My son will be traveling to Germany in June. (first trip outside the US)?

Question

He will be traveling to Frankfurt, Rothenburg, Munich, Neuschwanstein, Lucerne, Heidelberg, and a Rhine cruise. Anyone have any tips for safety, food, things to see, etc? How expensive is food there what are some types of food he should experience and what souvenirs should he look for? Thanks!

Answer 1

I'm sure your son will love Germany. It's a beautiful country with lots of interesting history. I really don't see any safety issues at all, other than keeping valuables such as money and passport close to his body such as a money belt under his shirt.

Rothenburg...is a lovely little 12th century walled town, with many restaurants to choose from and you can get a good traditional type of meal for a reasonable price. It has a couple of very interesting museums, including a medieval crime museum complete with torture chamber. You can walk up along the old town wall...and climb up 220 steps to the viewing platform of the Town Hall (Rathausturm) or you can climb up to the wall's eastern tower (Roderturm).

Heidelberg...is a nice city with fairly limited attractions (old castle, old bridge). A trip up to the Old ruined castle (Schloss Heidelberg) is well worth the visit, for lovely views over the city. You can take a quick funicular railway trip up and then walk back down to town. There is even a Pizza Hut in the very long, main pedestrian street, which has good food and is worth visiting for something 'familiar'.

Lucerne...a beautiful medieval city at the edge of a huge set of lakes with stunning mountain views. It has the famous Lion Monument and the old covered bridges and water tower across the Reuss River. A trip up to one of the nearby mountains is well worth the expense. Mt Pilatus is my pick, especialy for the trip up to the mountain by the world's steepest cog railway, and then a spectacular descent by cable car. It's quite expensive to eat in Lucerne and my suggestion is to try one of the local supermarkets where you can usually get a reasonably priced meal.

Remember that supermarkets in all cities are ALWAYS a much cheaper alternative to buying cold drinks and snacks. But a good buy is also from one of the street 'hot dog' or 'wurst' vendors in Germany.

Souvenirs from Germany...beer steins, embroidered lace etc.

Switzerland....swiss army knives (ok if packed in checked-in luggage) chocolate, cow bells, embroidery etc. Beware of cheap, 'Made in China' junk souvenirs that you will find on every street of every city.

Also...there is a 'McDonalds' in every city (including Rothenburg). However, I would encourage him to avoid them....unless he needs to use their public conveniences.

Hope he has a wonderful time...tell him to take lots of photos and to also buy a few postcards or souvenir books.

Answer 2

This is a GREAT trip itinerary.  He will be seening some of the best areas of Central Europe and Germany. June is really a good time to go as all the Germans have not gone on holiday yet and the weather will be pleasent (not hot like it can get in August). Is he going on his own or with a tour?  

If he is 'on his own' or with a group?  First, EVERYONE in Germany speaks English - it is hard to go anywhere in Germany anymore and find anyone who will even converse with you in German (I speak very good German and the last time I was there in 2004, everyone wanted to speak in English to me).

The food?  Man, it is some of  the best in  the world.  Don't go to the main restaurants though, go to the little Mom and Pop 'Gasthaus' (Guesthouse) that is on every corner of every town.  The only thing that is a little strange for Americans going to Germany is that German breakfasts are 'continental' and consist of cereals, and cold meat and cheese trays.  He has to order 'Wiener Schnitzel", "Hungarian Gulash", Bratwurst, and "pomme fritzes" (french fries).  

Food prices vary from the inexpensive "shnell imbiss" (tranlated - "Fast eats") which will be about 2 - 4 Euros (about 2.60 to 5.20 dollars) , to a sit down meal in a Gasthouse that will cost about 10 -15 euros.  Modern supermarkets are everywhere, so he can stock up on snacks anywhere he goes.

The biggest souvenirs to bring back are pictures, pictures, and more pictures.  Outside of that, he might want to look at bringing back (or sending back) beer steins (some real colorful ones), wine (choice is limitless), some 'lederhosen' (bavarian short pants) and if money is no object, a nice german coo-coo clock. (he can get a nice one for 100-200 dollars).

He might be tempted to feel safer than he is in the US - because generally he is.  The places he is visiting have very low crime rates.  His biggest worry would be pickpockets, but if he dresses and acts like the typical student 'bumming' through Europe, he will be generally left alone.  

My last piece of advice?  Learn some basic German, like ('Guten Tag' - good day) -( Vie gates es eenin?  - how are you?) - (Vas kostet das? - what does this cost?)  - (Vo ist dee toileten - self explainatory :-) ( Deutschland gefallt mir sehr gut - I like Germany alot) and finally (Ein beer, bitte - one beer, please - opps, sorry mom :-)  This is strictly optional, but the Germans will love him for it.

I'm happy for him - it will be a time he never forgets.  

(BTW I lived in central Germany for over six years)

Answer 3

Frankfurt - eating Green Sauce is a must.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_sauce

Munich- pretzels, beer and white sausage with sweet mustard.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wei%C3%9Fwu...

Let him plan on spending 70 USD for every day he is in Germany plus cost of the Rhine cruise and cost of transport between the cities and he will live like a king among backpackers of his age.

A bed in a hostel is usually around 20 EUR. Food can be cheap with microwave dinners  and self-made sandwiches in the hostel kitchen costing no more than 5 EUR per day, but you can also eat out in cafes and restaurants spending around 25 EUR per day on food. Entry to sights and other fun things to do usually come to around 10-20 EUR per day.

If he is flying back home from Frankfurt, maybe let him bring you a bottle of Apple Wine. Its a local speciality around Frankfurt.

BTW, if he is 17 and travelling on his own he will need a letter of consent from you to travel. Without a letter of consent he might run into trouble either with the police or when it comes to booking hostel beds. A simple letter typed on the PC in English (containing information on how to contact you quickly for confirmation) and signed by you will do.

Answer 4

don't worry about saftey, a lot of my friends visit it all the time, and other military families are down there constantly. the places that he is going to visit are good, i've been to all of them and people around those areas speak english. food is pretty cheap and so are souvenirs. he should try schnitzel, swinehoaxen, and things that are from the local areas (stick to the smaller resturaunts, the food is normally better). he should also see schloss hoegenswangoeu (i probably spelled it wrong but its the castle that you can see on the hill next to neuschwanstein). i hope he has a great trip! :)

Answer 5

Everyones answers are good, but as a parent who lives in Germany i think no matter the answers here you are going to worry.  It sounds like your son is on a tour.  I would suggest that he get a german-english dictionary, and try and not were clothes that screem I'm an American. you know t-shirts with english on them.  Under the source list I have put some websights for you to look at.  I won't tell you to not to worry, but this will be the experience of his life.

Answer 6

Have him try Schnitzel,Rouladen,Knoedel,

Have him walk around down town in the Fussgaenger Zone Frankfurt . In Rothenburg is a all year around Christmas store with a live size Nutkracker outside,Rothenburg is a old city and has alot of History to it.

The currency is the Euro now and things aren't as cheap as it used to be.To get around there are always Trains and busses.Have him go the the Bahnhof (train station)

Nice places to go are Mainz,Wiesbaden,  Frankfurt,Koeln,Koblenz,Hamburg.If he has time have him go the Hamburg to take a fairy to one of the Island in the Northsee there is Sylt and Brokum etc...

Answer 7

Don't worry about safety. Germany is very safe...

Food can be cheap from 3 Euro gyros on the street to expensive meals in fine restaurants. Personally i hate german food... But the beer is a huge part of their culture. They can drink and purchase beer at 16, 18 for other alcohol. If he is old enough i would at least let him taste it. Beer mugs are thee most popular souvenirs...

Good luck, Have fun and it will be HOT this summer.

Answer 8

You've gotten a lot of good answers already, I'd only add that try to check out a winefest on the Rhine or Moselle river if you get a chance.  It's similar to a country fair in the US.  Lots of food, river races, fair rides, the people were very friendly.

Answer 9

That's nice. Don't worry about safety. Germany is the place you really feel safety. About the Language, many people talking English, they start at the school with 3. grade with that. All the places he wants to visit is very nice. The food will be cost 3 Euro and up. It's not so cheap in Germany. After the Euro came everybody complaining. Right now the $$$ is very low. Souvenirs??? Every city has a nice stores he need to look and buy what he like. He need to buy some book before he is taking his trip and read some stuff about the places he wants to visit and also there is books with city map in it. This is good.  Tell him: I wish him a nice trip.

Answer 10

well the Euro in germany is about $1.36 to 1 euro right now.  i lived in germany for 4 years and am married to one now.  The best thing to do is to try to speak their language if you dont already they will be alot nicer if you try and also stay away from turkish people in frankfurt the like to pick fights just one or 2 people then before you know it there are 15 of them.  also stay away from dark alleys.  food is great there, and the beer is awesome if he is 18 or older.  (their law is 18 not 21). German women love americans to trust me im married to one now