Re: Invitation

hannover-l
1

Everyone who replied:

Thank you for some very good advice on visiting Germany and doing some
research. I think a combination of a tour for someone like me who needs orientation
and some time to go on my own probably will be the way to go. I love to
travel but my husband has some physical problems so I know he would feel better
with me going with a group. I enjoy Rick Steve's programs of touring
Europe/Germany and wonder if anyone is familiar with his tours. Thanks again.

In a message dated 1/28/2006 8:53:54 PM Eastern Standard Time,
raybarbara@comcast.net writes:

Hello,

I just want to say that Germany is not a hard place to drive and find
your own way around. If you rent a car, you can go on your own, at your own
pace, and with a really good detailed map (like my Falk autoatlas), you can
find what you need. Having a human navigator, i.e. map-reader, is most
useful. We've gone to Germany twice and loved it. You need not be afraid of
the autobahn (stay in the slower lane and let the fast drivers pass you by).
It can be congested in the larger cities--we've gotten "lost" in a few
European cities, but somehow always found our way. The best story I know is
when my sister and husband went into Köln (Cologne) about 10 pm on a
Saturday night. They went to the city center and there were cars and people
everywhere. They saw a hotel and managed to park the car in the reserved
parking in front and went in to make arrangements for a room. They left
their luggage in the hotel and went out to move the car to a lot supposedly
down the street. They missed the turn and didn't see it. Then tried to go
back and, of course, everything becomes a blur. The worst part of it was
they realized they didn't even know the name of the hotel and they had left
their luggage there! Around midnight they finally found it -- Whenever
you make a wrong turn in a big city .... But that goes for American big
cities as well.

And, yes, allow a lot of time to do your own research. It ALWAYS takes
longer than you think!! That is why some of my loose ends in the Emsland
area are still hanging - Bavaria as well.

The best part of all is seeing the towns/cities where your ancestors
came from! It is so wonderful. Their cemeteries are so nicely kept -- but
don't hope to find anything in most places earlier than 50 years or so. You
just can't do all that on a tour.

Barbara

2

Hi,
     The only tour we have ever taken in Europe was a Rick Steves' tour to
Italy. It was in 2003 and it was wonderful. We took a tour because we had
heard rumors about driving in Italy. Having been there, we don't think that
traffic there is that much worse than anywhere else. It was a Bed, Bus and
Breakfast Tour that allowed more freedom to do things on our own. Great
driver and great tourguide. Steves always chooses hotels that are right in
the heart of a town--they are not chain hotels, but smaller and very
friendly. Small groups, less than 30. You have to pack light because you are
responsible for carrying your own luggage. You have to be fit, because the
tours include a lot of walking. The nice thing is NO TIPPING to the driver
or the guide. Steves pays a good enough salary to those people - that will
prevent the driver from having "deals" with any store owners and the like.
    We did find it quite a bit more expensive than going on our own. But
most tours are. It is very well-organized and you won't be sorry. It was a
wonderful experience. And it is certainly great for someone going alone.
You really make friends.
Barbara

3

Hi,

I have been a disciple of Rick Steves approach to travel for 10 years and it works for me. My wife and I do our own travel planning so we have never taken a tour however, we have run into tours of his and all have said they are great including some people we knew who were on the tours. They said they are relaxed, buses are not too crowded (when they travel by bus) and they have excellant guides.

Barney