When You Give a Girl a Trip to Europe - Part II

Check the San Diego airport website. Nonstop flights from SAN to Munich are starting in March! Didn’t see what airline but assume Lufthansa? It’s not exactly what you’re looking for but other than BA to London, I don’t think there are nonstop SD to Europe. Maybe others will come up in the spring if you-know-what doesn’t keep messing up travel.

Don’t be in a hurry to buy your airfare because sometimes the best deals are three weeks out. Just keep checking and clear your cookies afterwards. I prefer https://www.skyscanner.com/ but many others choose https://www.google.com/travel/flights which is best if buying a higher class of service since there’s a filter that allows you to choose, Skyscanner doesn’t have this option.
Another feature Google flights has is you can filter between the US and Europe, etc. Skyscanner doesn’t allow you to enter Europe but you can narrow it down to a specific country to see what markets are direct.
I also recommend that you pay a little extra for non-stop flights if possible and I agree with flying in and out of SAN. Make sure if there is a connection to allow two plus hours. It’s also best to put the outbound on one ticket and not break it up i.e., fly from SAN to Europe and then buy a separate ticket to get to Luxembourg or Frankfurt. The same with the inbound. It is OK to buy two one-way tickets instead of a round-trip.
How long are you going to be in the alps? If you’re going in Sep the weather will be nice when you’re not in the mountains.

If you fly into FRA (as you likely will) Cochem is on the way. But you'll spend at least 2.25 hours getting there by train, and this after a transatlantic red-eye flight that from San Diego will surely be a long one. For this reason and because you've already seen Cochem, my best advice is to spend your first day/night in one of the delightful old-world towns in the Middle Rhine Valley, which is studded with castles, vineyards, and half-timbered towns on both sides - and which lies on the same train route you must use to reach Cochem/Trier anyway. Sadly IMHO, the GAS tour you have booked overlooks this UNESCO World Heritage Site!

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1066

Instead of riding 2-3 different trains on Day 1 to reach Cochem, you can get to the Rhine towns from FRA in roughly half that time and often by DIRECT train.

I'd look into Boppard, Oberwesel, Bacharach, and St. Goar as options. Boppard (cool chair lift ride to lookout) and St. Goar (Rheinfels Castle) are my favorites, partly because of the riverview hotels you will find in these two towns, but they're all nice places to stay/visit.

I checked online and found Dirndl Trachten Haus German Dress for Octoberfest. It looks like nicely made ones go for $167.00-$178.00 ordered online. They have about 5 actual shops in Germany and Austria, if you want to buy there. There are other brands available. Be sure that the exchange rate is in your favor. I used to have a wool one from Switzerland; they come in parts, so the fit is more flexible. Wish I could go, too!

Eurostacy, so glad you're trying it again! What fun we all had gently guiding you through the hoops of European travel.

I am an expert in dressing in layers (part of living in the Pacific Northwest). I think you are over packing for the weather for Sept, even in the Alps. Layering basically means you start with a base layer and add on as necessary. You could have a few short sleeve shirts and one or two long sleeve shirts as bases. Next layer is a light but warm layer. Options could include a light fleece or a light crushable down vest. I'd probably pack an all purpose sweater as well. Final layer, a good quality raincoat with a hood. Forget umbrellas.

I would not bring heavy winter coats. I don't think you will need them in addition to the other layers. If you bring gloves, make them the small easy gloves that can take up hardly any space. It is questionable whether you would use them. You are not going to the Artic. A good pair of wool socks will also go along way to warm and comfortable feet no matter what the weather. Smartwool is an example of these and you can buy them in different weights.

The beauty of layers is that you can adjust from short sleeve shirt alone to long sleeve/fleece/raincoat as needed without having to pack a lot of clothes that are only worn in the extremes. I traveled in the Alps at about the same time a few years ago and only needed to put on my warm layer once to go to the top of a mountain.

I agree with Carol in that I think you should plan to dress in layers. i often travel to Germany/Switzerland in October. I no longer bring my Cuddleduds as I have found they were not needed. I do bring lightweight gloves available at the dollar stores but have not used them at all the last three trips (They are useful to protect any fragile items you may have brought/bought.). I typically pack a lightweight but lined jacket, two sweaters and a couple short-sleeved and a couple long-sleeved shirts to wear under my sweaters. Lately, there have been many days when I didn't even need to wear the sweaters. The two long scarves I bring spent most of the last trip unworn. If you are planning trips to the mountains you may need all your layers. I have spent a few days in a lightly snow covered area in Switzerland mid-October, but had no need of snow boots. All this to say, the weather has been pretty nice the past three trips. Not always sunny, sometimes chilly, but mostly warmer than I expected. YMMV...I currently live in Michigan.

My first trip to Austria/Germany was in mid-September. At the time, I was living in San Diego and didn’t know what weather was. I don’t recall it being particularly cold most of the places we went. We had some foggy, drizzly days.

As for layers, I try to think from warmest weather to coldest. Start with some pants and t shirts. Add a long sleeve t shirt, thermal shirt or lightweight sweater. I just bought this sweater for an upcoming trip: Amazon Essentials Women's Classic Fit Lightweight Long-Sleeve V-Neck Sweater https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079RF78BJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_KT1KMB3N03BK7D7PD0ZZ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Maybe a pair of thermal pants (or leggings you could wear under pants). Then a jacket. I like a waterproof jacket with a lining and a hood. My favorite has been one from Costco. Then a pair of knit gloves and a lightweight hat. I now live in central Oregon and those layers see me through our coldest weather (currently 9 degrees).

The brand 32 Degrees makes good layering clothes for travel. I just bought a packable puffer jacket with hood for our trip to Switzerland next summer. It packs down to nothing in a little pouch and is plenty warm.

You do not need long underwear for that time of year.

You could take Amtrack to Union Station then the flyaway bus to LAX. The 5:30 AM is a bit over 4 hours which might be faster than driving? Later trains take 6-7 hours. You could spend the night at an LAX hotel.
Doubt you will need heavy clothing. Just layer up where needed.

Because I am cold-natured, I take silk long underwear from LL Bean on most trips-they take up very little space in luggage or under clothes. When you've spent your entire life in the South, you forget that other places are not 90 degrees in July(or early Oct). I have a collection of jackets and sweatshirts that I've had to buy to cover up my stupid. I recently discovered merino wool sweaters. They are great in moderate weather and I got some at Uniglo at a good price. LL Bean makes lined pants which are great and not too hot in moderate weather, but I prefer the lined ones from Rohan because they are quick dry. My layers would be silk underwear, merino sweater, Rohan lined pants, and a jacket.

Good morning. I remember the previous post with the interesting title! I totally missed your trip report from back then and read it this morning while enjoying breakfast at my local coffee shop. Since the trip report thread is long closed, I thought I would tell you here how much I enjoyed it. You are a great writer! Your enjoyment of the trip (except the heat!) really came though. At the first mention of the last dinner of your your tour, I thought, "Gee, I bet that was kind of emotional given what a great time she had on her tour." Then I read your description of the dinner. I have to admit I got a little misty-eyed myself when I reading your thoughts about it. Thanks again for the great read!

We are hoping Oktoberfest will happen, and I'd like to purchase a
dirndl somewhere in Trier (where the tour begins), Munich, or
somewhere in between before Oktoberfest starts. If anyone has tips on
where to find an authentic one, please let me know. I'd like something
German made, not something made in China that I can buy from a costume
store here.

So, just a brief cultural note on this: The clothing that most foreigners associate with Oktoberfest Tracht (traditional clothing) it is really strongly Bavarian/Southern German and even Austrian (though with LOTS of regional difference). You will not find "real" dirndls in Trier, I cannot imagine. Although, the fashion is kind of "in" right now, so C&A (a German fast-fashion retailer) often has Tracht-inspired stuff, and even full dirndls around the festival times of year. But this will assuredly be made in China.

If you want "real" Tracht, you will have to look in Bavaria, and should expect to pay quite a bit for it. I don't have any specific suggestions, but assume that there will be stuff on the internet in English about this, if you search around. Note: most of the Tracht sold in Munich around Oktoberfest is also, let's say, costume-grade stuff, and the serious Tracht stores may be rather picked over at this time of year. I would assume some of the stores in Munich/Bavaria also have online branches, which you could perhaps order from earlier in your trip?

This is not at all to discourage you, just so that you know about the market around the clothing type!

agreeing with Azra about the dirndl.

I've seen them as she says in September in the very C&A in Trier as outside they were making a half hearted attempt at selling what they called Oktoberfest food on the sidewalk. Not cheap even at C&A and the quality was good for a couple of days but not more. I am sure it was all out of a container which had travelled the high seas.

There is a shop in central Salzburg with the real stuff - the ads on the wall in the tunnel under the mountain were showing lots of zeros in the prices of the full kit.

Remember that for women it is at least the dress, and the blouse, apron (remember it is important how it is made into a bow) and shoes, and the accessories..... It adds up big style.

For men there are fewer pieces... isn't it always the way?

Switzerland will require layering in late September but not nearly as heavy as you fear!

When we were in St. Moritz and Northern Italy mid-October 2019, we simply had Costco softshell jackets. These did dual duty as a light raincoat in connection with an umbrella and a main jacket even down to colder temps when used over a lightweight fleece 1/4 zip or thin merino/cashmere sweater.

Don't travel with a heavy coat, puffy coats are the way to go.

You guys are the best! Thank you for all of the responses & suggestions!

KC- great idea to check the San Diego website directly! That was super informative. I will hold off on booking for a little longer.

MaryPat- I didn't realize that Google Flights had filters between the US and Europe - I will need to play around with it a little more.

"How long are you going to be in the alps?" We will be spending 3 nights in Murren.

Russ- thank you - We loved being along the Mosel and didn't get enough time along the Rhine in 2019 - now you've got me thinking...
:)

Kathleen - thank you for the suggestion of Dirndl Trachten Haus. Those drindls are beautiful!

Jane - Yes! And I am so grateful!

Carol now retired - thanks for writing it out for me! :) Maybe I'm worrying too much!

travelergirl - thank you! (And I hadn't even thought about boots - glad to hear I probably won't need them!)

travel4fun - thanks for the link. That sweater is cute and stylish - and only weighs 8 oz. I'm getting one (some?) (I weighed everything I put in my carry-on for my last trip! haha!)

Suki & Diane - thanks!

cala - thank you for the brand suggestions - I will check those out! I hadn't heard of silk long underwear before!

Dave - thank you for the great compliment! I love going back and re-reading my trip reports occasionally! It makes me feel good when people tell me that they enjoy them. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. It made my day! :)

Azra - I really appreciate you letting me know all about drindls! It never would have crossed my mind had you not mentioned it. :) I guess I want authentic because it's part of my heritage.

Nigel - thank you - your posts make me smile. :)

jasonindenver - thank you!

Aimee - I'm definitely investing in some merino socks
Aimee & Richard: This is what I am calling a heavy jacket/coat:
https://www.columbia.com/p/womens-heavenly-long-hooded-jacket-1738161.html?dwvar_1738161_color=616&pos=0
(To me, this is heavy. lol)

Again, I sincerely appreciate everyone taking the time to advise, help and answer my questions. :)

Stacy

Eurostacy, so glad you're planning another trip!! I remember your posts about your first trip and your trip reports...way back in the pre-covid times. Wow, seems like a million years ago.

I'm headed to Europe in Sep 2022 as well :) First time in a few years.

We’re also going on the GAS tour in September starting 9/13, maybe we’ll cross paths. We’re so excited already researching what clothing to wear, lots of good tips here. We’ve already booked our flights flying into Frankfurt was more cost effective for us, leaving from Indianapolis. We plan on taking the train from Frankfurt to Trier but unsure if we should pre-book or can we wait and get train tickets when we get there.
Enjoyed reading all the trips and tricks, happy travels.

Paula

I just posted a long trip report (England and Jersey), can’t seem to copy the link, all about our travails with unexpected hideous weather. I plan to do a shorter write up in the Packing section later. Point being, take layers yes but do not hesitate one bit to buy something over there rather than suffer through any unexpected horribly cold weather. We all (even the people from MN, though like you I am from SoCal) ended up buying heavier coats and vests and were very glad we did.

I was looking at the flights, and the prices are better into Luxembourg and out of Vienna than I expected. Trier is just a short distance NE of LUX. And it's nice having the AA/BA flight from San Diego into Heathrow connecting to LUX is the way to go. Otherwise, you'd be stopping in Denver and Munich before getting back to LUX.

Have a great trip.

roubrat - That's great! Where will you be traveling?

Paula - thank you -The wonderful people that frequent this forum are just amazing, and I am so thankful for all of the tips! Happy travels to you as well.

cchapin100 - I will check out your TR - and thanks!

David - Hi! I haven't checked back in for a while, but I ended up booking direct flights from SAN to MUC, RT. There will be some train rides through Europe - but I decided that was better than bumper to bumper on a California freeway! :)

roubrat - That's great! Where will you be traveling?

Belgium and The Netherlands. I'm so excited 😊