It's true! Next week I'm heading across the pond for a visit to a vendor's shop in the Ruhr valley (Mulheim). I'll have a couple of days for frivolity amongst some sweat and toil in the shop and then I'll be looking for sights of interest, as well as a cold stein of beer and some bratwurst. I thought that I'd toss this out here for recommendations from the well-traveled, erudite, and historically astute members of my favorite S&W Forum.

Thus far, in addition to spending around 3 days in Mulheim, I'm planning to visit my son, a medic at Landstahl Army Hospital and then going over to Malmedy, Belgium where I'm to meet a relative for the first time. I also intend to hike in the Hurtgen Forest; and to visit the Bridge at Remagen; a couple of places that my father was at during WW-II. Anyways, I'm likely to have a few days to just sort of buzz around and was wondering what others recommendations would be for sights to see and things to do in western Germany. It's been like 35 years since I've been to Europe; back then Mrs.Speedo and I did it on Fromer's (not sure that's right) "Europe on $5 & $10 per Day". Somehow I don't think that I'll be bringing that book along on this trip. So....any words to the wise, "must see" places; places to avoid, and advice for things best not done? Thanks; wish me luck (hope that my Droid works over there); and photos of S&W-related stuff and things of interest to be posted in a couple of weeks. -S2

Don't know of anything to see in that area, but I'm sure envious. Sounds like a wonderful trip. Wonder if the Bugatti works at Molsheim (near Strasbourg) is open to visitors? Or even if it still exists?

Boogey on down south to the Black Forest and pick up some Black Forest ham and a cookoo clock or two. Pretty area.

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Dick

Can’t help you, but I’m grateful you didn’t post a picture. Have a safe trip.

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"I also cook."

The Roman Pratorian Gates in Trier. Wine tasting in the Mosel Valley, lots of old castels on hill tops. Heidleburg Castel if you get that far west. Wine/beer tasting on the Rine River.There are over 400 kinds of cheeze and every village has its own brand of local beer. Libercasse/hot kiser bun and cold brew is a must (water is bad for your health!) I just made myself hungry. Not a bad meal in the place. I spent 5 years in Grafenwohr and loved Baveria.

Well, here (maybe) are some photos from my recent trip to Germany:

This is suppose to be a slide show; click on the image to start it. I've got to go back there next week, so perhaps a few more photos will be forthcoming. Nothing S&W-ish so far. -S2

If you want to hike, there are plenty of woods and even some old small castles around Landstuhl.
Also worth for hiking and not far away "Dahner Felsenland". Google about pictures/info.
Also Trier is not far away and worth a visit.
Also there are plenty of old bunkers and stuff to visit close to Landstuhl toward the Elsass - it is just a short drive from Landstuhl and worth the time (good french eats there, too.

see:
Maginot Line - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Close to Ramstein/Landstuhl: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouvrage_Schoenenbourg




Ah, there are some pictures of the area around Dahn:
http://www.verkehrsverein-suedwestpf...iste.asp?id=56

That was a really nice slide show. Thank you for sharing it with us.

You've done exactly what I want to do--retrace my father's footsteps in WWII. In my case, the path is a lot longer, starting in Algeria and ending in Austria. It is my understanding that Algeria and Tunisia won't even allow Americans in.

I would even like to take a ship across the Atlantic to get a feel for what that was like.

But, it's just a dream and probably will never happen.

edit: Re: The Bridge at Remagen, did you know the Allies captured an intact bridge across the Rhine in November of 1944, a good four months before the bridge at Remagen was captured. Opinions vary as to why this was never exploited.

I don't know how you're planning to travel, but there isn't much better than traveling around Europe on a motorcycle. A young lady I know still has fond memories of riding on the autobahn on a Ducati 900SS doing 120 mph.

If you are going to the Hurtgen Forest area you should check out this site devoted to the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest. It has some great contemporary photos and videos of the Forest:

Scorpio's Website - The Battle of the Huertgen Forest - Schlacht im Hürtgenwald

There is also a Hurtgen Forest Battle Museum:

http://www.huertgenwald.de/index.php...smus&forest2&0

I visited Scorpio's site both before and after I visited the Hurtgenwald. Great site; very informative, well done and respectful of both sides. That place (the Hurtgenwald) is a "must see" for anyone that gives a damn about WW2 ETO. -S2