Ramstein, Germany - travel help!

[ElizK]

My brother is stationed at Ramstein. My kids and I are flying there next week, and we'll be there about 6 days. I am not going to be getting a hotel at all while we're there, so I need some ideas of places to go that we can make it back to his house the same day.

Please offer suggestions! He's not being much help, and the travel books don't deal much with the Rhineland part of Germany. We can go into France while we're there, but don't know where would be good.

Thanks in advance!

ps... we're interested in castles, musuems, churches, a little shopping, beautiful scenery. If it's not too cold (my hopes aren't too high...), we'd enjoy some outside stuff, too.

 

[bumbershoot]

You could check out the forums at Lonely Planet website.

Also it's possible ricksteves.com has some good info somewhere on there.

what an adventure, having such a big trip to plan in a week! Have fun planning and doing!

 

[ElizK]

You could check out the forums at Lonely Planet website.

Also it's possible ricksteves.com has some good info somewhere on there.

what an adventure, having such a big trip to plan in a week! Have fun planning and doing!

Thank you for the site suggestions. I will check them out. I've been half-heartedly looking through travel books for several weeks, but not coming up with many ideas because the books mostly deal with the big touristy areas, like Berlin or Munich. So far, I think I would like to see Heidelburg, Strasburg, and Baden-baden.

 

[Magic Mom]

My brother is stationed at Ramstein. My kids and I are flying there next week, and we'll be there about 6 days. I am not going to be getting a hotel at all while we're there, so I need some ideas of places to go that we can make it back to his house the same day.

Please offer suggestions! He's not being much help, and the travel books don't deal much with the Rhineland part of Germany. We can go into France while we're there, but don't know where would be good.

Thanks in advance!

ps... we're interested in castles, musuems, churches, a little shopping, beautiful scenery. If it's not too cold (my hopes aren't too high...), we'd enjoy some outside stuff, too.

We lived near Ramstien, and there are lots of things within a days drive. Luxemburg, Trier, Heidelburg,Rothenburg the walled medievil townhttp://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/germany/rothbd.htm, Dinkelsbuhl, Saarbruken. Some are father than others, but you can back it a day trip if you plan well and leave early.

 

[ElizK]

We lived near Ramstien, and there are lots of things within a days drive. Luxemburg, Trier, Heidelburg,Rothenburg the walled medievil townhttp://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/germany/rothbd.htm, Dinkelsbuhl, Saarbruken. Some are father than others, but you can back it a day trip if you plan well and leave early.

Wonderful! Exactly the kind of info I'm looking for.

 

[NHdisneylover]

http://www.heidelberg-marketing.de/content/e4227/e551/e744/index_eng.html

I replied to your PM. Above is the link to the Heidelberg family card--it is actually only 17 Euro for the two day card--a MAJOR bargain. I thought I should post it rather than PM it as it may help someone else out. DO NOT SKIP HEIDELBERG (in my not so humble opinion!) it is the BEST.

I also recomend a visit to the village of Speyer. Here is the link to information on their technology museum (good for geting indoors if you end up with a rainy day--or worse we are slated for snow tomorrow!): You should know most good thigns to do in Germany are out of doors. Just dress for teh weather--the Germans go out in all kinds all the time. if you get chilled just stop in a pastry shop of a pick me up. It was very warm here and noce over the weekend so maybe the sun will be back when you arrive (I hope so).

http://www.technik-museum.de/museum_speyer_english.html

another indoor place in Speyer which I hear is nice though I have never been is the aquarium:
http://www.sealifeeurope.com/


Here is a view of the cathedral in Speyer which I took from the technology museum about two weeks ago.

 

[Magic Mom]

Wonderful! Exactly the kind of info I'm looking for.

Also when you are out and about, don't pass up the small town restaurants. They are the best places to eat. You won't find a lot the cookie cutter chain restaurants like we have in the states.

 

[NHdisneylover]

For visiting France I recommend a charming town right on the French/German border. Strassburg
I lvoe the clock there I think it took about an hour to get there from Ramstien (though I made that particular trip back in 1995--so I may remember incorectly )
I cannot find an official website for the city, but this one has some nice photos for you. It is just a lovely place to wander about and take in the atmosphere and a French meal with no real plan.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/destinatio/405513785/

 

[DSNY4ever]

Yes Heidelburg is adorable. Very touristy, but lots of fun and very beautiful. Lots of shops, a castle, good food and a beautiful river!

We went to Eltz Castle which is think is north of where you will be (not sure how far), but it is AMAZING! Obviously Nueschwanstien was amazing too, but I think that would be a longer drive for you, but if you go you can rent paddle boats on the lake which is so fun and amazingly beautiful!

I am not sure exactly how far you are from everything, but Colonge (or Koln) is a great city too. The cathedral there is amazing, we did the walk up to the top and I was getting a little nervous and I am not usually afraid of heights, but people going up and down a tiny spiral staircase gave me the heebie geebies. I held onto the railing so tight I had to super wet wipe when I was done! The view from the top is neat though. They also have a neat chocolate factory in town, but it is not open everyday so make sure you check.

Sorry my spelling of the sites and cities is probably bad but I don't remember how to spell them all and am too lazy to look it up right now , but you will have a great time. Germany is so beautiful and all of the people were very nice!

 

[ElizK]

Thank you SO much! You've really helped me a lot. I knew I could find answers on the Dis!

 

[momatater]

Everyone has given you great info and ideas! I agree Heidelburg is great. There really is SO much to see and do, enjoy it!!!!

I lived at Ramstein AB for 3 yrs and loved it over there! Have a WONDERFUL trip!!!

 

[NHdisneylover]

Yes Heidelburg is adorable. Very touristy, but lots of fun and very beautiful. Lots of shops, a castle, good food and a beautiful river!

So funny you should post that. DH and I were talking about this very issue Sunday as we strolled downtown. Our take on it is that Heidelberg is tourist mecca no doubt about it, but it does not feel "touristy" to us. We were trying to figure out why. We decide it is because other than a few very touristy shops and restruraunts right around the cathedral and castle most of what is there is meant to be visited by locals as much as tourists--and the big attractions (castle, cathedral) were certainly not built hundreds of years ago with tourists in mind --like so many tourist towns in the US are raelly built just for the industry. Also, yes it can be packed with tourists, but also locals go all the time to the pedestrain walk to just hang out, have a pastry, do some shoppig, whatever. Generally a place that is "touristy" in the U.S. we avoid as locals unless we have guests who really want to visit
anyway, I thought it was interesting to see you comment on that right after DH adn I ahd had such a discussion

 

[DSNY4ever]

Oh haha, really I didn't mean like "tacky" touristy, but it was one of the more tourist crowded cities that we visited. But yeah, we loved it there too, everything was so beautiful, and it is just one of those amazing old towns that make you feel like you are in a fairy tale. But in comparison we went to another beautiful town in Northern Gremany called Luneburg and it was empty! I think we were the only tourists in town which was pretty funny. We got a private tour of the town (paid for) and it was amazing! Probably the most touristy part of our whole visit was at Neuschwanstien Castle- the town is great and everything was wonderful, but I really felt like a tourist when I was being shuffled through the castle tour, it was pretty funny.

P.S. You are so lucky to live there...you live in the real fantasyland!

 

[PigletsPal2]

When we lived in Frankfurt, we went to Heidelburg at least four times; we have a photo of the castle from the same angle for each season. Definite changes and really lovely. (I'm jealous, too; I LOVE Germany!)

Queen Colleen