# A whirlwind trip to Benelux + Germany: What's not to miss? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 7, 2012, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-whirlwind-trip-to-benelux-germany-whats-not-to-miss/618083 "2012-04-07T14:36:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![gracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-whirlwind-trip-to-benelux-germany-whats-not-to-miss/618083/21 "2012-04-08T09:22:09Z")
> [@ladyfoxfyre](#): > > It seems like we might cut out Frankfurt, in favor of an extra day in Berlin or a day in Nuremberg. Oh good! I didn’t want to poo-poo your travel plans, and I don’t know Frankfurt that well. But: ugh, hated that city! (Sorry shantih) Mainly (hehe, pun) because the only time I was there because I missed a flight and had to spend a day and a night waiting. It’s not a terrible place really, but not something to go on a must-see list. **Theobroma** , it is called koffie verkeerd because it contains more milk than coffee, which is the wrong way round, there should be more coffee. Kind of boring reason, sorry. I wish I could give you an elaborate etymology about how the treacherous supporters of Spain drank milk in their coffee making it the “wrong” coffee to drink, but no. And I doubt they had coffee then anyway… ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-whirlwind-trip-to-benelux-germany-whats-not-to-miss/618083/22 "2012-04-08T15:20:02Z")
Are you going to have a car when you’re in Mons? There’s a ton of WW1 sites. Reims with its cathedral is not far to the south. ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-whirlwind-trip-to-benelux-germany-whats-not-to-miss/618083/23 "2012-04-08T15:28:08Z")
> [@gracer](#): > > Oh good! I didn’t want to poo-poo your travel plans, and I don’t know Frankfurt that well. But: ugh, hated that city! (Sorry shantih) Mainly (hehe, pun) because the only time I was there because I missed a flight and had to spend a day and a night waiting. It’s not a terrible place really, but not something to go on a must-see list. Not at all, like I said I am not married to this itinerary. I was just trying to maximize the time I have, only 7 days, and try to go in a sort of circular pattern that would end me up back in Brussels for my outbound flight. I’m happy to make changes, I don’t know anything about any of the places I’m going to I am really grateful for the suggestions now before I put anything in stone. > [@Quartz](#): > > Are you going to have a car when you’re in Mons? There’s a ton of WW1 sites. Reims with its cathedral is not far to the south. I will have access to a car some of the time, over the weekend, but for a lot of the time I am there it will be me and my feet, and public transport. I might try and see if there is a decent weekend trip I can make to one of the places you mentioned. ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-whirlwind-trip-to-benelux-germany-whats-not-to-miss/618083/24 "2012-04-08T15:33:33Z")
So it looks like I might have a place to crash in Stuttgart, so the new proposed itinerary would be Berlin to Nuremberg for the day, then a short train to Stuttgart to crash for the night and maybe the next day there. From there to Luxembourg. ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-whirlwind-trip-to-benelux-germany-whats-not-to-miss/618083/25 "2012-04-08T17:01:42Z")
> [@Capt\_Kirk](#): > > Berlin, the first thing you will notice is how beautiful the train station is, giant glass sculpture, truly a work of Architectural Art. If you are using a Eurail or DB pass you may have the regional and subway passes included check your ticket, if not most hotels will sell you a discount subway pass. In Berlin and most German cities the train station is a central hub so the regional trains and subways are in the same station, just on different levels. I forgot to mention I will be using the Eurail pass while I am there, so I am looking into the types of discounts I can get on the regional trains as I will be taking them around. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-whirlwind-trip-to-benelux-germany-whats-not-to-miss/618083/26 "2012-04-08T17:51:54Z")
> [@ladyfoxfyre](#): > > So it looks like I might have a place to crash in Stuttgart, so the new proposed itinerary would be Berlin to Nuremberg for the day, then a short train to Stuttgart to crash for the night and maybe the next day there. From there to Luxembourg. If you’re going to be that far south in Germany, you really should try to see one of Crazy Ludwig’s castles, either Chiemsee or Neuschwanstein, both a short drive from Munich. ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-whirlwind-trip-to-benelux-germany-whats-not-to-miss/618083/27 "2012-04-08T18:05:35Z")
> [@gracer](#): > > Amsterdam is a great city, just avoid all the tourist crap & specially the English people. I love Amsterdam 🙂 I usually try and grab some Indonesian food whenever I’m in Amsterdam, which is not often. Maybe other posters have more specific tips - I usually go into an Indonesian place at random and it has always been good, but can’t remember any specifics. As I always do in threads like these, I want to give a shout to the beautiful Dutch city of **Maastricht** (which has a friendly eponymous Doper in residence) and I’ve just read they are not closing one of the coolest [bookshops](http://www.selexyz.nl/winkel/38/selexyz-dominicanen)ever just yet. On your current trajectory, you might find yourself near this city, so thought I’d bring it up. Also agree that Cologne beer (Koelsch) ist SUPER en Cologne people are IMO some of the funnest Germans around. So even if the city, apart from the truly spectacular cathedral (walk out of the train station and :eek:) isn’t particular beautiful, it merits a visit for those reasons. ---
**Author:** ![shantih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@shantih](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shantih)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-whirlwind-trip-to-benelux-germany-whats-not-to-miss/618083/28 "2012-04-08T20:55:18Z")
> [@ladyfoxfyre](#): > > So it looks like I might have a place to crash in Stuttgart, so the new proposed itinerary would be Berlin to Nuremberg for the day, then a short train to Stuttgart to crash for the night and maybe the next day there. From there to Luxembourg. From Stuttgart it’s probably a 45-minute train ride to Heidelburg, which is just beautiful. ---
**Author:** ![gracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2012, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-whirlwind-trip-to-benelux-germany-whats-not-to-miss/618083/29 "2012-04-08T22:22:45Z")
> [@PookahMacPhellimey](#): > > I usually try and grab some Indonesian food whenever I’m in Amsterdam, which is not often. Maybe other posters have more specific tips - I usually go into an Indonesian place at random and it has always been good, but can’t remember any specifics. > > As I always do in threads like these, I want to give a shout to the beautiful Dutch city of **Maastricht** (which has a friendly eponymous Doper in residence) and I’ve just read they are not closing one of the coolest [bookshops](http://www.selexyz.nl/winkel/38/selexyz-dominicanen)ever just yet. On your current trajectory, you might find yourself near this city, so thought I’d bring it up. Indonesian food is to the Dutch what curry is to the English. I think it’s probably pretty different from actual Indonesian food, but NOMNOMNOM! And seconding Maastricht, it’s a beautiful and very friendly town. ---
**Author:** ![Theobroma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5a626/32.png) [@Theobroma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Theobroma)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-whirlwind-trip-to-benelux-germany-whats-not-to-miss/618083/30 "2012-04-09T01:16:02Z")
Thanks for the “koffie verkeerd” explanation, **gracer**! Makes sense. Explanations in Holland generally are pretty straightforward, eh? : ) I also second the Indonesian food. Excellent idea. So, **ladyfoxfyre** , how free are you during the two weeks in Belgium? We spent a week buzzing around the Ardennes, a beauty spot and no lie. Americans are very very welcome there. If you’re interested in old manor houses/castles, spend an afternoon at Castle Modave. It’s amazingly well-preserved, furnishings and all, not crowded, isolated in velvety green hills. The remains of the old fortress at La Roche-en-Ardenne are worth it too, as is the charming town. If you are interested in WWII history and the Battle of the Bulge, there is a museum in Bastogne, as well as others in the area. It’s much easier to get around with a car, though. (Which we had there, as we met my in-laws in Durbuy, a tourist spot with no train station.) You can get most places by quick train, though…Belgium isn’t all that big. Brugge (= Bruges) is an incredibly beautiful town and worth a day trip for sure. Just as a helpful aside, most cities and towns in Belgium have both a French and a Flemish name. Sometimes it’s obvious (Bruxelles/Brussel) and sometimes less so (Liege/Luik). And don’t get flummoxed in Luxembourg/Luxemburg/Lëtzebuerg. : ) Getting REALLY jealous now. I’d like to take the advice of every poster in this thread, but we won’t be back for a while. Oh well. ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-whirlwind-trip-to-benelux-germany-whats-not-to-miss/618083/31 "2012-04-09T01:49:13Z")
The first two weeks I’ll be wildly free. The person I am going with will be there for work, so M-F during work hours will basically be me wandering. Weekends I will have access to a car and a traveling partner, so I’d be interested in seeing some of the non-walkable historic locations. I’d love to go see Bruges! You guys have been great with the suggestions and help, thank you so much for the help. Keep the suggestions coming! ---
**Author:** ![Theobroma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5a626/32.png) [@Theobroma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Theobroma)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-whirlwind-trip-to-benelux-germany-whats-not-to-miss/618083/32 "2012-04-09T04:10:12Z")
Well, if you’re bored in Mons, you could take a train to Paris for a day or two. Looks like an hour and 20 minutes or so. > **[Train tickets - Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Cologne | Thalys - Eurostar Group](https://www.thalys.com/be/en)** > > Book your train tickets to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and Cologne directly at Thalys.com, and enjoy cheaper fares! Warning: Paris is not a “walk around near the gare” kind of place. It’s humongous. But if you wanted to take a weekend, might be just the place. It’s amazing, you know, how close all of Europe is by train. I like watching it roll by out the window. Great way to travel. ---
**Author:** ![capybara](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/capybara/32/202_2.png) [@capybara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capybara)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2012, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-whirlwind-trip-to-benelux-germany-whats-not-to-miss/618083/33 "2012-04-11T00:34:46Z")
Mons/Bergen is cute-- I like that area. While you’re there you can do a lot of nice day trips-- connect to Ghent/ Bruges or Antwerp or Leuven from Brussels, or pop over to Liege or DInant–both terribly cute towns. . . or Tournai, or Oudenaarde. . . ok, there are a lot of cool day-trip-worthy towns in Belgium. ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-whirlwind-trip-to-benelux-germany-whats-not-to-miss/618083/34 "2012-04-13T21:32:41Z")
Completely forgot that a huge big event is taking place in my hometown even! If you’re even in the slighted bit interested in flowers and plants, you should go to the [Floriade](http://www.floriade.com/), a horticular exposition organised only once every ten years. I’m told it’s quite spectacular. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-whirlwind-trip-to-benelux-germany-whats-not-to-miss/618083/35 "2012-04-13T21:34:20Z")
Bruges was lovely - we took the train and walked, which was totally doable. Gorgeous lace, lovely town. ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Kirk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@Capt\_Kirk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt_Kirk)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2012, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-whirlwind-trip-to-benelux-germany-whats-not-to-miss/618083/36 "2012-04-13T22:30:51Z")
> [@ladyfoxfyre](#): > > I forgot to mention I will be using the Eurail pass while I am there, so I am looking into the types of discounts I can get on the regional trains as I will be taking them around. Regional trains should be included as are subways(In Germany) for the day of travel, now this is my experience with DB but it is likely the same [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-whirlwind-trip-to-benelux-germany-whats-not-to-miss/618083.md?page=1)