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International Travel Group Meeting - Sunday, July 7 @ 9:30a.m. Pacific Time

If you like to talk about travel then please join us. We welcome everyone, no matter where you live.

Each meeting there will be topics to discuss. One topic will be focused on a country or large city. Please make suggestions of future places you may want to talk about. It could be a destination you are going to or considering, or even a place that you have a lot of knowledge of and would like to share with others.

Topics for this month:

  • Germany
  • Tours vs. Independent travel. What are the pros and cons of each?

Let me know in a reply to this post or with a PM if you are interested in joining us. If you have participated previously I already have your email address. If you haven’t you will need to send it to me in a PM.

I will be emailing the Zoom link an hour or two before the meeting begins.

If you have told me you want to attend and then find out you can’t make it I would appreciate you letting me know.

Ideas for future meetings are welcome and can be brought up during the meeting or you can PM me if you prefer.

Future meetings will be -

August 11 (note this is the 2nd Sunday)
September 1
No meeting in October because I will be traveling

Posted by
5122 posts

Yes, please. Within these past 2 years, I'm actually able to weigh in on this discussion! Though, it's still a variable on a sliding scale for each trip.

Posted by
2684 posts

When did our group name change from International to Independent? I didn't get my mail-in ballot.

Include me, though, please.

Posted by
10507 posts

Avi, it’s Independence Day weekend of course! Well, that and autocorrect is the only thing I can think of. Lol, I’m changing it now. Thanks for catching it.

Posted by
10507 posts

Robin, I hope the problem from last month doesn’t occur again. Fingers crossed!

Posted by
4124 posts

I’m home from vacation and would love to join. Haven’t been to Germany in years but am thinking of making a return visit soon.

Posted by
1404 posts

Andrea, please add me to the meeting. I’m interested in learning a bit about Germany- I haven’t been back since my father was stationed in Garmisch in the 1960’s. Looking forward to getting some ideas for a trip in 2025

Posted by
10507 posts

TTM, I’m sorry you can’t make it but you will be required to attend next month for the city topic that you know so much about.

Posted by
138 posts

Please add me! I loved my visit to Germany a few years ago. Would love to go back. Hmmmm, should I travel independently or find a tour????

Posted by
33392 posts

I don't know our timetable for the 7th yet but if able I'd love to join. Love Germany. Yup.

Posted by
10507 posts

Ms. Jo, I am looking forward to seeing you and getting your valuable insights to Germany. It’s one of my favorite countries. I’m looking forward to trip #9 in October.

Posted by
3459 posts

Andrea, I would love to join if there is room. I have been to Germany twice, 1984, 2023. Planning a return to Munich, Erfurt, Leipzig, Berlin and Dresden in 2026.

Posted by
3299 posts

Andrea, Is there still room for Sunday's Zoom? If so, I'd like to join.

I bounce back and forth on going to Berlin or not so I think I'd benefit from this meeting. And, of course, there's always the pros and cons of tours vs independent travels.

Posted by
7463 posts

Andrea, I'm going to try my darndest to make it—I love Germany and I love independent travel! But my son-in-law and grandson are leaving for Helsinki that day so it might be a bit chaotic. However, I THINK they are taking the shuttle to the airport around mid-morning, which means they should be gone by 11:30 am.

Thanks!!!

Posted by
2121 posts

Hi Andrea,

Son is in town wanting to meet for breakfast tomorrow so I won’t be able to attend. Next time.

Posted by
10507 posts

Diane, thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it. I hope you have a nice visit with your son.

Posted by
9122 posts

For themes in Germany, I can give information on the following. Not sure it is helpful, but I often get messages from people asking me about Hamburg, Bremen, Bonn, Garmish, Munich, etc. and I don't really know much about them.
Frankfurt
Mainz
Worms
Büdigen
Limburg
Marburg
Seligenstadt
Idstein
Michelstadt
Speyer
Wiesbaden
Eltville & Eberbach Monastery
Rüdesheim
St. Goar
Burg Rheinfels & Marksburg
Kronberg
Bad Homburg, Hessen Park Open Air Museum, Saalburg Roman Fort
Heidelberg
Oberammergau
Berlin
Concentration Camps - Sachsenhausen, Bergen-Belsen, Ravensbrück, Dachau, Osthafen, and Hadamar Mental Hospital
Christmas markets

Posted by
10507 posts

Barbara, no problem. Just join when you can.

Posted by
10507 posts

Thanks Ms. Jo, we welcome all the good information you have to share.

Posted by
10507 posts

Andrea, you’re on the list. Everyone who has requested to join is as well.

Poppi, I sent you a PM but haven’t heard back from you with your email address. If I don’t receive it by 7:30 you will not be able to attend this month.

Posted by
138 posts

Good Morning!!! Sorry for the last minute message, but I have to miss this morning....on a last-minute trip to Monterey. It's beautiful and cool here! Have a good time ya'll! I know you will!!!!

Posted by
138 posts

Oh man......I know MsJo will have lots of good information! You are going to have a great meeting!!!

Posted by
10507 posts

Oops, I forgot to post that I sent the link to everyone at 7:35.

Jody, I don’t blame you for going to Monterey. I wish I was there. It will be 110 here today, vs. 69 in Monterey.

Posted by
2684 posts

Thanks for bringing us together, A & J .

I may post an item in the recommended books section about the article by Timothy Garton Ash about recent German history.

Posted by
10507 posts

Thanks for the links, Nigel. And thanks to Ms. Jo for her knowledge of Germany and to everyone who attended.

Posted by
138 posts

Andrea - thank you for being your usual gracious self. Monterey was beautiful and cold. (Crazy with all the heat everywhere.) I know you had a great meeting....Hope to see you all next month!

Posted by
10507 posts

Jody, I’m envious of your being cold. At least you can put something on to warm up. This heat is just relentless. I hope to see you next month.