I would like to plan a trip to Germany but I really don't know where to start. I have been to Europe once (Italy). I have read lots of posts on this forum but I really don't know enough about Germany to even start to know where to base out of, transportation availability, etc.<BR><BR>I know I would like to see castles and would like to stay in a couple of castle hotels. I would like to see small storybook-like villages. I would probably go late November/early December. I prefer to use public transportation when available but I would rent a car if necessary.<BR><BR>I know this seems really broad but I am so lost in this planning thing.<BR><BR>Any advice on where to look, read, web-sites, and the areas of Germany I should concentrate on would be greatly appreciated.

Start with a good travel guide from the bookstore - as opposed to the library - so you can highlight and take notes as you read. Every so often you'll see a picture that's just what you're looking for - put a yellow sticky there - chances are, in the end, they'll all be in the same region.<BR>The trains are great in Germany, but you'll have to take taxi's to get you to the castles or sites once you're in town. Driving there is fairly easy for Americans, since it's the right side of the road. Just stay out of the left lane on the highway, as there are no speed limits and people will bear down on you in no time flat!<BR>Towns that I would not want to miss: Munich (Glockenspiel), Bertchesgarten(Salt Mine), Rothenburg (Xmas shop), Stein am Rhine (Doll Museum), and Lindau(Mainau).<BR>The problem is your time frame. Late November early December is so gloomy and cold! Sept and Oct are gorgeous! If you have to go late fall, wait until at least mid-December when some of the Christmas markets will be in full swing! <BR>Hope this helps get you started. I'm sure others have more specific tips!<BR><BR>

How long would you be able to stay in Germany? A car rental would be advisable, especially to see the smaller, out-of-the way places. Driving is very easy.<BR><BR>Regards,<BR><BR>Jinx Hoover

Andi,<BR><BR>As you say, your question is really too broad to be able to give you much help.<BR> Suggest you do a &quot;text search&quot; at the top of the page for Germany. You will get tons of infomation.<BR><BR>Next, read some travel books. Try the German National Tourism Office (do a Google search). Check out the Frommer's website. Get an idea of where you would like to go. Get a map of Germany and roughly map out what you would like to see.<BR><BR>Once you have a rough idea, come back to this board with specific questions. You will get a lot of help.<BR><BR>Dick

Andi - I agree with Will Try- start off with a good general travel guide, then hit the numerous websites available which can be found on your browser under &quot;Germany Tourism&quot;. Depending on how much time you have then start narrowing down. Once you have a tentative itinerary- repost. I am sure you will receive many useful critiques and suggestions.

Andi, one of the regulars on this site, Wes Fowler, is our Germany guru. To access his very knowlegable posts, type his name, Wes Fowler, into the text search box at the top of the page. Scroll down to highlight Germany in the subject search box and hit find. Many threads will come up from the archives and several will have detailed Germany itineraries.

You are getting good advice from above. It sounds like from your post that you are wanting to see Bavaria first. That would be Munich, Berchtesgaden, Garmisch area for tourists. That area has plenty to see without going too much farther. All pretty close for driving and you can even make it up to Rothenburg, time permitting.<BR><BR>We enjoy the late Nov/Dec period in Germany but have been there many times. For a first timer, Sep/Oct would be better. Longer days, better weather and the country is beautiful. If you go during your stated time be prepared for dark at 4pm, snow or rain and some things closed. The Christmas markets are fun but you will enjoy a first trip much better at a different time.<BR><BR>Karen Brown has a good paperback book: GERMAN INNS AND ITINERARIES, that will help you with routes and small hotels. Rent a car and you will have a great time. It is the best way to see Germany IMHO.

Andi: You'll have no problem using German public transport, which is fast, efficient, and dependable. It's true that there are some out-of-the-way villages that you cannot reach by train, but since Germany has more than 6,000 train stations and your visit will be measured in days, the odds are pretty good that you'll find some interesting places to visit without the hassles of driving. <BR> <BR>Given your interests, I'd suggest looking into a visit to the Rhine towns between Cologne and Mainz. The area is convenient to Frankfurt airport. Some small, picturesque villages to consider, from north to south: Linz, Boppard, St. Goar, Oberwesel, Bacharach. Castle tours: Marksburg Castle in Braubach - a 20-minute uphill walk from the center of town - (just south of Koblenz on the east bank of the Rhine) will be open that time of year, the best tour in the area aside from Burg Eltz (closed for winter.) Where to stay? One of the above towns would be great in the warmer, busier months, but I'd suggest centrally-located Koblenz for that time of year. It's a medium-sized city that would have some things to do in the evening (which comes pretty early at that time of year) and it's a travel hub for the area, with train lines shooting off north (Linz, Cologne), south (Rhine Gorge, Mainz), east (Lahn River Valley) and west (Mosel River - Cochem, Traben-Trarbach, and Trier). The small towns will be good for a daytime visit but otherwise dead. All of the towns and areas mentioned are easily reached from Koblenz. Castle Hotel? Auf Schoenburg castle/hotel in Oberwesel, right in the middle of the Rhine Gorge near the Loreley, is your best bet. It gets consistently good reviews here on this board; my inlaws were there last spring and said it was wonderful. You'll need to taxi up from town (short ride, but too steep to walk with luggage.)<BR><BR>Anyway, you could easily spend a week here doing daytrips. If you have more time, I'd suggest picking a spot in Bavaria somewhere and doing the same type of thing.

Thank you very much for all your great advice. <BR><BR>I would probably have about 10 days to spend in Germany, I am limited to the time I can go because my husband and I plan to take our 12 year old son with us and we want to plan around his Thanksgiving holiday time so he will not miss too much school.

Andi- your 12 year old son will particularly enjoy enjoy the castles along the Rhine and Mosel, the old town walls in Rothenburg and the more modern &quot;castles&quot; in Bavaria. Like any young boy he will also enjoy travelling by train. Have a wonderful time!

Your family may be interested in touring one of the auto factories. They have been discussed in this forum; you can search if interested. Have a wonderful trip!

In Winter, focus on Southern Germany. You are planning a great time to visit &quot;Storybook towns&quot; The Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmarkt) open around November 30th. The &quot;Christkindlmarkt&quot; in Nuremberg is not to be missed. Bavaria is beautiful anytime of year, and you are close to King Ludwig's castles.

I am a former US Army officer and lived in Giessen, which is north of Frankfurt for three years while serving there. You do have to limit your idea of what you want to do. As someone who lived there and traveled a lot whenever I was not in the field, I still haven't seen everything! One thing I did see was overworked toursits who tried to take in too many castles, too many church alter pieces and too many museums. It becomes a blur after a while. I would also suggest that since you are a FAMILY, consider getting a German rail card. Family rates are CHEAP and can include a couple of car days for rentals. Also, the DB (DeutscheBahn--the state railroad) card is good for most buses in Germany and some subways and river steamers!!!! And, you can pack your lunch, including beer or wine, and take it with you aboard the train or steamers and officials won't even blink an eye! (Not like here in the States.) When I return to Germany and visit Army buddies and families on their 2nd tour, that is how I travel! Remember, some of your best memories will be of a few hours spent in an outdoor cafe or a small &quot;gasthaus&quot; with a beer or a cup of coffee, talking and watching &quot;the real Europe&quot; stroll by. If I were planning a trip now, late May/early June would be ideal. Its after the gray, foggy winter/early spring when even the most sour of Germans SMILE. I would base yourself out of Maintz, which is the state capital, has all prices of accomodations and full of culture. It also is just a short ride from Frankfurt, one of the hubs that you would fly into. Although I love Fodor's and used that as my first guide book when I lived in Germany, right now, the most practical book of how it really is for the average person is Rick Steve's books, espcially &quot;Europe Through the Back Door.&quot;

I am a former US Army officer and lived in Giessen, which is north of Frankfurt for three years while serving there. You do have to limit your idea of what you want to do. As someone who lived there and traveled a lot whenever I was not in the field, I still haven't seen everything! One thing I did see was overworked toursits who tried to take in too many castles, too many church alter pieces and too many museums. It becomes a blur after a while. I would also suggest that since you are a FAMILY, consider getting a German rail card. Family rates are CHEAP and can include a couple of car days for rentals. Also, the DB (DeutscheBahn--the state railroad) card is good for most buses in Germany and some subways and river steamers!!!! And, you can pack your lunch, including beer or wine, and take it with you aboard the train or steamers and officials won't even blink an eye! (Not like here in the States.) When I return to Germany and visit Army buddies and families on their 2nd tour, that is how I travel! Remember, some of your best memories will be of a few hours spent in an outdoor cafe or a small &quot;gasthaus&quot; with a beer or a cup of coffee, talking and watching &quot;the real Europe&quot; stroll by. If I were planning a trip now, late May/early June would be ideal. Its after the gray, foggy winter/early spring when even the most sour of Germans SMILE. I would base yourself out of Maintz, which is the state capital, has all prices of accomodations and full of culture. It also is just a short ride from Frankfurt, one of the hubs that you would fly into. Although I love Fodor's and used that as my first guide book when I lived in Germany, right now, the most practical book of how it really is for the average person is Rick Steve's books, espcially &quot;Europe Through the Back Door.&quot;