Thanksgiving Trip from Land
 

Hello, Can anyone suggest a Thanksgiving weekend trip from Landstuhl? I am looking for something a little different, not typical tourist fare. Can leave Wednesday evening, return on Sunday.

I'm trying to think what Thanksgiving has to do with anything.

Could be Americans stationed there and getting T-day weekend off (aka late November)... If that's the case, it would be helpful to know where you have already been in the area and what sort of getaway you're looking for. Outdoor activities, museums, etc.

Also, would you be driving or going by train?

Thanksgiving weekend explains both the time of year and the duration of the trip, Late November and a 4 day weekend as opposed to a 2 day weekend.

Jean, I am open to either driving or train. I am visiting my daughter who is living there for 4 months, there are many day trips available to her to Amsterdam, Brussels, etc. But we will have 4 days to take a little longer trip. I have driven in France and understand some French, but am uncertain about driving in Germany, mountains, etc. but open to it.

There is a US Army medical center located there so OP is most likely an American stationed there and has the Thanksgiving weekend off.

OP, what types of things are you looking to do ("not the typical tourist fare")?

Light hiking,small towns, combination of scenic and small city.

Route des Vins in France? Riquewihr is less than a 3 hour drive from you. There is a large national park on the way down there. Lots of cute little villages and small towns.

Or Hall in Tyrol/Innsbruck/Garmisch Part? It is about a 6 hour drive.

Thanks, those both look good to me!

You're welcome!

If you want to go further afield, St. Wolfgang/St. Gilgen/Hallstatt are all very cute with lots of light hiking and charming villages. Incredibly gorgeous!

Any recommendations for Switzerland?

Strasbourg, Riquewihr, Colmar. Charming towns with beautiful architecture in the historical centers. The Christmas markets will open that weekend.

If anyone is into cars, one of the great car museums is located in Mulhouse, about an hour south of Riquewihr. We spent several hours there one rainy day. There is a decent cafeteria inside the museum.

http://citedelautomobile.com/en/home

Lucerne is a lovely town about 4.5 hours drive from you. You'd basically go through Strasbourg and Colmar (or very close by) to get there. And Riquewihr is nearby along the route also. Cogwheel trains up Mt. Pilatus, etc.

Or there is Interlaken about a 1/2 hour further. Stunning mountain views of the Jungfrau. Lots of activities from hiking to paragliding, etc. Brienz and Thun are nearby.

Thank you all, this is exactly what I was looking for!

Hi jboogs40,

If you decide to go to Switzerland, it would be best to take the train from Landstuhl to Interlaken, about 5h30 of leisurely travel enjoying the scenery, with one or two changes.

In Switzerland, parking can be expensive, like 15 to 20 chf per day, and the best towns are car-free. It's likely your car will just sit in the paid parking lot for the length of your weekend.

And public transport in Switzerland is probably the best on the planet -- trains run frequently, connections are seamless, and all the staff speak excellent English. In addition, you'll be able to spend time inside the culture and see everyday folks instead of being isolated inside your private bubble. And finally, of course, using public transport will help you decrease your carbon footprint for a few days -- you may be very happy to help conserve the beauty you want to see!

One additional note -- I normally recommend that folks stay up in the mountains, in a mountain village like Wengen or Mürren, but in November those villages will be effectively shut down with few hotels/restaurants open. Many cable cars use November for regular maintenance, and they are shut down then too. So, for a November trip, Interlaken is a good option, and you'll be able to take a day-trip to other areas if the weather is bad where you are.

Have fun as you plan!

s

Be sure you get winter tyres. I think they are mandatory in some places, but last I was in nov around Strasbourg, I was given a car without and couldn't reach my destination. Had to turn back and make it in the next morning.

Thank you all for your help, you have given me some great information!!