I am thinking about including what used to be Eastern Germany in a 3 month trip I'm making to Europe this summer/fall. Does anyone have any particular recommendations? I'll be traveling by train and can speak the language well enough to get by. I particularly enjoy the countryside. Thanks in advance for any recommendations you might have.

Hi Magaret, <BR>I`m not a huge fan of that part of the country, but would definitely advise to have a look into Quedlinburg. It´s one of the best preserved cities in Germany. Wonderful old houses and WW2 didn`t destroy anything. The city has won several prices for it`s old town center and is under protection of the European culture comission. <BR>Another secret apart from Eastern Germany is Hameln close to Hannover. You have to see it to believe that something like this still exists-wonderful old houses with wooden carvings in the old town, just beautiful and not as touristy as Heidelberg or Rothenburg. <BR> <BR>Have fun <BR> <BR>Miriam

I second the motion for Quedlinberg. A small, real gem. Also, try Dresden. Fabulous architecture and art collections. You cannot tell it was all restored (the parts that are already) having been bombed to smithereens near the end of WWII.

Part of Berlin was Eastern so that's my recommendation. Berlin is an incredible city with so much history & culture. The Checkpoint Charlie Museum, Reichstag, Infobox near the remaining "wall", Templehof Airfield, Pergamon Museum with ancient ruin, etc. are great sees. Dresden is a beautiful city rebuilt after the war. Miriam is right about Hamelin (not East). Liepzig has a lot of culture. Don't stop at Eastern Germany, try Prague, Cracow, Budapest--they are great & inexpensive.

Hi! <BR>Actually, I find Eastern Germany to be very nice, the people are warmer + friendlier, it's cheaper, and it has many many things to see: Dresden for sure, Saxon Switzerland, Ore Mountains, Erfurt (beautiful) + surroundings, the Spreewald (forest), Potsdam, the lakes in Mecklenburg, and the coast with the islands (Rügen and Usedom). <BR>Enjoy, you will have a great time! <BR>

Margaret, <BR>I second all the above recommendations but I also advise a visit to Halle (a city near Leipzig) which is a typical true life East German city warts and all, inlike Leipzig, East Berlin and Dresden which have all undergone a building boom. While Halle is also under construction it remains more realistic than any of the other cities. Take day trips to Weimar, Eilenburg and lots of the other small towns outside the city. Aslo be sure and visit the Neustat area in daylight only - typically construction of the East German regime.Halle is also the birthplace of G.F. Handel, composer, and has a Handel annual festival in June. Also visit the northern part of the East - Frankfurt an der Oder etc and the surrounding countries - Poland, Czech Republic etc. Have a good time and post if you need any more details.

Just got back and find that Eastern German towns and cities are about 30 years behind in crowds, so it's more like traveling to Germany the way it used to be. <BR><BR>Add the village of Eisenach to the list. The birthplace of Bach and with a great castle ( and now part museum) where Luther translated the Bible. This area is rolling with forest and ideal for hikers. Train travel is easy. Bach lived and worked all around here and it's fun to follow his trail.

wow, haven't heard Hameln in quite some time. A good friend of mine was married and stationed at Hessisch-Oldendorf back in the late 80's - about 7 miles from Hameln. <BR> <BR>I visited them there (I was a youngster then - still in college!) and we spent some time there. Very pretty, I agree. I doubt that base still exists though... <BR> <BR>Beth

Fodors <BR> <BR>Dear Ms Goetz <BR> <BR>Two counry areas are famous, Saxon Switzerland, along the river between Dresden and Decin, and the Thuringian Woods, a rolling hill country with many fine old villages. Berliners like the Brandenburg countryside around Berlin, but I fear I don't. <BR> <BR>Two favourite towns of mine are Stralsund and Goerlitz, but many people cannot see the point of a stay in Goerlitz. <BR> <BR>Please write if I can help further. Herzlich willkommen in Europa. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR> <BR> <BR>