Day One - Germany ABD Trip Report June 21-29, 2013

[JacksGirlz]

DAY ONE

We went to breakfast at about 9:30am. It was a buffet in the hotels West Coast restaurant. Yogurts, cereal, rolls, breads, pancakes, potato patties, sausage, bacon, and fruit were some of the offerings. After breakfast we went to the lobby to meet our ABD guides, Nadine and Kim. They gave us some ideas for activities to do in Heidelberg until we met for the welcome dinner. DD and I decided to take a cruise on the Neckar River to the town of Neckarsteinach.

Here is DD just above the Neckar River. We were walking down to catch the river cruise.

The trip took about one and a half hours each way. We went through 2 locks in the river where the boat and water lever was raised (or lowered on the way back to Heidelberg). Having never traveled through a lock before, DD and I thought it was interesting to watch as the water level changed. We got off and walked around the town of Neckarsteinach with its cobblestone streets and picturesque buildings. The towns claim to fame are the four castles built centuries ago around the city. Some of the castles only had remnants left  maybe a tower or two left standing.

We got back to the hotel at about 3:30pm to find a book on Heidelberg sights, two chocolates (called "students kiss") and a package of aromatherapy drops to help you sleep. I found out after asking our guide Kim that the book and the chocolates were there as an apology for the cancellation of our original ABD trip (which had been for Egypt). So it was a nice, unexpected treat.

We met in the hotel lobby at 5:30pm and had our welcome dinner in the same restaurant that we ate breakfast in this morning. They had lanyards with our names on them at each place setting. Our guides had the junior adventurers hand out pins for the lanyards and went over logistics for the next day.

Dinner was a buffet and items I remember being offered were pork, dumplings, sauerkraut, potato salad, penne pasta with 3 different sauces, tomato and mozzarella sandwiches and desserts (cheesecake, apple cake and curd mini tarts with raspberry compote to drizzle over if wanted). There were 36 adventurers plus our 2 guides. There were quite a few kids on our trip, most of them girls between the ages of 12-17. I think almost 75% of the travelers had been on at least one ABD before. DD and I were one of the few first timers. Nadine was our German guide, originally from Berlin, and Kim was from the US. Tomorrow we were told to meet up at 9:30 am. This later start was to help everyone with jet lag. I know DD and I were grateful for it as neither one of us are early risers.

DAY TWO up next...just click the link below

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=48932935#post48932935

 

[lovetotravel]

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[JacksGirlz]

Thank you for this report. We are interested in this trip next year. I like your food descriptions. What is the weather like? Do you think bringing a jacket is advisable? Is there wifi? How are the hair driers? Thanks!

Just prior to arriving in Germany the weather was quite hot (high 80's-90's). It was only warm the first few days we were there then it cooled down to the 60's mainly. I brought a jacket as I tend to be cold and I used it most days. I also brought a small umbrella for DD and I. We did use the umbrellas off and on and I was glad that I'd brought them. There was wifi available at each of the hotels. The wifi did cost $ at the Crowne Plaza and will have to look back at my notes to see where else I had to pay for it. I found it was a very poor signal at the Schloss Waldeck castle, likely due to the thick castle walls, so I didn't bother to use it there. I didn't use the hair dryer in any of the rooms so I can't comment on that.

 

[paddles]

We're going on the Germany trip in August. Your trip report is awesome!

How did you like the Neckar River cruise? I've read very mixed things on Tripadvisor. How long was the trip in total? It looks like for R/T, it could take 3-4 hours?

thanks much!

 

[SingingMom]

We're going on the Germany trip in August. Your trip report is awesome! How did you like the Neckar River cruise? I've read very mixed things on Tripadvisor. How long was the trip in total? It looks like for R/T, it could take 3-4 hours? thanks much!

We enjoyed the Neckar River cruise, but it was a bit too long. The locks take awhile to go through. I think the round trip was approx 3 hours. The scenery was lovely and it was relaxing, but we all got sunburned. ;-). It was worth it since we were in a Heidelberg a day early.

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[paddles]

Thanks for the info! I think we may pass on the Neckar boat cruise because we won't have enough time. We arrive late morning into Heidelberg the first day of the ABD (we're spending a approx. 5 days in Berlin and Munich before hand).

We may use the afternoon in Heidelberg to relax and wander a bit. I looked up online that there's a self serve Laundromat very close to the hotel, so I may end up doing laundry

 

[JacksGirlz]

We're going on the Germany trip in August. Your trip report is awesome!

How did you like the Neckar River cruise? I've read very mixed things on Tripadvisor. How long was the trip in total? It looks like for R/T, it could take 3-4 hours?

thanks much!

Paddles, I agree with SingingMom, that it is a nice relaxing cruise but a bit on the long side at 3 hours roundtrip. The city is a haven for bicyclists so there may be shorter excursions touring the town via bike if you're so inclined. If you're a chocolate lover try to find the chocolaterie down Hauptstrasse that makes the Student's Kiss chocolates. They are divine.

 

[lovetotravel]

Thanks for the info! I think we may pass on the Neckar boat cruise because we won't have enough time. We arrive late morning into Heidelberg the first day of the ABD (we're spending a approx. 5 days in Berlin and Munich before hand). We may use the afternoon in Heidelberg to relax and wander a bit. I looked up online that there's a self serve Laundromat very close to the hotel, so I may end up doing laundry

Does anyone know how far the laundry mat is from the Heidelberg hotel or have the address for it? If anyone has used it, how much was it?

 

[paddles]

Does anyone know how far the laundry mat is from the Heidelberg hotel or have the address for it? If anyone has used it, how much was it?

I found this online:
http://www.waschtrommel.com/

Looks like this Laundromat is really close to the Crowne Plaza. So, I may knock out a couple of loads of laundry before our tour begins.

 

[Faithhopelove972]

Haha yeah I was thinking of doing some laundry too! Wanted to pack less

 

[SingingMom]

Thanks for the info! I think we may pass on the Neckar boat cruise because we won't have enough time. We arrive late morning into Heidelberg the first day of the ABD (we're spending a approx. 5 days in Berlin and Munich before hand). We may use the afternoon in Heidelberg to relax and wander a bit. I looked up online that there's a self serve Laundromat very close to the hotel, so I may end up doing laundry

There is a lot to see on the main strip in Heidelberg, and you can also walk along the river and see the gorgeous scenery. You'll also have a beautiful vantage point at Heidelberg Castle the next day. We enjoyed lunch at Perkeo in the center of town. Fabulous schnitzel! "SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards