stunsworth Posted January 29, 2012 Share #21  Posted January 29, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) I may stay a few days longer and rent a car suitable for the Nurburgring  If you decide to go ahead with this read your rental agreement very, very, carefully. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 29, 2012 Posted January 29, 2012 Hi stunsworth, Take a look here Germany trip. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Digitom Posted January 29, 2012 Share #22  Posted January 29, 2012 If you go by train (what I recommend although if you are a car fan) it is also highly recommended to book 1st class. Many of my friends from other countries do. Reason is easy: due to the fact the Intercity Express trains are very heavy frequented by many communters every day, also on weekends the trains are more then full with families and group travellers in addition to the commuters who travel home on sat/sun. There is no reservation required so many people travelling shorter distances (up to 1 hour) are standing. So it is very more convenient to travel 1st class, the money is worth the service and more room you have. Also then you can use the DB Lounges at bigger train stations like Munic Nurnberg, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Berlin, Hamburg etc. free. Also, as I mentioned, make always a reservation!  To Solms it takes by train 1:30 hours. There IS a train stop, do not be surprised that Solms "station" is more then small :-) - it is a village stop, no train station at all, no services there. Only a sign "Solms" and a bench...and then it is not so easy to come to Leica Factory from there. So alternatively I recommend to go from Frankfurt to Wetzlar City, and then with Taxi to Solm directly to Leica factory. Wetzlar is a nice city, a pretty attractive mall near the train station and a much more nicer old town around the cathedral which is about a 20minutes walk from train station beyond the river Lahn and up to a little hill Be aware not to go there on saturday, the little shops in the old city are not open long, compared to bigger cities.  Have a nice trip to my country  Greetings Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carcam Posted January 29, 2012 Author Share #23 Â Posted January 29, 2012 Hey Boca- I will pick up Rick Steve's book and thanks for the tips. I would love to rent a car and get lost but have to think of the other members of the group. I know for sure I'm avoiding that roller coaster in Munich! I may PM you as I get closer- thanks again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carcam Posted January 29, 2012 Author Share #24  Posted January 29, 2012 Have a nice trip to my country  Greetings  Great advice digitom. This is my maiden voyage and I hope to return soon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted January 29, 2012 Share #25  Posted January 29, 2012 ...Having been in Munich during Okfest, I have to say that it was disappointing. Expecting jovial camaraderie, lederhosen and oompah music, the reality was quite different and alarming especially later in the evening. I was there with my wife, and it made her feel very uncomfortable to be surrounded by large, loud, very drunk men acting aggressive and shouting in a language she didn't understand. Nothing bad happened, but she was scared and that put me on edge. We found ourselves much happier in the smaller villages, where the beer is just as good and the atmosphere more congenial. Feel free to PM me if I can be of any further help.  I've been twice; first time 1984 which I enjoyed; second time, 2007. Locals said it isn't what it used to be, and I agree. The place is packed; you could hardly move. We couldn't get a place at a beer tent; many are booked out or we would have had to have gone in the morning. It's a worth a visit but don't expect too much. The Hofbräuhaus in the center of town, though touristy, is also fun, as well as the Viktualienmarkt (see above).  Germans love celebrating and can get loud and hearty, but very rarely aggressive; I have never seen it. Yes, they drink a lot. "Ein Mass Bier" is 1 liter. But they always eat something with it and are very controlled. Aggressive behavior reported at the Oktoberfest has tended to come for tourists from Anglo-Saxon countries who go there just to get smashed.  Indeed, because alcohol is part of the culture, it is treated with respect from the earliest age. I agree visiting some of the biergartens in little villages is well worth while. Food is also fantastic and served in vast quantities, especially in country pubs. Stock up with a hearty breakfast of cheese, meats, and breads to keep you going for the next few hours. Try a Bierlauchsuppe (wild garlic soup) for lunch, and infinite varieties of sausages. Bavaria is south of the Weißwurstäquator (the white sausage border). You must eat it before noon. Also try pfannkuchen (pancakes).  I lived in Germany for a while back in the eighties and again in 1990, and have visited several times. Berlin is a great city if you can make it, but there is a lot to see.  Friends drove me around some places, but because public transport is some of the best in the world, there really is no need to hire a car if you don't want to. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralf Posted January 30, 2012 Share #26 Â Posted January 30, 2012 If you decide to go ahead with this read your rental agreement very, very, carefully. Â Could you please expand a little more on this? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted January 30, 2012 Share #27 Â Posted January 30, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Could you please expand a little more on this? Â It's highly likely that the contract will exclude using the car for motor sports. If you have an accident you will have to pay for any repairs yourself. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralf Posted January 30, 2012 Share #28  Posted January 30, 2012 It's highly likely that the contract will exclude using the car for motor sports. If you have an accident you will have to pay for any repairs yourself.  Thanks, are you refering to the Nürburgring or the Autobahn? As you mostlikely know, there is no speed limit on either one except for designated areas (construction, noise redtion etc.) on the latter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted January 30, 2012 Share #29 Â Posted January 30, 2012 Rental cars will be insured for the Autobahn, but not for private race tracks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted January 30, 2012 Share #30  Posted January 30, 2012 Thanks, are you refering to the Nürburgring or the Autobahn? As you mostlikely know, there is no speed limit on either one except for designated areas (construction, noise redtion etc.) on the latter.  I was responding to the OP's post...  "I may stay a few days longer and rent a car suitable for the Nurburgring".  I've driven in Germany many times, and seen cars hurtle by me an incredible speeds - especially considering most of the Autobahns seem to be only two lanes in each direction. I imagine there are a few accidents every year where someone pulls out of the nearside lane without checking their mirrors correctly. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fernmelder Posted January 30, 2012 Share #31 Â Posted January 30, 2012 About that travel book guide: Why is nearly every US travel guide book advising only to visit the southern part? What about Lower Saxony, Bremen, Hamburg, the Baltic sea coast? Is it only due to the former US-zone of occupation after the war or what? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralf Posted January 30, 2012 Share #32 Â Posted January 30, 2012 Rental cars will be insured for the Autobahn, but not for private race tracks. Â Thanks again, I knew that; I thougt that Stuntsworth was pulling a joke Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted January 30, 2012 Share #33 Â Posted January 30, 2012 A few years ago, I was driven from Munich along the Autobahn which passes past the BMW factory, out into the hills on the way to Austria. Â We were tanking along at 100mph + in a VW crew bus, and could hear the Maseratis, the Ferraris and Porsches approaching from behind. They were closing on us at 50mph or more. Â I asked our driver whether there are many accidents on these two lane roads. He said not that often considering the danger, as people have impecable lane discipline, but when they do get them, they are big ones. Watch out for trucks pulling out to pass slower ones... Â I've driven on them and the inside plane is the place to be, unless you are also driving an M, F or P... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Gunst Lund Posted January 30, 2012 Share #34 Â Posted January 30, 2012 Rental cars will be insured for the Autobahn, but not for private race tracks. Â Yes and many kilometers of Autobahn is without speed limits, Driving in Germany is really nice if you like speed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted January 30, 2012 Share #35 Â Posted January 30, 2012 But, only if you are used to it, have a car that is capable of it, and haven't just left the Oktoberfest... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralf Posted January 30, 2012 Share #36  Posted January 30, 2012 A few years ago, I was driven from Munich along the Autobahn which passes past the BMW factory, out into the hills on the way to Austria. We were tanking along at 100mph + in a VW crew bus, and could hear the Maseratis, the Ferraris and Porsches approaching from behind. They were closing on us at 50mph or more.  I asked our driver whether there are many accidents on these two lane roads. He said not that often considering the danger, as people have impecable lane discipline, but when they do get them, they are big ones. Watch out for trucks pulling out to pass slower ones...  I've driven on them and the inside plane is the place to be, unless you are also driving an M, F or P...  Typographical error, I guess you mean 150 mph. When you really look at it, there are not too many parts of the Autobahn left, where this is possible. As I said earlier, there are more and more limits being imposed, partially not just due to construction, noise reduction, pollution etc, but also by regional authorities for no reason other than gainig votes for the next election. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted January 30, 2012 Share #37  Posted January 30, 2012 They were driving at 150mph +, so they were closing on us at 50mph, given that we were doing 100mph  You need to be very aware of the people pulling out from the inside lane, doing 60mph, when you are doing 100mph more than them.  Make sure the brakes on that rental car are working properly.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Gunst Lund Posted January 30, 2012 Share #38 Â Posted January 30, 2012 Audi A6 Avant, racing suspension 19" wheels, cruising at 180 to 220 km/h is normal, top speed is 260 km/h... We drive to/through Germany many times each year, I really enjoy it. Take care!... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 30, 2012 Share #39 Â Posted January 30, 2012 Take an ICE-Train and enjoy sometimes at 380 km/h looking on all those slow Porsches, Mercedes and BMWs stucking in many traffic jams... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralf Posted January 30, 2012 Share #40 Â Posted January 30, 2012 Take an ICE-Train and enjoy sometimes at 380 km/h looking on all those slow Porsches, Mercedes and BMWs stucking in many traffic jams... Â That is wise, alternatively go to the north shore by the A 31, no traffic, no speedlimits! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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