What are the best places to visit in Germany?

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stretch

Chris

I spent almost 15 years in Germany (stationed while in AF). I fell in love with the country, both the sites and the people. In addition to seeing all the "traditional" places, i.e., Heidelburg, (which annualy reenacts the burning during a war with the French), the passion play in Bavaria, which is held every tens years in honor of saving the town during the plague, Neu Schwanstein (also in Bavaria) mad Ludwig's fairy-tale castle which was adopted by Walt Disney, the reeper bahn (sp?) in Hamburg (not for the faint of heart or squimish), checkpoint charlie (now merely spot in the Berlin road), The wine country along the Mosel, Rhine rivers (had dinner in Cochem castle on the Mosel),the casino at Baden-baden, bought a cuckooclock in Frieburg down in the black forrest, and visited castles down near the Bodensee near Switzerland.
I only mention a couple of places of the many, many sites and places I visited while there. Chris, my point is you can't crunch too much into a little bit of time. To make the best of it, get a travel book or even use the internet to highlight the type of stuff you want to see and do while you are there. I've known many Germans who, after almost an entire lifetime, haven't seen or done it all in Germany. I was a history buff, and to visit castles was my heyday. But there's hundreds of castles there. Some not more than a ruin (Frankenstein castle) to others that offer tours, sleep-overs and dinner. Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a mediveal town that one could spend a week at enjoying the different attractions. It's like saying I'm going to the US. Well you could spend a year in New York alone. It's the same in Germany...You could spend months and months in Berlin alone, touring the sites: The old cathedrals, churchs, castles, etc....Frankfurt, Bavaria, the black forrest, Oktoberfest and countless "stuff" in Munich. Berchtesgaden and Eagle's nest...there's also theme parks for the young and old. Nuremburg itslef is beautifully old and charming. In the Hamlet of Hamelin, there's an annual Pied Piper re-enactment story.
I could go on and on. The places of interest are countless.
In my humble opinion, Europe does a very good job of preserving the past while remaining progressive. It serves to show the connection between past generations and future ones. I thoroughly loved my time while there and am just waiting until I can return (once my wife retires),
Go there with an open mind, and accept that people have different attitudes and opinions just like in the US.

Just take the time to do your research and work up a plan to visit and do what truly interests you...you'll have more fun that way.

good luck and enjoy your trip. (sorry if I babbled)

Definitely Heidelberg. It's got some of the nicest townfolk you'll ever meet and Heidelberg Castle is the most beautiful of all the castles I've seen in Europe. Real raw beauty. And the view from the castle. Takes your breath away. Check these out:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heidelberg_Castle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heidelberg

Also, you must visit Amsterdam, Luxembourg and Paris. No European trip is complete without any of these cities. Have fun on your travels!

ulysses

In Germany, I've really enjoyed Heidelberg, Stuttgart, and Wiesbaden. Enjoy the good dark beers, the dark chocolate, the wursts, and the soft pretzels, as well as the many other delicious food items. Also enjoy the countryside - the forests are famous of course. Take a train ride along the Rhein River, perhaps from Cologne to Wiesbaden, and see the many castles along the river bluffs. You can even spend the night in some of them. Check out some of the street fairs and markets, especially around Christmas time. Ride the bullet trains around Europe. It'll make you wish we had them at home.
Other places I would highly recommend are Brussels (beautiful city!), Amsterdam (friendliest place in the world, beautiful people, and the best English speakers in all of Europe - including the UK), and rural France - especially the Provence region, which has fantastic food. But most of all you should get to Italy. The trains are significantly cheaper in Italy, and there's a lot to taste because each region, each town even, has different delicious foods. Venice, Florence, Rome, Naples, and the Cinque Terre region are all very worthwhile. Check out Rick Steves' European travel guides for some really good recommendations for inexpensive but really charming food and lodging.

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