Europe (Germany) Guided Travel Recommendations

[MeanDean]

Am tentatively planning a trip to Europe. Thinking September time frame. Planning on flying to London and spending time there self guided. Then train to Liverpool for a few days. I have been to England before (though it was 25 years ago) and feel confident in making my way around there.

The next part is the portion of the trip I'm looking for help with. After Liverpool the plan is to fly to directly to Germany (Berlin?) and spend about 4-5 days. Then fly home. Not sure what to see there specifically. Maybe the Berlin Wall stuff? Was also thinking we'd like to see some of the Alpine region and throw in some castle(s). I have ancestors who migrated from Baden Baden so perhaps that? Since it will be my first time on the continent I'm not confident (or let's say mentally secure enough) to handle the variables and book travel and select things worth seeing in Germany on my own. Does anyone have suggestion as to travel companies or tour business that offer guided tours in Germany that come close to covering what I'm thinking of for the Germany portion of the trip? I've looked on line and have not been satisfied with what I'm finding.

Two single males. Both above 60. Decent physical condition but too too much walking day after day would probably not be pleasurable. No kids.

TIA for any input.

PS: Not considering the Ireland football option so no reason to suggest something bouncing from there.

 

[BCClone]

Go end of September and hit Octoberfest in Stuttgart. You won’t be able to walk after enough.

 

[ISUTex]

Am tentatively planning a trip to Europe. Thinking September time frame. Planning on flying to London and spending time there self guided. Then train to Liverpool for a few days. I have been to England before (though it was 25 years ago) and feel confident in making my way around there.

The next part is the portion of the trip I'm looking for help with. After Liverpool the plan is to fly to directly to Germany (Berlin?) and spend about 4-5 days. Then fly home. Not sure what to see there specifically. Maybe the Berlin Wall stuff? Was also thinking we'd like to see some of the Alpine region and throw in some castle(s). I have ancestors who migrated from Baden Baden so perhaps that? Since it will be my first time on the continent I'm not confident (or let's say mentally secure enough) to handle the variables and book travel and select things worth seeing in Germany on my own. Does anyone have suggestion as to travel companies or tour business that offer guided tours in Germany that come close to covering what I'm thinking of for the Germany portion of the trip? I've looked on line and have not been satisfied with what I'm finding.

Two single males. Both above 60. Decent physical condition but too too much walking day after day would probably not be pleasurable. No kids.

TIA for any input.

PS: Not considering the Ireland football option so no reason to suggest something bouncing from there.

If you're going to Germany go to Bavaria/Munich.

 

[flycy]

Go end of September and hit Octoberfest in Stuttgart. You won’t be able to walk after enough.

Octoberfest is in Munich, Germans I know would get upset at you for calling a festival in Stuttgart Octoberfest. There is a base there, so maybe some call it that for the Americans.

 

[WISCY1895]

Germany is not that large of a country and the infrastructure is excellent. Germany is basically the geographic size of Montana. If I were you I’d just rent a car with an English speaking gps system.

Bavaria is great but there are other good spots in southern Germany. There is a cool town on the Rhine called Bacharach. Really cool historical town. Drank at a bar that opened in 1356. You can also jump on a boat there and take a short ride up and down the river. Some castles to tour in that region as well.

The Black Forest region near Freiburg has some awesome hot mineral springs.

 

[mramseyISU]

The train in Germany is a great way to get around. I've spent a lot of time around Mannheim for work so most of my experience is between there and Frankfurt. Heidelberg is worth a visit I think, your not too far from there to Strasbourg in France. I also really enjoy Switzerland and Austria.

 

[Seniku]

For Germany, I really liked mixing a couple of guided day trips with my own wandering. Munich was a great base for that, especially for places like Dachau or Neuschwanstein
For flights, I booked my premium seats through https://travelbusinessclass.com and it saved me a chunk of cash while still getting me into Europe rested enough to hit the ground running

 

[cytor]

Tons of WW2 historical things to see. The Bavarian area is really cool. See the Neuschwanstein castle for sure.

 

[dmclone]

Tons of WW2 historical things to see. The Bavarian area is really cool. See the Neuschwanstein castle for sure.

I must be the only person in the world who didn't enjoy the castle. Yes, we've all seen this lovely picture, but being stuck on a bridge with 1,000 other people taking the exact same picture is not my idea of fun. Seemed like disney world to me.

 

[t.m.]

Completely different vibe than doing it more on your own, but for a small "taste" of different areas, my wife and I enjoyed doing a riverboat cruise (we did Viking, but there are others). Started in Zurich, and spent a week on the Rhine, stopping in different towns every day. Each stop had basic guided tours, or could pay for upgraded experiences, or did some days wandering around on our own. Boat is basically a floating hotel/meals, that moves mostly at night.

At least with Viking, it's definitely an older crowd. 18 is minimum age, but as a couple of 50 year olds, we were in the youngest 10? people out of a boat of 190.

We liked it enough to do another longer one this fall. 2 weeks, with start in Amsterdam and finish in Avignon, France.

 

[Frak]

I must be the only person in the world who didn't enjoy the castle. Yes, we've all seen this lovely picture, but being stuck on a bridge with 1,000 other people taking the exact same picture is not my idea of fun. Seemed like disney world to me. View attachment 171112

View attachment 171113

We went last summer. That castle wasn't high on my list, but the wife wanted to see it so we went. It was OK. Not something I'd want to see again. Munich was fun though. The big beer halls were a blast. I would not go during Oktoberfest...it was crowded enough in August when we went. My favorite parts other than the beer halls were the Dachau concentration camp and then a day trip to Bertchesgaden (Hitler's Eagles Nest). I'm a WW2 fan, so these were right up my alley. After around 4 days there, we spent another 4 up in the mountains of Switzerland. Gimmewald area. That was amazing.

My main advice is try to pack everything you need in a carry on and backpack. Use the hotel laundry service if you need to. Lugging around huge suitcases on trains is a PIA. Also, roll with the punches when you get on the wrong train. It happens.

 

[dmclone]

We went last summer. That castle wasn't high on my list, but the wife wanted to see it so we went. It was OK. Not something I'd want to see again. Munich was fun though. The big beer halls were a blast. I would not go during Oktoberfest...it was crowded enough in August when we went. My favorite parts other than the beer halls were the Dachau concentration camp and then a day trip to Bertchesgaden (Hitler's Eagles Nest). I'm a WW2 fan, so these were right up my alley. After around 4 days there, we spent another 4 up in the mountains of Switzerland. Gimmewald area. That was amazing.

My main advice is try to pack everything you need in a carry on and backpack. Use the hotel laundry service if you need to. Lugging around huge suitcases on trains is a PIA. Also, roll with the punches when you get on the wrong train. It happens.

The time we were in Munich, it was 3 weeks before Octoberfest, which was perfect for me. So many legendary beer gardens. We spent one day/night in Ehrwald and went to the top of Zugspitze. This was probably 10 years ago.

Last month we went to Budapest--Vienna--Salzburg--Innsbruck. We then took a 3 hour train to Zurich on the Transalpin, which is highly recommended. Some of the best views I've ever seen in Europe.