Germany for 3 weeks
Jan 22nd, 2015, 04:31 PM
#42
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This is what I think:
Day 1 Fly into Frankfurt. Rent car. Drive to Rhine/Mosel area for 3 nights
Day 2- Rhine/Mosel area
Day 3- Rhine/Mosel area
Day 4- Drive to Rothenburg for 2 nights
Day 5- Rothenburg
Day 6 - Drive Romantic Road to Fussen for 1 night
Day 7 - Drive to Garmisch for 3 nights
Day 8 - Garmisch/Mittenwald
Day 9 - Garmisch/Mittenwald
Day 10 - Drive to Salzburg for 3 nights
Day 11 - Salzburg
Day 12- Salzburg
Day 13 -Drive to Munich (Turn in car) for 3 nights.
Day 14 - Munich
Day 15- Munich
Day 16- Fly home
Day 1 Fly into Frankfurt. Rent car. Drive to Rhine/Mosel area for 3 nights
Day 2- Rhine/Mosel area
Day 3- Rhine/Mosel area
Day 4- Drive to Rothenburg for 2 nights
Day 5- Rothenburg
Day 6 - Drive Romantic Road to Fussen for 1 night
Day 7 - Drive to Garmisch for 3 nights
Day 8 - Garmisch/Mittenwald
Day 9 - Garmisch/Mittenwald
Day 10 - Drive to Salzburg for 3 nights
Day 11 - Salzburg
Day 12- Salzburg
Day 13 -Drive to Munich (Turn in car) for 3 nights.
Day 14 - Munich
Day 15- Munich
Day 16- Fly home
Jan 23rd, 2015, 05:21 AM
#44
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Pretty much decided against a car. So this is my new plan. I know I can't do it all in one trip but I think I'd like to stay in the interior this time and do cities next time. Need your input! I think it would be best to start in Wurzberg because I see that the G7 summit is in Garmisch June 7 and 8 and I want to be well away from there before all the preparations begin for those arriving heads of state. I wonder if it will be too crowded even then with secret service etc.
Day 1-2 Fly into Frankfurt
Train to Wurzburg check in/beer/explore Wurzburg/Sleep
Day 3 – Wurzburg and day trip to Iphopen
Day 4 - day trip to Bamberg
Day 5 – day trip to Nurenberg
Day 6 – Train to Garmisch – Stop in Rothenburg for day and train on to Garmisch late (??)
Day 7 - Garmisch/Mittenwald and Dachau
Day 8- Garmisch/Mittenwald/Innsbruk
Day 9 – Train to Boppard or Cochem whichever is closer
Day 10 – Rhine
Day 11 – Rhine and Train to Mosel late afternoon
Day 12- Mosel
Day 13 – Mosel
Day 14 - Mosel
Day 15- Train to Frankfurt – spend night by airport OR get late flight out and train directly to airport from Cochem
Day 16 – Fly home
Day 1-2 Fly into Frankfurt
Train to Wurzburg check in/beer/explore Wurzburg/Sleep
Day 3 – Wurzburg and day trip to Iphopen
Day 4 - day trip to Bamberg
Day 5 – day trip to Nurenberg
Day 6 – Train to Garmisch – Stop in Rothenburg for day and train on to Garmisch late (??)
Day 7 - Garmisch/Mittenwald and Dachau
Day 8- Garmisch/Mittenwald/Innsbruk
Day 9 – Train to Boppard or Cochem whichever is closer
Day 10 – Rhine
Day 11 – Rhine and Train to Mosel late afternoon
Day 12- Mosel
Day 13 – Mosel
Day 14 - Mosel
Day 15- Train to Frankfurt – spend night by airport OR get late flight out and train directly to airport from Cochem
Day 16 – Fly home
Jan 23rd, 2015, 11:57 AM
#47
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You are traveling a lot on trains so be sure to check the German Twin Railpass - the more days you buy the cheaper they become - a 10 day flexipass (to be used any calednar days for unlimited rides - including S-Bahns in cities) costs p.p. $39/day which even at the rising dollar exchange rate comes out to 26 euros p.p. for completely flexibile hop on any train anytime - no restrictions like on Lander Passes of not using before a certain hour - no restrictions to using slower - much slower at times and much less comfy IME regional trains and 26 p.p. is not that much more for such complete flexibility and comfort than the Lander Tickets which will not cover some on your inter-regional trains - anyway for the ease of use - just go to the station and hop any train anytime (except Thalys trains and InterCity Sprinters, which the average tourist need not ever ride.
Jan 23rd, 2015, 01:45 PM
#49
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Your day trips on days 3-5 will cost €38/day for 4 adults. Days 10-14 will cost €36/day for 4.
On these 7 days alone, the "comfy" train options are extremely rare. You will be using regional trains pretty much all the time. High-speed trains are not going to be a viable choice.
That's €258 total... (split 4 ways = about €60 - less than €9 each per day.)
That leaves you with 3 or 4 longer train rides on which high-speed trains might be a possibility. High-speed train rides can be purchased in advance inexpensively (Saver fares) if you pin down your train times. (Day passes at prices similar to the previous day pass prices might also be an option for some of those trips, by the way.)
The cheapest you are going to do for 4 10-day railpasses is €518 or €2,072 total.
Again, the 7 days I mentioned before will cost €258 with day passes. Those additional 3 or 4 trips using high-speed train options would be cheap; right now I am looking at a price of €129 on high-speed trains for 4 adults between Garmisch and Boppard, €89 for 4 for Würzburg-Garmisch, €49 for 4 for FRA - Würzburg. (I actually would recommend a day pass for this route and regional trains instead.) €267 altogether on the "comfy" trains (at least on whatever comfy trains might be available for those legs.)
So what it boils down to is... do you want to pay about €500 for your train travel or about €2,000? You are going to ride the same trains pretty much, either way. The only sacrifice for the lower price is that you will buy those 3 tickets 92 days in advance and commit to riding certain trains at certain times.
I don't see how anyone could buy or recommend buying railpasses given an itinerary like yours.
On these 7 days alone, the "comfy" train options are extremely rare. You will be using regional trains pretty much all the time. High-speed trains are not going to be a viable choice.
That's €258 total... (split 4 ways = about €60 - less than €9 each per day.)
That leaves you with 3 or 4 longer train rides on which high-speed trains might be a possibility. High-speed train rides can be purchased in advance inexpensively (Saver fares) if you pin down your train times. (Day passes at prices similar to the previous day pass prices might also be an option for some of those trips, by the way.)
The cheapest you are going to do for 4 10-day railpasses is €518 or €2,072 total.
Again, the 7 days I mentioned before will cost €258 with day passes. Those additional 3 or 4 trips using high-speed train options would be cheap; right now I am looking at a price of €129 on high-speed trains for 4 adults between Garmisch and Boppard, €89 for 4 for Würzburg-Garmisch, €49 for 4 for FRA - Würzburg. (I actually would recommend a day pass for this route and regional trains instead.) €267 altogether on the "comfy" trains (at least on whatever comfy trains might be available for those legs.)
So what it boils down to is... do you want to pay about €500 for your train travel or about €2,000? You are going to ride the same trains pretty much, either way. The only sacrifice for the lower price is that you will buy those 3 tickets 92 days in advance and commit to riding certain trains at certain times.
I don't see how anyone could buy or recommend buying railpasses given an itinerary like yours.
Jan 23rd, 2015, 01:51 PM
#50
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OK, I see I underestimated the daypasses by 1 day @ €36. That said, my daypass estimate assumes you are getting on a train somewhere every day. You might not. But even if you do, €36 is a tiny drop compared to the € you would waste on railpasses.
Jan 23rd, 2015, 02:55 PM
#51
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OH GAAWWD I just checked this thread again and realized my numbers were absolutely askew! The very BEST railpass option for 10 days is NOT over €2,000. It is in fact the twinpass option at €1,036 for 4 adults. So with railpasses you are not paying 4 times as much - only TWICE as much as you need to. So same message, but dang do I HATE it when I get numbers that wrong. Sorry.
Jan 23rd, 2015, 02:57 PM
#52
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ok now you have really confused me! There are 2 of us, so splitting doesn't make it any easier! I have a funny feeling this is going to be a big mess.
On another note: the g7 summit june 7. If i'm out of there the week before do you think that will work?
Am I trying to cover too much ground for 1 trip?
On another note: the g7 summit june 7. If i'm out of there the week before do you think that will work?
Am I trying to cover too much ground for 1 trip?
Jan 23rd, 2015, 06:25 PM
#53
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"ok now you have really confused me! There are 2 of us..."
Yes. And I'm the really confused one (I was just helping a party of 4 with a similar itinerary and mixed you all up.)
"Am I trying to cover too much ground for 1 trip?"
Yes. And I should have told you that, even if someone else gave you a thumbs up. The main problem is trying to do Rothenburg, Dachau, Garmisch, Mittenwald, the Füssen "castles" and Innsbruck in 3 days and then wasting much of the next day traveling to the Rhine. I previously suggested that you select just one part of Bavaria - but you now have your first 8 days in two regions of Bavaria that are very distant from each other.
It would if you could fly into FRA - visit the Rhine and Mosel - then visit Bavaria - then fly home out of MUC (Munich.) OR if you reverse that order.
Yes. And I'm the really confused one (I was just helping a party of 4 with a similar itinerary and mixed you all up.)
"Am I trying to cover too much ground for 1 trip?"
Yes. And I should have told you that, even if someone else gave you a thumbs up. The main problem is trying to do Rothenburg, Dachau, Garmisch, Mittenwald, the Füssen "castles" and Innsbruck in 3 days and then wasting much of the next day traveling to the Rhine. I previously suggested that you select just one part of Bavaria - but you now have your first 8 days in two regions of Bavaria that are very distant from each other.
It would if you could fly into FRA - visit the Rhine and Mosel - then visit Bavaria - then fly home out of MUC (Munich.) OR if you reverse that order.
Jan 23rd, 2015, 09:16 PM
#54
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I agree with Fussgaenger. Your days 6,7,8, and 9 are a mess. Your day 6 involves 5-6 different trains and you want to see Rothenburg in addition. Days 6,7 and 9 you will be in Munich and you will see nothing except the train station. You will be 3 nights in Garmisch and see nothing of Garmisch or it's surroundings.You have too many hours on the train for a two week vacation. It can be salvaged by doing what Fussgaenger suggests:
"Fly into FRA - visit the Rhine and Mosel - then visit Bavaria - then fly home out of MUC (Munich.) OR if you reverse that order."
Another possibility is:
Day 1-Fly from USA
Day 2-Arrive Berlin For 4 nights
Day 3-Berlin
Day 4-Berlin
Day 5-Berlin
Day 6-AM train to Cologne(4-1/2 hrs,no train changes),1 night
Day 7-train to Cochem ( 2 hrs, 1 train change-Koblenz),3 nights
Day 8-Cochem
Day 9-Cochem
Day 10-train to Bacharach (2 hrs, 1 change-Koblenz), 2 nights
Day 11-Bacharach
Day 12-train to Wurzberg (3-1/2 hrs, 1 change Koblenz),4 nights
Day 13-Wurzburg day trip to Nuremberg
Day 14-Wurzburg day trip to Rothenburg
Day 15-Wurzburg day trip to Bamberg
Day 16-train to FRA Airport (1-1/2 hrs, no changes)Fly Home
"Fly into FRA - visit the Rhine and Mosel - then visit Bavaria - then fly home out of MUC (Munich.) OR if you reverse that order."
Another possibility is:
Day 1-Fly from USA
Day 2-Arrive Berlin For 4 nights
Day 3-Berlin
Day 4-Berlin
Day 5-Berlin
Day 6-AM train to Cologne(4-1/2 hrs,no train changes),1 night
Day 7-train to Cochem ( 2 hrs, 1 train change-Koblenz),3 nights
Day 8-Cochem
Day 9-Cochem
Day 10-train to Bacharach (2 hrs, 1 change-Koblenz), 2 nights
Day 11-Bacharach
Day 12-train to Wurzberg (3-1/2 hrs, 1 change Koblenz),4 nights
Day 13-Wurzburg day trip to Nuremberg
Day 14-Wurzburg day trip to Rothenburg
Day 15-Wurzburg day trip to Bamberg
Day 16-train to FRA Airport (1-1/2 hrs, no changes)Fly Home
Jan 24th, 2015, 04:58 AM
#55
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I played with your itinerary to fit in most of what you want in the proportions you want: 3 & 4 night stays except for 1 night in Würzburg. Garmisch at the front to avoid G7. Doable train trips (Nuremberg base makes this easier and cheaper.) See Dachau and Rothenburg en route. Added Bad Windsheim day trip option. Fly into MUC, out of FRA.
Day 1- Fly from USA into Munich
Day 2- Arrive Garmisch-P. (< 2.5 train hours) for 3 nights
Day 3- Mittenwald + GP
Day 4- GP + Innsbruck?
Day 5- Train to Munich station, store bags. Dachau, then back. PM train to Nuremberg (maybe 5 train hours this day) for 4 nights
Day 6- Day trip to Bamberg, Nuremberg PM (45 train min. one way)
Day 7- Day trip to Iphofen, Nuremberg PM (45 train min. one way)
Day 8- Day trip to Bad Windsheim (55 train min. one way (open air museum, wow!) Nuremberg PM
Day 9- Nuremberg to Würzburg (1 night) w/ stopover in Rothenburg for several hours (<3 train hours total)
Day 10- Day in Würzburg. PM train to Boppard (3.2 hours) for 2 nights
Day 11- Rhine
Day 12- Rhine; PM train to Cochem (1 train hr.) for 3 nights
Day 13- Mosel
Day 14- Mosel
Day 15- Train to Mainz (<2 train hours) for final night.
Day 16- 25 min. train ride to FRA, fly out
I suppose if you want to substitute Berlin for the Alps and Dachau, you could work with dugi-otok's plan.
Day 1- Fly from USA into Munich
Day 2- Arrive Garmisch-P. (< 2.5 train hours) for 3 nights
Day 3- Mittenwald + GP
Day 4- GP + Innsbruck?
Day 5- Train to Munich station, store bags. Dachau, then back. PM train to Nuremberg (maybe 5 train hours this day) for 4 nights
Day 6- Day trip to Bamberg, Nuremberg PM (45 train min. one way)
Day 7- Day trip to Iphofen, Nuremberg PM (45 train min. one way)
Day 8- Day trip to Bad Windsheim (55 train min. one way (open air museum, wow!) Nuremberg PM
Day 9- Nuremberg to Würzburg (1 night) w/ stopover in Rothenburg for several hours (<3 train hours total)
Day 10- Day in Würzburg. PM train to Boppard (3.2 hours) for 2 nights
Day 11- Rhine
Day 12- Rhine; PM train to Cochem (1 train hr.) for 3 nights
Day 13- Mosel
Day 14- Mosel
Day 15- Train to Mainz (<2 train hours) for final night.
Day 16- 25 min. train ride to FRA, fly out
I suppose if you want to substitute Berlin for the Alps and Dachau, you could work with dugi-otok's plan.
Jan 24th, 2015, 05:20 AM
#56
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Wow! what a life saver. Thank you Thank you. I almost made flight reservations yesterday...so glad Ididn't! I guess if I had started with a travel agent I wouldn't be in this predicament, but ya'll have been so wonderful! I'll look at this today and get back to you. Keep in touch. We aren't done yet!
Jan 24th, 2015, 05:23 AM
#57
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About Nuremberg: good-sized city w/ a mostly small town feel. University town. Lots of pedestrian zones. Kaiserburg Castle grounds. Nice churches and old town. Lots of shops and pubs. It is the area train hub. Day trips can be done from there for only €18/day per couple using the "Tagesticket Plus" day pass (a local offering, buy at ticket machine.)
http://media.belocal.de/120712/1152x768_0,0c.jpg
Handcrafts "village" across from station called the Handwerkerhof is a permanent feature of Nuremberg:
http://www.handwerkerhof.de/en/home.html
Nazi Doc center in Nuremberg (near the (Nazi Rally Grounds) would be informative and sickening enough should you decide the Dachau stop is just too much (either logistically or emotionally... By the way, I scheduled Dachau in there between some long train rides with nothing else that day because if you go, you will likely not feel like doing anything else.) If you choose to skip Dachau, you could either spend a few hours in Munich (visit a palace?) or move straight on to Nuremberg.
http://media.belocal.de/120712/1152x768_0,0c.jpg
Handcrafts "village" across from station called the Handwerkerhof is a permanent feature of Nuremberg:
http://www.handwerkerhof.de/en/home.html
Nazi Doc center in Nuremberg (near the (Nazi Rally Grounds) would be informative and sickening enough should you decide the Dachau stop is just too much (either logistically or emotionally... By the way, I scheduled Dachau in there between some long train rides with nothing else that day because if you go, you will likely not feel like doing anything else.) If you choose to skip Dachau, you could either spend a few hours in Munich (visit a palace?) or move straight on to Nuremberg.
Jan 24th, 2015, 05:36 AM
#59
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About Mainz: Nice place, mostly modern and somewhat ugly, but the other part is really nice - the old town with its fine buildings, the large pedestrian/shopping zone, the market square, the Dom, the Stadtpark... all good stuff for an enjoyable final afternoon and evening.
http://www.mainz.de/WGAPublisher/onl...lt/attractions
http://www.master.economics.uni-main...sse-abends.jpg
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2674/...443950a1_z.jpg
http://www.romantic-germany.info/upl..._02.jpgCologne
If for reasons of cost or availability you cannot fly into MUC and out of FRA, you will miss out on Mainz, but it is not a disaster. Fly into and out of MUC - then on Day 15 you could still make it from Cochem to Munich in under 6 hours by train. Stay the night right near the airport there.
http://www.mainz.de/WGAPublisher/onl...lt/attractions
http://www.master.economics.uni-main...sse-abends.jpg
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2674/...443950a1_z.jpg
http://www.romantic-germany.info/upl..._02.jpgCologne
If for reasons of cost or availability you cannot fly into MUC and out of FRA, you will miss out on Mainz, but it is not a disaster. Fly into and out of MUC - then on Day 15 you could still make it from Cochem to Munich in under 6 hours by train. Stay the night right near the airport there.
Jan 24th, 2015, 05:44 AM
#60
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The Nazi Parade Grounds at Nuremburg I found not to be nearly as disturbing as any concentration/death camp - no gas chambers here - no train platofrms separating the workable from non, etc. Wholly different places - I enjoyed seeing the grandeur of the vast parade grunds - the stadium with the box still there where Hitler reviewed goose-stepping troops, etc.
Not to glorify it but to remember how patriotic zealousness can lead to some pretty horrific policies that the people as whole were brainwashed into supporting.
But to me nothing like Dachau.
Not to glorify it but to remember how patriotic zealousness can lead to some pretty horrific policies that the people as whole were brainwashed into supporting.
But to me nothing like Dachau.
