Germany and France recommendations - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**NitemareHippieGirl** · 09-27-2009, 02:33 AM

I'm going to Germany and france in a few days and need some reccomendations! I'm planning on going to Berlin and Paris for sure and possibly Dresden (is it worth it?). Anyone have any must sees that are off the usual tour of the countries, or not. I really like history, literature, art (modern and after), architecture, and a laid back social atmosphere. And of course food and booze!

I'm also thinking of going to Normandy, is that a good spot to stay or better as daytrip? I have plenty of days on my rail pass and not enough stops!

**Elizabeth** · 09-27-2009, 12:13 PM

Did you all like Budapest? Where did you stay? What was your fav thing in BP?

Why the omission of Munich? Its a great party place, 6 hours from Berlin. Stay at Wombat's - its legendary.

**NitemareHippieGirl** · 09-27-2009, 01:34 PM

Munich Is on and off the list so I will probably end up there on my way to Paris. I only ended up in Budapest for a night and only experienced a rooftop bar that had an amazing view of the statue and fortress (can't remember the name)bat the top of the hill. I will have to make it back again, I've already started planning a future trip perhaps through Budapest and into the Ukraine and romania etc.

**pinknic38** · 09-27-2009, 04:25 PM

Munich is AWESOME, do go. And I second Liz, stay at Wombat's.

For Germany, I loved ANYTHING on the Rhine - so BEAUTIFUL. Especially Heidelberg and Koln. There's only one hostel in Heidelberg but very awesome - Sudpfanne. And in Koln I stayed at Blaksheep hostel.

Koln is a pretty good location because you can daytrip quite easily to Dusseldorf or Frankfurt or whatever.

astro25e · 09-28-2009, 01:35 PM

Check out Nancy in France. It's right over the border of Germany (kind of) and on the way to Paris. Great historical city with loads of beautiful architecture.

In Berlin, just get off the main tourist route and enjoy! Kreuzberg is great if you want to see the most alternative area of the city.

I loved the GDR museums and stuff associated with it. Also, check out the German Historical Museum. I would have never gone on my own, but I got a free ticket and I will definitely be going again. It has both really cool temporary exhibits(They had a photogallery commemorating 20years of the Wall) and a huuuge, informative permanent section. And 'The Story of Berlin' is a really cool museum that is just about Berlin's hisotry (interactive and entertaining. There is also a tour through an old, cold war bunker that I especially liked).

bertus · 09-28-2009, 06:07 PM

I will have to third Munich and Wombats. Wombats is my favorite hostel I have ever stayed in and I enjoyed simply wondering around the Englischer Gartens. In Berlin you could try heading to the Kit Kat club, it is certainly an experience!