A scene from Australia
A number of years ago, and I cannot even remember how many years it was, I made a promise to my son to take him to Germany. Honestly, I cannot even remember why I made that promise either. At any rate, a promise is a promise. He’ll be 28 this year and still we’ve not gone to Germany, but I’m setting that right this year. During the first week of August, we will be leaving and heading to Germany. Where in Germany? I have no clue, but as I have a few friends on that side of town, I was hoping for some suggestions. This will be the first time that I’ve set foot on European soil.
So, Andreas, Thomas, Markus, please speak! I’d love to meet one or all of you, too. Also, I plan to get a Eurail Pass to do a little country hopping, but I need to brush up on my European geography to see what is doable in a week. I wish that it could be more, but we get what we get! 
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julie recently posted..soft eyes
Never fear! Ireland is on my list. I don’t know if I’ll be able to make it at that time, I doubt it, but it is most certainly on the list!
Paul recently posted..Last year, Australia. This year, Germany!
I really enjoyed Germany. I mostly visited Munich and the surrounding area (bavaria). Next time I go I would like to visit Berlin.
Eric Jeschke recently posted..Choices
Hey dad, are you inviting your adopted son out here in Colorado to go along or am I excluded, again?
On the serious side that sounds like a wonderful adventure for the two of you. I’ve taken ny oldest grandson on such a trip and we both still talk about it. And planning it came be almost as much fun.
Monte Stevens recently posted..Cancelled Flights
Monte, I was thinking the same thing!
Tom Dills recently posted..Sign of the Times?
Paul, Germany is so big – I know, its nothing compared to the U.S. – so diverse that it’s hard to recommend. But Berlin I would count among the musts, Dresden as well and from the southern part certainly Munich, Königssee and maybe Neuschwanstein (the latter being extremely famous among tourists, but unknown to me).
So if you are here and I am around, we could certainly meet for an afternoon in a beer garden, the much better alternative to the Octoberfest, for which you are too early.
Markus recently posted..Morning Lights
Thanks for the tips, Markus. Which part of Germany do you live in? I’m pretty interested in seeing Berlin, for sure, you know with the history of the wall and such. To get an idea of the size of Germany, I went to this page, which compares various countries to the size of states within the U.S. I see that Germany is about the size of Montana, which still leaves me clueless, as Montana is one of the few states that I haven’t been too. However, I see that it is about 1/2 the size of Texas, which is pretty damn big! I lived in Texas for 20 years, so that gives me an idea of the size.
I look forward to having a beer with you, if we are near to each other!
I’m in Bavaria, the most beautiful southern part of Germany. I work in Munich and live in Bad Reichenhall, next to Salzburg (certainly worth a visit as well). Appointment-wise we have to see how it works out, as August is holiday time down here and the family is making plans already.
Markus recently posted..Suburban Traffic
Sounds like a great trip, Paul. Most of my visits to Germany have been to the southern part. I’d like to see northern areas. Monte’s point is well taken, planning can be a lot of fun and there’s no shortage of things to see.
Earl recently posted..In the creative spirit
I was thinking that I might like to do some country hopping, but it would appear that I will barely scratch the surface of Germany in one week; however, I might just have to head over to one of its neighbors and have a look around!
Paul recently posted..My mind is playing tricks on me
Paul
Don’t underestimate the size of Germany, It’s tiny compared to the US but there is so much variation, flat heathland and sandy coasts in the North, to the Alps in the South and everything in between.
I’ve only visited Munich and the surrounding area and the western Rhineland, Trier, Koblenz etc. The scenery was spectacular and history from the Romans to WW2 everywhere.
Some people find the food in Germany a bit heavy, plenty of meat, cream etc but I enjoyed it, wherever you decide to go research the local dishes. The beer is always excellent and again if you travel about try the local brews.
Have a great time
Gavin
Gavin: Thanks to your suggestions, I started looking at a map of Germany. It is quite sizable. My son and I will have to plan carefully to make the most of our travels. We’ll have to pick and choose, lest we be on the road all the time, not seeing much of anything other than the inside of a train!
Paul recently posted..For The Newbies: Craft, Courage, and Vision
Sounds great, Paul! A week isn’t much but you can certainly get to see more than just thre cities if you plan carefully. I assume you land in Frankfurt, you could then go North to first see Berlin and then as far South as you want by a night train. The remaining trip can then be spent working your way North, back to Frankfurt, via Munich for instance. Interrail cards are great for this!
Ove recently posted..072
Ove, I was wanting more, but he can only get a week off of work/wife!
I’ll most certainly have to spend some time riding the rails, though … just for the experience. I see that you’re right next door, but how far away?
Paul recently posted..For The Newbies: Craft, Courage, and Vision
Sorry for the late reply, I’ve been away. Well, the map might fool you, but I’m about a day by train away from Southern Germany.
Ove recently posted..081
Welcome back, Ove. I’ll have to do some planning – The distances are much further than they look!
Hey, that’s cool! We’ll meet for sure. I went to Florence to meet Ted Byrne, I’ll certeinly go to Germany to meet you. Just give me your schedule as soon as you know and I’ll arrange something
Andreas Manessinger recently posted..1974 – Straight Lines
Wow, that sounds like a great plan, count me in!
To be honest, a week is pretty short (obviously, but especially when counting in jetlag), so I’m not sure whether you’ll be able to make a trip to Ove. Although he’s in the Southern part of Sweden (even more than I)’ it’s still quite a distance from Berlin. On the other hand, there are a couple of nice ferries to Sweden. And of course, I’d be glad to show you around in Gothenburg (there’s a cheap airline connecting Gothenburg and Berlin).
Or we’ll meet somewhere in Germany, together with Andreas and Markus. I’m flexible…
August might mean that it’s pretty warm in Berlin. But maybe you’re much more used to that than I.
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