What to do around Wiesbaden?
 

I will be travelling to Wiesbaden via FRA for a business convention. The convention ends next Friday (Nov. 21), but I don't leave FRA until the following Tuesday. I am looking for advice on a few must see/must do things. I realize it is not the best time of year, but I have never been to Germany before. In fact, the only Europe that I have seen up to this point is UK, Italy, and Amsterdam. With such a short time should I focus on the Frankfurt area or would a quick train trip into France be worth while? My interests lean to the more relaxed, outdoors type of lifestyle. I am happier in a four star location in a quiet village than a five star in a big city. I enjoy experiencing cultures and people watching from cafes. Unfortunately the timing is too late for the hiking/backpacking season and a tad early for ski season (unless I am wrong).

Any advice for a late 30s business traveler?

Thanks,

Mike
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You could head north from Wiesbaden along the east bank of the Rhine and tour Marksburg Castle in Braubach:(www.roadstoruins.com/marksburg.htm)

Just north of there is Koblenz, not a village, but a smallish city with a nice old town area and a Christmas market that opens on Sat 11/22. South of Koblenz on the west bank, Boppard is probably the best town to stay in on the Rhine if you want some wine village atmosphere (not so small that you'd go stir crazy in the dead off-season.)

From Koblenz, Trier lies upstream along the Mosel River; it's a small city as well, Germany's oldest, with a good number of interesting sights. A nice place to stay for a day or two on the Mosel would be Cochem - great old town with cobblestones, an old town wall, and narrow streets - but it may be TOO quiet at that time of year.

I've been talking about Baden-Baden a lot here lately, but it is one possibility for you. It's worth seeing year round. Lots of good restaurants, a good selection of hotels (two we like: the 4-star Quellenhof, about 115 euros per night single for a nice room [and breakfast] with balcony overlooking a nice street; and the new Dorint, a 5-star luxury hotel with a modern spa, a variety of good restaurants, and some good week-end prices, about 163 euros a night, including lavish breakfast).
The hike up to the Altes Schloss is very scenic, will take a couple of hours (it's fairly short "as the crow flies" but we humans have to hike up a series of switchbacks through the woods); the Altes Schloss is in ruins, but it's still interesting and there are paths along the Schloss; one takes you to a popular rock climbing spot. If you want a soak in the thermal baths to soothe those hiking muscles, the Caracalla Spa is modern, large and has a wonderful outdoor heated pool (spa temp, not just slightly heated); swimming outside at night while the snow falls is a great experience (you might get snow but I wouldn't count on it).
Good restaurants include the Kurhaus (attached to the casino), the Dorint hotel restaurants, Namaskaar, an outstanding gourment Indian restaurant (reservations required), among many others, plus numerous cafes. Great shopping, too, so you can stock up on souvenirs.
Strasbourg is a short train ride from Baden-Baden, if you want to see a bit of Alsace.
Baden-Baden is not a village, but has a relaxed, non-urban feel. The center of town is mostly a pedestrian preserve and is ringed by attractive parks. Although it's known primarily as a summer resort, we think it's even better in the fall and winter when you don't have busloads of day trippers.

You have several options. I would recommend you rent a car--it will give you much more mobility (and the autobahns are excellent for travel).

One, you can head east to Wurzburg, Rothenburg, Nurnberg, and Bamberg. Two nights in Rothenburg and one in Bamberg.

Two, you can head northwest up the Rhine--drive up the east bank and back down the west. See Rudesheim, St. Goarhausen, Marksburg castle, and Koblenz on the trip up the east bank. From Koblenz, you could drive the Mosel valley, seeing the quaint villages. Spend the night in Bernkastel. Drive back to the west bank of the Rhine and head south, seeing Boppard, St. Goar, Oberwesel, and Bacharach.

Three, you can head south to Heidelberg, Baden-Baden, and Strasbourg.

All these would be much easier by auto, especially the Rhine/Mosel tour.

Regards,

Jinx Hoover

Sorry, I disagree about the need for a car to see Baden-Baden or Strasbourg. Baden-Baden is a straight shot on the ICE train from Frankfurt, which is easily reached from Wiesbaden. A car is not necessary (or even advisable) to see Baden-Baden itself as the town is designed to promote pedestrian activities; it also has good mass transit. From Baden-Baden, it's an easy train ride to Strasbourg.
I don't really see the need for a car to see Nuremberg or Bamberg either. Bamberg's historic inner city is not exactly car-friendly, ditto for Nuremberg's old city. Also Nuremberg can be tricky to drive into; there's construction all around town and traffic is pretty heavy on Fridays.

Thanks for the tips everybody! You have definately helped me in my planning. I am leaning towards the Baden-Baden, then on to Strasbourg route, but will continue doing some research. I am leaving tomorrow (Sunday) and as of yet, I have no reservations beyond the end of the convention. Being it is the off season, would I have any problems just going without reservations to keep things flexible, or are hotel reservations necessary even in the off season?

Thanks again,

Mike

Mike, you're probably on the plane by now, but if you check this site while you're in Wiesbaden (and your "handle" makes me think you will...), you *should* be able to get a room in Baden-Baden at short notice. We booked our room at the Quellenhof the same day we arrived (we had booked at another hotel outside town, but didn't like it). However, for your peace of mind, it might be better to book your hotel a few days in advance. If you get to your destination and like it, great. If you don't, you can either look around for something else that day or spend one night there and check out the next day. It would be a shame to arrive someplace and find all the decent (or decently priced) hotels completed booked out.

FYI, the web site for the Quellenhof is www.quellenhof-baden-baden.de It's located at 27-29 Sophienstrasse, a 2 minute walk from the Caracalla spa, a 2 minute walk from the heart of the shopping area and about a 10 minute walk to the casino.