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Germany on vacation need ideas
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Where in Germany were you thinking of?, it a pretty large country, myself i like the Moesel area west and south of Frankfurt, very pretty and laid back. , Schwartzwalt area, and when you further south , south of Munchen, gets real pretty up against the foothills of the Alps as well.
Pete
Pete
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Rick Steves has really practical books on foreign countries. You should visit Terezin, if you deside to go to Prague, it's near by- one of the biggest conc. camps. I used to live in the Czech Republic- in Northern Bohemia, towards the german border. There is so much to see, and Germany too, it's much bigger country. Be careful in Prague- once they hear you speaking english, the prices go really high. And be aware of the surroundings
Ilian
Ilian
Rick Steves has really practical books on foreign countries. You should visit Terezin, if you deside to go to Prague, it's near by- one of the biggest conc. camps. I used to live in the Czech Republic- in Northern Bohemia, towards the german border. There is so much to see, and Germany too, it's much bigger country. Be careful in Prague- once they hear you speaking english, the prices go really high. And be aware of the surroundings
Ilian
Yes we have used Rick's book in France very exact down to the black cat in the restaurant. I will check into Terezin we are staying in Prague at the marriot . I don't buy much and maybe we will speak diesel instead:-laf Thanks for your help.
Neuschwanstein is a must! Muenchen (Munich) is a blast if you're a beer lover. Grab a seat in a biergarten and enjoy a good liter of bier. Its not cheap, 6-7 Euro back about 3 years ago when last I was there but well worth it.
You mentioned concentration camps. Dachua, one of the first camps, is just north of Munich. It is a very good self guided walking tour (English recordings). Very eerie to walk through those buildings!
If you have time, head up to the Rhine. I recommend Rudesheim am Rhine just west of Frankfurt. If you like Rieslings (wine) this is the area to go.
Koln (Cologne) if fun (if you're into architecture the Dom is a must see). Dusseldorf has a great Altstat - again good beer - much different than Munich.
If your there the last couple of week of May, this festival Bergkirchweih Erlangen - Herzlich Willkommen - : Home is GREAT!!!! Basically Oktoberfest in May! It is a HUGE festival. Again, if you enjoy beer that is.
If you want more advice let us know.
(If you're way up north Bremen and Bremerhaven are neat if you're into WWII history, these were the major ports and shipyards).
You mentioned concentration camps. Dachua, one of the first camps, is just north of Munich. It is a very good self guided walking tour (English recordings). Very eerie to walk through those buildings!
If you have time, head up to the Rhine. I recommend Rudesheim am Rhine just west of Frankfurt. If you like Rieslings (wine) this is the area to go.
Koln (Cologne) if fun (if you're into architecture the Dom is a must see). Dusseldorf has a great Altstat - again good beer - much different than Munich.
If your there the last couple of week of May, this festival Bergkirchweih Erlangen - Herzlich Willkommen - : Home is GREAT!!!! Basically Oktoberfest in May! It is a HUGE festival. Again, if you enjoy beer that is.
If you want more advice let us know.
(If you're way up north Bremen and Bremerhaven are neat if you're into WWII history, these were the major ports and shipyards).
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One other thing, you mentioned renting a car. This is a great way to see Germany. I will caution you that driving the Autobahn is a challenge, depending on your normal driving style state side.
With no real speed limits, you need to be VERY aware of of your surroundings. Trucks have a sign on their rear bumper that indicates their max speed (usually 80-100kmh). If you're doing 120 kmh or more, your distance reduces quickly. The trick is you need to keep a constant eye on the road behind you for guys running peddle-to-the-metal. Since they strictly enforce "no driving in the passing lane" you will be changing lanes A LOT!
Watch the overhead "real-time" traffic signs. They are very accurate. If they say slow down, do so, chances are there is something going on ahead.
Become familiar with their roads signs, they have some different rules. Have a blast, I can't wait until our next trip over there.
With no real speed limits, you need to be VERY aware of of your surroundings. Trucks have a sign on their rear bumper that indicates their max speed (usually 80-100kmh). If you're doing 120 kmh or more, your distance reduces quickly. The trick is you need to keep a constant eye on the road behind you for guys running peddle-to-the-metal. Since they strictly enforce "no driving in the passing lane" you will be changing lanes A LOT!
Watch the overhead "real-time" traffic signs. They are very accurate. If they say slow down, do so, chances are there is something going on ahead.
Become familiar with their roads signs, they have some different rules. Have a blast, I can't wait until our next trip over there.
We used AAA for a international driving permit before we left stateside,this was in 2003, I would assume they are still involved in this. Totally forgot about the road signs, they are not self-explanatory and it should be available from somebody for study before you fly over. My experience with the autobahn speeds is no big deal-120kmh-is only 72mph and the freeways in the states are a lot faster! Oh yeah, if you can drive a stick would be a good idea too, most any vehicle over there has one. If you like tunnels this is your kind of place too, in Austria the Arlsberg is 8 miles long. Did I mention to know a little German language would be a big help too.
I was using 120kmh as a example. The likely speed in some areas is much faster. I recall I didn't want to push the rented Yaris much faster than 140kmh. It is the other guy going 190+ that you have to worry about (especially when there is a truck in your lane doing 100). My tendency was to closely watch the passing lane for the racers. If I saw someone in that lane I rotated my glance to the mirror every other second or two to determine if they were flying or not. It was better to slow down (again a Yaris) than try to accelerate passed a truck. Wait for the racer to go by and then pass.
Funny thing, I got the international driver's lic. also. The rental car company never asked for it. All it does is say, in multiple languages, that you have a lic. in the US. Helpful it you get pulled over, but that's about it.
ALSO GET A GPS nav. unit. They are generally expensive to rent from the rental car companies. If you're renting for any length of time it is cheaper to buy one with the proper maps (Germany/Chech Rep came as a single package for my Garmin) before you leave the States.
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Beverages:
I've hinted about it, but Germans take their beer very seriously. For a country a little smaller in size than the State of Montana, you'll find beer varies tremendously by region. Generally, you won't find "many national" brands (the same brand found throughout the country), each city will have several breweries. Each offering a variety of styles. Be brave! If you're a Bud/Coors guy, you won't likely enjoy the experience of trying new and different brews. Their beer in cold by the way (well sort of, usually in the mid-40'sF).
To make beer "lighter" they will add lemon/lime (e. g. , 7-Up). In Munich this is a Radler. Very refreshing and palatable to Bud Light/Coors Light fans (even my wife who isn't a beer drinker liked it). Up north they add flavored syrups, raspberry and apple most typically. These are call Berliniers. Again, targeting the light crowd.
Not much in the way of mixed drinks. When you find liquor, you'll typically have to buy a mixer separately and mix a cocktail yourself. This gets expensive since soda/pop type products are more expensive than beer.
I forgot something... if you're out sightseeing or traveling, stop at a convenience store to buy bottled water. Restaurants typically don't serve tap water and other soft drives are relatively small (and expensive). There's no "big gulp" or free refills. Two liter bottles of water are generally very inexpensive.
I've hinted about it, but Germans take their beer very seriously. For a country a little smaller in size than the State of Montana, you'll find beer varies tremendously by region. Generally, you won't find "many national" brands (the same brand found throughout the country), each city will have several breweries. Each offering a variety of styles. Be brave! If you're a Bud/Coors guy, you won't likely enjoy the experience of trying new and different brews. Their beer in cold by the way (well sort of, usually in the mid-40'sF).
To make beer "lighter" they will add lemon/lime (e. g. , 7-Up). In Munich this is a Radler. Very refreshing and palatable to Bud Light/Coors Light fans (even my wife who isn't a beer drinker liked it). Up north they add flavored syrups, raspberry and apple most typically. These are call Berliniers. Again, targeting the light crowd.
Not much in the way of mixed drinks. When you find liquor, you'll typically have to buy a mixer separately and mix a cocktail yourself. This gets expensive since soda/pop type products are more expensive than beer.
I forgot something... if you're out sightseeing or traveling, stop at a convenience store to buy bottled water. Restaurants typically don't serve tap water and other soft drives are relatively small (and expensive). There's no "big gulp" or free refills. Two liter bottles of water are generally very inexpensive.
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Food:
Again, be brave. In the cities, waitstaff generally speak a bit if English (if you don't know German) and they can explain the selections on a menu. Try to move away from your comfort zone a bit and you'll be surprised how good stuff can be.
Germany is a meat and potatoes country. In biergartens you'll find rotisserie chicken, pork knuckles (roasted shank), and short ribs. There is a potato dumpling (about the size of a baseball) that is very good. You can't go wrong with sausages ordered typically with "Brot" (a roll) or straight up.
Go to the outdoor markets. Try some of the smoked/dried beef sticks and jerky's. Pizza made in wood/coal fired ovens is pretty popular as are thick cut french fries.
Again, be brave. In the cities, waitstaff generally speak a bit if English (if you don't know German) and they can explain the selections on a menu. Try to move away from your comfort zone a bit and you'll be surprised how good stuff can be.
Germany is a meat and potatoes country. In biergartens you'll find rotisserie chicken, pork knuckles (roasted shank), and short ribs. There is a potato dumpling (about the size of a baseball) that is very good. You can't go wrong with sausages ordered typically with "Brot" (a roll) or straight up.
Go to the outdoor markets. Try some of the smoked/dried beef sticks and jerky's. Pizza made in wood/coal fired ovens is pretty popular as are thick cut french fries.
Hotels:
Most staff speak some English. Most hotels offer free breakfast although some charge extra. Make sure know. Breakfasts are generally cold-cuts, crusty bread, jams/jellies, cheese (yes, sandwiches in the morning) and hard boiled eggs. Some hotels will have dry cereal. Don't expect pancakes and french toast. Liverwurst on a crusty roll was one of my favorite breakfasts.
Electricity is very expensive. Most places don't have A/C. Room lights in the big (new) hotels are controlled by your room key. You put your key this box inside your room to set the "main" for your room. When you leave you pull out your key and everything powers down. Something to keep in mind if you're charging a laptop or other device.
Most staff speak some English. Most hotels offer free breakfast although some charge extra. Make sure know. Breakfasts are generally cold-cuts, crusty bread, jams/jellies, cheese (yes, sandwiches in the morning) and hard boiled eggs. Some hotels will have dry cereal. Don't expect pancakes and french toast. Liverwurst on a crusty roll was one of my favorite breakfasts.
Electricity is very expensive. Most places don't have A/C. Room lights in the big (new) hotels are controlled by your room key. You put your key this box inside your room to set the "main" for your room. When you leave you pull out your key and everything powers down. Something to keep in mind if you're charging a laptop or other device.
Dont pay for an international license as stated it is only a translation of your US license, You must have your US license on you when driving. Most germans ages 40 and less can speak english as it was mandatory in school for them. Ditto on autobahn awareness. . When changing lanes make sure it is clear and get into teh other lane quick. do not check the lane start talking to your passenger and slowly drift into the other lane if you do the chances of a high end Mercedes doing around 160mph driving up your rear are greatly increased. my two uncles used to drive as a team one would drive looking forward and the other would turn around and check his six to make sure it was safe to change lanes and when he gave the all clear my driving uncle would pull out...
One of my favorite times with them was during a lane change from "ya all ist good" to NEIN NEIN NEIN !!! in about a 1/2 second to be followed by a Mercedes blowing by trying to beat the land speed record
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One of my favorite times with them was during a lane change from "ya all ist good" to NEIN NEIN NEIN !!! in about a 1/2 second to be followed by a Mercedes blowing by trying to beat the land speed record
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Back Issues
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