Germany travel next summer.

Lesley, I have been working on a trip similiar to yours. Landing in Paris, then 3 days in Normandy, then to Switzerland for 3 days, Munich, Salzburg, Hallstadt, Matthausen instad of Dachau, and then Vienna. My trip is 18 days and it will be full. Your trip would be full and fast with Poland on it as it is very much out of the way from everything else. You will get a lot of help from others on this site who have done many trips but think most will tell you with 2 weeks (if that includes over and back days also) you will be pushing it to get to Poland. Good luck, and planning is so much fun. I have changed my plans 3 times already and will probably change 3 more before I finalize it.

Thanks so much for your input, I really do appreciate the advice!! And the websites!

http://picasaweb.google.com/Tom.Luann.Fitzpatrick/Germany_2006

Hi Lesley,
... We have always traveled in Europe by Eurail and have found it a wonderful way to get around. Where trains don't go, busses do. (It's NO WAY like riding an intercity bus in Texas!)
... Tom and Luann took a tour by car (mostly) in Bavaria two years ago. The above link is their collection of pictures, which may give you some ideas of places to visit. It's best to copy the above link with your mouse and paste it into your Internet search box. Then touch your ENTER key on your computer keyboard. When you have the photo thumbnails on screen, click on "slideshow" and you will get a full-screen presentation... Gute Reise!... P

Come on, Perry. "I have always traveled .. by Eurail?" You mean you have always traveled by rail in Europe, but Eurail is not a rail line like Amtrak. To quote from the Eurail website (www.eurail.com), "Eurail is not a railway company itself. This means that there is no such thing as a Eurail train."

OK, back to the point. I think of the three, France (Normandy), Germany (Munich), and Poland, two but not all three.

Germany:

I agree, what's BK?

Munich will take at least two full days, three if you include Dachau (it's a suburb of Munich, but it will take a day). And that's a minimum.

Berchtesgaden will take at least two full days. Add a third to go to Salzburg.

And there is travel time in between.

Lesley,

I suspect that it's going to be very difficult to visit that many cities in such a geographically diverse area in a two week time period. While it may be feasible, you'd end up seeing Europe through the windows of a train, and probably not enjoy the trip. Travelling with a group of six also makes things a bit more complicated.

I have a few further comments and some questions:

• You indicated that you would be flying into France - were you intending to stop in Paris at all?

• Which "Normandy tour" were you referring to?

• What is "BK"?

• Where in Poland do you want to visit?

• While in Munich, were you intending to also visit the Castles in Fussen?

Although there are "challenges" in working with such a short time frame, it's great that you've started on this now. With careful planning, it should be possible to accomplish most of your travel goals.

A few additional thoughts:

You can do Dachau as a day trip from Munich. You might consider Radius Tours, as they take care of all the arrangements and provide an excellent tour.

You can do Berchtesgaden as a day trip from Salzburg. You can either travel there on your own, or use a tour company such as Bob's Special Tours (they also provide a day trip to Hallstatt, which is an incredibly beautiful place, a town that is over 7000 years old!). Was there something particular you want to see in Berchtesgaden, or just the town?

The European rail system is an excellent way to get around, and often faster than travelling by car (ie: high speed trains). Some planning will be required to get some idea of the routes you'll be taking and travel times, as well as the costs.

Is there any possibility you could add a few days or another week? That would certainly help to make the trip more relaxing. Also, consider open-jaw flights (to Paris and home from Munich?).

Good luck!

Morning,

We are not planning on any time in Paris and we are wanting to do the WWII Normandy Day Tour.

BK is Bad Kissingen and that will be optional.

My dad is wanting to go to Szczecin,Poland, we have family from that town.

We have not discussed seeing the castles in Fussen, would you recommend it?

I really, really appreciate all your thoughts and advice!!

Thanks,
Lesley

I also have another question which I'm sure will seem silly but I don't really understand the rail system. Are you able to use the Eurail Pass on the regular city trains? Also, does the Eurail only offer high speed trains?

Also, we have decided to add at least 2 more days to the trip so the we will have 14 full days of vacation time and use the other 2 days for travel.

Lesley

In Germany, the Eurail pass is valid for all trains run by Germany Rail (Die Bahn). That includes not only the high speed long distance trains (ICE,IC,EC) but also regional trains (RE and RB) as well as privately run regional trains (ALX, BOB) operating under privatization policy of DB, AND the S-Bahns. The S-Bahns are high speed commuter trains that go out into the suburbs in several German cities (Munich, Frankfurt). The Eurail pass does not include other modes of transport (U-Bahn, streetcars, and buses in those local transit districts).

See "Extra Pass Benefits" on www.eurail.com.

If you are in the early planning stages you probably haven't committed to the pass. You should realize that you don't need a day of a railpass for local travel in Bavaria.

For instance, Dachau is a suburb of Munich. You can get a Munich XXL Partner Tageskarte (day ticket for up to 5 people for €11,80 (assuming all are adults, the 6th person will need a Single Tageskarte for €6,70). So, for €18,50 you will cover all 6 of you on all transport (buses, streetcars, U-Bahn, AND S-Bahn) in the inner two zones of Munich, all day. This inludes the S-Bahn to/from Dachau as well as the bus from Dachau station to the memorial and back.

For your trip from Munich to Berchtesgaden, if you don't mind regional trains (about ½ hr longer), all six of you can ride from Munich to Berchtesgaden for €46 (€27 for a Bayern-Ticket plus €19 for a Bayern-Ticket-Single).

As for BK, there are a lot of Burger Kings in Germany, you will have to be more specific. (Just kidding) Bad Kissingen is in Bavaria, so you could use the same Bayern-Ticket combination to get from there to Munich, but you might want a faster train. German Rail offers an advance purchase, non-refundable fare called a Dauer-Spezial, for as low as €29 per person on any connection, which includes a high speed train, from BK to Munich. Also, on a full fare ticket (does not include Dauer-Spezial or Bayern-Ticket), any child under 15 is free if declared on the ticket. Finally, with 6 people, you can get a 70% discount off of full fare if you purchase your ticket 14 days in advance. So, there are a lot of options that don't need a railpass.

If at all possible, try to extend your visit to at least 3-4 weeks. Will be well worth it.

Lesley,

Thanks for the additional information!

Which "WWII Normandy Day Tour" are you planning to use? That can be done as a day trip from Paris which covers a few of the "highlights", but not a very comprehensive tour. I assume you're planning to get a Hotel for at least two nights in Paris? You won't be in any shape to head out to Normandy packing all your luggage after disembarking from a long flight.

Lee has provided excellent answers to your rail questions. You might also find it helpful to read the "Rail Skills" chapter in Europe Through The Back Door as it will help you to understand how the European rail systems work. ETBD is an excellent pre-read for anyone travelling to Europe!

Whether or not a Eurail Pass (there are MANY versions!) will be a cost effective option will have to be worked out once you finalize the cities and the order you'll be visiting them. In some cases, point-to-point tickets are a better choice. I don't see any reason to purchase P-P tickets prior to a trip, as these are easy to buy when in Europe. However, a Eurail Pass must be purchased on this side of the pond!

Szczecin is a bit of a LONG trip from Munich, however not too bad from Berlin. Given that you'll have to allow for some travel days, I'd suggest dropping "BK" on this trip. You'll be able to work out the travel details to Poland once some of your other cities are a bit more definite.

Regarding "Mad" King Ludwig's Castles, some feel they're just a "tourist trap", but I believe most visitors find at least one visit to be worthwhile. IMHO, these are worth a visit if time allows. They can easily be done as a day trip from Munich.

Given the short time frame of your trip, I would still recommend seeing Berchtesgaden on a day trip from Salzburg. It's a very small town and while very scenic, I suspect Salzburg would hold more interest for your group (especially in the evenings).

Cheers!

Have you thought about keeping it more up north? For example, instead of Munich, go to Berlin. From Berlin you can visit Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, and Potsdam with its fabulous palace, Sans Soucci (I know that it is probably spelled wrong) and other fantasy creations. Potsdam also has a wonderful Dutch quarter. Poland is more accessible from Berlin. Anyway, just an idea. I never hear anyone talk about Berlin and its surroundings and it is truly a wonderful, exciting city with history just oozing out and spilling out everywhere you look. As to the Normandy trip, someone might as well start advising you to take the Battlebus Tours, as they are the best.

Hey Lesley, looks like you have a lot of info to digest. Planning the trip is almost as much fun as taking the trip. Think about what all the others in your group are missing by not doing all the research. Sorry I can't help with all the rail info but you have some good info already on the rail systems. I do have some other thoughts for you. One post says you will be too tired after the flight and will have to stay in Paris 2 days. Bull! You will land in Paris in the morning and have plenty of time to get to Normandy. I highly recommend Bayeux as a place to stay. Jo, mentioned Battlebus Tours and from all the info everyone posts "Battlebus Tours Are The Best". You must be staying in or close to Bayeux to reserve with Battlebus as they require your hotel or B&B info for the reservation. They have several tours available and your group will applaud you for finding such a great tour.
I'm sure not an expert on travel in Europe but I did live there for 5 years and have been back twice. If you have places you want to see. SEE THEM. Don't change your plans and regret later that you missed something. Munich, Salzburg, & Berchtesgarden are all worth your time. They are great places to visit. Please add Hattstadt Austria for 1 day and 1 night if possible. I can't help with Poland. It is well out of the way from all the other places you want to visit. Noticed you added a couple days to your trip so that will help. You may have to fly or take a train from Paris to Berlin. Do your Poland trip and then go south and end in Munich.

I would suggest Rick Steve's "Europe Thru The Back Door, 2009" and also his book on Germany&Austria. Great books for the first time traveler or a seasoned traveler. Good Luck with your planning and have fun.

Thanks TC, I appreciate the reply and support. I am having a blast doing the planning....almost like I'm there! We are planning to do as much as possible. I figure I can get some rest when I get home!!

Lesley