For 11 days, going through Austria and Switzerland as well. Any suggestions on places to go off the beaten path?
OT: About to board a flight to Germany
- Thread starter The Maroon Pug
- Start date
Nah, we will be fine. Flying Delta, but you can tell there is a nervous aspect to everyone in the terminal.
Interlaken, Switzerland is unbelievably beautiful. It was my favorite stop of my Europe trip.
Hopefully you are going to stay in southern Germany because that's a lot of ground to cover.
I recommend Salzburg, Grindelwald, Neuschweinstein (fussen), Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Munich, Nuremburg, etc, etc.
The train ride's through the alps are pretty spectacular. Maybe you can get some snow on the landscape.
I don't know anything about the Eagle's Nest @ Berchesgarten but I've wanted to visit there for a while.
I recommend Salzburg, Grindelwald, Neuschweinstein (fussen), Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Munich, Nuremburg, etc, etc.
The train ride's through the alps are pretty spectacular. Maybe you can get some snow on the landscape.
I don't know anything about the Eagle's Nest @ Berchesgarten but I've wanted to visit there for a while.
We are starting in Frankfurt and then riding to Munich and the surrounding areas. Making a trip to the salt mines in Austria, and spending a few days at Mount Pilatus, then back to Frankfurt. We will be going through a lot of the places you mentioned.
Haha it's funny you say that, because we actually ate at the Hooters. And the Swiss Hooters girls were top notch.
Drink as many beers as you can at the airport. Order a double right when you take off. Then order another double and take an ambian.
Im a pro at waking up in different time zones on a red eye and not missing a beat.
Im a pro at waking up in different time zones on a red eye and not missing a beat.
Are you going to tell him about the back alleys crawling with super hero villians and murders galore?
We spent 14 days in southwest Germany visiting my sister and brother-in-law. He is a captain in AF stationed at Rammstein. They actually lived in an apartment in Kaiserlautern. I loved it. Feel free to rent a car. They drive same side of road we do. We flew into Frankfurt and were picked up by a cab there. We drove to Worms, Martin Luther's first church was there. Went to Trier to see house where Karl Marx was born. Went to Kassel to eat at a medieval castle the Nazi's used in WWII as a cultish kind of officer's club. Everywhere you look in Germany is ancient history. Their cathedrals were built back in the 1200's to 1400's. We think of history here as a couple hundred years old. Also went to see where Guttenburg printed the first Bible, went to Nuremberg where the war crimes trials were held. Went to Stuttgart to tour Porshe factory. Get ready though. ***** going to be expensive for Americans bat least is was in 2012 when we went. They really 17 us over the exchange rate between USD and Euros. And if you rent a car and want to tear it up on the Autobahn keep in mind that most of the Autobahn does have a posted speed limit. If you are inside any city limit you are under a 70km/hr limit I believe. But once you are outside the limits of the city there is no limit. Things you will note: everybody drinks like a fish and chain smokes and you won't see a fat person the whole time you are there. They are some of the healthiest people on the globe because they exercise by walking just about everywhere they go. You won't seenranfom houses out in the middle of nowhere. Everybody lives in a village. That helps the walking to get where you need to go. If they drive somewhere it is usually just to go to work if their employer is not in same village as they are in. Fuel is very expensive. It was $7 per liter when we were there. I can only imagine it is the same now.
Also of note: Germans are not overly friendly people to their own neighbors so you can guess what it's like for a foreigner. The only ones that smile at you are the ones in the service industry. I believe English is compulsory for them to learn in primary school. I don't know if this was a final 17 you from reconstruction or if it because of all the service industry related jobs that Germany has. Since English is an offshoot of the Germanic language most Germans can understand a good deal of what you are saying but won't speak back to you in a manner you will understand.
Also of note: Germans are not overly friendly people to their own neighbors so you can guess what it's like for a foreigner. The only ones that smile at you are the ones in the service industry. I believe English is compulsory for them to learn in primary school. I don't know if this was a final 17 you from reconstruction or if it because of all the service industry related jobs that Germany has. Since English is an offshoot of the Germanic language most Germans can understand a good deal of what you are saying but won't speak back to you in a manner you will understand.
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Probably too late, but try to find a Rick Steves travel guide book(s). I've used them for Italy and Ireland and they are good tools that give tips on out of the way places to stay, restaurants, places to see, etc. Also good for which places are super popular with tourists that aren't worth the effort and long lines.
Heidelberg is my favorite city in southern Germany. It's south of Frankfurt on your way to Munich. They have in an incredible square near the center of town with cafe's all around the edges and the tables set up in the square. It's the European lunch experience that you won't forget. This time of year the weather should be perfect for that. Also there is a castle there you can visit which is great too.
If you are going to Munich, you have to go to the Dachau concentration camp. Really incredible how they have kept up the site to include the death chambers. Always interesting to me how the German people didn't level that place after we gave it back to them. Glad they didn't.
For food/drink: Krystal Weizen is my favorite beer. It's on the sweeter side. Pils is kind of bitter. And Hefe Weizen is murky like a wheat beer. All very good though. All beer companies make each kind I mentioned so just ask for that. Don't know what to tell you if you like dark beer because I don't. Also, in my opinion, Germany has lots of Italian folks that live there and the Italian food is incredible. I know it doesn't make sense but trust me. I do like German food and if you are going to be there, you gotta get a Jager Schnitzel just to say you did, but Italian is my favorite.
Most people speak English and they seem to like Americans for the most part so you shouldn't have any trouble getting away from major cities. Good luck.
If you are going to Munich, you have to go to the Dachau concentration camp. Really incredible how they have kept up the site to include the death chambers. Always interesting to me how the German people didn't level that place after we gave it back to them. Glad they didn't.
For food/drink: Krystal Weizen is my favorite beer. It's on the sweeter side. Pils is kind of bitter. And Hefe Weizen is murky like a wheat beer. All very good though. All beer companies make each kind I mentioned so just ask for that. Don't know what to tell you if you like dark beer because I don't. Also, in my opinion, Germany has lots of Italian folks that live there and the Italian food is incredible. I know it doesn't make sense but trust me. I do like German food and if you are going to be there, you gotta get a Jager Schnitzel just to say you did, but Italian is my favorite.
Most people speak English and they seem to like Americans for the most part so you shouldn't have any trouble getting away from major cities. Good luck.
If you get a chance, try to go to Chiemsee, it's southeast of Munich. There's a large lake with an island and a palace that was built by King Ludwig II as an homage to Versailles and his admiration for Louis XIV. It's a really neat place and I think you would enjoy it.
+1 for Heidelburg. We went there the same day we did Trier. Heidelburg University is something to see and the castle in Heidelburg with the tower that fell over was also awesome to see and go into.
We drove into Luxembourg too to see a cemetery. That was a beautiful area. We did the Rhine River tour. Around every bend in the river there was another castle on the bluffs. We went all the way to the wine producing region, Rudishiem? I think and took a cable car all the way to the top of a mountain to see the monument to the Franco-Prussian war. The German tour guide was a bit of a comedian. He said "Germany has many grand monuments to all the wars they started. Not good at finishing war but very good at starting them". That was the funniest thing I heard a German say the whole time we were there. While staying at my sisters place I got to watch a lot of armed forces TV. That **** will make you paranoid as hell if you are a civilian. Lots of commercials about avoiding crowds af non Americans and not talking openly about things on the base in public. Ironically we were in Kaizerslautern eating at a converted fire station that is now a resturant, wearing my Mississippi State pull over on and like three people started yelling "How bout them Dawgs" from a table with about 20 people at it. We picked the one Resturant where the flight crew for the air national guard base at the airport was eating.
We drove into Luxembourg too to see a cemetery. That was a beautiful area. We did the Rhine River tour. Around every bend in the river there was another castle on the bluffs. We went all the way to the wine producing region, Rudishiem? I think and took a cable car all the way to the top of a mountain to see the monument to the Franco-Prussian war. The German tour guide was a bit of a comedian. He said "Germany has many grand monuments to all the wars they started. Not good at finishing war but very good at starting them". That was the funniest thing I heard a German say the whole time we were there. While staying at my sisters place I got to watch a lot of armed forces TV. That **** will make you paranoid as hell if you are a civilian. Lots of commercials about avoiding crowds af non Americans and not talking openly about things on the base in public. Ironically we were in Kaizerslautern eating at a converted fire station that is now a resturant, wearing my Mississippi State pull over on and like three people started yelling "How bout them Dawgs" from a table with about 20 people at it. We picked the one Resturant where the flight crew for the air national guard base at the airport was eating.
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Heidelberg is a definite then. On the other side of the river there is a "trail" called Philosopher's Way that offer some excellent views of the city. On the top of that "berg", there's a nazi amphitheater (heiligberganlage), since Heidelberg was a hub for the movement (like Nuremberg). You need to drive up there.
From Heidelberg I would go Rothenburg - Nuremberg - Munich. I would skip Stuttgart since it aint pretty and Germans will tell you that. Lot to see in the area around Munich, so be prepared. Dachau concentration camp is outside there too. I hate that someone stole the sign outside of it.
Enjoy the autobahn. Fahrfegnugen.
From Heidelberg I would go Rothenburg - Nuremberg - Munich. I would skip Stuttgart since it aint pretty and Germans will tell you that. Lot to see in the area around Munich, so be prepared. Dachau concentration camp is outside there too. I hate that someone stole the sign outside of it.
Enjoy the autobahn. Fahrfegnugen.
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We rented a Seat Lion( pronounced Say-at Lee-on) and that was the funnest car I have ever driven. I see Mazda makes a very similar car to it. If they sold those in the states I would buy one. It was a small 5 speed manual hatchback. Had a 2.0 liter 4 valve OHC. The horsepower that car produced was phenominal. You really don't understand how much HP is robbed by all our emissions-controlling gadgets on US cars till you drive a similar car in another country.
Is this for work? What kind of work do you do? (I've always been interested in international work). Rothenburg is very nice. If you have time, take a cruise up the Rhine river
Ill also save you the trouble and tell you to not get excited about weinershnitzel. Its a pounded thin breaded pork chop. Germans are not known for their cuisine. But some of the best Italian I have had was in Germany. If you like authentic Chinese then go to Trier. They cater to all the Chinese tourists who come to see the house Karl Marx was born in. Everything within a two block radius of his house is either a Chinese resturant or a Chinese souvenir shop.
Definite overnight inside the wall at rothenburg and eat in hell plus take night watchman walk. Black forest and heidelberg are doable in a day. Hit the bavarian castles too. Hofbrauhaus and noon glockenspiel in munich for lunch .
Go frankfurt to heidelberg thru black forest to zurich to lucerne to austria to bavarian castles to romantic road to munich to romantic roads back to frankfurt.
You can't go wrong anywhere in Bavaria. The Eagle's Nest was pretty awesome. The structure itself was nothing special, but the view was amazing.
Yeah, Germans won't hardly look you in the eye, but it really helps if you at least try to to speak their language.
Yeah, Germans won't hardly look you in the eye, but it really helps if you at least try to to speak their language.
Not really understanding these statements. I've spent a lot of time in Germany and yes they will look you in the eye if you are speaking to them. Do you regularly try to look complete strangers in the eye while walking around Chicago? Or New York?
I was only in Germany for a couple of days, but this was not my experience at all. The majority of the Germans we encountered were very friendly.......hell at one point, my brother and I were trying to read the map for the subway to figure out which line we needed to get on and where we needed to get off, and out of the blue we had a guy that spoke English come over and ask us where we were trying to go and tell us how to get there. This was in Berlin.
Same here...
Though I was there for Oktoberfest, and who wouldn't be in a good mood for that? I noticed that many more of the women spoke English than the men, especially the older crowd. I spoke very limited and broken German, so that did help when just wandering around and popping into local beer gardens. Most of the locals also spoke enough English, so we could work it out eventually. They loved showing me places I had to go see or eat.
Though I was there for Oktoberfest, and who wouldn't be in a good mood for that? I noticed that many more of the women spoke English than the men, especially the older crowd. I spoke very limited and broken German, so that did help when just wandering around and popping into local beer gardens. Most of the locals also spoke enough English, so we could work it out eventually. They loved showing me places I had to go see or eat.
Just like any foreign country. Dont go up to folks and ask them questions in english. Learn just a few key words in their language. Ask them if they speak english in their language. 95% will and will gladly help out and immediately speak english to you. If you go around only speaking english, sometimes they will just throw their hands up, even if they know the language.
They just want to see an effort from americans because of our reputation, which is deserved.
I've always wanted to visit Heidelberg...
...I'm from the Mississippi town of the same name (which is named after a person surnamed Heidelberg rather than the German city).
...I'm from the Mississippi town of the same name (which is named after a person surnamed Heidelberg rather than the German city).
This is not my experience. As long as you're not a loud obnoxious American, people will help you as much as they can. I've been all over western europe without knowing or trying to speak a word of dutch, french, spanish, welsh, or german, 90% of the people I needed help from spoke english and couldn't have been more eager to help.
ETA: English is the language of money and most of them know that language.
if any of your pilots names are
Sum Ting Wong
Ho Lee ***
Wi Tu Lo
Band Ding Ow
Quietly disembark and obtain alternate transportation.
Still can't believe that made it past the news censors.
Sum Ting Wong
Ho Lee ***
Wi Tu Lo
Band Ding Ow
Quietly disembark and obtain alternate transportation.
Still can't believe that made it past the news censors.
This is good advice. It's not absolutely necessary, but they do seem to appreciate the effort and you seem to get a better response from people.
Get the Rick Steves Europe app on your phone and there is a great section on Southern Germany.
Munich food- go to the Hirschgarten, one of the biggest outdoor bier gardens in the world. It's in a suburb and it has its own little zoo. Great atmosphere on a weekend and Germans love Americans so just grab a bier and have fun and you will fit right in. The misconception most Americans have with Euro's is that they don't smile at strangers and we think this means they are rude. They are much more reserved than Southerners and think smiling all the time is pointless unless there is something to smile about, which makes sense to me.
El Gordo Loco- best Mexican food I have ever eaten hands down anywhere, (located in Munich burbs).
Go go to the Rathaus in Munich and watch the Glockenspiel.
Salzburg- tour the Stiegel brewery and have lunch there. Awesome tour and delicious beer. Get the sampler and schnitzel for lunch. Grab some Stiegel beer, some grub and go to the Salzburg Lake District. Pull over on the shoreline and have a picnic, some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. This area is ground zero for the filming of "The Sound of Music" and of course the real family was from Salzburg and my wife is a huge fan. The SOM dinner theater was pretty good. Also, take a Segway tour of the old city and see Mozarts house.
Heidelberg- catch the tram to the castle or walk if you are in decent shape. Great views. Hang out in the square and grab a Cuban cigar and a bier on the Neckar River while the women shop. I lived here during high school and this is one of the most westernized Cities in the world due to their interaction with American servicemen at the numerous Army bases in the area since 1945.
The other guys are dead on in recommending Neuschwanstein Castle, Fussen, the Rhine river tour, etc. If you can get into the Black Forrest area, it's pretty cool. Visit some of their clock and nutcracker factories, all hand made by master craftsmen. Oberammergau is worth the visit with a compelling history of their plight with the Black Plague.
Stuttgart is on the way and the Mercedes museum is well worth the visit.
Give us us a report when you return! Prost!
Munich food- go to the Hirschgarten, one of the biggest outdoor bier gardens in the world. It's in a suburb and it has its own little zoo. Great atmosphere on a weekend and Germans love Americans so just grab a bier and have fun and you will fit right in. The misconception most Americans have with Euro's is that they don't smile at strangers and we think this means they are rude. They are much more reserved than Southerners and think smiling all the time is pointless unless there is something to smile about, which makes sense to me.
El Gordo Loco- best Mexican food I have ever eaten hands down anywhere, (located in Munich burbs).
Go go to the Rathaus in Munich and watch the Glockenspiel.
Salzburg- tour the Stiegel brewery and have lunch there. Awesome tour and delicious beer. Get the sampler and schnitzel for lunch. Grab some Stiegel beer, some grub and go to the Salzburg Lake District. Pull over on the shoreline and have a picnic, some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. This area is ground zero for the filming of "The Sound of Music" and of course the real family was from Salzburg and my wife is a huge fan. The SOM dinner theater was pretty good. Also, take a Segway tour of the old city and see Mozarts house.
Heidelberg- catch the tram to the castle or walk if you are in decent shape. Great views. Hang out in the square and grab a Cuban cigar and a bier on the Neckar River while the women shop. I lived here during high school and this is one of the most westernized Cities in the world due to their interaction with American servicemen at the numerous Army bases in the area since 1945.
The other guys are dead on in recommending Neuschwanstein Castle, Fussen, the Rhine river tour, etc. If you can get into the Black Forrest area, it's pretty cool. Visit some of their clock and nutcracker factories, all hand made by master craftsmen. Oberammergau is worth the visit with a compelling history of their plight with the Black Plague.
Stuttgart is on the way and the Mercedes museum is well worth the visit.
Give us us a report when you return! Prost!
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