I am going on a business trip with my husband to Brussels so began my Belgium research, however, now he tells me he has to go to Stuttgart as well. So, I have to start researching Germany. Thought I might ask for some suggestions to get me started. We may have to fly into and out of Brussels and also with another couple. I would prefer to go into Brussels and out of someplace in Germany. <BR><BR>Is it a long to drive to Stuttgart from Brussels or should we go for the train? The Mosel River area sounds good. ????<BR><BR>Thanks in advance.

It is not a long drive. I will let you look it up yourself, as anyone planning a car trip should become familiar with one or more of these websites:<BR><BR>www.viamichelin.com<BR>www.mappy.com (now only in French?)<BR><BR>or<BR><BR>www.shellgeostar.com<BR> <BR>It's a great part of Germany to see, and try to stop in Maastricht (NL) on your way to Aachen and Cologne.<BR><BR>South of Cologne is one of Germany's great gems: Burg Eltz.<BR><BR>In the event that you happen to be Porsche enthusiasts (preferably owners or planning an upcoming purchase), consider trying to get tickets for a factory tour there. Porsche North America can help. I got to accompany two owners (I am not one) on a trip in 2000, and I loved it.<BR><BR>And STG has international service to get you home. I think you have plenty of choices of carriers: LH/UA, AF, DL, BA, KL/NW, probably others.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Thank you for your response.<BR><BR>Is Burg Eltz a village? castle?<BR><BR>Anyone else have any suggestions?<BR><BR>Thanks <BR>

Some people will tell you that Stuttgart is an industrial town (which of course is true) But it is so much more!!!! I have had the good fortune of visiting Stuttgart 9 times in 10 years for business and each time I discover new things!!!! If you stay in town many shops and cafes are within walking distance and the trains will take you very quickly to some very nice villages. Driving in germany will be delightful, my advice is always to ask for local places and try new things. The food in Stuttgart is excellent (even the bratwurst and knockwurst at the Messe is outstanding!!!) <BR><BR>Lily

Burg Eltz is a medieval castle - - essentially the only one in all of Germany which remains undamaged and original to its era from the 1300's? 1400's?<BR><BR>It was seiged on more than one occasion, but never breached. It sits on an isolated knuckle of a hilltop - - you have to walk down a steep desvcent and then back up that knuckle to get to it. You'll appreciate why it was never taken.<BR><BR>It's sort of an icon of national pride, almost like Mt. Rushmore might be to "us" (here in the USA).<BR><BR>Before the euro it was on the 50 DM (or maybe 500 DM) note.<BR>I don't know if it made it onto any local (Germany) versions of euro currency or not.<BR>

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The castle sounds interesting, Rex. I will look it up. <BR><BR>Thanks for the info on Stuttgart, Lilly. Sounds like I won't have trouble finding things to do. Haven't checked yet, but how far do you think Munich is? Could I daytrip there from Stuttgart?

On a good day, with no traffic and a driver who knows his/her way, you can do the route in about 5 hours' time, not including stops. The train will take around 6 hours but allows both of you to take in the scenery in a more complete way since nobody has to drive - an attractive alternative since you'll be passing through the castle-studded and vineyard-draped Rhine Gorge. Marksburg Castle, in Braubach on the Rhine, like Burg Eltz (www.burg-eltz.de), has never been destroyed and provides an interesting tour as well:<BR>(www.roadstoruins.com/marksburg.htm) Remagen's WWII museum at the site of the old "Bridge at Remagen" makes for a good stop too. And then there's Cologne. Before you hit the Rhine Gorge, following the Mosel (overnight there if you can) is recommended too. There are hundreds of things to see and do between Stuttgart and Brussels. How much time do you have?<BR><BR>Here's the site for planning a train route:<BR>http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en

As stated before Burg Eltz is a must. While in Brussels I would take some time & go to Bruges & Oostende (the later if you like the beach). Although a little crowded @ times both are well worth the trip.

Well, Russ, that is a good question as this is a business trip and I am trying to get some sightseeing in as well. We may have 2 or 3 days to get from Brussels to Stuttgart - essentially a long weekend. <BR><BR>We are going to Brugge for a long weekend when we arrive, business in Brussels, long weekend to get to Stuttgart, possibly a couple of days free, home. Trying to talk my husband into leaving out of Frankfurt, Munich, or Paris instead of going back to Brussels but he has to book something soon and business plans are still up in the air (everyone in Europe seems to be on vacation right now).<BR><BR>Any suggestions are greatly appreciated as it is difficult to get up to speed on an area when trips come up unexpected. Not as if I read up on an area, decided I want to go, and then began planning. Always have to do it backwards. Advantage: if we ever go back on vacation, I will know how to get around, and where I want to go.<BR><BR>My husband works for a non-profit so we are just average citizens on an average budget.

If you've got 3 days, I'd suggest getting a car and getting off the beaten path to explore. Head first to Belgium's Ardennes mountains, then Germany's Eifel region (both of these can really only be done efficiently by car), then the Mosel and the Rhine before ending up in Stuttgart. (If you fly home from Germany, however, expect a hefty drop-off surcharge on the car rental.) With this plan, you could get an early start and head east to the towns of Spa and Malmedy, or possibly La-Roche-en-Ardennes first, then maybe overnight to the northeast in the fantastically picturesque German town of Monschau. Day Two: Trier is a possible beginning destination on the Mosel, but it's a bit far to the south, and I wouldn't suggest it unless you are really interested in Roman history, as there are other more attractive and equally interesting towns along the Mosel that are closer to your route. You could head to Burg Eltz, just northeast of Cochem, then drop your bags in Cochem (lots of places to stay and eat) and explore the windy Mosel just upstream from there; Beilstein, Zell, P&uuml;nderich, Bullay, Alf (wonderful hike from Alf up to the Marienburg lookout over the curviest curve in the Mosel! Here's a picture of Marienburg: www.mosel-reisefuehrer.de) and Traben-Trarbach all make for great exploring. Cochem itself is exceptionally picturesque - wonderful old town closed to auto traffic, hilltop castle (Reichsburg) right in town, beautiful river setting. On Day 3, head over to the Rhine and explore a few towns (Boppard, Oberwesel, Bacharach, St. Goar are great) and take a short cruise up the river (the train will get you back to your car.) See a castle (Marksburg) if you want, then Remagen to the north if you have extra time, then Autobahn your way to Stuttgart.<BR><BR>If you have less time or choose to train, It might be best to train first to Cologne, spend the day there, then head south to Koblenz for the night. From Koblenz you can train up the Mosel the next day to Burg Eltz (a good 1-hr. hike from Moselkern if going by train) and along the river to Cochem. Alf, Bullay, and Traben-Trarbach are all accessible by train too. Overnight in Koblenz, and you're ready to explore the Rhine on Day 3 before hitting Stuttgart - all the Rhine towns mentioned previously have stations. If you only have two days, you might pass on the Mosel and Burg Eltz (especially if you don't like to hike) and just do Marksburg Castle (you can hike just 20 minutes or take a little shuttle up from the middle of Braubach) and the Rhine towns on the way to Stuttgart (leave luggage at the Koblenz station in lockers and return there before training off to Stuttgart - the smaller Rhine towns have no lockers.)<BR><BR>You're lucky to have this area to pass through on business.

Thank you Russ!! Got my map, got my books, now I have place names, too.