Going to Waldorf, what to see and do? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

arsenal · 12-13-2007, 03:09 PM

So I did a "going to Toronto" thread about a month ago, and got some very good suggestions. Thank you all.

So now, it looks like my company is going to send me and one other person to Waldorf Germany for training at the end of January. We will be there about a week, and I am going to try to sneak out of class for at least an afternoon or morning to go out and explore and see some things.

So does anyone have any suggestions? I am going to try to get a rental vehicle, so mobility hopefully shouldn't be a problem.

I was thinking of hitting up the Nurburgring (in Nurburg), and getting in the Ring Taxi, but that only runs from April to October. I guess I could take the rental on the track, but that could be frowned upon.

I noticed that Waldorf is about an hour from Düsseldorf, Koln and looks like it is about an hour or so outside of Frankfurt as well (in the other direction).

Also, if anyone knows of good WWI or WWII history museums around those areas, that would be awesome.

First time in Germany (or any place in Europe) for that matter, so I want to try to mix work with pleasure.

arsenal · 12-13-2007, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

Learn about SAP.

Why do you think I am going?

4X4 · 12-13-2007, 03:22 PM

Keep in mind that things are sooo close together in Europe. Go to Amsterdam. It'll be a ~2hr drive from Waldorf. Heh heh.. This could be the first time Hookers and Blow is a legit response.

arsenal · 12-13-2007, 03:27 PM

Amsterdam is on the list, if I can escape around noon one day. Although.. getting back for the morning may be a bit of a challenge.. If I even remember where I am...

SarichFan · 12-13-2007, 03:29 PM

Amsterdam is so overated... go to Paris instead

troutman · 12-13-2007, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arsenal

So I did a "going to Toronto" thread about a month ago, and got some very good suggestions. Thank you all.

So now, it looks like my company is going to send me and one other person to Waldorf Germany for training at the end of January. We will be there about a week, and I am going to try to sneak out of class for at least an afternoon or morning to go out and explore and see some things.

So does anyone have any suggestions? I am going to try to get a rental vehicle, so mobility hopefully shouldn't be a problem.

I was thinking of hitting up the Nurburgring (in Nurburg), and getting in the Ring Taxi, but that only runs from April to October. I guess I could take the rental on the track, but that could be frowned upon.

I noticed that Waldorf is about an hour from Düsseldorf, Koln and looks like it is about an hour or so outside of Frankfurt as well (in the other direction).

Also, if anyone knows of good WWI or WWII history museums around those areas, that would be awesome.

First time in Germany (or any place in Europe) for that matter, so I want to try to mix work with pleasure.

PM Aeneas - this is his specialty.

I always enjoy Koblenz - tour from there up the Mosel River.

http://www.koblenz.de/startseite/index.html

Situated in the picturesque landscape of the Rhine and Moselle and surrounded by four low mountain ranges is the 2000-year-old town of Koblenz. Its abundance of cultural monuments and historic buildings, its cosy lanes and narrow alleyways, the relaxed and happy atmosphere of its squares and river promenades make Koblenz a friendly town where its guests feel right at home.

The view from Ehrenbreitstein Fortress high above the Rhine (118 metres) across the river down to “Deutsches Eck” with its re-erected equestrian statue of Emperor William I is spectacular. Koblenz is a meeting point for visitors from all over the world and an excellent starting point for trips into the fascinating landscape along the Rhine and the Moselle.

Koln (Cologne):

http://www.koeln.de/

Locke · 12-13-2007, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arsenal

I was thinking of hitting up the Nurburgring (in Nurburg), and getting in the Ring Taxi, but that only runs from April to October. I guess I could take the rental on the track, but that could be frowned upon.

This had me laughing....I can see your POS rental car going down the nurburgring now...

Try and explain that to the rental company when you return it.....

Bobblehead · 12-13-2007, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

This had me laughing....I can see your POS rental car going down the nurburgring now...

Try and explain that to the rental company when you return it.....

Get the rental insurance first.

4X4 · 12-13-2007, 04:06 PM

Know what kind of car goes 100 mph in first gear?

A rental.

Locke · 12-13-2007, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4X4

Know what kind of car goes 100 mph in first gear?

A rental.

You'd be picking the pistons up off the road with a net and oven mitts.

4X4 · 12-13-2007, 04:10 PM

No. I'd be phoning the rental company to bring me another car.

Aeneas · 12-13-2007, 10:47 PM

You lucky man. There are many awesome things to do very close to where you will be. Paris and Amsterdam are great options, but if you want much closer things start in Koblenz. A boat trip from Koblenz up the Rhine to Bingen is great if you want a relaxing time looking at castles on the hills. Could also drive it, but cuts down on what you see. Also from Koblenz (kind of a second home for me) you could travel down the Mosel at least to Cochem, Trier if you have the time. I have travelled to Trier by Motorbike, car and train from Koblenz all have their benefits. If you have the car then you could make a stop at Burg Eltz, in my opinion the best castle in all Germany if not Europe. Some family still lives in it, but you can tour much of it. It's right on the way from Koblenz to Cochem. Yes, I've been to all 5 of King Ludwig's castles and I still like Eltz better. It's real.

Cochem is a pretty town with a massive castle high above.
Trier has great Roman ruins, great for outside of the Meditteranean area.
The drive itself on the Mosel is beautiful. Lots of castles on every hill it seems. Other than Eltz, I'd recommend Burg Thurant, and Ehrenburg for different reasons. Eltz is old but well kept, Thurant has a great river view and furnished rooms, and Ehrenburg is quite ruined (but I like that).

Those are two trips from Koblenz, but the city itself is quite nice. The historic center (1000 years old) has the massive fortress Ehrenbrietstien looming above the confluence of Rhine and Mosel.

If you are into Beethoven Bonn will be interesting. Attractive small city.

Koln has the huge cathedral of course. Took 800 years to build. A very long walk up. I think second only to Ulm in height. Not much else of Koln survived the war. Worth it just to stand at the base and look up if you don't want the exertion.

Dusseldorf is famous for it's 1 km stretch of bars and clubs. The area north of Koln is not so pretty as Dusseldorf Essen Duisburg etc. make up one huge city. If you like landscapes stay south of Bonn.

The only WWI and WWII museums I've been to in Germany were concentration camps, and none in this area. Never stopped in Remagen, but there may be some museum there due to Operation Market Garden.

If you are into castles, there are several close to Koblenz that I quite like: Stozenfels, Marksburg.

Good beer garden on the Rhine in Koblenz.

Hope something is of use.
Aeneas

ps Gunners will crush Chelsea Sunday.

arsenal · 12-13-2007, 11:06 PM

I am definitely going to try to hit up some castles. As far as driving goes, I think Paris may be out of the question. As much as I would love to go there and hit on the hot french woman, I just don't think I will be able to swing the 4 hour trip there and back.

So i am hoping to get to some castles, maybe Amsterdam, and I read about the bars/disco techs in Düsseldorf. That could be trouble for me, so that is on the agenda as well.

4X4 · 12-13-2007, 11:12 PM

You're also pretty close to Luxembourg. I've read some pretty cool stuff about that place. Might be worth a day trip. There are castles. Another stamp in the 'ol passport...

arsenal · 12-13-2007, 11:30 PM

Only problem is, since it is training, I don't think I will be able to take off for a day.. maybe an afternoon the most i can swing. Unless I can somehow get an extra week off.

But those are all awesome suggestions, and I for sure will try to get as much stuff in as I can in a week. Can't wait to meet all the pretty german ladies.

4X4 · 12-13-2007, 11:31 PM

^^ Just make sure they're ladies...

arsenal · 12-13-2007, 11:34 PM

Hey... Heidi Klum is german.. pretty sure she is a lady.

4X4 · 12-13-2007, 11:34 PM

Just stay away from any lady wearing assless chaps.

arsenal · 12-13-2007, 11:37 PM

haha.. no.. no crying game for me...

But common.. Heidi is assless chaps? You would be all over that...

4X4 · 12-13-2007, 11:38 PM

Ah, there used to be a joke about the chaps here... Or maybe it was a different messageboard... But I don't post on other messageboards... Am I losing my mind?