussels overcoming jet lag. Then drive to the Mosel for 2-3 days (I usually stay in Bernkastle but Zell is a nice alternative). Then drive to the Rhine for for 2-3 days. There is more to do on the Rhine and some reasonably priced B & Bs. Then head back to Brussels. If you have an extra day, Brugges is about an hour west of Brussels and is a nice 1 day stay. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Ken- <BR>PS. Avis has a good deal on rental cars now- I've found them or Hertz to be as inexpensive as any other for the last 10 years (for a stick shift, anyway)and usually get upgraded. <BR> Have a good time - <BR>Ken Horn <BR>

What a bunch of motorists!! Get a car if you can't stand to be without one, but rest assured you can get from Brussels to the city of Würzburg in Bavaria in about 6 hours by train if you want to. Ken's suggestions are good (Rhine/Mosel) but squeeze in a city for variety, too (Cologne is closest to Brussels and a good stop; Trier on the Mosel is worthwhile, too.) If you end up on the train headed for the Mosel, try Cochem and visit its castle: <BR>www.roadstoruins.com/Cochem.html

A lot of good advice. I will try to digest before we leave. I rented a car from Europe By Car. Eight days for a compact car pickup and drop off in Brussels $108.75 + tax 21% and 13%. <BR>Thanks for all the advice. Any other thoughts please let me know. We want to see Berlin and Munich & all the areas around them. Then head north along the Rhine back towards Brussels. Sounds like we are trying to cover to much ground. <BR>Thnks Ken & Linda