Our family of 5 (kids ages 14, 11, and 9) are planning a 14-day trip to Germany this summer. Originally, we had planned on visiting Munich, Rothenburg, Garmisch and Salzburg. I recently discovered that a childhood friend of mine lives in Isle sur le Doubs, France, and would love for us to visit. Now I'm confused--maybe we should change our route and visit Colmar or Strasbourg since it's closer to my friend's city. I really want my kids to experience Rothenburg. I was there as a child, and I have magical memories of it. Please help me figure out the best itinerary. We plan on traveling by train and not renting a car. Thanks!!
Posted by
Paradise
7072 posts
"I really want my kids to experience Rothenburg. I was there as a child, and I have magical memories of it."
With more limited time for Germany you may be surprised to hear that you can find numerous old-world, half-timbered. cobblestoned towns like Rothenburg that are much closer to France - places much less heavily trampeled by international tourists than Rothenburg for sure. Make some new magical memories in Gengenbach, just across the border from Strasbourg, or Schiltach (near Gengenbach but a little deeper in the Black Forest.)
Gengenbach:
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Schiltach:
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The Vogtsbauernhof open-air museum in Gutach, not far from Schiltach, is a great place for all ages:
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All these places are easily accessible by train.
If you stay in Gengenbach or any of 130 other small villages your whole family can use the trains for free on outings to these places, to Freiburg, and to anywhere else you like in the Black Forest. The "KONUS" card is issued to all hotel, B& B, and apartment guests to cover transport and to provide discounts to local attractions.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
I'm confident that your kids can also develop magical memories in Colmar with its canals, flowers, half-timbered charm, the Maison des Tetes (decorated with 100 faces), and a side-trip option to the romantic castle at www.haut-koenigsbourg.fr.
Posted by
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
Consider the Wine Road (http://www.deutsche-weinstrasse.de/) which leads into the French Wine Road and down to Strasbourg and Colmar. Stop in Gimmeldingen and walk to Looganlage (30 mins rather flat hike) for the best Schnitzel in the area (open only during the day, not for dinner). There is a luge for your kids at http://www.kurpfalz-park.de/de/kurpfalzpark/parkplan/ and there are two great theme parks, both with unique roller coasters along that route: http://www.plopsa.be/holiday-park/en (SkyScream) and of course http://www.europapark.de/en...
Also visit Baden-Baden and Freiburg - basically you jump the border (which is more like a US state line) every day...