Help planning trip to Germany with 3 kids
Jan 27th, 2008, 03:02 PM
#21
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I hear u all and I am rethininkg and trying to simplify how much we are drving/ moving around. The thing is I am not sure if the kids will enjoy the romantic road views for more than 2 days and stuugart and munich offer museum possibilites .
Jan 27th, 2008, 10:35 PM
#22
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Just another detail on the Deutsche Museum.
Their transport-related exhibitions (i.e. trains, locomotives, streetcars, cars, etc.) has been "outsourced" and is now found in the exhibition halls on the <b>old</b> fairgrounds, near the Theresienwiese, and not any longer in the main buildings of the Deutsches Museum on the small island in the Isar river.
Their transport-related exhibitions (i.e. trains, locomotives, streetcars, cars, etc.) has been "outsourced" and is now found in the exhibition halls on the <b>old</b> fairgrounds, near the Theresienwiese, and not any longer in the main buildings of the Deutsches Museum on the small island in the Isar river.
Jan 27th, 2008, 11:09 PM
#23
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Just in case your kids like this:
http://www.legoland.de/?lc=en
It's near the intersection of freeway 7 and 8, half way between Stuttgart and Munich.
http://www.legoland.de/?lc=en
It's near the intersection of freeway 7 and 8, half way between Stuttgart and Munich.
Jan 28th, 2008, 05:14 AM
#24
Hi vsntr,
i appreciate your desire to cram as much in as possible, especailly as the best things, particularly for kids, are not near Frankfurt.
How about train straight to Munich, stay 3 nights, then pick up car, if necessary a day or two before you leave so you can tour the castles] drive back via stuttgart.
regards, ann
i appreciate your desire to cram as much in as possible, especailly as the best things, particularly for kids, are not near Frankfurt.
How about train straight to Munich, stay 3 nights, then pick up car, if necessary a day or two before you leave so you can tour the castles] drive back via stuttgart.
regards, ann
Jan 28th, 2008, 05:19 AM
#25
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Agree that Burg Colmberg, just east of Rothenburg, is a very nice castle hotel with a good restaurant. Just a few minutes drive to Rothenburg.
Personally, with 3 boys of those ages, I think a big city like Munich might have more to offer. But you know your family best.
Personally, with 3 boys of those ages, I think a big city like Munich might have more to offer. But you know your family best.
Mar 4th, 2008, 05:46 AM
#26
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I think we are finally narrowed down our trip using all the great suggestions we got on here.
Day 1 Arrival : Frankfurt
Day 2 : Train to Stuttgard -Porsche and benz museum
Day 3, 4, 5: Train to Munich - Deutsches Museum etc...
Day 6 : Pick up rent a car- Drive Ingolstadt - VW Factory
Day 7: Drive up Romantic road - Stay at Castle Burg Colmberg
Day 8 : Rothenburg OB the Tauber
Day 9 : return drive to Frankfurt
Day 10: Fly home
Questions:
I am trying to choose between 2 hotesl in Munich - Hotel Royal and Hotel -uhland , any feed back on either ?
Any Hotel recomendations in Stuttgart / Ingolstat and R.O.D.
I'd like one room and we are a family of 5.
Also what is the rule on Car seats -Does everyone under 12 need one. My oldest is 11.
Thanks.
Day 1 Arrival : Frankfurt
Day 2 : Train to Stuttgard -Porsche and benz museum
Day 3, 4, 5: Train to Munich - Deutsches Museum etc...
Day 6 : Pick up rent a car- Drive Ingolstadt - VW Factory
Day 7: Drive up Romantic road - Stay at Castle Burg Colmberg
Day 8 : Rothenburg OB the Tauber
Day 9 : return drive to Frankfurt
Day 10: Fly home
Questions:
I am trying to choose between 2 hotesl in Munich - Hotel Royal and Hotel -uhland , any feed back on either ?
Any Hotel recomendations in Stuttgart / Ingolstat and R.O.D.
I'd like one room and we are a family of 5.
Also what is the rule on Car seats -Does everyone under 12 need one. My oldest is 11.
Thanks.
Mar 4th, 2008, 07:26 AM
#27
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Hi vsntr, sorry to be a late contributor but I just found your thread. I lived in Stuttgart for the past 2.5 years so I thought I would chime in.
You can reach both the Mercedes and Porsche museums by U-Bahn, so since you are arriving by train, I suggest you stay in the heart of downtown Stuttgart. Unfortunately there isn't much in the way of charming hotels right downtown - you'll have to save the charm for other parts of your trip. The Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin is right across the street from the train station but is pricey. The Hotel am Schlossgarten is also very close by. The InterCity Hotel is right at the train station and should be more affordable; they may have family accomodations.
Do be aware that the new Porsche museum is not open yet and the existing museum is pretty much one room with a couple dozen cars. The new Mercedes museum, on the other hand, is stunning and worth at least a couple of hours.
The Audi/VW museum in Ingolstadt is excellent; be sure to check out the customer center next door, where people pick up their new cars. You can have lunch in the great cafeteria there. Ingolstadt is not a tourist destination so I suggest you find a "name brand" business hotel there.
I'm not sure from your latest itinerary if you are still considering a stop at the Nuerburgring but I thought I would put in my two cents. It's about a 3-hour drive to and from Stuttgart at Autobahn speeds. I've been there on 5 separate visits (day trips from Stuttgart) and have myself driven 20 laps and been a passenger for another 20. My husband and I had previous track experience prior to moving to Germany but nothing can really prepare you for this track. You don't just have to worry about your own skill (or lack thereof) but the behavior of other drivers, which is unlike anything you have experienced on tracks in the U.S. The track is closed frequently due to crashes and we rarely made a lap without seeing at least one accident. With that said, I was glad to hear you are looking into the taxi instead of driving yourselves - you will still get a thrill, believe me! I assume you have looked into the BMW Ring Taxi and realize the costs involved - they can take up to three passengers but it is still very expensive, and that's just for one sub-10-minute lap. Whether it's "worth" it to you is subject to personal preference. Finally, the track is only open to the public on certain days and times so you will have to factor that into your planning.
I can give another hearty endorsement of Burg Colmberg. Your kids will love this place!
Good luck with your planning and have a great trip!
You can reach both the Mercedes and Porsche museums by U-Bahn, so since you are arriving by train, I suggest you stay in the heart of downtown Stuttgart. Unfortunately there isn't much in the way of charming hotels right downtown - you'll have to save the charm for other parts of your trip. The Steigenberger Graf Zeppelin is right across the street from the train station but is pricey. The Hotel am Schlossgarten is also very close by. The InterCity Hotel is right at the train station and should be more affordable; they may have family accomodations.
Do be aware that the new Porsche museum is not open yet and the existing museum is pretty much one room with a couple dozen cars. The new Mercedes museum, on the other hand, is stunning and worth at least a couple of hours.
The Audi/VW museum in Ingolstadt is excellent; be sure to check out the customer center next door, where people pick up their new cars. You can have lunch in the great cafeteria there. Ingolstadt is not a tourist destination so I suggest you find a "name brand" business hotel there.
I'm not sure from your latest itinerary if you are still considering a stop at the Nuerburgring but I thought I would put in my two cents. It's about a 3-hour drive to and from Stuttgart at Autobahn speeds. I've been there on 5 separate visits (day trips from Stuttgart) and have myself driven 20 laps and been a passenger for another 20. My husband and I had previous track experience prior to moving to Germany but nothing can really prepare you for this track. You don't just have to worry about your own skill (or lack thereof) but the behavior of other drivers, which is unlike anything you have experienced on tracks in the U.S. The track is closed frequently due to crashes and we rarely made a lap without seeing at least one accident. With that said, I was glad to hear you are looking into the taxi instead of driving yourselves - you will still get a thrill, believe me! I assume you have looked into the BMW Ring Taxi and realize the costs involved - they can take up to three passengers but it is still very expensive, and that's just for one sub-10-minute lap. Whether it's "worth" it to you is subject to personal preference. Finally, the track is only open to the public on certain days and times so you will have to factor that into your planning.
I can give another hearty endorsement of Burg Colmberg. Your kids will love this place!
Good luck with your planning and have a great trip!
Mar 4th, 2008, 08:36 AM
#28
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Thanks for the info on Stuttgart I will check out the hotel near the train station. I have had to abandon the ring taxi cuase I undersatnd the ring is closed while we are there in march. Its too early and I understand they are not open yet .
Mar 4th, 2008, 10:57 AM
#29
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Don't be "romanced" by the name of the "Romantic Road". I think some PR guy thought up the name. There are several charming villages along the road including Rothenburg, Dinkelsbuhl and Fussen but the road in between them is a two lane road with lots of truck traffic. Go to the towns but use the autobahn to get to them when you can.
Our last trip to Munich we got a room at the Courtyard by Marriott in the middle of Munich through Priceline for $65 a night. See Biddingfortravel.com It wasn't my first choice for a hotel but the location and the price were great. That did not include breakfast or parking. Drop your car and take public transporation in Munich to save the parking and traffic hassels.
I agree that your boys will love the Deutsches Museum and they will probably like the creepy saints bones with jewels for eyes at the Alte Pater Kirche.
Our last trip to Munich we got a room at the Courtyard by Marriott in the middle of Munich through Priceline for $65 a night. See Biddingfortravel.com It wasn't my first choice for a hotel but the location and the price were great. That did not include breakfast or parking. Drop your car and take public transporation in Munich to save the parking and traffic hassels.
I agree that your boys will love the Deutsches Museum and they will probably like the creepy saints bones with jewels for eyes at the Alte Pater Kirche.
Mar 4th, 2008, 03:16 PM
#31
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What is your budget for Rothenburg? I have a book at home that has all the accomodation around there and their prices. If you let me know I can look to see some possibilites for your accomodations.
Mar 4th, 2008, 04:39 PM
#32
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We stayed last July at the Gasthof Goldener Greifen in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. There were four people in our party- two very large nice rooms and a large bathroom for 122 euros a night.Here is their website:
www.gasthof-greifen.rothenburg.de
www.gasthof-greifen.rothenburg.de
Mar 5th, 2008, 10:46 AM
#33
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You might want to consider staying in Eichstaett in the Altmuhl valley instead of Ingolstadt. It's a more interesting town for tourists. The area is known for fossils, and there are quarries where your kids could look for them plus a large collection at the museum at the castle.
I know there is a restaurant at the castle with (simple) rooms.
A little farther along the same route (all heading toward the Romantic Road) Weissenburg also has some interesting Roman ruins
I know there is a restaurant at the castle with (simple) rooms.
A little farther along the same route (all heading toward the Romantic Road) Weissenburg also has some interesting Roman ruins
Mar 10th, 2008, 01:17 PM
#34
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This might get to you too late - but our kids loved the Medieval Crime & Punishment Museum in Rothenberg, too... and there is a small playground just outside one area of the wall that the kids enjoyed after walking most of the wall...
Mar 10th, 2008, 01:20 PM
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I just read the post regarding the Romantic Road - our kids were interested for about 15 minutes - then stuck their noses in books for the rest of the Romantic Road trip - it is pretty, but scenery is nothing special for kids - no lions, giraffes, or exploding buildings. 
We alternated between autobahn and RR as the RR was crowded and slow...
We alternated between autobahn and RR as the RR was crowded and slow...
Mar 12th, 2008, 04:55 AM
#37
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This might get to you too late - but our kids loved the Medieval Crime & Punishment Museum in Rothenberg, too...
Sounds great my boys will love that. Any way time is up we are leaving tomorrow so I will post back after the trip on how all the pre plannign owrked out.
Sounds great my boys will love that. Any way time is up we are leaving tomorrow so I will post back after the trip on how all the pre plannign owrked out.
Mar 15th, 2008, 02:35 PM
#39
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We're leaving in a week. If you get back here before we leave I'd love to hear your impressions. This is our first trip and we're taking our 8 yr old daughter to pretty much the same places.
I didn't know about the Midieval Crime & Punishment museum either. That is sure to be a hit. Can't wait!
I didn't know about the Midieval Crime & Punishment museum either. That is sure to be a hit. Can't wait!
Mar 15th, 2008, 02:56 PM
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This info may be too late for vsntr, but perhaps it can help others (including MsSTP). There are stricter laws in Germany about child restraints than we have in most places in the U.S. When I lived in Germany in the late 90's, children had to be in a booster-type seat until the age of 8 or so. I read an article just last week on various driving laws in Europe and the current child restraint laws in Germany were mentioned. (Unfortunately, I can't find the article now.) So I strongly urge anyone traveling with a child under the age of 12 to Germany to check on the child restraint laws before you go. You may have to arrange to rent or purchase some sort of restraint while you are there if you are driving. The Polizei are not going to be forgiving on this issue.
