Germany 2013 Guidebook
Guidebook corrections:
Please note: The following corrections were submitted by readers and have not yet been confirmed by Rick. Check updates from Rick for the latest.
I tried to book a Meininger Hotel in Berlin. The price was double what the guidebook indicates. Should those prices be per person?
Donna Pyle in Boulder, CO USA 04/10/2013
Just a small increase in price at the Medieval Crime and Punishment Museum in Rothenburg. It is now 5 euros, no longer 4.20 as the book states. Nonetheless- worth the price of admission!
Morgan Scheppler in Ames, IA USA 04/10/2013
Fussen: Gastehaus Schoberl: I found their website to be only in German. I submitted an enquiry in English anyway; did not get an answer. Used www.translate.google to send the request in German; got an answer. However they told me they would not take advance reservations for only 2 nights. Usually your guidebooks indicate minimum stays. Sounds like these people are not so interested in the business you can get them anymore.
Donna Pyle in Boulder , CO USA 03/24/2013
Frankfurt Updates for 2013 - Public transportation, 1 person one-way is 2.60€, day ticket for one person is 6.40€, including the airport 1 person one-way is 4.25€, all day is 8.30€ and a group day ticket is 15€ - Frankfurt on Foot Walking Tours, private tours are 30€ per hour, Layover tours with meeting at the airport begin at 85€ for one person, each additional person is 10€, and additional hours are 30€ - The Archeological Garden is completely covered up until probably 2015, due to the reconstruction of part of Frankfurts' old town. - The Kaiserdom is not made of modern concrete, it is made of red sandstone. It has been painted in an aslar manner, which was popular in the 1400's. Only the roof was destroyed in the war. - Frankfurt Airport Regional Train station. Trains to the city usually depart from track 1, and occasionally from track 2. Trains going from the city to the airport use track 3.
Jo in Frankfurt am Main, Germany 01/06/2013
EurAide desk in Munich train station seems to be gone, even though there's still a sign leading to where it was.
The bus from Fussen to the castles (Neuschwanstein...) is now 2 Euros. And....if you take the S-bahn from Munich to Fussen, the Bayern-Ticket covers the bus as well (we didn't realize that until the return bus trip from the castles).
Mike in East Windsor, NJ USA 12/31/2012
Just visited Baden Baden last week , the fare for the single day bus ticket is now 5.20 euros , not 4.90 as written in Rick Steves Germany 2012 book. Had a fabulous trip thanks to his book !
Yvette Alfonso in Staten Island, NY USA 10/24/2012
None. Our GPS was not particularly familiar with road closings, however. But, even with those small glitches, we saw spectacular scenery and met many travelers just like ourselves.
Linda Workman in Decatur, IL USA 10/05/2012
Munich, Bavaria and Salzburg-Snapshot
Bavarian Castles Pass pgs 6,82-83
They acted like they had never heard of it. I even showed they the book and they still didn't seem to have a clue.
Carmelita Stone in Plattsburg, MO USA 09/12/2012
No corrections. Rick's info is always great!
Jackie Johnson in Somerset, WI USA 09/03/2012
Snapshot Berlin 2012: If you have time, I would not skip the Altes Museum. It has an excellent audio guide that describes a room, i.e. Greek versus Roman statuary and then you can move on or go to a piece for more details. They also have a room: The Garden of Delights – The art of love in antiquity which is in keeping with a museum that overlooks Lustgarten. New National Gallery (Neue Nationalgalerie) has a very good audio guide to its permanent collection which is included in admission, and worth mentioning. Hamburger Bahnhof is a major modern art museum with Warhol’s Mao and a room devoted to Anselm Kiefer and should be mentioned. They offer a free tour, in English, on weekends. Your book was seen by a passing English tour guide who said “that is a very good book” and I heartedly agree!
Gwendolyn Elliott in Magnolia , DE USA 09/01/2012
Berlin Zoo's only panda, Bao Bao, died on 8/21/12
Amy Battis in Manchester, MA USA 08/23/2012
yes, please correct your opinions of Heidelberg and Rudesheims-two of the most spectacular venues not to be missed.
Joyce Klapheke in Harwinton, CT USA 08/14/2012
I love Rick's guidebooks. Never been disappointed in a Rick Steves recommended hotel. I just returned from a trip to Germany. The guidebook says that the Dachau Concentration Camp memorial is closed on Mondays, but this is no longer true. We planned to go on a Monday, but were disappointed when the guidebook said it would be closed. We called the memorial up and they confirmed that they are open 7 days a week now (the person on the telephone only spoke German, FYI). Just thought you should know.
Joe in Redwood Shores, CA USA 08/08/2012
Re: the 2012 Germany guide and the Berlin Snapshot book in particular: In several places (eg, p.43) it is written that the Pergamon Museum and the Neues Museum in Berlin both require a timed entry ticket. No, the timed entries are needed only if you are going to the special exhibitions at those museums. If that is not so, once you have a ticket (for instance the 19 euro Museumspass), you can walk in anytime.
Bill G in New Orleans, LA USA 07/13/2012
Demel's was closed in Salzburg.
Lynda Lamb in Birmingham, AL USA 07/11/2012
Hotel Hauser, St Goar
Karen in Springfield , VA USA 07/09/2012
The Romantic Road signage can be very confusing at times. Consult your map carefully.
In Bacharach, the Pizzeria is for sale and the Kabab place is closed.
Tracy Baker in San Leandro, Ca USA 07/05/2012
Some of the Hop On Hop Off bus tours (such as 'Top Of The Bus') have live commentary in English and German. Also, on Unter den Linden, the Berlin Story bookstore's museum is no longer free (I think it was 5 Euro).
Dale in Fairfield, OH USA 07/04/2012
Neues Museum in Berlin now requires timed reservation tickets, purchased online or in person ahead of time. Supposedly you can walk up and get a timed reservation, but we were told they are rarely available. The Pergamon also works on a timed reservation system, but we were able to get walk up tickets. For busy summer season, I think the guidebook should recommend advance tickets to avoid disappointment.
Angela in Sammamish, WA USA 07/04/2012
For Goerlitz: To reach recommended restaurant Gasthaus zum Flyns from Brudderstrasse walk down Apothekergasse - the map shows Rathausstrasse which in not correct.
Dale in Fairfield, OH USA 06/23/2012
For Goerlitz: The Reichenbach Tower museum now charges 3 Euro, not 1.50. Reference for Bruderstrasse part of tour, book says to look 'left' to see down Schwartzestrasse; the street is on the right as one walks this tour - caused confusion. Baroque House and Biblical House identifications on the Goerlitz map are reversed; Baroque House is on the corner, Biblical House is next down the street.
Dale in Fairfield, OH USA 06/23/2012
Yes a couple. Demels in Salzburg is closed and no one knows why! Non Solo Pasta is closed in Reutte Austria but that was okay because we found Maxmillian and there was a Rick Steve's family tour there!
Tony in Seattle, USA 06/12/2012
The "EurAide" office at the Munich train station is closed. The folks at the Deutchbahn office are more than helpful though.
Jo Kleindienst in Arlington, VA USA 05/19/2012
In Munich, the tram to the English Garden has been changed to No. 18, direction St. Emmeran or (late in day) Effrerplatz. It leaves from the Haptbahnhof Sud station.
Russell Crum in Canton, Mi USA 05/15/2012
Keep up the great work !!!
Alan Reed in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA USA 04/29/2012
The Neustadt info in Dresden seemed very confusing. The MarktHalle didn't seem to be in the right place on the map.
Kyla Gurganus in Ypsilanti, MI USA 04/10/2012
Germany 2012 pg 173 By Car: States pass Hellbrunn castle (and Zoo) a little confusing, you can park your car at Hellbrunn castle and take a bus into Salzburg but overnight parking is very expensive. If you pass the Hellbrunn castle and keep driving will approach a busy intersection and the Salzburg Sud is a left on that road but can not make a left hand turn. Please state the road Salzburg Sud is located on.
Nancy in Salt Lake City, Ut USA 04/07/2012
In Germany 2012 Book, the Schlosshotel Rheinfels (Rheinfels Castle Hotel) is missing from the "Sleeping in St. Goar" section under Rhine Valley chapter. The 2011 book mentions the hotel. Is there a reason it is missing?
Matthew Toennies in Brentwood, TN USA 04/04/2012
In the Germany 2012 guide the scale to the maps on page p.295, p.299, p.313, and p.318 show that 100 meters equals approximately 50 yards, but it should equal about 100 yards....although I have not yet been to Rothemburg so perhaps it should read 50 meters and 50 yards. Otherwise, the maps seem great. I love the detail.
Suz in Berkeley, Ca USA 03/16/2012
Hotel Monaco - Munich, Germany - I know that someone has already mentioned the issue with paying in cash at the hotel but it needs to be in the book. The only reason I knew about having to pay cash was because I read through all the feedback on this website for the book. When we arrived, sure enough, there was a sign at reception indicating 'cash only'. Thankfully, we had already visited an ATM for that very purpose.
Alison OMaley in Newton, MA USA 01/13/2012
Germany 2011, map on page 100, restaurants # 5 and #6 are swapped. We ate at Nürnberger Bratwurst Glöckl am Dom and it is listed as #6, but much closer to where #5 is shown on the map. (great restaurant!)
Dale Hollenbaugh in Milton, PA USA 12/13/2011
St. Jakobs Church-Rothenburg-free to enter but to actually get close enough to see the wooden carvings will cost you 2 Euros.
Jim in Salt Lake City, UT USA 11/11/2011
Either we couldn't find it or the Nightwatchman's shop is closed. Also, all the hotels in "sleeping near the king's castles" were closed in November which was fine we slept at Alstadthotel Zum Hecten in Fussen
Brian Gray in Brussels , belgium 11/05/2011
Yes - do NOT recommend Bob's Special Tours in Salzburg.
Kathy & Rick Taylor in Placentia, CA USA 11/03/2011
Germany, 2011, Nurnburg, Central Nurnburg map has the Hotel Elch on Weissgerberg. It is actually one block north on Irrerstrasse. (The hotel was nice, the restaurant was a delight.)
David Poretti in Minneapolis, MN USA 10/28/2011
The Berlin 2011 Snapshot did not have information on the online reservations needed for the Reichtag. We were terribly disappointed not to be able to see it.
Helen Kluck in Gloucester, MA USA 10/10/2011
St Goar grocery (St Goarer Stadtladen on p 390 Germany 2011) is open Tuesday to Saturday (Dienstag to Samstag). Closed Sunday and Monday
Joseph White in Temple, TX USA 10/01/2011
As previously reported by another traveler, the Reichstag now requires reservations due to a security threat. We went on a Saturday evening and found out this information, but the guide asked if we had our passports with us. We did, and when we showed them to him, he let us take the tour without a reservation.
Kris in Parker, CO USA 10/01/2011
I think you might want to alert your readers to the fact that your recommended Hotel Astoria in Berlin has a non-cancellation policy for any reservations made for less than a 3-night stay. Thanks.
Lee Buddendeck in Washington, DC USA 09/29/2011
Currently the Hotel Astoria in Trier, Germany does not except Credit cards. They are not advising guests of this until they check out. The owner Paula is in dispute with the Credit Card Companies.
Lisa in Nashville, TN USA 09/24/2011
Berlin - The Berlin Story bookstore has closed.
Carole in Edmonton, Canada 09/07/2011
Do you still recommend Hotel Munchner-Kindl in Munich? Accomodations again were clean, small and nice - and close to the old center. But it is now on a street with many vacant storefronts and a noisy nightclub a few doors down. Parking in the little elevator lot across the street is difficult. While Renate can be helpful, she and her staff can also unaccommodating and threw our luggage out onto the sidewalk while she knew I was getting the car (since she had to open the garage for me to retrieve it). She also pulled the little table and chairs out from under us.
Randall in Portland, OR USA 08/31/2011
An update on the Berlin section: in response to security concerns by the German parliament security team, visitors who wish to visit the dome of the Reichstag building need to make reservations 3 to 4 days in advance.
Mark Trisko in Pine Island, MN USA 08/21/2011
It should be noted that all shops -tourist oriented and those that cater to locals- close on Sunday. Literally all commerce except restaurants stops on Sunday. This would have been good to know when planning my trip.
Sonja in Ann arbor, MI USA 08/21/2011
Germany 2011 - Pension Peters - Pages 618 & 619 - no longer accepting credit cards (per my reservation for Aug 20 - 25, 2011.
Charles Carter in Seattle, WA USA 08/11/2011
I don't agree with the "less seedy" neighborhood designation for the Hotel Uhland in Munich. There is a lot of urban renewal going on, the house next door is being renovated, there was a wonderful restaurant "Lenz" a block or so away. It did not feel even partially seedy.
Sally Boussios in Hillsboro, OR USA 08/01/2011
Reichstag required 3 day advance reservations. We looked on their website but could not find any way to make reservation. Some tourists said same thing happened to them, while others said they had no problem and didnt need reservations! Very confusing. Police were friendly but we never got in.
Sharon Armann in Phoenix, AZ USA 07/18/2011
Used the Snapshot guide to Berlin recently and while the information was good and mostly accurate, an index would have made the overall use of the book more convenient.
Larry in Florence, KY USA 07/14/2011
page 476, 2010 edition: The trams to the Blue Wonder is the #12 and #6 (#4 and #6 are written) page 484, 2010 edition: The bus to the Feldschosschen Stammhaus is the #62 (#82 is written) and the stop is "Agentur fur Arbeit" (Arbietsamt is written).
Dan in Johnstown, NY USA 06/20/2011
Unfortunately the Kurzstrecke on the bus did not allow transfers anymore even though I was only going short distances.
mary ann henderson in Seattle, WA USA 05/31/2011
Germany 2011/Appendix/Page 643: 'www.cometogermany.com' is now 'www.germany.travel/en/index.html'. No big deal!
D.B. in Cary , IL USA 05/29/2011
Your guide book recomends Cochem as a base for bike touring the north Mosel vally. I found Moselkern and Treis-Karten less populated and better for my type of vactaion.
Thomas Thrasher in Bremerton, WA USA 04/14/2011
pg 50 of the Munich, Bavaria & Salzburg book, under Nurnberg says to go to the "Nurnberg chapter" for information on this historic city. I can't find this chapter. Is it in this book?
Kay Gilbert in Wauwatosa, WI USA 03/17/2011
Have the 2010 Germany book. Why is the Fairy Tale Road, from Hanau to Hamelin and Bremen, not mentioned. Is this not recommeded?
linda in Albuquerque, NM USA 03/10/2011
The Reichstag is currently not open to the public without a reservation beforehand or a reservation at the Rooftop Cafe. We weren't really sure why this was, though. Also, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews is only open until 19:00 in the winter (October-March?), whereas your book says it is open until 20:00.
Eric in Burlington, VT USA 02/21/2011
St. Goar - I enjoyed staying at the Hotel am Markt, run by its new owners, Willi and Renata Marx (no longer Herr and Frau Velich.
Linda in Portland, OR USA 01/11/2011
No.l
Caroline and Jack Meyer in George West, TX USA 01/04/2011