Our Sensational September Trip to Germany & Austria
Oct 8th, 2009, 06:17 AM
#42
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Thanks, Dukey.
QUEDLINBURG (3 nights): Had breakfast and then packed up for our drive to the medievel town of Quedlinburg, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. This is the furthest north we have ever been in Germany and were looking forward to all the fachwerk (or half timbered) architecture this area is famous for. We arrived in less than 4 hours at the Quedlinburger Stadtschloss (108E). This is a nice 4* hotel that was originally built in 1564 as the “Hagen’sches Freihaus”. The central part of the hotel dates from the 16th century but there are two newer wings that were added later. We were in the old Castle part which retains many of the original wooden beams and characteristics. It is just a few blocks from the Marktplatz.
http://www.precisehotels.com/en/hote...r-stadtschloss
Once we checked in, we wandered down to the Marktplatz for our first look at Quedlinburg. Immediately you are struck by the sheer number of fachwerk buildings. There are 1300 in all, more than any other town in Germany. Some buildings immediately stand out like the Renaissance Rathaus with its 14th century statue of Roland (signifying the town’s independence) on the front and the baroque 1701 Haus Grünhagen. We wandered down a number of small side streets – oohing and ahing as we went -- before heading back to our hotel for the evening.
http://www.quedlinburg.de/index.php?id=118057000198
http://www3.quedlinburg.de/neu/engli...us/default.asp
The next morning we had a good breakfast at the hotel and great coffee. I don’t think we’ve had a bad cup of coffee on this trip! About 11 AM, we left for Wernigerode. As you approach the town from the highway, you see the magnificent Wernigerode Castle high up on a hill.
http://www.wernigerode.de/index.php?...age_en&lang=en
We continued on to a parking garage just a few blocks from the Markplatz and the Rathaus, the town’s most famous landmark. In front of the Rathaus is the Wohltäterbrunnen (Philanthropists’ Fountain), honoring the town’s most influential citizens. We walked down Breitestrasse past the 15th century Gothische Haus and the 400 yr old Café Wien. I think Wernigerode's buildings are more colorfully painted than those in Quedlinburg. Today was market day and, unfortunately, all the vehicles and tents were obstructing some of the buildings and made picture taking a little difficult. The skies were kind of gray today too.
The next day, we decided to go back to Wernigerode and visit the Castle. There is a little shuttle that you can take from in front of the parking garage up to the Castle (4.50E pp). It runs every 25 minutes. We didn’t go inside the Castle but spent quite a bit of time taking in the views overlooking the town and taking photos. After checking out the Castle, we wandered back toward the Marktplatz and there was a wedding taking place right in front of the Rathaus. I imagine this is a very popular backdrop for weddings because it is so picturesque. The skies were blue today so we had to take some more photos before we had lunch and returned to Quedlinburg.
http://www.moving-pictures.com/schloss_wernigerode.html
QUEDLINBURG (3 nights): Had breakfast and then packed up for our drive to the medievel town of Quedlinburg, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. This is the furthest north we have ever been in Germany and were looking forward to all the fachwerk (or half timbered) architecture this area is famous for. We arrived in less than 4 hours at the Quedlinburger Stadtschloss (108E). This is a nice 4* hotel that was originally built in 1564 as the “Hagen’sches Freihaus”. The central part of the hotel dates from the 16th century but there are two newer wings that were added later. We were in the old Castle part which retains many of the original wooden beams and characteristics. It is just a few blocks from the Marktplatz.
http://www.precisehotels.com/en/hote...r-stadtschloss
Once we checked in, we wandered down to the Marktplatz for our first look at Quedlinburg. Immediately you are struck by the sheer number of fachwerk buildings. There are 1300 in all, more than any other town in Germany. Some buildings immediately stand out like the Renaissance Rathaus with its 14th century statue of Roland (signifying the town’s independence) on the front and the baroque 1701 Haus Grünhagen. We wandered down a number of small side streets – oohing and ahing as we went -- before heading back to our hotel for the evening.
http://www.quedlinburg.de/index.php?id=118057000198
http://www3.quedlinburg.de/neu/engli...us/default.asp
The next morning we had a good breakfast at the hotel and great coffee. I don’t think we’ve had a bad cup of coffee on this trip! About 11 AM, we left for Wernigerode. As you approach the town from the highway, you see the magnificent Wernigerode Castle high up on a hill.
http://www.wernigerode.de/index.php?...age_en&lang=en
We continued on to a parking garage just a few blocks from the Markplatz and the Rathaus, the town’s most famous landmark. In front of the Rathaus is the Wohltäterbrunnen (Philanthropists’ Fountain), honoring the town’s most influential citizens. We walked down Breitestrasse past the 15th century Gothische Haus and the 400 yr old Café Wien. I think Wernigerode's buildings are more colorfully painted than those in Quedlinburg. Today was market day and, unfortunately, all the vehicles and tents were obstructing some of the buildings and made picture taking a little difficult. The skies were kind of gray today too.
The next day, we decided to go back to Wernigerode and visit the Castle. There is a little shuttle that you can take from in front of the parking garage up to the Castle (4.50E pp). It runs every 25 minutes. We didn’t go inside the Castle but spent quite a bit of time taking in the views overlooking the town and taking photos. After checking out the Castle, we wandered back toward the Marktplatz and there was a wedding taking place right in front of the Rathaus. I imagine this is a very popular backdrop for weddings because it is so picturesque. The skies were blue today so we had to take some more photos before we had lunch and returned to Quedlinburg.
http://www.moving-pictures.com/schloss_wernigerode.html
Oct 9th, 2009, 06:48 AM
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Our photos are now online:
Germany
http://travel.webshots.com/album/575000387NPlKyZ
Austria:
http://travel.webshots.com/album/574997901jcmXVZ
Hope you enjoy them.
Germany
http://travel.webshots.com/album/575000387NPlKyZ
Austria:
http://travel.webshots.com/album/574997901jcmXVZ
Hope you enjoy them.
Oct 9th, 2009, 08:06 AM
#46
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HANNOVERSCH MÜNDEN (1 night) This morning we walked to the Quedlinburg town square and then found ourselves on a street leading to the Schloss and St. Servatius Church. The weather was great – sunny and blue skies.
We checked out of the hotel and drove to Hannoversch Münden (aka Hann. Münden). I discovered this town while researching places to stay between Quedlinburg and the Frankfurt Airport. WOW, what a surprise! The town center has been left virtually untouched over the centuries and the tiny streets are crammed full of approximately 700 half-timbered medieval houses.
Our hotel, the Alter Packoff, is a 4* hotel located right at the confluence of the Fulda and Werra Rivers which then join to form the River Weser. Our room, which was on the first floor overlooking the two rivers, was nicely decorated and spacious.
http://www.packhof.com/index.html
http://www.hann.muenden.de/index.pht...D=295.379&La=1
http://www.niedersachsen-tourism.de/...nden/index.php
The Rathaus of Gothic origin, with its imposing early 17th century Weser-Renaissance façade designed by master builder Georg Crossman, is adorned with scrollwork, pyramids and statues, Burgstrasse, Ziegelstrasse and Lange Strasse, some of the main streets off the Marktplatz, are lined with colorful half timbered buildings. Lange Strasse leads down to the 14th century stone bridge over the Werra River. The large Lutheran church of St Blasius (13th-15th centuries) contains the sarcophagus of Duke Eric I of Brunswick-Calenberg (d. 1540). The town’s local cultural center and history museum is housed in the former Welfenschloss (Castle of the Welfs) completed in 1501.
Hann. Münden was a total delight. One of the most beautiful little towns we have seen on all our visits to Germany and a great place to wind down our vacation.
We checked out of the hotel and drove to Hannoversch Münden (aka Hann. Münden). I discovered this town while researching places to stay between Quedlinburg and the Frankfurt Airport. WOW, what a surprise! The town center has been left virtually untouched over the centuries and the tiny streets are crammed full of approximately 700 half-timbered medieval houses.
Our hotel, the Alter Packoff, is a 4* hotel located right at the confluence of the Fulda and Werra Rivers which then join to form the River Weser. Our room, which was on the first floor overlooking the two rivers, was nicely decorated and spacious.
http://www.packhof.com/index.html
http://www.hann.muenden.de/index.pht...D=295.379&La=1
http://www.niedersachsen-tourism.de/...nden/index.php
The Rathaus of Gothic origin, with its imposing early 17th century Weser-Renaissance façade designed by master builder Georg Crossman, is adorned with scrollwork, pyramids and statues, Burgstrasse, Ziegelstrasse and Lange Strasse, some of the main streets off the Marktplatz, are lined with colorful half timbered buildings. Lange Strasse leads down to the 14th century stone bridge over the Werra River. The large Lutheran church of St Blasius (13th-15th centuries) contains the sarcophagus of Duke Eric I of Brunswick-Calenberg (d. 1540). The town’s local cultural center and history museum is housed in the former Welfenschloss (Castle of the Welfs) completed in 1501.
Hann. Münden was a total delight. One of the most beautiful little towns we have seen on all our visits to Germany and a great place to wind down our vacation.
Oct 9th, 2009, 01:19 PM
#47
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ALSFELD & FRANKFURT AIRPORT: We awoke to cloudy skies and cooler weather. Had a good breakfast of cooked to order eggs and bacon then went out for another walk around. We continued walking and ended up on the narrow little streets leading up to the Castle where we saw more charming old houses. I would highly recommend a visit to this delightful little town.
We left Hann. Münden around 10:30 for our hotel near the Frankfurt Airport. We knew we couldn’t check in until 2 PM, so we had some time to kill. I had done a little research on the town of Alsfeld, which was on the way to Frankfurt, so we decided to stop. We saw the signs for Altstadt Parking and easily made our way to a parkplatz. We then followed the sign to the Altstadt and ended up on Obergasse which lead right to the Marktplatz. We found the TI office and were given a map and some helpful information in English.
Alsfeld was first mentioned in an official document in 1069. Excavations in the Walpurgis Church discovered that a Roman church existed here already in the 9th and 10th centuries. Due to its favorable geographical location, Alsfeld developed into a wealthy city. For a time, it was the residence of the Landgrave Hermann II of Hesse, who built a castle here around 1395. The citizens and government of Alsfeld have done a remarkable job of preserving the historical city center.
There are many attractively painted fachwerk buildings, mostly from the 16th and 17th centuries. The Rathaus was constructed in medieval, Rähmbau style timber framing from 1512 through 1516. Its ground floor, constructed from solid rock, was once used as a market hall. There is the 16th century Hochzeitshaus or Wedding House, one of the few stone buildings in the city, originally a civic dance and feast building. Particularly attractive were the Bücking House, built around 1515 in the same style of the Rathaus, probably by the same carpenter, and the Neurath House, a 4 story Patrician’s house built in 1688, both on Rittergasse.
I had read that Alsfeld was “picturesque” but I must say that it exceeded all my expectations.
http://www.alsfeld.de/
We arrived at the Holiday Inn Express in Moerfelden around 3:30. This is a typical HI Express but the non refundable price of 76E was good and it’s only a 15 minute drive to the Airport.
THE TRIP HOME: We had a decent buffet breakfast at the HI and checked out around 7:30 AM. The traffic to the airport wasn’t bad and we managed to follow the signs to the Avis Car Rental Return without much difficulty. Check in at the American Airlines counter was a breeze. In previous years, the lines have been ridiculously long for Coach passengers. We had upgraded to Biz Class so I knew we wouldn’t have much problem but there were very few people at the counter for either class. In fact, the Frankfurt Airport seemed eerily empty when compared to past trips.
We decided to spend a little time relaxing in the Admiral’s Club since our flight didn’t board until 10:10 AM. The Admiral’s Club in Frankfurt was a great place to hang out for an hour or so before heading to Immigration and Security. Again, there were no long lines and we breezed through Security. The flight boarded on time and we settled into our very comfortable seats. This flight would be close to 10 hrs long so we were glad we’d been able to upgrade on this segment. I watched 3 movies -- Star Trek for the 2nd time, The Proposal and Angels & Demons -- as well as an episode of Mad Men. The time passed quickly.
The food was good and the service was even better. All of the flight attendants and other AA staff on this trip were very polite and professional.
We had a 3 hr layover at DFW so we spent some of that time in the Admiral’s Club, phoning our family to let them know we had made it back to the US. As with the Frankfurt Airport, DFW seemed much less busy when compared to past trips. Our flight left on time and we actually arrived in Houston a little early. After 3+ weeks, it was great to get back home to my own bed and shower.
This was probably one of the BEST trips we have had. There were no major hassles, the weather was amazingly good, all the people we came in contact with were cordial, and every destination was enchanting in its own unique way.
I’ll be happy to answer any questions.
We left Hann. Münden around 10:30 for our hotel near the Frankfurt Airport. We knew we couldn’t check in until 2 PM, so we had some time to kill. I had done a little research on the town of Alsfeld, which was on the way to Frankfurt, so we decided to stop. We saw the signs for Altstadt Parking and easily made our way to a parkplatz. We then followed the sign to the Altstadt and ended up on Obergasse which lead right to the Marktplatz. We found the TI office and were given a map and some helpful information in English.
Alsfeld was first mentioned in an official document in 1069. Excavations in the Walpurgis Church discovered that a Roman church existed here already in the 9th and 10th centuries. Due to its favorable geographical location, Alsfeld developed into a wealthy city. For a time, it was the residence of the Landgrave Hermann II of Hesse, who built a castle here around 1395. The citizens and government of Alsfeld have done a remarkable job of preserving the historical city center.
There are many attractively painted fachwerk buildings, mostly from the 16th and 17th centuries. The Rathaus was constructed in medieval, Rähmbau style timber framing from 1512 through 1516. Its ground floor, constructed from solid rock, was once used as a market hall. There is the 16th century Hochzeitshaus or Wedding House, one of the few stone buildings in the city, originally a civic dance and feast building. Particularly attractive were the Bücking House, built around 1515 in the same style of the Rathaus, probably by the same carpenter, and the Neurath House, a 4 story Patrician’s house built in 1688, both on Rittergasse.
I had read that Alsfeld was “picturesque” but I must say that it exceeded all my expectations.
http://www.alsfeld.de/
We arrived at the Holiday Inn Express in Moerfelden around 3:30. This is a typical HI Express but the non refundable price of 76E was good and it’s only a 15 minute drive to the Airport.
THE TRIP HOME: We had a decent buffet breakfast at the HI and checked out around 7:30 AM. The traffic to the airport wasn’t bad and we managed to follow the signs to the Avis Car Rental Return without much difficulty. Check in at the American Airlines counter was a breeze. In previous years, the lines have been ridiculously long for Coach passengers. We had upgraded to Biz Class so I knew we wouldn’t have much problem but there were very few people at the counter for either class. In fact, the Frankfurt Airport seemed eerily empty when compared to past trips.
We decided to spend a little time relaxing in the Admiral’s Club since our flight didn’t board until 10:10 AM. The Admiral’s Club in Frankfurt was a great place to hang out for an hour or so before heading to Immigration and Security. Again, there were no long lines and we breezed through Security. The flight boarded on time and we settled into our very comfortable seats. This flight would be close to 10 hrs long so we were glad we’d been able to upgrade on this segment. I watched 3 movies -- Star Trek for the 2nd time, The Proposal and Angels & Demons -- as well as an episode of Mad Men. The time passed quickly.
The food was good and the service was even better. All of the flight attendants and other AA staff on this trip were very polite and professional.
We had a 3 hr layover at DFW so we spent some of that time in the Admiral’s Club, phoning our family to let them know we had made it back to the US. As with the Frankfurt Airport, DFW seemed much less busy when compared to past trips. Our flight left on time and we actually arrived in Houston a little early. After 3+ weeks, it was great to get back home to my own bed and shower.
This was probably one of the BEST trips we have had. There were no major hassles, the weather was amazingly good, all the people we came in contact with were cordial, and every destination was enchanting in its own unique way.
I’ll be happy to answer any questions.
Oct 9th, 2009, 02:13 PM
#48
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I enjoyed your trip report and photos very much, especially those of Mittenwald, Bamberg and Salzburg which we will be visiting within the next two weeks. Although we likely won't be getting to Freiburg and Staufen this time, we know them well having visited many times.
I just hope that the mid to end October weather can be half as good as you had in September!
I just hope that the mid to end October weather can be half as good as you had in September!
Oct 9th, 2009, 03:13 PM
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Be prepared for cold weather starting monday. If you've ever been to Canada, it's the day you get out of bed in the morning and know that's it, now it's a different tune for the next "few" months. It's the same in Germany, just like someone turned off the switch last night.
"Dear lord, would you please turn on the heat again."
"Have some christmas gingerbread instead".
"Dear lord, would you please turn on the heat again."
"Have some christmas gingerbread instead".
Oct 10th, 2009, 09:56 AM
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Bettyk, your photos are beautiful. It has been 8 years since I've been to Germany and your pictures of Mittenwald and Rudesheim are helping to refresh my memory. When I took the train in Austria last year, the weather was cool and cloudy, but the scenery was still so striking that I felt like I had dropped into a fairy tale. Your photos make me want to get back there and hopefully experience Austria (& Germany) with bright blue skies. What kind of camera do you and your husband use? Your tip about pre-loading your GPS with addresses is a great idea and one I'll file away for a future trip. Thanks for taking the time to write your report.
Oct 10th, 2009, 01:01 PM
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Thanks so much for your kind words, wtm003!
My husband uses a Cannon EOS 30D Digital SLR. He just bought a new Canon 17-40 lens for this trip which he really loves. He also has a Canon EF 28-135 IS lens.
I have a small Casio Exilim that I just got this year and hadn't really used much until this trip. It's certainly not as versatile as my husband's camera but I don't like having to carry around all the gear. I thought I got some pretty decent photos with it however.
I hope you'll be able to return to Germany & Austria and have those blue skies. We didn't have them every day, but it was certainly nice when we did. When we first got to Salzburg, it was hazy and very difficult to get a good picture. However, by the time we left several hours later, things had definitely improved. BUT, every place had become much more crowded too as the day progressed. Sometimes you just have to take what's given to you and be happy for it! At least it wasn't raining!
My husband uses a Cannon EOS 30D Digital SLR. He just bought a new Canon 17-40 lens for this trip which he really loves. He also has a Canon EF 28-135 IS lens.
I have a small Casio Exilim that I just got this year and hadn't really used much until this trip. It's certainly not as versatile as my husband's camera but I don't like having to carry around all the gear. I thought I got some pretty decent photos with it however.
I hope you'll be able to return to Germany & Austria and have those blue skies. We didn't have them every day, but it was certainly nice when we did. When we first got to Salzburg, it was hazy and very difficult to get a good picture. However, by the time we left several hours later, things had definitely improved. BUT, every place had become much more crowded too as the day progressed. Sometimes you just have to take what's given to you and be happy for it! At least it wasn't raining!
Oct 10th, 2009, 02:54 PM
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I enjoyed your fantastic pictures and interesting report. You were wonderfully helpful when I planned our trip to Germany and Austria two years ago. I hope to return and maybe do almost the same trip since I only saw the sights through rain and snow. It was pouring snow when we were in Mittenwald. We have had a tough time with weather on several trips despite going when statistically it should have been nice. Nonetheless, I loved every trip. Thanks for posting the pic's and the report. PJK
Oct 10th, 2009, 03:13 PM
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Thanks so much, LSky. DH does such a good job with the photos. It's so much fun to go back and look at all the places we've been over the past few years.
PJK, I'm certainly glad I could be of help. While I'm glad we didn't have any snow on this trip, I would imagine Mittenwald is beautiful in the snow! Sounds like you are due some good weather!
PJK, I'm certainly glad I could be of help. While I'm glad we didn't have any snow on this trip, I would imagine Mittenwald is beautiful in the snow! Sounds like you are due some good weather!
Oct 10th, 2009, 03:14 PM
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Your pictures are great. In June I took your recommendation of Hotel Schernthaner in St. Gilgen. I lucked out and got a very nice double room because their single was already taken. I am returning in June 2010. Last month I stayed at Hallstatt instead of St. Gilgen. I alternate between the two since I love both places.
I am checking out some of the towns that you visited that are serviced by train. You always find the best places to visit.
I am checking out some of the towns that you visited that are serviced by train. You always find the best places to visit.
Oct 10th, 2009, 03:21 PM
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scatcat, we too love Hallstatt and only decided to give St. Gilgen a try because we felt we need to get out of our rut!! Now we find ourselves going back to St. Gilgen! But Frau Eisl is such a wonderful hostess, it's hard to imagine staying anywhere else.
I've never been disappointed in any of the towns we've visited over the years. Each one has been wonderful in it's own way and some have been treasures.
I've never been disappointed in any of the towns we've visited over the years. Each one has been wonderful in it's own way and some have been treasures.
Oct 10th, 2009, 06:57 PM
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Now those are some beautiful photographs, I want to look at them all more closely later but wanted to say I am really enjoying your trip report too. It brings back memories of such a beautiful country and the good times I have had in some of the same places you have visited. Thanks for sharing with us. I have bookmarked this for another trip too with all of your helpful details. I can't wait to look at the photos again!!
