My husband and I are planning a trip for December 2009 for about 12 -14 days or so. We are going to rent a car to increase our flexibility for day trips. We are primarily interested in Ch
My husband and I are planning a trip for December 2009 for about 12 -14 days or so. We are going to rent a car to increase our flexibility for day trips. We are primarily interested in Christmas markets, but also seeing small towns, castles, and any other off-the-beaten-track experiences that we can discover. Our rough itinerary is below.
Fly into Frankfurt and spend a few days there
Drive to Stuttgart (stop in Heidelberg for lunch/walking around/castle) and stay in Stuttgart
Drive to Munich (we have been already once before) - see the Christmas market and make day trips to Neuschwanstein and Mittenwald
Drive to Nuremberg and spend a few days there
Possibly drive to Berlin and spend a weekend there and fly home
Does anybody have any suggestions about things to do (other than the Christmas markets) in these towns? I heard that a few Christmas markets have ice skating rinks (Nuremberg I think?) which I am excited about, but we love winter sports and are up for (most) anything athletic. Can anyone offer any tips for the Christmas markets that we are going to (ie whether our time is better spent in different towns). I've heard mixed reviews regarding Berlin, so I would be open to suggestions as to places to stay following Nuremberg. Also, if anyone has had any particularly good/bad experiences with hotels in these towns, if you could let us know that would be fantastic. Thank you so much in advance!
My husband and I are planning a trip for December 2009 for about 12 -14 days or so. We are going to rent a car to increase our flexibility for day trips. We are primarily interested in Christmas markets, but also seeing small towns, castles, and any other off-the-beaten-track experiences that we can discover. Our rough itinerary is:Fly into Frankfurt and spend a few days thereDrive to Stuttgart (stop in Heidelberg for lunch/walking around/castle) and stay in StuttgartDrive to Munich (we have been already once before) - see the Christmas market and make day trips to Neuschwanstein and MittenwaldDrive to Nuremberg and spend a few days therePossibly drive to Berlin and spend a weekend there and fly homeDoes anybody have any suggestions about things to do (other than the Christmas markets) in these towns? I heard that a few Christmas markets have ice skating rinks (Nuremberg I think?) which I am excited about, but we love winter sports and are up for (most) anything athletic. Can anyone offer any tips for the Christmas markets that we are going to (ie whether our time is better spent in different towns). I've heard mixed reviews regarding Berlin, so I would be open to suggestions as to places to stay following Nuremberg. Also, if anyone has had any particularly good/bad experiences with hotels in these towns, if you could let us know that would be fantastic! Thank you so much in advance!!! Posted by JenniferNairn
There are dozens of things to do in Berlin - including a couple of world-class museums, the new Reichstag and a pack of great restaurants and clubs etc.- and I would try to add time there is possible.
IMHO - much more interesting than multiple Christmas markets (which are, after all, very similar to each other). But then I'm a real history buff and want to see every museum, castle, cathedral and historic sight there is - and generally find shopping too tedious for words (except for local handicrafts or artwork).
You mention you're looking for "small towns" and "off-the-beaten-track experiences" but your itinerary consists only of big cities and Germany's busiest tourist spots... I'd think that over.
We would LOVE to stay in a castle hotel that's not too far out of the way, but I wasn't able to really find any reliable information on the net about it. Do you have any websites that you would recommend?
I mean, we definitely want to see big cities too, particularly Nuremberg and Stuttgart because we were told that the Christmas markets are wonderful there, but if there are other places our time is better spent, we're all for it! I'm going to look into Bamberg and the other cities that have been suggested and adjust our route accordingly.
I know this sounds silly, but I read somewhere a long time ago that they have lots of places in Germany where you can go boblsedding and stuff like that, which I think would be so funny, albeit probably quite expensive, but you only live once! My husband doesn't ski unfortunately, and I don't think learning in a place where you might have to fly 8 hours home with a broken leg would be a great idea... but if anybody has ever done this/knows anything about it, can you please pass along information?
My husband and I are planning a trip for December 2009 for about 12 -14 days or so. We are going to rent a car to increase our flexibility for day trips. We are primarily interested in Christmas markets, but also seeing small towns, castles, and any other off-the-beaten-track experiences that we can discover. Our rough itinerary is:Fly into Frankfurt and spend a few days thereDrive to Stuttgart (stop in Heidelberg for lunch/walking around/castle) and stay in StuttgartDrive to Munich (we have been already once before) - see the Christmas market and make day trips to Neuschwanstein and MittenwaldDrive to Nuremberg and spend a few days therePossibly drive to Berlin and spend a weekend there and fly homeDoes anybody have any suggestions about things to do (other than the Christmas markets) in these towns? I heard that a few Christmas markets have ice skating rinks (Nuremberg I think?) which I am excited about, but we love winter sports and are up for (most) anything athletic. Can anyone offer any tips for the Christmas markets that we are going to (ie whether our time is better spent in different towns). I've heard mixed reviews regarding Berlin, so I would be open to suggestions as to places to stay following Nuremberg. Also, if anyone has had any particularly good/bad experiences with hotels in these towns, if you could let us know that would be fantastic! Thank you so much in advance!!! Posted by JenniferNairn
Bobsledding would be too involved (requires ice runs and special gear etc.) and certainly not for amateurs, but just regular scooting down a hillside on a sled, like the kids and families are doing, that can be fun if somebody lends/rents you a sled. You can always ask about that locally if the nearby hillsides are snowed in.
The German word for sledding is schlitteln (in Switzerland) or rodeln (in most of Germany and Austria) or schlittenfahren (may be used more for stately flat-land sleigh rides than downhill fun). Check out www.rodeln.com
If you google "castle hotels germany" or "castle hotels europe" you will get lots of information. Some years ago, we stayed at Castle Hirschhorn (www.castle-hotel.de). It was a great experience. There are also some good travel books out just on castle hotels.
Many of them have special packages as should stay in one with a good restaurant. It is usually cheapest to book directly with the castle. The one thing to be sure and check is that some have a castle annex. These are usually more modern rooms. The downside is then you are not staying in the main castle. Check the rooms carefully before you book and email to make sure of what you are getting.
I live around Stuttgart, and grew up around Heidelberg, and lived in Munich and Frankfurt, so my biased opinion:
Frankfurt sights are seen in 1 hour: Römer (city hall) and square, Dom (main church). For restaurants, go into Sachsenhausen in a traditional pub where they serve primarily cider and local food. For hotel, I have used "NH Die Villa", which is a small place on the north-west corner, easy to get to by car, and easy to use local transport.
Heidelberg is worth a few days. Do the castle, the old town, walk the "Philosophenweg" opposite the castle. Enjoy there the wine and a "Grobe Bratwurst" - you will never touch a hot dog again.
Travel from Heildelberg to Stuttgart on the roads along the river Neckar. Stop in one of the castles before Heilbronn, e.g. Burg Guttenberg, where they also breed eagles etc. and have a wonderful flight show. Bad Wimpfen is another favourite with our visitors. Lovely old town, grand view over the river Neckar, and don't miss the grilled chicken in the "Kräuterhexe" restaurant. If the weather is miserable, go underground into the salt mine in Bad Friedrichshall. For food outside the city somewhere between Heilbronn and Stutgart, don't miss to get food in a "Besen", which are vineyard-owner-run restaurants which are only open a few weeks a year each. Ask your local hotel which one is open. So this part of the trip will cost you a few days.
20 km west of the Neckar in Heilbronn is a town called Sinsheim with a fantastic motor-museum, incl. also planes (Concorde & Tupoloew), trains, and military, right next to the motorway A8.
Stuttgart is worth only a day or two. Do the "Alte Schloss" and "Landesmuseum" if you are into history, the opera if you want world-class music. For food, I like the "Calwer Eck" in Calwer Strasse, just parallel to the pedestrian "Königsstrasse". If you are into cars, the Mercedes Museum is one of the best world-wide, Give the Porsche Museum a miss - unless you are a die-hard fan, it is not worth the time.
I suggest you go cross-country from Stuttgart to Nürnberg. You can find fantastic old towns, some famous like Rothenburg o. d. T., some less then famous like Schwäbisch Hall incl. Coburg Monastry, Vellberg (small but very cute).
In Munich I like the Residenz, beer and food in the "Weisse Brauhaus" just of the Marienplatz, the "Deutsche Museum" (which is a museum of technology, not history). if you are into castles, look at Neuschwanstein (but save your money from going in), and then look at "Schloss Linderhof", which is close, much smaller, but much nicer inside.
On the way from Munich to Berlin, you should stop in Dresden for a day or two.
In Berlin, I like the "Pantheon"-Museum, a trip on the river in a boat, the natural history museum, Charlottenburg Castle. The Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche if you want to reflect on what was lost due to bombing in WW2, and the Holocaust-Memorial to reflect on who was lost beforehand, Checkpoint Charlie on what was it like afterwards. To me, more vibrant then any German city and because of that worth a trip.
I trust this helps. Planning a trip now for Dec 09 - you must be German, at least in heart :-)
Good advice on how to find castle hotels in Germany - and there is at least one by the magical Neuschwanstein, and they also have a nice spa/hotel down the hill by the nearby lake, and also the nearby town of Fussen is a classic old German town, and the WeissKirchke (sp?) "White Church" is also supposed to be worth a look. The town of Ommeramagau (sp) is also an old classic - close to the fabled "Blue Grotto" castle - Linden? or some such - another of "Mad" Koenig Ludwig's great castles.
And if you have time, take the train to the top of the famous ski area - Garmisch Partenkirken (sp) -- and maybe the tram to the top for a great view.
My sister and brother stayed at a nice hotel close to the Munich train station - right across the square -forget the name - International something - and you can google and find it - with nice breakfasts and convenient to the rail lines, trams, etc.
The castles in Munich as somebody may have noted are also great - and there is one that has the collection of the magical (horse)carriages/sleighs King Ludwig designed/traveled in.
BTW - I most heartily recommend you go into Neuschwanstein Castle, and see the huge carved work above the bed, the kitchens where Kind Ludwig had some of the newest types of appliances, ask about his also having one of the first telephones, and the many murals devoted to his beloved Opera and German history, whatnot.
I took the tour with the German speaking guide - and it was gut - but I only understood about half of it (aber schade) - but they also have them in English.
And also - there is at least a third famous King Ludwig Castle, just outside Munich toward Austria, and it's modeled after his idol's - (the Sun King's Louis IV's) Versailles.
We only lived in Germany for 3 years, so don't have the same expertise as some of the other posters, but a couple of add-ons: If you have time while in Stuttgart, drive north a few km to Ludwigsburg. Another of Mad King Ludwig's castles is there, refurbished about 8 years ago. Plus there is a park nearby (that was a present to his wife) with deer and other wildlife roaming around uncaged. Near Munich is Oberamergau (home of the Passion Play), which is a town full of excellent woodcarvers. The Chriskindlesmarkts in Stuttgart and Nurnberg are very different, each with their own specialties. (Look for the "prune men" figures and outstanding lebkuchen in Nurnberg.)
If you are planning to drive between these large cities and stay near the city center, you may end up with some stiff parking fees. My preference is to stay in the smaller & more interesting towns and make day-trips into the larger cities. Berlin - definitely do it, and return the car as soon as you arrive in the city, if you're flying home from there. Public transit in the city is excellent.
My favorite city is Rothenburg. It is still completely walled and far enough off the beaten path to still have character intact. Visit the famous Kate Wollfart Christmas store-a market everyday! Don't miss this city. Our favorite Christmas mart story-finding the big Haribo gummy rat-never saw them again in our year in Germany. Rothenberg has enough for a full days activity.
My wife and I just returned from a 6 night stay in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. This is a beautiful community right in the alps. From Garmisch, your only a few miles from the Zugspitze (the highest moutain in Germany). The villages of Mittenwald, Ettal, Oberammergau, and Schoss Linderhof are less than a 30 minute drive from Garmisch. Fussen and the Schloss Neuschwanstein are about 45 minutes from Garmisch.
We lived in Berlin for 3 years (83 - 86) when the wall was up. It was exciting in those days and we had plenty of time to explore the city. We believe you would be better off spending your days driving to the small villages on the Mosel and Rhein River.
My wife and I just returned from a 6 night stay in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. This is a beautiful community right in the alps. From Garmisch, your only a few miles from the Zugspitze (the highest moutain in Germany). The villages of Mittenwald, Ettal, Oberammergau, and Schoss Linderhof are less than a 30 minute drive from Garmisch. Fussen and the Schloss Neuschwanstein are about 45 minutes from Garmisch. We lived in Berlin for 3 years (83 - 86) when the wall was up. It was exciting in those days and we had plenty of time to explore the city. We believe you would be better off spending your days driving to the small villages on the Mosel and Rhein River.Enjoy your trip! Posted by Gene & Luz
All of my opinions are based on our 5 years of living in Germany...in Berlin, Kitzingen & Beuren. Still, keep in mind that it's only that: my opinion and tastes vary widely. I agree with others advise to see Neuschwanstein and Oberammergau. I also agree that instead of Frankfurt, I think you would enjoy making Wurzburg your headquarters for a few days. It has a lot to see and enjoy and it also easy to take day trips from there to Bamberg, Rotherberg, Kitzengin, Suzfeld (ask for the restaurant that serves meter wurst dinners...they also have 1/2 meter. Hearty German food!!) Nearby is the quaint little village of Iphofen where they serve bird's nest dinners. If you're a wine drinker then don't miss the wonderful Franken wine in these little towns along the Main River.
Nurenberg's Christmas Markt is great...not to be missed. We stayed in Castle Gutenfels near the village of Kaub on the Rhine and really enjoyed it. Bacharach and many of the little towns and villages along the Rhein are more interesting than the large cities we think. If you're music lovers, Berlin is a great place to take in a concert or opera. Hope you have a wonderful, memorable trip.
Harald had some great suggestions. May I suggest Ludwigsburg Schloss in Stuttgart (and not because that's my name as well). It is lovely with terrific grounds. Be sure to see the guest palace. In Berlin there's too much to do. I spent a week there and did not see all I wanted. See Pergamon Museum as well as other museums on that island (see the Nefertiti exhibit), Berliner Dom (go up onto the roof for the view), walk from Tiergarten to Bandenburg Gate (I suggest eating at at least one Imbis (street vendors) for some tasty and inexpensive food ... be sure to try the currywurst), and Charlottennburg. If driving from Munich to Berlin, and if you like old churches, suggest you stop at Die Klosterkirche in Thalburg (great ruined church in a cute little town). Near to Jena which is a nice university city
We would LOVE to stay in a castle hotel that's not too far out of the way, but I wasn't able to really find any reliable information on the net about it. Do you have any websites that you would recommend?I mean, we definitely want to see big cities too, particularly Nuremberg and Stuttgart because we were told that the Christmas markets are wonderful there, but if there are other places our time is better spent, we're all for it! I'm going to look into Bamberg and the other cities that have been suggested and adjust our route accordingly.I know this sounds silly, but I read somewhere a long time ago that they have lots of places in Germany where you can go boblsedding and stuff like that, which I think would be so funny, albeit probably quite expensive, but you only live once! My husband doesn't ski unfortunately, and I don't think learning in a place where you might have to fly 8 hours home with a broken leg would be a great idea... but if anybody has ever done this/knows anything about it, can you please pass along information?Thanks so much!! Posted by JenniferNairn
Do a Black Forest search; there should surely be winter activities there, and the towns are lovely.
As far as I know there's still a restaurant in the top of the television tower in Stuttgart. I have no idea how the food is, but the view was great!
There are dozens of things to do in Berlin - including a couple of world-class museums, the new Reichstag and a pack of great restaurants and clubs etc.- and I would try to add time there is possible.IMHO - much more interesting than multiple Christmas markets (which are, after all, very similar to each other). But then I'm a real history buff and want to see every museum, castle, cathedral and historic sight there is - and generally find shopping too tedious for words (except for local handicrafts or artwork). Posted by ny traveler
Have you already been to Linderhof? The smallest of Ludwig's castles it is very unique with the man-made cave w/stage and the Moorish kiosk. Very interesting late 19th century technology, too.
Have you already been to Linderhof? The smallest of Ludwig's castles it is very unique with the man-made cave w/stage and the Moorish kiosk. Very interesting late 19th century technology, too. Posted by hjsbach
And, Linderhof is on your way to or from Neuchwanstein.
