Germany sightseeing

Hi
The Deutsches museum is very large. Maybe half a day and you still will not see everything. All the exibits are very detailed (some boring) so it depends on your interest. We also visited the laser light show next door. It was kind of boring but the popcorn had sugar insted of salt on it ....very tasty!
Dean

One very cold Sunday late night in January, 2002, my wife and I were walking down the Fußgangerzone in Munich, looking for a restaurant that was still open (I reluctantly settled for the Rathaus Rathskellar, because it was the only place). We realized that the people walking next to us were speaking English and started a conversation. He was a gemologist from the United States, there to visit the gemology exhibit in the Deutsches Museum. He remarked that you could spend a week in the gemology exhibit alone and still not see everything.

I guess that sums up my opinion of the Deutsches Museum, and why I have never bothered to go. It's like our Smithsonian - you could spends weeks there and only scratch the surface. I wouldn't go unless I had days, maybe a week to spend there.

As for the other places.

Rothenburg: I wouldn't bother with the Crime and Punishment Museum - just one more "tourst trap" but there is enough to see (walk the wall, Riemenschneider alter) in Rotherburg for at least a day.

Munich: Frauenkirche, an hour, St. Peter's (great view), an hour. Schloss Nymphenburg, half a day.

Ettal: Don't bother unless you just like excessively ornate churches (That goes double for Wieskirche).

Linderhof: worth a half day.

Rheinfels and the Marksburg: each worth half a day.

This is an estimate for time at the attraction. Because I don't know where you are staying, I have not added travel time.

You actually need at least 3 days for Berlin and Potsdam. Do visit the Sanssouci-palace in Potsdam!

sammie, a few thoughts on the places you listed:

Munich - you might want to take a Munich Walks tour, as it covers a lot of the Churches and other locations quite efficiently in a few hours. For the Deutsches Museum, I'd plan a half to a full day, depending on what you want to see. The Museum consists of the main building in Munich and two smaller satellite Museums in the outskirts of the city. The main Museum has 16 kM of exhibits, so it's not something you can do in an hour! There are a LOT of different areas on about six floors (as I recall), so it can be a bit confusing to find the different exhibits (even though I had a floor plan, it took me about half an hour to find the small area where the Amateur Radio exhibit was located).

Rothenburg - I thought the Crime & Punishment Museum was a very intereresting stop. I'd suggest at least a half day for the museum, St. Peter's Church, etc. Spending a night in Rothenburg is a really good idea, so that you can take the Night Watchman's tour!

Happy travels!

I don't understand, Ken. St. Peters church is in Munich, the one with the great view down into Marienplatz, the view of the whole city, and, on a clear day, a very scenic view of the Alps. It's right over your right shoulder as you stand in Marienplatz watching the Glockenspiel.

The church in Rothenburg is St. Jakobs, with the carved wood Riemenschneider alter.

I thought the Crime & Punishment Museum was quite interesting, perhaps 1-1.5 hours there in my opinion. I would also suggest staying the night so you can do the Night Watchman Tour which is really great. Rothenburg is a lovely little town. I stopped there right in the middle of my 4 week trip as a place to relax and refresh for a couple of days. Walking the wall gives you a great view of the city too.

Lee, you're absolutely right. I was referring to Rothenburg (and of course St. Jacob's Church) when I posted, but reading through all the names on the list, I inserted the wrong name. At least I got the name correct on my photo site!

Cheers!

Thank you all for your posts! Do any of you have suggestions on how much time we would spend in the churches and /or castles?
Ken, where is you photo site? I would love to see pics!

..."Rhine: Marksburg Castle, Burg Rheinfels, Burg Rheinstein."

Rheinstein is very small - attractive setting, a nice hike from Bingen, but not necessary if pressed for time. I'd suggest Burg Eltz - on the Mosel - before Rheinfels or Rheinstein.

Once you have visited the Frauenkirche in Munich, I suggest a 10 minute stop in nearby Asamkirche. It can be seen in its whole from most any pew. I like my Rococo in small, quick bites and Asam meets this criteria.

Regards, Gary

We just came back from a 28 day tour of which 11 days were fully guided ( Trafalgar Tours). We then proceed to travel on our own for 16 days via a rented vehicle. We found that most places require a minimum of 3 to 4 hours including travel time to an from the areas. When we were at Rothenburg we could have spent the whole day as there is alot to see. Rothenburg has the largest Christmas Store we have ever seen. The Castles take typically 3 hours to see most of them properly. Linderhoff Castle was part of our guided tour and it took 4 hours including travel time. Good luck.

Sammie, We were in Germany last month. I would give Berliner Dom one hour if you are taking a lot of photographs. You can take the stairs to the dome top for more great pics. Good luck.

Two great museums are the Pergamom in Berlin and the Alte Pinokotek in Munich. IMO they are both world class museums. If you are at all interested in art/history, you will be right there. Budget a half day at each.

The Deutches museum has a ton of stuff. You could spend forever there depending on how much you enjoy the exhibits.

Don't miss Rothenburg, it was one of my favorite stops in Germany. The Night Watchman's tour is great fun. I loved just wandering through the town and walking the walls. I'd highly recommend staying at Gerberhaus - nice people and rooms. Also went to both Burg Rheinfels and Marksburg Castle. It was interesting to compare a castle in ruins with one that was not destroyed. We were not able to get an English tour, so missed a bit with a German-speaking guide. We got to both castles via the boats on the Rhine. If you have a Eurail pass you can use it on the boats. The boat trips are great for seeing the little towns on the way and all the castles and ruins.

We just toured Marksburg. From the K/D boat pier in Brubach, allow 4.0 to 5.0 hours. It's about a 30 to 45 minute walk up uphill depending on your pace to reach the Castle from the boat ( or rail) each way, and depending on when you get to the castle, at least 1.5 to 2 hrs to tour it. You can take a tram ride up if it is running, but wheres the fun in that ?

If you have not arranged in advance, ask at the tour desk if there are any English tours, we happened onto a school group from England and tagged along with them...