First trip to Europe - Germany

Grafenwoehr is in northern Bavaria so your nearest big city is Nuremberg, which seriously has some points of interest for people into WWII. You aren't too far from Munich (Muenchen) which is an interesting destination in its own right and also has air links to most parts of Europe.

How much time will you have? Are there any particular places in France and England that you want to see other than WWII sites?

Grafenwöhr is kind of in the middle of nowhere, but there is stuff to see within a few hours drive. As noted, Nürnberg is the closest large city, about an hour drive or train ride to the west. Munich is a little over two hours to the south, Bamberg, Coburg, Bayreuth, Passau, Landshut, Augsburg and Würzburg are also not terribly far away and all worth a look (different reasons for each). You can probably reach Berlin in just over three hours, if you drive really fast.

For WWII stuff, don't expect anything like the battlefield preservation and monuments like for the Civil War in the US. WWII is mostly remembered for what's missing, rather than in memorials. But as noted, Nürnberg has the Dokumentationszentrum Reichsparteitagsgelände, which is built into the incomplete structure of the Nazi Congress Hall. Not too much remains of the rally grounds, however, other than a large park and some scattered concrete structures. Near Munich, of course, is Dachau concentration camp, and you see subtle little memorials to the victims of Nazi terror here and there, but no large-scale memorials.

Once your son gets aquainted with his surroundings at Grafenwöhr, encourage him to check out the Franconian Switzerland region of Bavaria (despite the name, it looks nothing like Switzerland), which lies just to the NW. Especially if he likes hiking.

Not a complete list (e.g., does not mention Normandy battle sites), but you can start with Rick's articles Sobering Sites of Nazi Europe and Dresden's Inspiring Rebirth. I hope you will plan the longest visit that your budget and other restrictions allow.

Hi,

As for war sites, your son is at one himself, which should be of interest to your husband too. Grafenwöhr was the Panzertruppenübungsplatz (the testing grounds for tank manuevers) in the build-up of the armored warfare for the German Army. If you get a rental car in Germany, you'll have a lot more flexibility in tracking WW II sites, aside from those suggested above.

Nuremberg will be a great place to spend several days. In terms of WWII sites, you should without question visit the Documentation Center Museum along with all the surrounding Nazi Rally Ground sites (a nice walking tour can be done). Also have the Palace of Justice Museum and Courtroom 600 where the Nuremberg Trials were held, and tours of the underground bunkers where precious works of art where stored by the Nazi during the war (tours located at the Altstadt Brauerei). In addition, Nuremberg is an outstanding and underrated city with other things to do, some great restaurants, and very clean and safe.

Other possible WWII sites not too far away would be Munich (including Dachau), and Dresden.

Some other cities/towns to consider visiting in the general area would be Bamberg, Regensburg, and the touristy but not to be missed Rothenburg ob der Tauber (and the Nightwatchman Tour).

Enjoy! Bavaria is outstanding. And if traveling within Bavaria be sure to take advantage of the Bayern Ticket for train travel. Will for sure save you some money.

This is my backyard. Grafenwoehr actually has a small military museum, but the open hours are limited: http://www.museum-grafenwoehr.de/

Weiden is a nice small city with nice main street in the old town 15 minutes away. A nice town for dinner and sit outside at a cafe. Bayreuth is not too far away either (45 min.) and you can visit the Hermitage and gardens there: http://www.bayreuth-wilhelmine.de/englisch/hermitag/ and the Wagner Opera House. The Flossenburg castle ruins and the Flossenburg concentration camp are not far away to the east. To the north are the Fichtelgeberge mountains for hiking. The Windischeschenbach area to the northeast is famous for the Zoigl beer: http://www.oberpfaelzerwald.de/data/mediadb/cms_mime/%7Be6ca788f-e844-0645-1746-1a046999702e%7D.pdf I like to visit Regensburg to the south as it is one of my favorites (1.5 hours). It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nuremberg and Bamberg are about 1.5-2 hours drive. To the east in the Czech Republic are several Bath town like Mariánské Lázně: http://www.marianskelazne.cz/en within 1-1.5 hours drive. You could make Pilsen or even Prague a day trip. You need a vignette for the Czech autobahns. This area of Oberpfalz is less traveled and more rural. The Oberpfälzer wald south to the Bayerischen Wald is a nice picturesque area with rolling hills, smaller mountains and nice small towns. When my Brother visited he told me "I live in the Park." I can recommend here for dinner in Kulmain 10 miles north of Grafenwoehr. Many VIPs visiting Graf stay here. Make renovations http://www.hotel-wiesend.de/! Find some old hands living in the Grafenwoehr area for a wealth of information. You may even qualify for MWR trips? Munich and other cities/places are within 150 Miles. A little farther to the south and you are in the Alps. Check out the Franken Wein Region to the northwest too. We buy some of our wine in Prichsenstadt: http://www.prichsenstadt.de/ I have been on some professional "Staff Rides" for specific battles, Normandy, Market Garden, Berlin - Seelow, but always with a professional guide. Without one you would really have to do your homework. Been to this site? http://www.thirdreichruins.com/

Thank you all for the replies. This is great. We are total newbies to travel outside the U.S. Your suggestions will be very helpful. I expect we will be gone approx. 3 weeks.

@ mchpp....Thanks very much for the information on the museum in Grafenwöhr. Such short visiting hours (2hrs) are almost the same at the Stauffenberg estate/museum in Albstadt Lautlingen, ( bei Hechingen ) which you would find interesting.