My son graduated from high school in May. His one request was he'd like to go to Germany so he can practice his German he spent four years learning in high school. How can I say no to such a scholarly pursuit? So we're finally going to take the trip during Spring break in March. This will be a Father-Son only trip.

Right now based on what little I can get out of the young lad I'm leaning towards flying into Berlin and out of Munich. We'll spend roughly half the trip in each area with a one day train trip between via either the Saale-Unstrut or Sachsen wine regions (yes, he likes wine). For current discussion I'm looking for any and all suggestions people might have like hotel recommendations in each city, restaurants, can't miss sites, whatever. No rules. Just looking for any personal experiences possible so I can finish building the trip from there.

Thanks.

PM GATC on VC. He's a wealth of information on German travel and German wine.

If you're leaving from Munich, you'll be in Bavaria, and a town that I think you should absolutely not miss is Heidelberg-- beautiful old college town, loaded with charm (and history), friendly people, good food. Sit in the square, have a beer, listen to some street music, and ask the locals to recommend a place for a meal. I'd stay overnight if you can. And not too far from there is crazy King Ludwig's fairytale castle, Neuschwanstein, also something worth going out of your way to see. And Board-O's suggestion to contact GATC is an excellent one.

A trip with your son sounds like a memorable adventure for you both! Great idea!

quote:

Originally posted by wineismylife:Right now based on what little I can get out of the young lad I'm leaning towards flying into Berlin and out of Munich. We'll spend roughly half the trip in each area with a one day train trip between via either the Saale-Unstrut or Sachsen wine regions (yes, he likes wine).

Yuck! I can't think of a single producer in either the Saale-Unstrut or Sachsen wine regions that I would recommend. Former East German wine regions that lag behind in quality. It is the equivalent to visiting the Texas Hill Country to try wine. You might have fun but don't expect to find anything impressive. The best advise I can give you is to skip Berlin and fly into Frankfort instead. You will then be in the heart of German wine country. If you must fly into Berlin, see if you can find a train that goes through Wurzburg in the Franken wine region. I can think of a few producers to visit there.

If you are going to take Seaquams advice and see King Ludwigs castle, you might consider staying at the Hotel Alpenblick in Hopfen am See nearby.

VM

Don't skip Berlin. It's one of Europe's most interesting cities, and IMO a must visit if you go to Germany. Have fun!

I agree, don't skip Berlin and definitely do not skip Munich. Drink beer if you can't make it to the Rhine wine region. Not sure how long you'll be in Germany, but it's very easy to get around by train WIML. Die Bahn is excruciatingly efficient.

The wine tasting stop is extremely low on the totem pole. This trip is totally for him so if I need to flat out skip that wine tasting I'll gladly do so in order to make his schedule work. That means Berlin is 100% on this trip and Munich is probably 90% on this trip. Therefore I build everything around that.

At the moment as far as Munich is concerned I'm planning on getting a hotel there and take at least one day trip out from there to see Neuschwanstein and Linderhof just to make sure he gets to see a castle; one of the things on his hit list.

Any recommendations on hotels in Berlin and Munich?

Wiml, sorry I can't remember where I stayed in either place, but a worthwhile visit in Munich is Dachau. It's a short trip on the U-Bahn line iirc. It won't be the happiest part of your trip, but it is a very sobering experience.

I had Dachau penciled in as a possibility as well. My son told me last night he wanted to see some historical stuff, a castle, some WWII specific stuff and a biergarten. How's that for a list!

Well Munich is better known for its Beer Halls than gardens but I think we are talking about the same thing. The Hofbrauhaus is the most famous. We ate there when we were in Munich for Oktoberfest in 2000.

VM

quote:

Originally posted by Vino Me:
Well Munich is better known for its Beer Halls than gardens...
VM

If I recall correctly, I believe you told me that you went back to the English Gardens in Munich repeatedly. I think you said something about just not getting enough of that kind of stuff, or something like that.

WIML, Steve gave you a really good suggestion about Dachau. It is an unforgettable experience. Without belabouring the point, there are no signs saying that you can't talk, but no one does. The silence is almost like a physical presence. For both the right and wrong reasons, it is an unforgettable experience.

biergarten is basically the same thing as ein brauhaus. beer haus meets patio per se.

Been to Hofbrauhaus a couple of times and likely will return this trip for at least one mug. I actually prefer the beer at Augustiner.

Any recommendations on hotels in Berlin and Munich?[/QUOTE]

For Munich, stay in the old city center. I stayed at hotel cortiina http://www.cortiina.com/cortiina.htm It was one of the coolest hotels I've stayed in. Very convenient to everything, too. There are others like it, just poke around on the travel guides.

quote:

Originally posted by wineismylife:
My son graduated from high school in May. His one request was he'd like to go to Germany so he can practice his German he spent four years learning in high school.

Before you plan any further, sk him if he can translate this:

Entschuldigen Sie mich Fräulein, seien Sie reale die?

Ja, fuhlst du

WIML -- If you go to Neuschwanstein, I would suggest that you check-out the Fussen Brewhaus for lunch or dinner. Fussen is the closest town to Neuschwanstein -- about 1.5 miles away. Both the food and beer are great.

I also agree with Steve8; Dachau is definately worth visiting, IMHO. It is one thing to read about what happened, quite another to stand on the same ground and be faced with the reality of it all. It is not an enjoyable vist, but it will be one that you and your son will remember forever. I know that I will.

Thanks rpboxster and Sharkey.

*BUMP*

Airlines have been booked. We're definitely flying into Berlin and out of Munich with a train ride in between. If nobody has any specific hotel recommendations for Berlin can anybody recommend a general area where an annoying American tourist such as myself should look for a hotel?

Be sure to post your impressions of Berlin afterwards, WIML. We will be there in July. My wife has family there whom she's visited briefly a number of times, but it will be a first for me and I'm looking forward to it.

I hear they have caberets.

Will do Seaq.

Thanks for the tips.

Time for an update. The airfares are booked and the hotel is booked. In Berlin we're staying at a new hotel called Melia. Location looks excellent for sightseeing. I'll report back. In Munich we're staying at Mercure Altstadt. Basic hotel right next to Marienplatz. Once again, I'll report back.

Now onto restaurants! Any can't miss recommendations?

Linderhoff isn't that great a visit, I'd pass. In Oberammergau you can take a gondola up to the top of the mountain there for 10 euro. It includes a dessert and a drink, which is a pretty good deal, especially if the sun is shining. You can sit out on the deck enjoying the view. The gondola to the top of Zugspitz is more like 40 euro. Pretty impressive, but doesn't include anything other than the ride.

Anybody have any recommendations for a good wine store close to the Marienplatz in Altstadt? The only one that I've found really close online doesn't look so hot. I'm specifically after German Rieslings I can haul back.

I honestly don't know how close it is to Marienplatz, but there is a huge delicatessen/food shop/cafe called Alois Dallmayr. It's easy to get to (streetcar stops in front, IIRC). It's famous, and you'll have no trouble getting directions from people.

They have an outstanding selection of Rieslings (including pretty much the entire Fritz Haag line, but I guess availability will vary as product goes in and out) at regular retail prices; no great bargain but good variety. Also, check out their cheese and cold meat selection-- best I've seen outside of Harrod's food floor. You could get a picnic together for yourself and your son, if you felt so inclined. You might even want to bring back some mustards or canned weiners. They'll pack everything really well for you if you tell them you'll be bringing it home overseas with you.

Worth the trip to check it out (I mean the trip to the store, not a special trip to Munich if you're in another part of Germany ).

Thanks Seaq. That's the place I was referring to. It is very close to Marienplatz and my hotel but online they look like a place that only shills their own private labels. I'm glad you have first hand experience there. I'll definitely stop in.