I've booked a trip to Germany next month, May 13 - 29th. I've already split up my time betwen three cities, but haven't decided on what to do each each city. I'm not a drinker, but and avid photographer. So I prefer scenic "postcard" tours rather than wine/dine/arts. I'm just looking for day tours, since I'm using my Marriott points for the hotel stays in each city.

In Berlin I'm also looking for fun things to do in the city, since I'll be there the longest and won't need to cram in tours. I would like to see some castles in Frankfurt, and at least once concentration camp near Munich or Berlin.

My schedule is:

May 13 Arrive Frankfurt - May 16 FRA to Munich
May 16 Munich - May 20 Munich to Berlin
May 28 Berlin to Frankfurt - May 29 Frankfurt back to USA

Full days available for tours are:
Frankfurt 14-15
Munich 17-19
Berlin 21 - 27

In Frankfurt a day tour on the Rhine River was sounding nice, and I'm trying to decide between a day tour of Wurzburg, Rotherburg or Heidelberg. I'm leaning towards Heidelberg.

I haven't had time to research Munich or Berlin yet, so I'm wide open on pointers for things to do. Thanks in advance!

From Munich a trip to Salzburg appears to be a "must" for most Americans (can be done by train). A trip into a Alps to Garmisch and Neuschwanstein (should be done by coach) could be an idea, too. Beside that Munich will offer more than enough for your days. For Berlin a day trip to Dresden (by train) is a really nice to have and a day in Potsdam (20 minutes by train) is mandatory. Regarding Frankfurt: Heidelberg appears to be another "must" for Americans I never understood why). From the three cities you mentioned, my first choice (with wearing my American pair of glasses) would be Rothenburg, W�rzburg and Heidelberg as a runner up. If you need detailed help, PM me.

Thomas

Be aware that Thursday 17 May and Monday 21 May are public holidays in Germany (and most neighbouring countries) this year.

This means that...:

- all shops will be shut
- tourist attractions will be overcrowded
- trains will be packed
- there will be traffic jams

Many people will go away for long week-ends over Ascension Day (17 May)

Many people will go away for long week-ends over Pentecost (21 May)

Quite a few people will take the week off and go away for the whole 12 days.

Correction (see below) 21 May should read 28 May.

You specifically asked about concentration camps...I would highly recommend Dachau, basically where it all started and came to an end from what I understand. I was there last summer and it was quite powerful. It is just on the Northern edge of Munich.

I you are driving FRA to MUC, I would recommend going a bit less direct and pass along the Bodensee Lake in the South. Lots of neat old towns (we stayed a night in, I think Meersburg) and there is a well-done Zepplin museum in Frederichshafen.

Haven't been to Rothenburg, W�rzburg but I thought Heidelberg was very cool.

Have fun!

Regarding the Rhine-Tour:

I'd take the train to Bingen (you might have to change trains in Mainz) and take the ship from there up, since the Frankfurt/Mainz - Bingen part is not that interesting, the nice part starts right after Bingen.
Depending on your preferences, you might take the boat to St. Goar and visit Burg Rheinfels. On the way back you could take the train and stop in Bacharach along the way back, a very nice little town with a lot of old houses etc.
Another place to stop is Mainz, with its cathedral, Gutenberg museum and a lot of roman stuff around - but hey, I'm biased, I'm from here .

One more option would be on the way back to get off the train in Bingen, take the ferry accross the Rhine to Ruedesheim and go up to the Germania (a statue overlooking the Rhine). If the weather is nice, you have a beautiful view from there. Then you can take the train from Ruedesheim back to Frankfurt via Wiesbaden.

If you want more information, feel free to ask here or by PM.
David

Aviatrix,

Thank you for your post about the holidays. I am glad you called the dates to my attention. You said:

Be aware that Thursday 17 May and Monday 21 May are public holidays in Germany (and most neighbouring countries) this year.

I have been given different dates for the some German public holidays. I have been told that Whitsun, which I believe is Pentacost Sunday(forgive me if I am wrong), is celebrated on May 28, and the following day, Monday May 29, is a public holiday as well.

Can you confirm?

So sorry - I meant to say the 28th, don't know I ended up putting the 21st. My mistake entirely.

The Pentecost holiday week-end is always the week-end after the Ascension Day week-end.

Monday is the 28th, though (not the 29th).

So... we have the two public holidays on Thursday 17th and Monday 28th when offices, banks, shops etc are shut, and the time in between when lots of people are taking time off.

What about restaurants and cafes, are they open during these holidays?

I lived there years ago and forgot about the German holidays. Generally, and let me emphasize generally, everything is closed (except gas/train stations and the airport). It looks very much like those '50 horror movies which shows a completely empty city after a horrible plague passed through and you're the only survivor. Nobody... is.....there.... except the noise of a swinging door and you.

Have fun!

Yes - and likely to be quite busy.

Anything that is open on a Sunday (restaurants, tourist attractions) will be open on those holidays. Anything that isn't open on a Sunday (shops, banks, offices) won't be open on those holidays. Just look upon them as two extra Sundays.

I may get flamed on this from the locals, but I would spend a little less time in Berlin and a little more time in and around M�nchen. I think that Bayern is much more interesting and scenic, and is worthy of a little more time than you allocated for it (unless you've already spent quite a bit of time there, that is.)

Everyone gave you great info. You will have those postcard pictures as that is Germanys most beautiful month. All the flowers. The market places are open. That info about more time in Munchen as opposed to Berlin is correct in my view. Wish I could make it this year!

We will be in Berlin on 5/28 - which is my husband's birthday! In light of the holiday - guess that sounds like a good night to have the people at the hotel do something special for him. Yes? Robyn

Thanks for the heads-up!