How difficult is it to take a day trip into Germany (most likely by car)?
Mar 29th, 2010, 01:03 PM
#1
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How difficult is it to take a day trip into Germany (most likely by car)?
We are a family of four coming into Belgium via Thalys Train from Paris. Have not decided which train station to come into yet. I was thinking of arriving in Brugee and spending the day there then traveling onto Liege via rental car (suppose to be a 21/2 hr car ride , we are staying with a friend in Liege.) From there I was wondering what type of day trips are do-able? We really want to see Germany, especially Heidelberg (I am not sure how far it is though?) We could also go to Colgne. Our host said we can take a trip to Maastricht, Neatherlands as it is only 1/2 hour from her home that sounds fine. We will have 3 full day/night, and are open to staying a night in Germany. We arrive in Belgium on the Monday and have to be at Brussels airport on Friday morning to fly to Rome. Would appreciate any suggestions. We are looking forward to taking in the culture and food, beer, chocolate within Belgium and Germany. We plan on visiting our share of museums and churches in France and Italy.
Mar 29th, 2010, 01:33 PM
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From Liege, the nearest German town worth visiting is Aachen, with a wonderful cathedral dating back 1200 years (Charlemagne's throne). You can easily make the trip by train or bus. Cologne is also an easy day trip by train, with its Gothic cathedral and Roman museum, with its distinct beer called Kölsch.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%B6lsch_(beer)
With Maastricht, another fine medieval Dutch town in the Limburg Province, you'll have enough to occupy yourself without having to travel far. Heidelberg is a long way away, around 450 miles R/T and 7 hours of driving.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%B6lsch_(beer)
With Maastricht, another fine medieval Dutch town in the Limburg Province, you'll have enough to occupy yourself without having to travel far. Heidelberg is a long way away, around 450 miles R/T and 7 hours of driving.
Mar 29th, 2010, 01:35 PM
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Heidelberg is too far for a day trip from Belgium. You'd spend all day on the road for maybe one hour of sightseeing. A wasted day IMHO.
Your closest option is Aachen. Cologne is doable. If you are in for countryside and small old towns, I'd suggest Monschau in the Eifel hills, then the area around Daun with the volcanic lakes, or maybe over to the Mosel valley.
Your closest option is Aachen. Cologne is doable. If you are in for countryside and small old towns, I'd suggest Monschau in the Eifel hills, then the area around Daun with the volcanic lakes, or maybe over to the Mosel valley.
Mar 29th, 2010, 01:42 PM
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I haven't been there yet, but a friend of mine in Belgium suggested I visit Prüm in the Eifel area of Germany - close to Belgium and there are apparently very pretty onion-shaped domes there. I have been to Aachen from Belgium and recommend it highly too.
Lavandula
Lavandula
Mar 29th, 2010, 02:07 PM
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The first thing you need to do is get familiar with some online maps.
http://maps.google.com and http://viamichelin.com are excellent tools and will plan routes for you as well. Driving times using them are usually optimistic. Once you have a feel for what is where you can better make your plans.
Tolkien always said before writing a story you need a map... it works for trips as well! ;^)
Rob
http://maps.google.com and http://viamichelin.com are excellent tools and will plan routes for you as well. Driving times using them are usually optimistic. Once you have a feel for what is where you can better make your plans.
Tolkien always said before writing a story you need a map... it works for trips as well! ;^)
Rob
Mar 29th, 2010, 02:09 PM
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Liege, Cologne and Heidelberg are well connceted by train. (If you want to check conncections, best go for www.bahn.de the German rail websire.)
You can be in about an hour in Cologne and another 2 hours in Heidelberg. Since you also need to go to the train station and you might miss a connection if a train is delayed, I think Heidelberg is too far for a day trip, but doable if you stay a night.
The train isn't cheap, though, as long as you don't get special deals (there are also deals for small children). The website shows only the fare for travelling within Germany, btw.
You can be in about an hour in Cologne and another 2 hours in Heidelberg. Since you also need to go to the train station and you might miss a connection if a train is delayed, I think Heidelberg is too far for a day trip, but doable if you stay a night.
The train isn't cheap, though, as long as you don't get special deals (there are also deals for small children). The website shows only the fare for travelling within Germany, btw.
Mar 29th, 2010, 02:30 PM
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Forget Heidelberg.
For the quintessential quaint German town, go to Monschau which is right behind the border.
Aachen has this unbelievable cathedral where Charlemagne was crowned 800 A.D. (make sure to the treasure too) and a fine medieval city hall. Have lunch in the Postwagen.
Köln is another fascinating city with Europe's most impressive gotic cathedral (full spires and the shrine of the three magi), rich Roman heritage and several world-class museums.
All these destinations are in easy reach from Belgium and offer more than Heidelberg.
For the quintessential quaint German town, go to Monschau which is right behind the border.
Aachen has this unbelievable cathedral where Charlemagne was crowned 800 A.D. (make sure to the treasure too) and a fine medieval city hall. Have lunch in the Postwagen.
Köln is another fascinating city with Europe's most impressive gotic cathedral (full spires and the shrine of the three magi), rich Roman heritage and several world-class museums.
All these destinations are in easy reach from Belgium and offer more than Heidelberg.
Mar 30th, 2010, 07:52 AM
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Thank you ALL for the great ideas!!! I don't feel so bad about giving up the idea of visiting Heidelberg for some of these great towns you suggested.(I lived in Kaiserslautern as a child and have some great pictures from Heidelberg and Rothenberg, but I guess I will be making some new memories 
I am off to do some research...
I am off to do some research...
