January trip to Germany

[kermit116]

Not really sure where to post this but since the podcast sometimes deals with European travel maybe this is the right place...

We are considering a trip to Germany in January to celebrate a big wedding anniversary. I've been to Germany once, and it was in the summer. My spouse has never been.

I loved the scenery in Germany, and we are both car buffs so we'd love to do some sort of touring where we could rent a car an drive the countryside. I'm a little worried that January would not be the best option since (a) we don't ski and it seems that is the primary winter activity (at least in southern Germany), and (b) it probably won't be a good time to drive and do the outdoor touring things that I'd imagine we'd enjoy.

Our anniversary is in the winter, which is why we were planning to go in January after holiday crowds (and prices) go down. But I'm wondering if we'll just be cold and not able to do a whole lot of touring. If we don't do a winter trip we'd have to wait until the fall, which would be fun but not really an "anniversary" trip at that point.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Not really sure where to post this but since the podcast sometimes deals with European travel maybe this is the right place...

We are considering a trip to Germany in January to celebrate a big wedding anniversary. I've been to Germany once, and it was in the summer. My spouse has never been.

I loved the scenery in Germany, and we are both car buffs so we'd love to do some sort of touring where we could rent a car an drive the countryside. I'm a little worried that January would not be the best option since (a) we don't ski and it seems that is the primary winter activity (at least in southern Germany), and (b) it probably won't be a good time to drive and do the outdoor touring things that I'd imagine we'd enjoy.

Our anniversary is in the winter, which is why we were planning to go in January after holiday crowds (and prices) go down. But I'm wondering if we'll just be cold and not able to do a whole lot of touring. If we don't do a winter trip we'd have to wait until the fall, which would be fun but not really an "anniversary" trip at that point.

Any advice would be appreciated.

The Dis is going on a ABD Germany trip this coming September.

We have a great discussion thread going on here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2989774&page=15

While I realize that you arent joining us for that trip, my reason for pointing you on that direction is that there is some great info listed there.

Also, we have a great listener, Flossboina, that lives in Germany and has been absolutely awesome about offering answers and information to our guests.

I think that if you post or send a pm, you will get some great help.

 

[kermit116]

Thanks, Kevin. That's helpful.

 

[DSNY4ever]

We really enjoyed April in Germany. Everything was very green and the weather was cool, but sunny. It seemed like a beautiful time to see everything and especially in southern Germany the little villages and countryside were particularly beautiful.

Some favorite spots for us were Heidelberg (and the whole Rhine Valley area). We loved Neuschwanstein and the surrounding area, but our very favorite castle that we visited was Castle Eltz- absolutely amazing! It looks like Snow White's castle and is tucked in a forest. We also loved some areas in Northern Germany, Hamburg and Berlin were nice, but we went to a small town called Luneburg that was just beautiful. While I am sure it is beautiful there in winter, we thought the spring blooms and green grass were lovely.

Rick Steve's books were particularly helpful in planning our visit and trip advisor, but I am sure if you can get help from someone on these boards who lives there, like Kevin mentioned, that would be invaluable.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

We really enjoyed April in Germany. Everything was very green and the weather was cool, but sunny. It seemed like a beautiful time to see everything and especially in southern Germany the little villages and countryside were particularly beautiful.

Some favorite spots for us were Heidelberg (and the whole Rhine Valley area). We loved Neuschwanstein and the surrounding area, but our very favorite castle that we visited was Castle Eltz- absolutely amazing! It looks like Snow White's castle and is tucked in a forest. We also loved some areas in Northern Germany, Hamburg and Berlin were nice, but we went to a small town called Luneburg that was just beautiful. While I am sure it is beautiful there in winter, we thought the spring blooms and green grass were lovely.

Rick Steve's books were particularly helpful in planning our visit and trip advisor, but I am sure if you can get help from someone on these boards who lives there, like Kevin mentioned, that would be invaluable.

I've been to Luneburg, and thought it was beautiful, too. I had never seen heather before and there were fields of it all over. I was lucky that I got to spend a summer in Germany when I graduated from high school. My friends lived near Hamburg, and took me on a week-trip through West Germany, a weekend in Berlin (we drove through East Germany), and two weeks in the Alps. I love Germany, and treasure all those memories.

As for going in the winter, I think Kevin has a great suggestion about going to that thread, and talking to the DISer that lives there for some perspective about touring during the winter.

 

[Bellamouse]

I was in Germany in January once (I went for a friend's wedding) and it was cold and the roads iced over making it dangerous to drive. I probably wouldn't go to Germany in January if I had a choice. We typically go in September/October/November and while it can be somewhat cold and a little rainy sometimes, overall it's typically nice, crisp, fall weather. I really think you would enjoy the Fall better than January if you're not winter sports fans. Just my 2 cents since you asked.

 

[Sir_Mickey]

When you guys go to Germany can you see if you can rent a car and drive on the autobahn please? Ive always wanted to know what the rules for driving overseas is.. does a valid US driver's license allow you to rent a car and drive or is there a bunch of paperwork or whatever to be able to drive in specific countries?

 

[Bellamouse]

When you guys go to Germany can you see if you can rent a car and drive on the autobahn please? Ive always wanted to know what the rules for driving overseas is.. does a valid US driver's license allow you to rent a car and drive or is there a bunch of paperwork or whatever to be able to drive in specific countries?

Yes you can rent a car and drive. An American driver's license is sufficient. We have reciprocal privileges so they can drive here too with their German licenses. Be aware that most rental cars in Germany are manual transmission so if you need an automatic make sure you clearly request that. You can drive everywhere not just Germany.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

When you guys go to Germany can you see if you can rent a car and drive on the autobahn please? Ive always wanted to know what the rules for driving overseas is.. does a valid US driver's license allow you to rent a car and drive or is there a bunch of paperwork or whatever to be able to drive in specific countries?

You can drive in Germany w/your US Driver's License:
http://blogs.usembassy.gov/germany-forthepeople/2011/04/05/driving-in-germany/

You can also get an international driving permit. I get them when I go to Spain. They're pretty easy to get. I get mine at my local AAA office.

http://www.aaa.com/aaa/sem/sem.htm?...kin=JoinSEM&gcid=S15141x073&keyword=exact_aaa

http://www.dmv.org/international-driver-permits.php

 

[Bellamouse]

I've rented a car and driven three times in Europe and never got any special permit. Never went to Spain though. Just Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Perhaps its something new but I don't think so. Editing to add that I guess I need better glasses.... I misread the last reply to say that you can't drive unless u have a special permit. Sorry about that.

 

[Sir_Mickey]

Yes you can rent a car and drive. An American driver's license is sufficient. We have reciprocal privileges so they can drive here too with their German licenses. Be aware that most rental cars in Germany are manual transmission so if you need an automatic make sure you clearly request that. You can drive everywhere not just Germany.

Thanks for the great info! I can drive a standard and hate automatic lol so thats def not a problem for me but good to know anyways

 

[Turbanator]

Germany is nice, enjoy your trip

 

[Bellamouse]

Thanks for the great info! I can drive a standard and hate automatic lol so thats def not a problem for me but good to know anyways

Ha! Kindred spirits. I only drive manual myself. Just bought a new Honda Accord this year and boy was it hard to find one with manual transmission. Very few of the dealerships had them. They kept trying to sell me on their "new and improved" automatic transmission (because they knew they didn't have a manual and didn't want to see me walk out). I kept shaking my head and telling them I'M NOT INTERESTED. But I did find one and I love it.

I just remember my first trip to Germany many years ago with my first husband. He couldn't drive stick at all and of course that's what we got. Um, not a good time to learn out on the Autobahn in a foreign country! I demanded that he go back in to the rental counter and get an automatic. What was I thinking marrying a guy that couldn't drive stick? That should have been my first clue...