We are leaving Paris April 30 and returning to Paris May 9. We are 2 women and prefer not to rent a car. So train and bus recommendations would be very helpful along with day trips from each stay. So far we have reviewed Heidelberg, Freiburg, and Baden-Baden. 3 separate places to stay is pretty much maximum, as neither of us care much for packing and unpacking. We are both in our late 60's with slight mobility problems, so backpacking and the like just doesn't sound fun. We are also considering Basel or Zurich Switzerland in place of one of the German towns.
Posted by
Germany
268 posts
Freiberg is far away from the other towns you mention. Do you mean Freiburg (im Breisgau)? Also, what are your interests? Modern architecture? History (and if so, any specific time periods)? Scenic train rides? Spa visits? Anything else? This will make a difference for recommendations...
Posted by
New York, NY
1586 posts
Basel, Lucerne, or Bern Switzerland would be ideal in place of one of the German towns.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
I did mean Freiburg. Thanks!
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Our interests are rather varied. One or two museums would be nice for that time period. Scenic train rides and easy hiking would be very good. Neither of us are big shoppers and spa time for only something unique. Not sure about my friend but I would be very interested in historic architecture.
Posted by
Paradise
7077 posts
"3 separate places to stay is pretty much maximum, as neither of us care much for packing and unpacking."
In that case, I suggest you stay in only two places instead. The territory you are trying to cover does NOT call for 3 base towns. Here are my suggestions...
Base town #1: Heidelberg - stay near the main station (Heidelberg Hbf) since you are doing outings by train. There's an Ibis, a Marriott, an NH, and a Holiday Inn not too far away. The old-town center of Heidelberg can be reached from these places on foot or by local city transport.
Outings you might look into:
Ladenburg (15 minutes from Heidelberg by train)
Heppenheim (one of several old-world towns on the "Bergstrasse route", 35 minutes by train. You could visit Ladenburg on the same day.)
Bad Wimpfen (45 - 65 minutes from H'berg on train ride through the Neckar River Valley, nice scenery - see photos.)
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0e/Hirschhorn_altstadt_wv_ds_09_2007.jpg/800px-Hirschhorn_altstadt_wv_ds_09_2007.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Neckar_Gundelsheim_August_2013.jpg
Speyer: 45 minutes from H'berg by train.
Base town #2: Gengenbach (beautiful town, on the scenic Black Forest Railway, one of Germany's most scenic train routes; good base for day trips by train to Baden-Baden, Freiburg, the Black Forest Railway towns, the excellent Black Forest Open-air Museum in Gutach, and Strasbourg FR.) You will receive a "KONUS CARD" from your Gengenbach hosts which allows for free train travel within the entire Black Forest region.
The German Railways itinerary search page can provide travel times and train schedules for you.
Basel and Zurich are IMHO much less interesting than these other options and very expensive. (I'm not a big fan of Baden-Baden exactly, as it's not a real Black Forest town and it's dominated by spas, casinos, and their clients, but some seem to like it.)
If after you research these possibilities and you have questions about specific train rides (I'm sure you will have some,) please re-post.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
I will look into all of you suggestions. They look great!