PlateMan From United States of America, joined May 2007, 904 posts, RR: 0 Posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 1337 times:
Hi Guys,
I have just started a new job that gives me a ton of paid vacation time, so I was thinking of taking a trip to Germany between mid-October of this year and before Christmas.
I wanted to know if this idea sounds feasible?
What the weather is like during that time (snow, cold, etc?)
What is not to be missed in the below cities?
If there is enough to do for about 6 days?
If my plans are to ambitious?
Anything else you have.
Are things open during those months?
I was looking at going (in no order)
*Berlin-historical
*Wolfsburg-VW factory
*Stuttgart-MB factory
*Frankfurt-should I?
Any help is much appreciated and thanks in advance.
Charles79 From Puerto Rico, joined Mar 2007, 1307 posts, RR: 5 Reply 1, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 1329 times:
Brian,
You won't be disappointed with Germany, it's a beautiful country with lots to see!
However, with only 6 days you might only have time for a few cities. I spent 4 days in Berlin back in '06 and that wasn't enough-it's a wonderful city so full of history and change that will take your breath away.
Now, you do realize that Berlin's at the north while FRA is on the south, which means a day trip by car/train. But if you do rent a car you'll love the German autobahn. My advice would be to do Berlin first, then drive down to FRA (Stuttgart is just next to FRA so you can stop and visit the MB and Porsche factories). If you have time, stop in Heidelberg for a classic southern Germany city.
As for the weather you might get some rain but it won't be that cold or nasty that you won't enjoy it.
MD11Engineer From Germany, joined Oct 2003, 13334 posts, RR: 64 Reply 2, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 1310 times:
Wolfsburg: All there is is the VW factory. I don't know if they have tours.
Frankfurt: I just spent two weeks there on a training course, and unless you want to stare at the skyscrapers owned by the various banks and insurance companies, there is not much going on either. It has a nice museum on natural history, the Sennkenberg Museum, but you'd finish this in one morning.
Stuttgart: Can't say anything about this place, never been there.
Berlin: My original hometown. Lots to do, lots to see. Only thing is THF will be closed by the time you'll get there.
IAirAllie From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 3, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 1304 times:
The weather will be cold you will want to bring coat, scarf, and gloves. It will also likely be drizzly and gray. It doesn't usually snow a lot but they sometimes get snow flurries. I recommend going closer to Christmas when all the towns do their Christmas fairs. Germany does the Christmas season right. Very pretty, choirs singing carols.
Luv2fly From United States of America, joined May 2003, 11957 posts, RR: 51 Reply 4, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 1292 times:
The closer you are to Christmas time you can visit the various Christmas fairs (not sure if that is the right name that they are called)
If you really want to do that, ok, but there isn't much else to do in these cities. I'd recommend going to Munich instead. There you have the BMW museum which is nice and on top of that, Munich is probably the nicest city in Germany. (And I'm from the north, so not biased!)
I'd say no, there are better cities - like Hamburg for instance
I would recommend not to try and see too many places in just six days or else you'd be spending most of the time travelling. That can be fun, too, though if you get a decent rental!
NoUFO From Germany, joined Apr 2001, 7796 posts, RR: 13 Reply 6, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 1283 times:
With six days, I would not be willing to see more than two places.
Skip Frankfurt. It's a business city, certainly a good place to live in, but there's not much to see for tourists.
And skip Wolfsburg, too! Dresden has a VW plan as well and the city provides a little more than that, not to mention the nearby Elbe Sandstone Mountains.
Mercedes and BMW have nice museums, which probably both top a VW factory tour.
Berlin is best to be visited in summer. Only then the relaxed, yet somehow vibrant atmosphere, which is typical for Berlin, really kicks in.
When I lived in Berlin, I never wanted to spend summer elsewhere, but in winter I *always* wanted to escape the then grayish and wet city. Still, if you want to see Berlin - go ahead and do so, prefereably in October, maybe when the Festival of Lights ( http://www.city-stiftung-berlin.eu/ ) takes place.
But you should spend three full days there. At least.
With the remaining three days: Munich perhaps? Or all 6 days in Munich with day-trips to Salzburg (Austria), Bad Tölz (Christmas!), the "Eagle's Nest" and/or Zugspitze on sunny days.
If you happen to come around Christmas and are willing to visit a smaller city, put Freiburg on your short-list. There may be snow, the old town is pretty, the Christmas Market (I hate those stuff, but here you go ...) is said to be one of the best in Germany.
Freiburg is the "capital of the Black Forest", France and Switzerland are basically next door, and the city is within easy reach of FRA.
Alternatively, visit Germany in summer and Austria in Winter: 2 days in Salzburg and 4 days in Vienna.
MD11Engineer From Germany, joined Oct 2003, 13334 posts, RR: 64 Reply 7, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 1277 times:
Quoting Luv2fly (Reply 4): The closer you are to Christmas time you can visit the various Christmas fairs (not sure if that is the right name that they are called)
Also stay away from the Apple wine.
We have "Gluehwein" in winter, mulled, hot, red wine with spices like cloves and cinnamon.
Luv2fly From United States of America, joined May 2003, 11957 posts, RR: 51 Reply 8, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 1275 times:
Quoting MD11Engineer (Reply 7): We have "Gluehwein" in winter, mulled, hot, red wine with spices like cloves and cinnamon.
Jan
Does it knock you on your ass like the apple stuff does.
PlateMan From United States of America, joined May 2007, 904 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 1269 times:
Thanks so much everyone so far!
You have convinced me to skip Frankfurt and consider Dresden.
I look covering alot of ground little time. So I'm still thinking Berlin and Stuttgart. Then maybe Wolfsubrg, Paris or Dresden....any ideas??
N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25852 posts, RR: 79 Reply 11, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 21 hours ago) and read 1250 times:
Remember that Porsche is also in Stuttgart. One thing I will say is that Stuttgart has a lot more to offer than Wolfsburg, which was built specifically for VW.
Frankfurt - Not much, other than the airport and pizza at Pizzeria da Cimino in Bockenheim.
Berlin - Amazing city with lots to do. See the Brandenburg Gate, Tiergarten, Hackescher Markt and much of Mitte. I would also check out Checkpoint Charlie and the museum connected. Also, the Jewish Museum is an absolute must see, both for the history and the architecture.
Wolfsburg - Nothing there. Relatively proximal to Hannover, Hamburg and Berlin.
Yes, and you have the added bonus of the Weihnachtsmarkt, as mentioned below.
Quoting Luv2fly (Reply 4): The closer you are to Christmas time you can visit the various Christmas fairs (not sure if that is the right name that they are called)
It is called Weihnachtsmarkt, and they really are a treat.
Quoting NoUFO (Reply 6): Dresden has a VW plan as well and the city provides a little more than that, not to mention the nearby Elbe Sandstone Mountains.
Not to mention that scary looking DDR-era nuclear plant.
Quoting PlateMan (Reply 9):
I look covering alot of ground little time. So I'm still thinking Berlin and Stuttgart. Then maybe Wolfsubrg, Paris or Dresden....any ideas??
That is a lot of ground in a very short time, and not really enough time to learn a city like Berlin or Paris. As I said, Wolfsburg is a half day at the most, so no big deal.
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
NoUFO From Germany, joined Apr 2001, 7796 posts, RR: 13 Reply 12, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 1244 times:
Quoting PlateMan (Reply 9): I look covering alot of ground little time. So I'm still thinking Berlin and Stuttgart. Then maybe Wolfsubrg, Paris or Dresden....any ideas??
Dresden is ok for a day and more if you are willing to do a steam ship cruise up Elbe river to the Sandstone Mountains and walk around there. That could be difficult in Winter, though.
I'll possibly be the last one who is going to keep you off from Paris, the city of light, but, just like Berlin, the best time for a visit is when people are sitting outside, sip on a wine and enjoy life.
I'm not sure why you stick to Wolfsburg. It is not even Detroit. It's a small, boring city with a huge factory plant.
Seeing your only planning on being in Germany only a few days I would not recommend visiting Wolfsburg. I'm living in Wolfsburg at the moment and there is nothing but the Autostadt and the factory. If you were in Germany for a month or so I would say it would be worth the trip but I think you would find it more rewarding if you spend more time in places like Berlin or Munich which have a lot of history and more than one thing to see.
Luckyone From United States of America, joined Aug 2008, 1582 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 1224 times:
Quoting Flexo (Reply 5): I'd recommend going to Munich instead. There you have the BMW museum which is nice and on top of that, Munich is probably the nicest city in Germany. (And I'm from the north, so not biased!)
Munich is oustanding, though absolutely freezing in the winter.
Frankfurt can be missed. Mainz, just across the Rhein is worth seeing. Berlin cannot be missed. With just six days you might want to limit yourself to two, maybe three cities.
I would highly recommend some of the little towns near Bonn on the Rhein like Oberkassel, Koenigswinter, and Rondorf. The ruins up at the Drachenfels and hiking up in the Seven Hills is something that no one should miss if they can help it, though granted it will be colder.
Wherever you go make sure you stop at an Imbiss and eat a Doener!
Qantasistheway From Australia, joined May 2008, 305 posts, RR: 2 Reply 17, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 1224 times:
Quoting Flexo (Reply 5): If you really want to do that, ok, but there isn't much else to do in these cities. I'd recommend going to Munich instead. There you have the BMW museum which is nice and on top of that, Munich is probably the nicest city in Germany. (And I'm from the north, so not biased!)
Oh dear, Hamburg is the place! Do Hamburg! One of the nicest city in the world and my second home after Sydney. Spent some of the best years of my life there. Plenty to see, great train connection to Berlin and also the Reperbahn the local red light district for all the sailors that have "needs" after a long journey. I suggest you do Berlin 3 days, Dresden a day trip by train and two days Hamburg. That way you dont have too much travel time and can enjoy areas such as Munich/Freiburg/Salzburg and Vienna on a separate trip. Hope this helps and if any German member can back me up that would be great! Hamburg meine Perle (Hamburg my pearl)
WILCO737 From Greenland, joined Jun 2004, 8473 posts, RR: 78 Reply 18, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 1217 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW HEAD MODERATOR
Quoting PlateMan (Reply 9): You have convinced me to skip Frankfurt and consider Dresden.
Why not skip Dresden and come to Hamburg. To see the lovely and beautiful north. There is a lot to do and see here. Hamburg is the 2nd biggest city in Germany and most people say: hamburg is the best city in germany.
You should consider that as well...
I spent 15 years in Hamburg, its a nice city, moreso against the background that the city was bombed into rubble, and I would probably choose Hamburg over Dresden any day.
BUT: Our friend is going in late fall / winter. I mean berlin (with its more continental climate) in October: Fine. Go ahead.
November in Hamburg: No way. The risk that you'll find yourself in a drizzling cold rain with gray "carpet clouds" over your head is way too big.
Quoting Qantasistheway (Reply 17): That way you dont have too much travel time and can enjoy areas such as Munich/Freiburg/Salzburg and Vienna on a separate trip.
Good thinking. But, he'll most likely arrive in either FRA or MUC, so why not stay south? maybe it's colder there in winter, but at the same time it is less wet.
N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25852 posts, RR: 79 Reply 20, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 1199 times:
Quoting NoUFO (Reply 14):
They really are kitschig, but each to his own ...
They are kitschig for Germans who have lived with them their whole lives, but are cool to see for the first time.
Mangeons les French fries, mais surtout pratiquons avec fierte le French kiss
PlateMan From United States of America, joined May 2007, 904 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 1187 times:
Wow, thanks everyone so for the amazing feedback. I have read every word and strongly considered it (good thing quiet day at work)
What I am thinking now is:
Berlin----Stuttgart----Hamburg.
Thinking:
4 days in Berlin (with a day trip to the concentration camp)
2 days in Stuttgart for the MB/Porsche factory
2 days in Hamburg to get a sense of the city.
I was in Munich last summer and had a blast, so can't wait.
LTU932 From Germany, joined Jan 2006, 13864 posts, RR: 51 Reply 23, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 1187 times:
Quoting Qantasistheway (Reply 17): Oh dear, Hamburg is the place! Do Hamburg! One of the nicest city in the world and my second home after Sydney. Spent some of the best years of my life there. Plenty to see, great train connection to Berlin and also the Reperbahn the local red light district for all the sailors that have "needs" after a long journey.
Plus you have the beautiful and historic harbour, where you can take tours of some of the ships. And during the pre-Christmas season, you can hit the Weihnachtsmarkt near the Mercado-Mall and have some Glühwein. There's lots to do in Hamburg.
As we say, Hamburg is the Gate to the World (Hamburg ist das Tor zur Welt).
WILCO737 From Greenland, joined Jun 2004, 8473 posts, RR: 78 Reply 24, posted (4 years 8 months 2 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 1187 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW HEAD MODERATOR
Quoting PlateMan (Reply 22): 4 days in Berlin (with a day trip to the concentration camp)
2 days in Stuttgart for the MB/Porsche factory
2 days in Hamburg to get a sense of the city.
Sounds good to me. But don't forget the umbrella
WILCO737 (MD11F)
It it's not Boeing, I am not going.
25 PlateMan: Looking at flights, thinking about flying into Berlin and out of Hamburg...the best fares are on Air France 777, both connecting through CDG. How is i
26 Qantasistheway: It's nice to know that some think like me. I do love Hamburg, unfortunately my Dad's career has moved us but HH (Hansestadt Hamburg) was an amazing p
27 WILCO737: Good thing is: I am from Hamburg, and I live here. I feel home here, but the weather can be very british Le Royal Meridian and Atlantic hotel are the
28 NoUFO: Sounds reasonable. If you want to do another day-trip while in Berlin, consider Potsdam with Sanssouci Palace and the pittoresque Dutch Quarter. Ther
29 NoUFO: Yes, they are. I have never connected through CDG, but I was told it's a drag.[Edited 2008-09-03 13:33:14]
30 LTU932: I've been to the Michel at least once, but since my physical condition was already bad enough way before I even started to smoke, I had a hard time c
31 Aero145: Meh, you gotta see Nordrhein-Westfalen too! At least a bit of it! Königswinter and Koblenz are beautiful and Bonn is greeeeeaaaaaat!
32 WILCO737: yeah I know what you mean. So you haven't used the elevator up there Then you only have to climb half the way up but I had my trouble as well - and I
33 CPH-R: I definantly agree with Hamburg. And a stroll down the backstreets of Reeperbahn after hours is not to be missed, you just need to practice looking st
34 LTU932: No. The times we went to the Michel was always with my school class of the time, and the teachers made us climb the stairs.
35 WILCO737: Teachers can be mean Oh and one other thing to see in Hamburg: The Rathaus. It is near the alster and it is one of the few old buildings in Hamburg w
36 UltimateDelta: Cologne would also be a great choice, since there are tons of things to do there, including climbing to the top of the Dom there. And you should be p
37 N1120A: 12 hours Gluehwein to throttle And a thick, warm, windbreaking coat. Hamburg is Germany's version of Chicago in the winter. They are most definately
38 LTU932: Oh, yes, been there myself once. They have tours of the Rathaus AFAIK, so that's also a tourist option. Too bad that when I was there, I didn't have
39 NoUFO: Yes, but it's more expensive, too (Berlin is not this cheap anymore), and at the aforementioned Guesthouse he would have an S-Bahn, tram and subway s
41 NoUFO: Ok, in this case you have to chance for the bus to Tegel.
42 LTU932: Speaking of Airport-S-Bahn, Hamburg will open its Airport-S-Bahn in early-to-mid December. It connects the airport with station Ohlsdorf and line S1.
43 Signol: Berlin is fantastic, so much to see and do. I stayed in the Etap Hotel in Potsdamerplatz, clean, cheap, easy Hamburg is also great, I've freinds there
44 HT: Stay away from Christams Market in Nürnberg. It is overly touristy. Compare the masses of people with Oktoberfest in Munich but swap Beer for Glühw
45 N1120A: Tegel is such a pain. The best, of course, has always been the U-Bahn to Platz der Luftbruecke for Tempelhof The problem is the wet, windy natur
46 HT: Aye. Hamburg, therefore best is visited between May and mid-September. The same goes for Bremen, BTW. -HT
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Great!
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Sounds good to me. But don't forget the umbrella 
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