Scary travel in Germany
Mar 23rd, 2007 | 01:14 PM
#22
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
We were in France in last September. The car we rented was not available so we wound up with a car that had a GPS. It enabled us to get into and out every town and city without getting lost. We found that most towns do not have good signage.
We are going to Germany in May and the GPS is a mandatory item. Depending upon which rental agency and type of car you are renting it may cost more but for us it well worth it.
We are going to Germany in May and the GPS is a mandatory item. Depending upon which rental agency and type of car you are renting it may cost more but for us it well worth it.
Mar 27th, 2007 | 07:52 PM
#23
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
WOW!! Thank you for all your input. I really appreciate it.
I have decided to borrow a car from my family in Nuremberg. I've purchased a GPS
Garmin Nuvi 370 Pocket Vehicle GPS Navigator and Personal Travel Assistant with European Maps and am so excited about it. I don't think I'll be getting lost here or any where now!
I have decided to borrow a car from my family in Nuremberg. I've purchased a GPS
Garmin Nuvi 370 Pocket Vehicle GPS Navigator and Personal Travel Assistant with European Maps and am so excited about it. I don't think I'll be getting lost here or any where now!
Mar 27th, 2007 | 11:49 PM
#24
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 0
Hi redwoodcitymom,
That's great about the navi - I don't think you will regret your decision to drive. It will be much easier to get to the small towns you want to visit. As others have said, Germans are "typically" safe and courteous drivers, and the speed limits are strictly enforced (especially within towns - the speed limit is always 50 kph or less), although that doesn't mean you won't run into the occasional speedy type who becomes instantly impatient with you. Just be relaxed, and remember that taking a wrong turn now and then is not the end of the world (and the navi will tell you how to get on the right track again!). A few suggestions:
1) Always have backup maps, just in case. See if you can borrow a good road atlas from your family, or buy one when you get there. For serious road trips, a detailed road atlas bought in Germany is better (and more manageable, as they are typically spiral bound books) than any map I've found in the U.S.
2) Sometimes in tiny medieval towns, even navigation units can get confused because the streets are so close together. It's important to check the street signs and know where you are (this is where the teenager's eyes will come in handy!).
3) If you park in a garage, wait until you are out of the garage to turn on the navi so it can "find" your car accurately.
4) Familiarize yourself with European street signs and driving laws before you go - you can google this on the web.
5) Parking in the towns you plan to visit is pretty straightforward. In Rothenburg you just park outside the city walls and walk in - there are lots of signs. In the others, first follow the signs to "Zentrum" (center) or "Altstadt" (usually the part of town you want to visit!), then look for the universal blue square with the white "P". Many of the signs even have a digital display telling you how many parking spaces are left. Be sure to check whether you are supposed to pay first or upon your return. Many garages require you to take a ticket when you enter and then you stop at the "Kasse" machine BEFORE you get in your car and pay the required fee.
Are you staying at Burg Colmberg? We were there in December 2005 and loved it!
Have a great trip!
That's great about the navi - I don't think you will regret your decision to drive. It will be much easier to get to the small towns you want to visit. As others have said, Germans are "typically" safe and courteous drivers, and the speed limits are strictly enforced (especially within towns - the speed limit is always 50 kph or less), although that doesn't mean you won't run into the occasional speedy type who becomes instantly impatient with you. Just be relaxed, and remember that taking a wrong turn now and then is not the end of the world (and the navi will tell you how to get on the right track again!). A few suggestions:
1) Always have backup maps, just in case. See if you can borrow a good road atlas from your family, or buy one when you get there. For serious road trips, a detailed road atlas bought in Germany is better (and more manageable, as they are typically spiral bound books) than any map I've found in the U.S.
2) Sometimes in tiny medieval towns, even navigation units can get confused because the streets are so close together. It's important to check the street signs and know where you are (this is where the teenager's eyes will come in handy!).
3) If you park in a garage, wait until you are out of the garage to turn on the navi so it can "find" your car accurately.
4) Familiarize yourself with European street signs and driving laws before you go - you can google this on the web.
5) Parking in the towns you plan to visit is pretty straightforward. In Rothenburg you just park outside the city walls and walk in - there are lots of signs. In the others, first follow the signs to "Zentrum" (center) or "Altstadt" (usually the part of town you want to visit!), then look for the universal blue square with the white "P". Many of the signs even have a digital display telling you how many parking spaces are left. Be sure to check whether you are supposed to pay first or upon your return. Many garages require you to take a ticket when you enter and then you stop at the "Kasse" machine BEFORE you get in your car and pay the required fee.
Are you staying at Burg Colmberg? We were there in December 2005 and loved it!
Have a great trip!
