byron13
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As you can tell, there's more to see than you have time for. I guess one decision you've got to make is whether to blitz the continent and just see the surface, or concentrate on a smaller and experience more of the local culture. You're not going to be able to do Italy, Spain, and Germany in my mind - too much time lost on the road.
My ideas:
1. Definitely go to Omaha and whatever British beach was just to the east. There are a number of good museums in the area. Unlike most of Europe, the war is still very visible in Normandy with a number of pill boxes and bunkers still standing. Point du Hoc is worth seeing on the west of Omaha as is an emplacement just east of Omaha. The British beach still has a couple of the artificial water breaks out in the water (mulberries?). Unfortunately, the bluffs overlooking Omaha are overgrown with shrubs and trees, which makes visualizing the battle a little difficult. If you've got the time, read a detailed book on Omaha before you go so that you know exactly what happened at each of the draws. You can see Normandy in a day or two.
2. You should absolutely, positively visit at least two of the U.S. military cemeteries in Europe. Most are near highways so you aren't making a big detour, and they don't take more than an hour to see. As interesting as historical sites may be, the cemeteries make the war - and the cost of war - real. If your eyes don't tear everytime you go in one, you're missing the big picture. From recollection, one is at Omaha and an easy visit. The largest is on some highway in France near the German border. Patton is buried in one in Hamm, Luxembourg, right outside of Luxembourg City. It's powerful because Patton's marker is no different than anyone else's - just placed at the head of his troops. If you're interested, I think I have some information that I'd be glad to send you on the location of the various cemeteries - just send me a private e-mail. Believe me, nothing will affect you more than thousands of identical crosses and Stars of David in perfect geometric rows maintained in an immaculate setting and manned by Americans. The whiney French should be required to visit so they'll be reminded of the price America paid for freedom.
3. I was disappointed with the Ardennes. It's my favorite battle, but I didn't get much from traveling through the region other than acknowledging that it is beautiful. But if you're headed that way on your way to Germany, why not?
4. Verdun is worth seeing. Amazing how you can still see the affect of WWI at this battle site unlike so many WW II sites. And you drive right through it when going from Normandy to Germany - unless you go to Arnhem, I suppose.
5. I didn't get much from the Market/Garden area. Probably the funniest thing that happened to me was I was lost, stopped on a road in a big field with a highway off in the distance. I looked at the map and it hit me: I was in 1st Airborne's drop zone. But it still is just a big field that looks like any other. If you're familiar with the battle, it is probably worth finding some of the very small sites that are important. There was also, if I recall, and interesting German cemetery there somewhere.
6. Germany is where it's at! Forget Frankfurt - just a big, ugly city. The one thing I say you can't miss is the so-called Romantic Road. Starts at Neuschwanstein in the south and runs up some road to Wurzburg. Neuschwanstein is an absolute must. Might as well spend the night before in Garmisch, which is beautiful. Wake up in a gorgeous town literally at the base of the Alps and then make the quick drive to Neuschwanstein. The tour of Newschwanstein is simply breathtaking; when I become dictator of the world, that's where I'm going to live. Then head north. There's a series of beautiful towns like Rothenburg and Dinkelsbuhl that are two of the few genuinely authentic towns that didn't burn during the middle ages. The old walled town of Nordlingen. Augsburg is very historic as is the terminus at Wurzburg (which by the way is Franken wine country, though the wines aren't as renowned as other areas along the Rhine).
7. You might consider a Rhine River castle tour, too. Start at Rudesheim and go north to Cologne. Lots of very accessible castles to see. Rudesheim is a wine growing area, so you should be able to do some wine tasting there.
8. The old part of Nuremberg is worth seeing. The best route through the city to the old castle (on top of a hill with a great view of the city) is pedestrian only, so it's great. Regensburg is within about an hour and worth seeing. If you can make that far east, I'd say definitely see Dresden as well. Regardless, I'd get off the Autobahn occassionally and pick some dumpy road leading to nowhere to just drive on for half a day. It's the countryside that makes Europe so wonderful, and you won't experience it from the highway.
9. If you get up in the far north, I loved Lubeck. It's probably too far out of your way, but . . . My favorite spot is in one of the old churches. It was bombed by the British, and the church bells fell from the belfry far above, crashing to the stone floor, shattering the bells into several pieces, and putting a significant dent in the floor. They've maintained the bells and floor just as they fell as a kind of memorial to the war. Simple but powerful. Anyway, Lubeck was an old Hanseatic city, and there are a ton of old, charming buildings to see.
Heck, you can't go wrong. Just being there - anywhere - is enough. See the Alps in any country - they're beautiful. Italy? Fabulous and plenty to see. Amsterdam is beautiful, though the petty crime is, or at least was, disturbingly noticeable. Spain? Sure. Southern France and Paris? Uh huh. I'd pick Vienna over Munich for a day trip.
But my top two are (i) the military cemeteries and (ii) the Romantic Road.
Just remember that May can still be pretty cold, so pack some heavy clothes. And send me a postcard.
< Message edited by byron13 -- 3/1/2005 3:25:52 AM >
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RE: OT - Going to Europe in May What should I see? - 
Thanks for all the ideas. I will put them together and present them to the wife. All these suggestions are making our trip seem like it will much too short. 
I guess I had better plan on making a second trip at least. 
RE: OT - Going to Europe in May What should I see? - 
but can't do that 24x7. The wife is very understanding and as long as we see a few castles I get pretty much free reign in planning the rest of the trip. She is a small town girl who never flew on a plane before meeting me so trying to think of what to do in Europe is a bit daunting for her. The second time we go I expect it to be a different story... 
. But afaik there are no battlefield tours/walkings with the museum guides in the middays in may. 
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