Family holiday in Germany

dodo69

We are thinking of taking a couple of weeks in Germany this summer maybe taking an apartment or house somewhere with some fun things to do. My daughter is learning German for GCSE and needs some practice and I had a few days in the Black Forest years ago which I enjoyed. Any thoughts?

richardw

They speak plenty of German at Cala Ratjada, Mallorca http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=cala+ratjada&hl=en&safe=off&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=8CIcT8HMD4eWhQfnhuSxDA&ved=0CGoQsAQ&biw=1274&bih=628

wdw2003

I suppose it depends on what you and/or your daughter consider fun. If you like the outdoors, you'll have plenty to do in the Alpine towns of Garmisch, Berchtesgaden or Oberstdorf, including hiking, cable cars, parascending, mountain biking etc. There's also loads of castles to visit, such as the fairytale one of Neuschwanstein near Fussen. You could maybe combine a week in the Alps with a week in Munich, where there's plenty to do. You can get cheap (29 Euros) day train passes throughout Bavaria (inc. Salzburg) and also visit medieval towns like Rothenburg and Dinkelsbuhl.

Of course, Cala Ratjada has sun...

Poly,put_the_kettle_on

I'd highly recommend the Black Forest- and a visit to Neuschwanstein is a must. The scenery is beautiful, the people in the main are lovely and the food is great too. Berchtesgaden and the Eagles Nest are great if any of you are interested in history- or just go up there for the views! Europa Park near Freiburg is a good day out if you're into theme parks. There's an absolute wealth of stuff to do in the area once you start looking.

skint_chick

I've spent a lot of time in Bavaria and find the people really friendly and willing to help with German practice. We've stayed at a lot of German campsites and they're always so clean and have great facilities. Neuschwanstein is lovely but you should book online in advance because it's very busy - day trips from Munich can easily be booked. I've also stayed around Berchtesgaden which was interesting from a historical point of view and there's lots of sporty stuff to do. If I was you I was consider a stay in Munich and then onto Salzburg - easily manageable by public transport (cheaper to do Munich first then Salzburg if you have the flight options because the train's much cheaper that way round) because getting around by car does take as long as public transport.

Have you checked out the BBC website and the TES website for some German resources - you don't have to be a teacher to register and maybe a language exchange chatroom - although I would check out who's using them to avoid any weird internet pervs

judygarland

If you are into cycling I would recommend staying in Baiersbronn in the Black Forest. Stunning area. Many Michelin starred restaurants and the people very friendly.

The cycle route is actually 63kms and it's mostly downhill from Baiersbronn. The route actually follows a railway line and you can cycle from station to station and then return on the train. Our accommodation offered free train travel and issued us with a tourist pass on arrival.

There are lots of places to visit within an hour. Europa Park in Rust for a theme park day out or Strasbourg for a taste of France just over the border.

The people in the Black Forest are very friendly towards the Brits and I think this must be because it's usually the older tourist that visits from the UK not the lager lout types.

Baden Baden (the spa town) is not too far too

Backbiter

wdw2003 wrote: »

I suppose it depends on what you and/or your daughter consider fun. If you like the outdoors, you'll have plenty to do in the Alpine towns of Garmisch, Berchtesgaden or Oberstdorf, including hiking, cable cars, parascending, mountain biking etc. There's also loads of castles to visit, such as the fairytale one of Neuschwanstein near Fussen. You could maybe combine a week in the Alps with a week in Munich, where there's plenty to do. You can get cheap (29 Euros) day train passes throughout Bavaria (inc. Salzburg) and also visit medieval towns like Rothenburg and Dinkelsbuhl.

Of course, Cala Ratjada has sun...

Just to clarify, these passes are day passes but only for weekends, but are valid for up to 5 people travelling together, so less than 6 euros per person. They are valid all over Bavaria and into Salzburg as well.

Germany is great for families. The areas recommended so far are all great, and all are in the south. Freiburg and Munich especially have a lot going for them. Europa Park is a top theme park, and there's a fantastic water park called Galaxy near Munich which is well worth a visit.

If you go to Munich, public transport is amazing. You can get a Partner ticket for 5 adults for under 20 euros a day, covering the entire network.

totallybored

Backbiter wrote: »

Just to clarify, these passes are day passes but only for weekends, but are valid for up to 5 people travelling together, so less than 6 euros per person. They are valid all over Bavaria and into Salzburg as well.

Isn't there a weekday one for a few Euros more? It's the same as the schoneswochenende ticket but has a slightly different name. I bought one in Cologne.

martindow

Is it this?

http://www.bahn.de/regional/view/regionen/bayern/freizeit/bayernticket.shtml

29 Euros per day/ 5 people. The weekend tickets are the same price but cover the whole weekend.

KitKat00

what if you're not a sporty person and can't ride a bike? I want to go to Germany next year but the sporty stuff is out for me on the main part

totallybored

martindow wrote: »

Is it this?

http://www.bahn.de/regional/view/regionen/bayern/freizeit/bayernticket.shtml

29 Euros per day/ 5 people. The weekend tickets are the same price but cover the whole weekend.

That looks like it. They have a different name depending on the local region.

I'm sure they used to let you take a dog too when I was a student!