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Post by jenis40 on Sept 7, 2016 23:53:13 GMT
I will be taking the most meaningful trip I could ever take in 2 weeks. I had leukemia and received a stem cell transplant as treatment. My donor is German. A few days ago, the donor registry in Germany called and offered to fly me to Germany to meet my donor as part of their 30 year anniversary celebrations. The day we meet will be the 2nd anniversary of the transplant. To meet the woman who saved my life, well I just don't have words.
We will be flying in and out of Frankfurt. We have a few days of activities planned with the donor center and we have 4 days on our own. I'm a bit overwhelmed with all the options. Since we don't have much time we are focusing on the Rhineland region. We will definitely do a day cruise on the Rhine River (Koblenz to St Goar region). We are thinking of maybe going to Cologne to see the Cathedral. Part of the donor center activities will include a trip to Trier. My DH has the crazy idea of taking the train to Paris for one night.
My one caveat is that I can't walk a lot. My recovery has been slow and I still get tired very easily. We're trying to focus more on hop on hop off types of tours where I can rest. I'm going on this trip come hell or high water but I do wish I was in better shape.
Any must sees or tips would be greatly appreciated.
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Post by shescrafty on Sept 8, 2016 0:55:39 GMT
I used to live outside of Frankfurt in Wiesbaden. It is known for their spas. Along the Rhine is the town of Rudesheim. When we lived there they had a fun air gondola ride that went up the mountain so you could overlook the area and see the vineyards. That area has wonderful wines (much more so than beer). There is a ton of walking in Germany-Germans love to walk.,  but I am guessing there will be other people on your trip that will have the same issues so I wonder if you contact the group organizers they might have some ideas? The train ride from that area to Paris is long-if I remember correctly it is over 4 hours (not positive). If you want to hit France you can drive in 2 hours to Straussburg (sp?) which is right over the Germany/France border. Beautiful little town with a huge cathedral. What a fabulous trip and an even better reason! I hope you have a wonderful time. |
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eleezybeth
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,784
Jun 28, 2014 20:42:01 GMT
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Post by eleezybeth on Sept 8, 2016 1:39:20 GMT
I'm glad you are doing the Rhine River cruise. It isn't the Mosel but it is a great experience.
You'll be there during the beginning of Wine Fest time so check out the towns along the wine strasse. If you will have a car, you can always choose to do some things off of the Romantic Strasse as well.
You could spend years in Germany going to cathedrals. If one is important to you, go. But IMO if you are doing Trier, you'll see enough cathedrals (plus, it has the shroud of Christ!) If you are going to be near Trier, there is Burg Eltz and Cochem (it's wine time!) The castle at Cochem does a medieval theatre thing. Even if you don't go on an English night, you'll have no problem playing along.
Within a bit of a drive of Frankfurt is Heidelberg. That castle is fun to tour. It's a bit of a hike but take the funicular to the top instead of walking. I love downtown Heidelberg. I am not sure if it is still there but they used to have a Kathe (Katie) Wolfart store which is like a year round Christmas shop. Love!
I know you only have so much time, but Paris is doable. Make sure you get the ICE train though. Or take the train to Metz. Lovely cathedral, cute little market. Wonderful little downtown that is just enough inside France to say you also went to France.
If you are renting a car, please make sure if you can't drive a standard that you specifically ask for an automatic.
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Post by jenis40 on Sept 8, 2016 2:09:44 GMT
I'm glad you are doing the Rhine River cruise. It isn't the Mosel but it is a great experience. You'll be there during the beginning of Wine Fest time so check out the towns along the wine strasse. If you will have a car, you can always choose to do some things off of the Romantic Strasse as well. You could spend years in Germany going to cathedrals. If one is important to you, go. But IMO if you are doing Trier, you'll see enough cathedrals (plus, it has the shroud of Christ!) If you are going to be near Trier, there is Burg Eltz and Cochem (it's wine time!) The castle at Cochem does a medieval theatre thing. Even if you don't go on an English night, you'll have no problem playing along. Within a bit of a drive of Frankfurt is Heidelberg. That castle is fun to tour. It's a bit of a hike but take the funicular to the top instead of walking. I love downtown Heidelberg. I am not sure if it is still there but they used to have a Kathe (Katie) Wolfart store which is like a year round Christmas shop. Love! I know you only have so much time, but Paris is doable. Make sure you get the ICE train though. Or take the train to Metz. Lovely cathedral, cute little market. Wonderful little downtown that is just enough inside France to say you also went to France. If you are renting a car, please make sure if you can't drive a standard that you specifically ask for an automatic. Good to know about Trier. Makes it easier to cross Cologne off the list and makes Paris more doable. Yes we were looking at the ICE if we went to Paris. We're both farm kids so we can drive a stick. Not sure I want to let DH loose on the autobahn! |
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Post by jenis40 on Sept 8, 2016 2:11:25 GMT
I used to live outside of Frankfurt in Wiesbaden. It is known for their spas. Along the Rhine is the town of Rudesheim. When we lived there they had a fun air gondola ride that went up the mountain so you could overlook the area and see the vineyards. That area has wonderful wines (much more so than beer). There is a ton of walking in Germany-Germans love to walk., but I am guessing there will be other people on your trip that will have the same issues so I wonder if you contact the group organizers they might have some ideas? The train ride from that area to Paris is long-if I remember correctly it is over 4 hours (not positive). If you want to hit France you can drive in 2 hours to Straussburg (sp?) which is right over the Germany/France border. Beautiful little town with a huge cathedral. What a fabulous trip and an even better reason! I hope you have a wonderful time. According to my research, I have ancestors from Weisbaden! |
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Post by yodutchess on Sept 8, 2016 2:12:08 GMT
If you go to Strasbourg in France, drive the Alsacian Wine Road. It goes through tiny towns that are grape farms and wineries. It is where people of the region vacation. We went in 2005, my great Grandpop left Dambach la vile to come to America. Some towns along the Rhine were bombed during WW2. Freiburg in Germany on other side of Black Forest. I have been to Metz in 1983, Castle Chillon is there. Also to Trier in 83, a beautiful town.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 20:09:30 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2016 2:24:46 GMT
I lived in a small village outside of Trier when I was in my early 20's. It's been 45 years since then but I can tell you it's a magical town.
If your into history, Trier and the surrounding area is where the Battle of The Bulge was fought. There are tons of museums and sites that are interesting to see. Also your just 40 minutes from the Luxembourg American Cemetery. There are 5,000 soldiers buried there and General Patton is buried there too.
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oaksong
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,167 
Location: LA Suburbia
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 6:24:29 GMT
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Post by oaksong on Sept 8, 2016 5:26:08 GMT
Lots of great suggestions here. Heidelberg and Strasbourg would both be high in my list. For the short time you'll be there, I would focus on enjoying the area, rather than rushing off to Paris and spending so much time traveling.
Local to Frankfurt, I would add Mainz, where Gutenberg invented modern printing. There is an original Gutenberg Bible in the museum, if you're into that sort of thing. It may be near where you embark on the Rhine cruise, if you leave from Mainz.
On the Romantische Strasse, the town of Rothenburg is truly authentic and worth visiting. It's a perfectly preserved medieval walled town. They have a big Kathe Wohlfhart (Christmas) store there, too.
The wine fest in Bad Durkheim is fun and not far from Frankfurt. Things get pretty out of hand if you stay too late, though. Like Oktoberfest only drunker.
From Trier, you could easily do some sightseeing in Belgium. Bastogne and its Battle of the Bulge history is amazing. The local citizens built an enormous monument to the Americans who fought there.
You can't go wrong no matter what you do. There are so many castles and cathedrals, historic sites and beautiful scenery. Oh, and buy some scissors. German scissors are the best! Enjoy the trip!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 20:09:30 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2016 6:09:02 GMT
Go to a site like Avalon cruises and check out the port stops they offer along the Rhine. Those descriptions give you an idea of what the towns along the river offer. <grin>
I liked Koblenz and Mainz and Rudesheim. Heidelberg was wonderful, as was Strausburg. I wasn't that impressed with Cologne, despite the cathedral. But my favorite was the stretch of river with all the castles.
I agree with the poster who suggested keeping a focus on Germany rather than spending time trying to get over to Paris. But then again, I've never had a good experience in Paris, so...
I'd say if you want to spend 4 hours on a train, look at Prague or Berlin or even go to into the Swiss Alps. Our five free days in Zurich before the cruise began was by far the highlight of the vacation.
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but I am guessing there will be other people on your trip that will have the same issues so I wonder if you contact the group organizers they might have some ideas? 
