I do business with several European companies so I get to travel over there on occasion. I was in Netherlands/Belgium last month for example.
After six years of marriage the stars aligned & my wife gets to travel with me this trip. We leave on the 7th of November & will have a one week business trip to Northern Germany. After that, we're flying to Munich where we'll rent a car for another week of fun. My wife's family is from that area so my wife wants to experience Bavaria.
What are some suggested "must see" things in that area? We do plan to spend some time visiting wineries in the area.
Other ideas would be appreciated!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/30/2015 10:37PM by travis.
We did a bicycle tour of Munich that was a lot of fun. They may not do it in the winter, though. Be sure to eat ice-cream every day while you are there. It's wonderful and last time I was there, it was only a Euro.
Actually Mad King Ludwigs castles are closeby and I found the region very nice along the southern border. Depends on how much time is available and how far you are willing to travel.
The people I stayed with kept their beer under the sink. They didn't like cold beer. The beer I always got at the Kiosks serving sausages and beer pulled the beer right out of the brewery trays behind the counter. I wouldn't call it warm, but it sure wasn't cold either.
Wurzberg castle, Hidelberg, Bamberg, Nuremburg. All of it is beautiful. Best part of Europe. Most people speak English and the food can't be beat. Have a great trip .
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/30/2015 10:22PM by antilehinephi.
PapaKen, Northern Germany is NOT Cologne, norther Germany is Hamburg! I was there the other day, in Hamburg, beautiful day, cool but sunny. Travis, if your business trip is up there (here) get to visit the city along the Alster and Rathausmarkt and the Speicherstadt, the old warehouse district near the harbour that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are also boat tours.
If your north is our west then yes, Köln/Cologne, on the Rhein, is also very beautiful.
Antilehinephi, most of Germany is in fact beautiful, though most of the places you mentioned had to be rebuilt after 1945. Some of the food can't be beaten. But maybe you have never been south of the Alps?
Germany actually is a very big place. if you are in northern Germany meaning the Hamburg area I would keep it to that region. If one draws a line between Hamburg and Berlin, there is a lot to see. After Hamburg, Schwerin castle is spectacular. Dipping slightly south, see Eisenhach (Bach's birthplace and the Wartburg castle where Martin Luther hid while translating the Bible into German), Halle (birthplace of George Frederick Handel and on a dark side, birthplace of Reinhardt Heydrich, the Nazi Butcher of Prague), Dresden (Paris of the East, see the rebuilt Frauenkirche), Brandenburg, the Charlottenburg Castle, and finally Berlin.
Munich has lots to offer. Take one of the Tour Busses to get a general idea.
City Centre, just walk around, you can't get lost and enjoy it.
Then, close to the City Centre, Glockenbach (hip and trendy and gay) with Gaertnerplatz
The Isar River, also close to city Centre
Schwabing plus the English Garten Park, located within the city.
Outside Munich, I suppose the Castle if you must. There are several huge lakes within Reach, Chiemsee or Starnberger See. Chiemsee goes towards the Austrian Border.
Andechs Monastery, where they serve homemade beer (Beer is NOT served cold!! Anywhere)
Weather is cool at the moment, but not cold yet. A bit damp every now and then, so bring waterproof shoes. And a jacket.
Try eating a Leberkaes Semmel (Leberkaese is a kind of meat, Semmel is a bread roll), they are everywhere. And a brezn (Pretzel) of course.
Where in Northern Germany are you going? And yes, Cologne is not in the North but the West.....
Please be aware that due to the current illegal migrants flooding into Germany, the Austrian Border could be a little crowded and expect long delays if you go near it.
Northern Germany: Hamburg! It's really great, actually. I live in Flensburg right now, about 7 km from Denmark. It's beautiful if you want a smaller city. I recommend trying Flensburger Pilsener. We have a beautiful harbor here, and some clubs, and you can always hop over to Denmark and go sailing or whatever. If you're not going so far north: Munich, of course. And I'm gonna go with everyone who's saying Köln (Cologne). I was there for a few days last week.It's gorgeous, I recommend the Dom and the Altstadt.
Try currywurst, it's my favorite. Stay away from Matjes.
Koln is a great city indeed but def NOT and not even close to Northern Germamny but worth a trip indeed. (Let me know if you need a personal guide ^^) Northern Germany is Hamburg and beyond. When you stop by in Hamburg take a trip to Reeperbahn its not only red-light district but a huge amusement area. If you go more North take a trip to the coast. Maybe Sylt. Its beautiful there cbut maybe a little stormy in fall. However if you really go up that real northern part email me for some tips I know this area and also cologne pretty good. If you have the chance to be in cologne at the 11th that will be fun indeed. its startingg of the carnival session.
Prague is only a few hours away. Go spend 2 days there. One of the most beautiful cities in the world. Wasn't bombed in WWII. Fussen is near you-very cool. Also Rothenburg & Neurnberg. Have fun. Every town has it's own brewery. Awesome & usually served cool, not as cold as the US but not room temp either.Doesn't need to be cold to taste good. Have fun.
Thanks for all of the suggestions. We will be staying in Bremen, spending time in Hanover, Airbus plant in Hamburg, & the last two day in Berlin. This is the pre-arranged business trip the first week.
It's the second week where we'll be free of business to explore on our own. I rented a car in Munich & will depart out of Frankfurt five days later.
Wineries, castles, & historical places will be our priority.
...the current word on the street is that Germany (Europe) has had a facelift of massive proportions. What was the Europe of the past has now been transformed into a cultural casserole due to liberalized immigration policies introduced over the last couple decades, and especially this Syrian migrant mess. I was supposed to go over for work a few months back, but the employer told me he has been able to utilize migrant help for a fraction of the traditional European wage. Also he said that Europe, (Germany), is being subjected to higher crime rates, and the lack of housing is forcing the German government to subsidize and co-opt private apartment facilities to help accommodate the "visitors." After looking at the current situation over there, I just decided no.........just be aware....IMO.
Just one (wine) suggestion: Baden Wine Route .... (or parts of it) ;-) ... there is so much to see in Germany, whatever you choose, have fun and: safe travels.
Drove across Germany twice on our Europe trip in May of 2008. Loved the country (and Austria and Hungary). Need to go back to drink more great beer, eat more great food, see more castles and the Porsche, BMW & Audi museums and rent a bigger, faster car for some autobahn fun.
Lethbridge Reprobate Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Drove across Germany twice on our Europe trip in > May of 2008. Loved the country (and Austria and > Hungary). Need to go back to drink more great > beer, eat more great food, see more castles and > the Porsche, BMW & Audi museums and rent a bigger, > faster car for some autobahn fun. > > Ron Burr
I agree Ron. I have a sports class Mercedes or Audi reserved. I plan on hitting it pretty hard on the autobahn. If it were a bit warmer I would have rented a BMW motorcycle.