wineismylife
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts:12246
 | | 01/15/2007 1:14 AM |
| My son graduated from high school in May. His one request was he'd like to go to Germany so he can practice his German he spent four years learning in high school. How can I say no to such a scholarly pursuit? So we're finally going to take the trip during Spring break in March. This will be a Father-Son only trip.
Right now based on what little I can get out of the young lad I'm leaning towards flying into Berlin and out of Munich. We'll spend roughly half the trip in each area with a one day train trip between via either the Saale-Unstrut or Sachsen wine regions (yes, he likes wine). For current discussion I'm looking for any and all suggestions people might have like hotel recommendations in each city, restaurants, can't miss sites, whatever. No rules. Just looking for any personal experiences possible so I can finish building the trip from there.
Thanks. | |
Joe
-----
Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
|
whiner
Second star to the right, and straight on till morning
Wine Thief
Posts:2875
| | 01/15/2007 1:25 AM |
| I have no experience with either city, but if Koln, the Mosel wine region, or the Black Forrest make it into your travel plans...
Have fun! | |
I can't listen to that much Wagner. I start getting the urge to conquer Poland.
-- Woody Allen | |
|
jason
Napa Valley
Wine Addict
Posts:6876
| | 01/15/2007 1:40 AM |
| | I can only speak to the wine in these two anbaugebiete's, but if you had to go to one I would shoot for Saale-Unstrut. Specifically speaking to either Pawis or Weingut Lutzkendorf. Both are in the Bereich of Schloss Neuenburg and the Grosslage of Schweigenberg. Pawis is in the village of Freyburg and Lutzkendorf in Karsdorf. For better or worse you are looking at Mullar-Thurgau, Sylvaner and Weissburgunder country, not really any good Rieslings yet. | | | |
|
wineismylife
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts:12246
| | 01/15/2007 1:54 AM |
| Agree Aloha. That's the region I'm leaning towards as well. My hope is I'll stumble across some gems since most of the wine made there stays there. We'll see.
whiner, i'll let you know if he flip flops the trip to the eastern portion of Germany. Then the floodgates of good wine opens up.
In short, this trip is for him. Whatever he wants, he gets. I'm quite literally jumping off a train for part of a day if I can to taste. I'm mostly interested in basics of hotel, restaurants and sights at this early stage so that I can start booking stuff, especially the air. | |
Joe
-----
Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
|
wineismylife
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts:12246
| | 01/20/2007 5:55 PM |
| *BUMP*
Airlines have been booked. We're definitely flying into Berlin and out of Munich with a train ride in between. If nobody has any specific hotel recommendations for Berlin can anybody recommend a general area where an annoying American tourist such as myself should look for a hotel?  | |
Joe
-----
Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
|
winebrat
Sacramento, Ca.
Barrel Sampler
Posts:2326
| | 01/21/2007 5:23 PM |
| | my biggest recommendation is to do a day trip from Munich to Salzburg. Berlin is probably the second best clubbin city in Europe if your son and you want to let loose one evening. | |
"Everyday is worthy of a glass of sparkling wine" - Andrea Immer MS | |
|
jflegler
Grape Truck Driver
Posts:37
| | 01/25/2007 3:03 PM |
| Quote:
my biggest recommendation is to do a day trip from Munich to Salzburg. Berlin is probably the second best clubbin city in Europe if your son and you want to let loose one evening.
If you do this and have time, look into a visit to Hitler's Eagles Nest in Bertesgarten. As I recall, it is very close to Salzburg. This is the house atop a mountain in the German Alps that the Nazis built for Hitler for his 50th birthday. You have to take a bus up a scary, windy road and then get in a gold plated elevator to reach the house.
The views are nothing short of jaw dropping. Supposedly you can see 4 countries from the house. We did this 20 years ago (can't believe it's been that long!) when my high school German class spent 3 weeks in Germany. I'm kind of a WWII buff, so maybe I was into more than the average person. Still very cool.
Have fun and don't miss the Hofbrauhaus in Munich! | | | |
|
Al_ksyrah
Barrel Filler
Posts:1044
| | 01/25/2007 3:28 PM |
| I'd second the rec's on both Salzburg and the Eagles Nest. There are also the castles of Mad Ludwig in the general Munich area.
-Al | | | |
|
jflegler
Grape Truck Driver
Posts:37
| | 01/25/2007 6:50 PM |
| Quote:
There are also the castles of Mad Ludwig in the general Munich area.
-Al
Neuschwanstein - castle you reference...very good call
Dachau - just outside Munich...Nazi concentration camp memorial which is open for tours | | | |
|
JimmyV
Central Connecticut
Wine Connoisseur
Posts:5107
| | 01/25/2007 9:14 PM |
| I agree with the recommendations of Dachau, Neuschwanstein (picture 1), Eagle's Nest (picture 3), and I'll toss in a trip to see Oberamagau, which is close by as well. Home of the Passion Play, and a ridiculously well preserved Bavarian town. Linderhof (picture 2) is another of Ludwig's castles, and the one he actually used, as opposed to the unfinished Neuschwanstein. Close by and worth a look.
 | |
Beta testing a new signature. | |
|
David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts:15756
| | 01/26/2007 5:45 AM |
| `````````````
Wow! That looks absolutly amazing. Can one stay there (i.e. like a hotel)?
| | | |
|
Al_ksyrah
Barrel Filler
Posts:1044
| | 01/26/2007 6:01 AM |
| Can't stay there, just as well since it's more beautiful than comfy.
-Al | | | |
|
wineismylife
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts:12246
| | 01/26/2007 2:28 PM |
| | Those are both on our hit list as a day trip out of Munich the Friday or Saturday before we return home. I've been to both myself. Outstanding. | |
Joe
-----
Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
|
wineismylife
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts:12246
| | 01/26/2007 6:21 PM |
| Thanks for the tips.
Time for an update. The airfares are booked and the hotel is booked. In Berlin we're staying at a new hotel called Melia. Location looks excellent for sightseeing. I'll report back. In Munich we're staying at Mercure Altstadt. Basic hotel right next to Marienplatz. Once again, I'll report back.
Now onto restaurants! Any can't miss recommendations? | |
Joe
-----
Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
|
wineismylife
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts:12246
| | 03/02/2007 5:12 PM |
| *BUMP*
If anybody can recommend some places to eat in Berlin or Munich I'd appreciate it. All ranges from basic German lunches to wine friendly restaurants would be appreciated.
TIA. | |
Joe
-----
Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
|
whiner
Second star to the right, and straight on till morning
Wine Thief
Posts:2875
| | 03/03/2007 12:46 PM |
| | I think you'll love Neuschwanstein. Wis I could help you with restaurant recs... | |
I can't listen to that much Wagner. I start getting the urge to conquer Poland.
-- Woody Allen | |
|
kpak
Alaska
Wine Thief
Posts:2962
| | 03/03/2007 6:56 PM |
| Munich: I know it seems touristy, but...Ratskeller is fun.
Almost any Bierstube
well-reviewed:
Boettner's
Tantris
Les Cuisiniers
Schindler's Schnitzel
Neuschwanstein is beautiful
so is Hohenschwangau
and Herrenchiemsee
| |
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits...
ps - friends don't let friends eat farmed salmon. | |
|