Two weeks in Germany (Bavaria + surrounding areas)
Apr 15th, 2011, 07:58 PM
#23
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"Getting a good deal using the Lander tickets makes up for the increased taxes we pay in many US cities supporting the unsupportable light rail systems"
Light rail systems are indeed quite the American boondoggle. Our money went a lot further when it rebuilt Europe.
Even if the German Railways want to dump Länder Tickets at some point, I think the UN should step in to make them a civil right for citizens of all the Allied nations. It's enough that the "Greatest Generation" and their offspring who visit Europe can stay for only 3 months and must suffer the humiliation of the current exchange rates.
Light rail systems are indeed quite the American boondoggle. Our money went a lot further when it rebuilt Europe.
Even if the German Railways want to dump Länder Tickets at some point, I think the UN should step in to make them a civil right for citizens of all the Allied nations. It's enough that the "Greatest Generation" and their offspring who visit Europe can stay for only 3 months and must suffer the humiliation of the current exchange rates.
Apr 16th, 2011, 01:50 PM
#24
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Help needed! If anyone has any input, please let me know asap.
I've found my options for reward travel are already extremely limited. This is the best option for a flight I found so far.
I would be going from the US to Stuttgart, then spend 12 days in Germany, then leave from Frankfurt. I know it might not be *ideal* but it should allow me to complete most of this itinerary, right? I can loop through Munich/Bavaria and fly out of Frankfurt, hitting most of the cities mentioned in this thread?
I want to book this flight tonight unless anyone thinks this might be stupid. Any feedback is GREATLY appreciated!
I've found my options for reward travel are already extremely limited. This is the best option for a flight I found so far.
I would be going from the US to Stuttgart, then spend 12 days in Germany, then leave from Frankfurt. I know it might not be *ideal* but it should allow me to complete most of this itinerary, right? I can loop through Munich/Bavaria and fly out of Frankfurt, hitting most of the cities mentioned in this thread?
I want to book this flight tonight unless anyone thinks this might be stupid. Any feedback is GREATLY appreciated!
Apr 16th, 2011, 08:31 PM
#26
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Alrighty - flights have been booked.
Day 1: Flight from US to Stuttgart.
Day 2: Arrive in Stuttgart at 8am local time
Day 15: Depart from Frankfurt back to US
That is now set in stone. All the blanks in between...your guess is as good as mine. Here is a rough itinerary I mocked up - google map image here: http://i.imgur.com/DdjUC.jpg
Stuttgart -> Villingen -> Munich -> Rothernburg -> Bamberg -> Bacharach -> Frankfurt.
Does that sound like a good plan for this two week trip? any suggestions on how to divide up the days and which cities are best to stay over night in?
Again, this still begs the question of which is better, car or train. I'm leaning towards a mix of both at the moment.
Day 1: Flight from US to Stuttgart.
Day 2: Arrive in Stuttgart at 8am local time
Day 15: Depart from Frankfurt back to US
That is now set in stone. All the blanks in between...your guess is as good as mine. Here is a rough itinerary I mocked up - google map image here: http://i.imgur.com/DdjUC.jpg
Stuttgart -> Villingen -> Munich -> Rothernburg -> Bamberg -> Bacharach -> Frankfurt.
Does that sound like a good plan for this two week trip? any suggestions on how to divide up the days and which cities are best to stay over night in?
Again, this still begs the question of which is better, car or train. I'm leaning towards a mix of both at the moment.
Jun 13th, 2011, 11:00 AM
#27
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We did a trip like this in Nov/Dec of 2009, mostly to visit Christmas markets. We flew into Munich, then rented a car as we left town, then went to Berchtesgaden, Austria for two nights, then to Vienna for three nights, then to Salzburg for two, then to Rothenburg ODT, Nuremberg, and finally Heidelberg before flying out of Frankfurt. It was a 2.5 week trip total.
Yeah we probably did more driving around since we added Vienna at the last minute (after our flights were booked) and we admit that our itinerary wasn't as streamlined as it could have been, but we were using up hotel points and stayed in areas that had more "chain" type hotels like Hiltons and Starwoods. But we did day trips and got to see lots of the Austrian countryside, too.
I would definitely recommend renting a car for this area - no problems at all and my husband loved driving on the Autobahn!!
Yeah we probably did more driving around since we added Vienna at the last minute (after our flights were booked) and we admit that our itinerary wasn't as streamlined as it could have been, but we were using up hotel points and stayed in areas that had more "chain" type hotels like Hiltons and Starwoods. But we did day trips and got to see lots of the Austrian countryside, too.
I would definitely recommend renting a car for this area - no problems at all and my husband loved driving on the Autobahn!!
Jun 13th, 2011, 01:11 PM
#28
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Your latest itinerary looks good. Try not to miss the old town (alstadt) in Bamberg. It is beautiful. If you look at my recent trip report, you can get my list of hotels. We did the entire trip in Bavaria using the Lander ticket (Bayern ticket)-it worked out well for us. Anyway, have a great time-I don't think you can go wrong if you mix major cities and smaller ones. I hope to go back sooner than later.
Pat
Pat
Jun 16th, 2011, 05:09 AM
#29
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Germany, huh? Most US tourists seem to remain in Freistaat Bayern (Bavaria). Chiemsee and Lake Constance are OK areas to visit in this region.
If you are into wine, then you may want to visit the Mosel valley near Mainz. Bern-Kastel is a nice village in this region.
Personally, if you have a picture in your head of small "Alpine" villages then Germany is probably not the best choice for your holiday choice. Ninety percent of Germany is very modern and industrialized.
I would revise your schedule to say, fly into Austria, Switzerland, or N. Italy and then if time permits cross into Germany.
Remember, there is a reason why the local Germans head south for their holidays.
If you are into wine, then you may want to visit the Mosel valley near Mainz. Bern-Kastel is a nice village in this region.
Personally, if you have a picture in your head of small "Alpine" villages then Germany is probably not the best choice for your holiday choice. Ninety percent of Germany is very modern and industrialized.
I would revise your schedule to say, fly into Austria, Switzerland, or N. Italy and then if time permits cross into Germany.
Remember, there is a reason why the local Germans head south for their holidays.
Jun 16th, 2011, 06:44 AM
#30
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Just be careful to take the previous posting with a pinch or 2 of salt! Chiemsee and Lake Constance are a bit more than 'OK'. Bavaria also has the little known Franken wine region around Wuerzburg - hugely cheaper than the Mosel. And it is absolutely not true that 90% of Germany is modern and industrialised - you would only think that if you stayed in the big cities. I certainly wouldn't have chosen to live here if it was true. Many but certainly not all Germans head to southern countries for their holidays.
Jun 18th, 2011, 11:40 AM
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Do not miss SALZBURG. Visit the Old Town. Try the Sound of Music tour. Sounds corny, but is a lot of fun with great scenery.
ROTHENBURG: Get there in time for the nightwatchman's tour. It is inexpensive, starts at 8 pm on the town square and a lot of fun. You see the nooks and crannies of the city in the evening.
ROMANTIC ROAD: I agree with one poster. The road itself is not that great. The towns of Rothenburg, Dinkelsburg and Garmisch are the draw, not the Romantic Road drive.
ROTHENBURG: Get there in time for the nightwatchman's tour. It is inexpensive, starts at 8 pm on the town square and a lot of fun. You see the nooks and crannies of the city in the evening.
ROMANTIC ROAD: I agree with one poster. The road itself is not that great. The towns of Rothenburg, Dinkelsburg and Garmisch are the draw, not the Romantic Road drive.
