Flying into Frankfurt

Based on your dates, it looks like you'll really have just 3 full days (plus part of the 22nd) - not much time. Try the Rhine area and Rothenburg. I would recommend Munich and Bavaria or Munich and Salzburg if you were flying into Munich instead of FRA.

Thank you for your advice!

I like the Rhein area, Heidelberg, Mainz, Bingen, Cologne, Trier and yes, Frankfurt. Why spend so much time on a train going down to Munich when you only have 4 days! That is over 3 hours there and 3 hours back, almost a day of sightseeing lost, sitting on a train. Base yourself in Frankfurt or Mainz if you like and do side trips. There are plenty of castles along the Rhein and the scenery is so pretty. Historically, the Rhein area is more important too, especially Mainz, Trier, Cologne and Frankfurt. These were large Roman settlements, home to Germanys most important bishops. Frankfurt of course was the coronation and election city for the emperors for over 600 years. This important historical stuff was all going on before Munich even existed. Make sure to visit the cathedral in Mainz as it is one of the oldest, if not the oldest in Germany. Massive and beautiful.
This guide has a lot of websites for the Rhein Main area:
http://frankfurt-on-foot-cityguide.blogspot.com/

Go Bucks!

Great thanks! We are huge Buckeye fans! :) Spring game is happening on the 25th!

Jodi, so much to see, so little time. You've got about 3½ day. You don't need to go very far. Save one day for Frankfurt. Jo can tell you what to see. Or take her guided tour of Frankfurt. I'd spend the rest of the time on the Middle Rhine - Bacharach, St. Goar, Braubach (Marksburg), Koblenz if you have time).

Jodi,

Could you clarify a few points....

Does the friend that asked you to go to Germany live in Germany? Also, do you have any ideas on what you might want to see when you're there? Finally, are you leaving the U.S. on May 21st? You'll lose the first day in flight times and time zone changes, however on the trip back you'll generally arrive on the same day you departed Germany.

That's an extremely short trip after travelling such a long distance. You'll barely be over jet lag by the time you have to return home. I'd suggest limiting yourself to one city with a day trip or two. The others have suggested Munich and that's a good choice, but you'll have to allow travel times back and forth to Frankfurt for flights.

To begin with you might want to download Rick's free PDF Rail Guide from the "Rail" section of this website. It's a good idea to have some idea on how the Euro rail networks operate. If possible also try to find a copy of Europe Through The Back Door as that has LOTS of great information on how to travel smartly.

There's a rail station right in the Frankfurt Airport, so it won't be difficult to get to Munich. There are ticket machines as well as ticket windows, so buy tickets and seat reservations when you arrive.

What time does your flight arrive? I had a brief look on May 22 and there's a train departing Frankfurt Flughafen at 12:37, arriving Munich Hbf at 16:04 (#ICE 625, time 3H:27M, NO CHANGES).

It would be a good idea to book your accommodations NOW. Were you planning to stay in budget Hotels or Hostels?

If you want to see the Castles in Fussen, you might consider Radius Tours. Check their website (their office is in Munich rail station). There's also a Euraide ticket office in the station with english speaking staff, which could be useful.

The trip will certainly be an adventure, but prepare well so that everything goes smoothly.

Happy travels!

Jodi, you can take the girl out of Columbus, but you can't take Columbus out of the girl!

I definitely second Jo's ideas. Also have a look at www.rheingau.de (select language in the top right corner).

Andrea, thank you for the Rheingau info! We both really enjoy wine!