cjamigo

I just found out that I will be joining my husband for a business trip in Germany (YEAH). We will arrive in Frankfurt on the 12th of April and have a view obligations during the week but plan on staying until the afternoon of the 18th. We have not decided if we fly out of Frankfurt or pick another airport such as Munich or maybe Paris.

We really cannot extend past the 18th since we have two small children at home. We would love some help making the most of our first solo trip since #2 was born.

Here are some of my thoughts and plans we cannot change.

4/12 - We arrive the morning of the 12th and will be staying in Wiesbaden the nights of the 12th, 13th and 14th. We will spend this day adjusting and a little exploring locally.

4/13 - We have a cocktail reception that starts at 5 that evening. Is there enough to see in Wiesbaden and Mainz for this morning/afternoon or should I try sneak of to another town?

4/14 - Open - Thinking of picking up a car in the morning and heading in any direction. Maybe just heading into the Mosel Valley and hitting a few towns. Or go the opposite towards Wurzburg. Or maybe taking the train to Heidelberg.

4/15 - Morning Meeting and Lunch obligation in Mannheim - Afternoon free - this is where it could get interesting.

4/16 - open

4/17 - open

4/18 - fly home - most likely early afternoon

So...Do we head into the Mosel Valley and explore a little on the 14th and then hit Heidelberg on the way out of Mannheim and then drive to Wursburg and stay the there the night of the 15th. Then drive south on the 16th. Stay in Rothenberg that night and explore along the way. Drive farther south on the 17th and see Neuschwanstein and stay close to Munich. Fly home from Munich the next day.

Or...Do we hit either Mosel or Wursburg area on 14th and then head south on the 15th towards Strasburg. Stay the night of the 15th in Strasbourg explore a little, drop the car and then take the high speed train to Paris. Spend two days and nights in Paris without our beloved children (not sure when the next time that opportunity will arise). April is Paris + lovely.

I feel like I am leaning towards sticking to Germany but am open to any ideas. Should we stick closer to Frankfurt and fly in and out of FRA? Is traveling toward Munich and good plan or will it be too rushed? I know we have only a brief trip but I really would like to make the most of it. Is it too late to find rooms in nice hotels?


Thanks in advance for all of your help.

Jami

quokka

4/13: More than enough in Wiesbaden and Mainz to fill more than one day.

4/14: is there any reason why you are not considering the Rhine gorge, which is much closer to Wiesbaden than the Mosel? By the way, the Rhine gorge is best travelled by a combination of train and boat cruise instead of by car. That way both of you can enjoy the landscape, otherwise the driver won't see much more than car tails and traffic signs on the way.
There is more than enough in the nearer surroundings to fill a week or more.

Your further plans sound far too ambitious to me. Why waste most of your precious time on the road?

Heidelberg is the obvious destination after Mannheim. I'd stay in the surroundings and fly back from Frankfurt.
A few options to check out (the links lead to my pages on Virtualtourist):
Ladenburg: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/f86bd/aa6e/
Schwetzingen palace and park: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/f86bd/4bcc/
Baden-Baden: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/f86bd/12d15/
Bad Wimpfen
Neckar valley with Hirschhorn and Neckarsteinach - boat cruise from Heidelberg
Weinheim
Bergstraße will be a dream in April when the fruit trees are in bloom.

All these can easily be reached without a car, by the way. Why bother with driving, heavy traffic on motorways and in crowded cities, parking problems and costs, petrol costs and all the hassle.

Echnaton

From Wiesbaden, you are quickly at Eberbach Monastery (between Eltville and Oestrich) and in Rüdesheim (picturesque village). Further down the river, you find the Marksburg in Braubach, which is one of the most interesting medieval castles. These destinations would make an excellent daytrip.

Russ

Agree with quokka Echnaton, stick generally to the area you're in.

I don't think you need to sightsee heavily in Mainz or Wiesbaden - pleasant cities, but not exceptional. On 4/13 you could do some exploration in the nearby Rhine Gorge. Because the cruise boats aren't frequent at this time of year and the weather possibly cold, and because you need to be back at 5, I'd skip the boat logistics if you hope to pack a lot in and get a car for this trip. See Marksburg Castle in Braubach (first tour 11:00) and Rheinfels Castle ruins and museum in St. Goar (from 9:00, use car ferry in St. Goarshausen to cross river.) Villages Rüdesheim, Linz, Boppard, St. Goar, and Bacharach all make for good sightseeing stops. You can get back to the Wiesbaden side of the river by using the ferry in Bingen.

An abbreviated and no doubt cheaper tour by train would be possible too. Catch the 8:36 train north to St. Goarshausen (9:24), ferry across to see Rheinfels and St. Goar, then ferry back and train north (11:25 from St. G'hausen) to Braubach (11:45) for lunch and a 13:00 tour of Marksburg. Plan on a 20+-min. hike from town to the castle. Trains leaving Braubach at 14:23 or 13:23 get you back into Wiesbaden 1:20 min. later. Standard fare is about 30 Euros round trip between W'baden and Braubach, but you can use a group daypass (rheinland-pfalz tickeet) for 28 Euros for travel on regional trains after 9 am - just buy regular tickets (probably just a few Euros) for Wiesbaden to Rüdesheim, the part before 9 am, on top of the daypass.

4/14 is a good day to head over to the more distant Mosel. Take the regional trains over to Moselkern for a hike to Burg Eltz - www.burg-eltz.de - www.bensbauernhof.com/burgeltzfrommoselkern.html - and the lovely town of Cochem. Evening trains back to Wiesbaden should be a simple matter. The daypass (28 Euros total for two) is all you need for this.

4/15-17: I'd head over to the Würzburg area as you've planned. Stop on the way in Heidelberg if you like. But stay in one place for 3 nights and daytrip to Nuremberg, Bamberg, Rothenburg, and Würzburg, all wonderful places. The Palace in Weikersheim is worth a look too. Daytrips by train with a daypass (Bayern ticket, 28 Euros) are possible here too; Würzburg or Nuremberg would probably make the best base town for making rail connections to the others.

lincasanova

Do not miss Chagall's blue stained glass windows in the church in Mainz. Find out opening times as this should not be missed.

Sorry I don't remember the name. Perhaps St Stephan's.

Mainhattengirl

Since you will be in the area, you might want to experience the Luminale in Frankurt. This is an art event that uses light in unique ways and takes place every 2 years in Frankfurt. There are shuttle buses that take you around to all 150 installations. Here is the link so you can see what I am talking about, as it is difficult for me to describe. Some of the light art projects are in churches, outside of historical buildings, bridges, in parks, in musuems, in the Palmengarten, and so on. The Luminale goes from 11-16 April.
http://luminapolis.com/2009/09/lumin...-city/?lang=en

Besides that, there is plenty to do in Frankfurt itself, one of Germanys most historic cities.

klondike

Mannheim area:

No one has mentioned Speyer, one of my favorite towns near Mannheim; it's got a little of everything--splendid Imperial Dom (one of only 3), wall fortifications, towers, great museums, gardens, great choice of eateries on a pedestrian zone...and very driver friendly with plenty of public parking platz with easy access to the autoroute. Either Speyer or Heidelberg (parking more challenging, but public parks availabel) would be a very nice city to get a feel for this area imo.

If you aren't going to get to Rothenburg because of time constraints etc (it's +1 1/2 hours or so drive from Mannheim), I find Ladenburg just north of Heidelberg (therefore south of Frankfurt) to have similar architecture, charm, quality of shops in a smaller, more intimate way...and it's just 20-25 minutes away.

You'll have a great time! Don't forget stores, etc are closed on Sundays.

cjamigo

Good Golly. Thanks so much for all of the feedback. Looks like we are going to stick to the regions right around Frankfurt.

Here is my plan.

Book plane tix in and out of FRA.
Find a place to stay Thurs, Fri, Sat most likely in Wurzburg or Nuremberg.

I am not sure to focus on trains and boats or go with a car. We have to have cocktail, business and touring attire with us so trains may be a little difficult. Plus I have a pension for shopping.

quokka - thanks for the links to your VT sight. Ladenburg is now on the short list. I agree with the wine philosophy. Life is just too short. With possible destinations, which area would be the best for a little wine tasting? Makes me think we might not want a car.

Russ - thanks for all the details. I think this is going to be our plan for the most part.

Mainhattengirl - Great tip. I am going to look into this for a possibility for 13th during the day and possibly Old Town Frankfurt.

Any thoughts on a nice place to stay in Wurzburg or Nuremberg? Remember - we have no kids with us.

For local train tickets - is it best to just purchase the day of?

Thanks again to everyone.

TravelingMan61

Try the Hotel Zum Winzermaennle.de. Right down town about 100 euro with breakfast. Walking distance to all the good sites. www.winzermaennle.de

laurie_ann

We have visited Wiesbaden a number of times as we have friends there. The last time just earlier this month. A lovely city. Most German cities have a good tourist website as cityname.de such as www.mainz.de (That one is especially good with walking tours and other good information.) The other resource I used on this most recent trip were the relevant downloadable pdf chapters of Lonely Planet guidebooks for the area. (www.lonelyplanet.com, it's under "shop" or use this link to Germany chapters http://tinyurl.com/y9c2dd9)

quokka

Wine tasting... You are passing through - let me count - about five to eight different wine regions: Rheingau, Middle Rhine, Mosel, Franken, Bergstraße, Pfalz, perhaps Rheinhessen, Baden, Württemberg. Plenty of options...

If you are into wine, Würzburg wins over Nürnberg. Be warned, you are very likely to end up in hospital in the evening in Würzburg... LOL, running gag in our family. Würzburg has two big hospitals, both originate in the 16th century, both received many donations of real estate, including vineyards. Each still operates a winery of its own and a good restaurant with regional food. Bürgerspital or Juliusspital, doesn't matter which of them you choose.

In case you go by car, however, you may also consider not staying in the city but in one of the small wine villages and towns along the Main valley. Great for a romantic getaway. Wertheim, Iphofen, Volkach, for example.

The Rheingau, just west of Wiesbaden, makes great dry and fruity whites.

In Frankfurt, try Ebbelwoi (the local apple wine/cider). Allow me to mention, though, that this stuff is not sweet at all. You probably won't like the first sip, but from the third glass on you'll be addicted forever. Also a refreshing drink on warm days if mixed with sparkling water.

cjamigo

Traveling man - thanks. I am checking availability.

Laurie ann - Thanks. This is very helpful since I have a feeling we will be sticking around town on Tuesday to insure we are not late for our event.

I am pretty sure we are going to have to pick up a car Thursday morning to transport luggage and change locations with the meeting that we have to attend and the following towns we want to visit (Heidelberg and Ladenberg). I am just not sure whether not we should drop it the next morning in Wurzburg or drop it on Sun before our flight in Frankfurt.

quokka - I can't wait to explore all of these different wines. I know very little about German wines so this will be fun. I look forward to going to the hospital!

We are planning a faily trip with kids, parents and grandparents so this is going to be a great learning experience.

lavandula

In Wiesbaden be sure to see the Russian Chapel (Russische Kapelle), which is a most impressive church. On the way you might pass through suburbs with some of the beautiful 19th century apartment blocks and houses. There are also numerous hot springs around the town where you can drink the water (all except the Faulbrunnen). The street where the Baeckerbrunnen (Baker's Spring, which has HOT water) lies, Graben, is close to many small restaurants. I won't try to give any names as it has been a couple of years since I was last there and businesses seem to change quickly in Wiesbaden. There are also lots of small restaurants in the street leading to the Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus), Michelsberg. Havana used to be a trendy cafe in the market square, and there is also an old-style cafe further up Michelsberg which has a specialty cake, Baumkuchen (cake has many layers, baked like the rings of a tree). Lots of old ladies with their poodles in that cafe but I still highly recommend it.

I agree with others who suggest you go and explore the Rheingau. In Eltville there are the ruins of a castle with rose gardens, quite beautiful and will probably fill some of that romantic longing for castles. I have a great soft spot for Mainz, too, and like Lincasanova also love the Stephanskirche with the Chagall windows. The Mainzer Dom (the Cathedral) is also rather awe-inspiring. I think it's 1000 years old. I think you don't need more than 1 - 2 days to see all these sights, but it depends a little on how you plan getting around (recommend car for Russische Kapelle, but there might well be other ways which I haven't explored).

Lavandula

cjamigo

The trip is really coming together.

My guidebooks came in the mail from Amazon. I really like

Daytrips Germany: 60 One Day Adventures by Rail or by Car in Bavaria, the Rhineland, the North and the East (Volume 6)
Earl Steinbicker

It pretty much covers everything you guys told me. It has daytrips in the Rheingau that Russ suggested with even more details on some little museums, logistics and so forth. I am beginning to think we may be able to do a little quick touring on the Rhine Tuesday morning before our cocktail event. If not we will push it to Wed and scratch the Mosel.

I am still trying to find a place to stay in the Wurzburg area. Hotel Zum Winzermaennle has availability but I am still looking at the possibility at staying outside of Wurzburg since we will probably have a car.

Thanks again.

lincasanova

try not to scratch the mosel entirely. it is so close, would be a shame, and more intimate than the rhein.

quokka

*whispers* A romantic place to stay in a small wine town on the Main east of Würzburg could be this one, Hotel Behringer in Volkach: http://www.hotel-behringer.de/ Website in German only, unfortunately, but you find the contact data at the bottom of the page. The hotel is an old half-timbered house, modernized inside, in the market square of the town. The restaurant is not bad either.

bettyk

We loved the little town of Iphofen, about a half hour from Wurzburg. Small, but it makes a great base for the nearby sites.

http://tinyurl.com/yanywz6

http://www.iphofen.de/sehenswuerdigkeiten,273.html

We stayed at the Gasthof zum Hirschen, a nice little Gasthof with clean, modern rooms:

http://www.iphofen.de/tourismus_detail,938,1041.html

There are also several other more expensive hotels in Iphofen including the Krone and the Romantik-Hotel und Weingut Zehntkeller.

http://www.iphofen.de/tourismus_list...tml?typ=Hotels

logos999

Volkach is 1A imho! Including the wine. Need to try Iphofen.

cjamigo

We leave tomorrow! Thanks to everyone for the input. This is going to be a super trip. I have had one heck of a time deciding what to wear. I wish you guys could help me pack too.

We are going to take it easy on Monday and Tuesday and stay close to Wiesbaden and Mainz. The weather is going to be rainy and DH wants to be rested for the upcoming meetings. A german friend of ours recommended a castle or monastery (can't remember the name right now) outside of Wiesbaden if it is not too rainy.

Wednesday is the Rhine River area. (maybe check out the casino later - anybody been?)

Thursday - A company car pick up DH just to make sure he gets where he needs to be. I am picking up a car in Wiesbaden and meeting DH in Mannhiem after lunch. I am a little nervous about driving on the autobahn by myself for the first time but we rented a BMW with a GPS so I should be ok. After retrieving up DH we will head over to Heidelberg and then make our way to Wurzburg. German friend also gave us alternate scenic routes.

We are staying at the Hotel Wurzburger Hof in Wurzburg.

Friday - drive to Rothenberg early. explore

Saturday - Nuremberg or Bamberg - haven't decided

Any restaurants we must try in our destinations? Any places for celebration meals? Our anniversary is right around the corner.

Thanks again for the advice. Please keep your fingers crossed that we will only be drinking in hospitals!

Jami

klondike

Weather in Heidelberg has been forecast as rainy the last 3 days, but besides looking threaghtening in the morning, it has been sunny by afternoon and almost hot unless the biting wind comes up. Evenings are pretty cold still...so maybe the weather will hold for you.

Anxious to hear back on how things went! Bon voyage.