Planning a trip to Germany - beginning stages
Sep 8th, 2005, 02:32 PM
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Planning a trip to Germany - beginning stages
My husband and I are in the beginning stages of planning our trip to Germany next July. I just reserved the airline tickets - FF miles, so we had to do it early. So now we get to start planning - well, I get to start planning since my husband says his job is to carry the luggage and take the pictures and mine is to do the research and make the arrangements 
So any advice or recommendations are appreciated.
We will be in Germany the last 2 weeks in July, flying in and out of Munich.
We are both in our early 30s, interested in history, architecture, the outdoors, beer, wine, local foods, hanging out, hiking, walking, wandering around neighborhoods, and a little shopping.
Our main motivation for going to Germany is that my husband was stationed there when he was in the army and would like to go back and see some things around Munich, Nuremberg and Ansbach. I've never been to Germany, but have always wanted to go.
I would also like to see the Alps, the Black Forest and the Rhine river valley.
I am wondering - with 2 weeks should we focus on southern and western Germany or if there will be time to go to eastern Germany or possibly Amsterdam for a couple days without being overly rushed.
We will likely rely on the train for much of our trip, possibly renting a car for a few days to drive through the Alps and Black Forest.
So any advice or recommendations are appreciated.
We will be in Germany the last 2 weeks in July, flying in and out of Munich.
We are both in our early 30s, interested in history, architecture, the outdoors, beer, wine, local foods, hanging out, hiking, walking, wandering around neighborhoods, and a little shopping.
Our main motivation for going to Germany is that my husband was stationed there when he was in the army and would like to go back and see some things around Munich, Nuremberg and Ansbach. I've never been to Germany, but have always wanted to go.
I would also like to see the Alps, the Black Forest and the Rhine river valley.
I am wondering - with 2 weeks should we focus on southern and western Germany or if there will be time to go to eastern Germany or possibly Amsterdam for a couple days without being overly rushed.
We will likely rely on the train for much of our trip, possibly renting a car for a few days to drive through the Alps and Black Forest.
Sep 8th, 2005, 03:51 PM
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I'm planning a trip to Germany in '06 or '07, and one of the destinations I'm really interested in visiting is Bamberg. It's fairly close to Nuremberg and is famous for it's rauchbier (smoked beer). Since you mentioned you are interested in beer, it might be worthy of checking out. I've been enjoying the Franconia Beer Guide to help my planning.
http://www.franconiabeerguide.com/
http://www.franconiabeerguide.com/
Sep 8th, 2005, 04:59 PM
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Hi, JC. A couple of summers ago we spent 15 days just in Bavaria and on the Mosel River, and we didn't have time to see all we wanted to in just those areas.
Unless you are the types of travelers who think 2 days in Venice, or Rome, or Paris, or ... are enough to "get it," I'd skip northern and eastern Germany this trip.
We used a combination of trains and car for our trip, and it worked well.
We flew in and out of Frankfurt and stayed in Bamberg, Munich, Hohenschwangau, Colmberg (in a castle hotel near Rothenburg), Beilstein, and Walldorf (by the airport our last night).
Unless you are the types of travelers who think 2 days in Venice, or Rome, or Paris, or ... are enough to "get it," I'd skip northern and eastern Germany this trip.
We used a combination of trains and car for our trip, and it worked well.
We flew in and out of Frankfurt and stayed in Bamberg, Munich, Hohenschwangau, Colmberg (in a castle hotel near Rothenburg), Beilstein, and Walldorf (by the airport our last night).
Sep 9th, 2005, 06:12 AM
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We spend a lot of time in southern Germany. My husband was also stationed there when he was in the Army many years ago. We seem to have the same interests you do - hiking, walking in neighborhoods, beer, wine, food. I think you could find plenty to keep you busy the entire 2 weeks without going to eastern Germany this trip.
We think Garmisch is great for walking. Love to take the two-person gondola bahn from the ski stadium up the mountain (think it is called Wankbahn) and hike down. At the mid-point is a hotel where you can stop for lunch. Then you continue down through the Partnachklamm (a gorge) which is very interesting and beautiful. Take a jacket, as it can be wet. We also like the small restaurant at the Plegersee, and there are many hiking trails that radiate from there. We also enjoy the fairly level walk from the Eibsee to Grainau through the woods.
You can go to Chiemsee if you want to get out on a beautiful lake. One of Ludwig's castles is on an island there. Another small one (the hunting lodge, Linderhof) is also near to Garmisch.
We love walking in some of the Munich neighborhood - not the main touristic part.
I will look through my travel notes and post some more suggestions soon. We just got back from a driving trip in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.
We think Garmisch is great for walking. Love to take the two-person gondola bahn from the ski stadium up the mountain (think it is called Wankbahn) and hike down. At the mid-point is a hotel where you can stop for lunch. Then you continue down through the Partnachklamm (a gorge) which is very interesting and beautiful. Take a jacket, as it can be wet. We also like the small restaurant at the Plegersee, and there are many hiking trails that radiate from there. We also enjoy the fairly level walk from the Eibsee to Grainau through the woods.
You can go to Chiemsee if you want to get out on a beautiful lake. One of Ludwig's castles is on an island there. Another small one (the hunting lodge, Linderhof) is also near to Garmisch.
We love walking in some of the Munich neighborhood - not the main touristic part.
I will look through my travel notes and post some more suggestions soon. We just got back from a driving trip in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.
Sep 9th, 2005, 07:52 AM
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The research is half the fun (well, maybe not half, but it is rewarding).
You could head south from Munich into the Alps/Neuschwanstein area, then swing west toward the Black Forest, north to the Rhine, east to Bamburg and Nurnberg, and finally south to Munich.
Spend two or three nights in each place and you should be able to do it all within two weeks, including a few days in Munich.
Bamberg would be well worth the effort, but it will be very crowded. The Middle Rhine is one of the nicest regions of Germany. You might consider staying in one of the old castles (e.g., Gutenfels, etc.).
Trains are best for traveling from one urban center to another. For your more regional interests, a car would be much more practical. The Rhine Valley, the Alps, Black Forest, etc. are best done as driving trips that allow you to go at your own pace and stop wherever you like.
Amsterdam would be tough with your time constraints. It would probably be best to stick with a German theme.
You could head south from Munich into the Alps/Neuschwanstein area, then swing west toward the Black Forest, north to the Rhine, east to Bamburg and Nurnberg, and finally south to Munich.
Spend two or three nights in each place and you should be able to do it all within two weeks, including a few days in Munich.
Bamberg would be well worth the effort, but it will be very crowded. The Middle Rhine is one of the nicest regions of Germany. You might consider staying in one of the old castles (e.g., Gutenfels, etc.).
Trains are best for traveling from one urban center to another. For your more regional interests, a car would be much more practical. The Rhine Valley, the Alps, Black Forest, etc. are best done as driving trips that allow you to go at your own pace and stop wherever you like.
Amsterdam would be tough with your time constraints. It would probably be best to stick with a German theme.
Sep 10th, 2005, 02:04 PM
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smueller - your suggestion for a rough itenerary is basically what I have been thinking.
I mapped out a rough itinerary that includes a trip up to Amsterdam and it seems very rushed. I want to see a lot of things, but I don't want our vacation to be just a checklist of activities and sights. Know what I mean?
I definitely want to rent a car for driving through the Alps and the Black Forest area. That really seems like the way to go. Plus it would seem like a shame to go to Germany and not drive on the Autobahn - LOL.
mrtwtraveler - I have been reading up on Garmisch and I think we will definitely add that to our itinerary. It looks like a really beautiful place to visit.
I mapped out a rough itinerary that includes a trip up to Amsterdam and it seems very rushed. I want to see a lot of things, but I don't want our vacation to be just a checklist of activities and sights. Know what I mean?
I definitely want to rent a car for driving through the Alps and the Black Forest area. That really seems like the way to go. Plus it would seem like a shame to go to Germany and not drive on the Autobahn - LOL.
mrtwtraveler - I have been reading up on Garmisch and I think we will definitely add that to our itinerary. It looks like a really beautiful place to visit.
Sep 14th, 2005, 10:46 AM
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Rent a car for the entire trip. Much better way to explore Germany. This way you can go and come when you want and do not have to handle the train schedules. Driving in Germany is easy. Roads are all good.
Concentrate on Southern Germany/Bavaria. There is plenty to do and see. Possible itinerary:
Start at Munich for a few nights.
Drive to BERCHTESGADEN. Base there for a few days to see the famous Obersalzburg area. Visit Hitler's Eagles Nest and bunker. Electric boats on the Koingsee Lake. Salt Mine tour. Short drive over to Salzburg one day...great city, Sound Of Music was filmed in this area and town. The Sound of Music tour sounds corny, but is really quite good. Watch the movie on video before you go.
Leave Berchtesgaden and take the Alpine Highway to Garmisch. Stop at Ramsau or Reit im Winkl on the way. Plenty to do in Garmisch with Eibsee, Linderhof Castle, Ettal Abbey, Oberamergau, and drive to Neuschwanstein. Take your time and enjoy the area.
Time remaining drive the Romantic Road up to ROTHENBURG. Great small town to explore for two nights. After Rothenburg begin to head back to Munich via Nuremburg/Ansbach, etc.
Great area to explore and two weeks will allow you to actually see and enjoy the scenes at a leisurely pace. My wife and I have done this trip a few times and always find new things. We also always run into people that are moving so fast they cannot remember where they were yesterday...it is all a blur.
If this is your first trip, take a small journal and write short notes at the end of each day. Years later you will enjoy the comments and will be amazed at all you would have forgotten if you had not written some of it down.
Concentrate on Southern Germany/Bavaria. There is plenty to do and see. Possible itinerary:
Start at Munich for a few nights.
Drive to BERCHTESGADEN. Base there for a few days to see the famous Obersalzburg area. Visit Hitler's Eagles Nest and bunker. Electric boats on the Koingsee Lake. Salt Mine tour. Short drive over to Salzburg one day...great city, Sound Of Music was filmed in this area and town. The Sound of Music tour sounds corny, but is really quite good. Watch the movie on video before you go.
Leave Berchtesgaden and take the Alpine Highway to Garmisch. Stop at Ramsau or Reit im Winkl on the way. Plenty to do in Garmisch with Eibsee, Linderhof Castle, Ettal Abbey, Oberamergau, and drive to Neuschwanstein. Take your time and enjoy the area.
Time remaining drive the Romantic Road up to ROTHENBURG. Great small town to explore for two nights. After Rothenburg begin to head back to Munich via Nuremburg/Ansbach, etc.
Great area to explore and two weeks will allow you to actually see and enjoy the scenes at a leisurely pace. My wife and I have done this trip a few times and always find new things. We also always run into people that are moving so fast they cannot remember where they were yesterday...it is all a blur.
If this is your first trip, take a small journal and write short notes at the end of each day. Years later you will enjoy the comments and will be amazed at all you would have forgotten if you had not written some of it down.
