Possible trip to Germany

Area Discussion North West Midlands
2
Hi All,

I have been considering organizing a trip to Germany next year. Based in the Sauerland region of Germany in NRW. An area I know as I lived there for nearly 20 years. 

Looking to be based near the town of Warstein, (home of the Warsteiner Brewery). Some areas of local interest are the Mohne and Sorpe dams (targets of the Dambusters), Wewelsburg near Paderborn (a former SS training school and now a museum), Bilster Berg race circuit, Buckeburg helicopter museum, Motorcycle museum at Ibbenburen. 
I could possibly contact friends of mine to arrange a visit to the aircraft museum at Paderborn Airport and local sightseeing flights out of Paderborn Airport. 
A non driving day could see a visit to Dusseldorf or Koln.  
Numbers would be limited to 6 to 8 cars due to using smaller guest houses.  
Would probably be looking at May time but nothing set in stone.
Just posting this up to gauge interest and see if it is worth me looking any further into it.  
  
  
Regards 
  
Colin & Jan 
 
3

Colin and Jan

An interesting proposal. Always looking for overseas adventures so do please keep me informed if plans were to be developed over the coming months.

Jim Keeley. 

4

HI Colin 

We would be interested in this along with Jim and Dawn if the opportunity arises . 

Please keep us in the loop on your plans 

Many thanks 

 

John & Hilary 

 

 

 

5

Hi Colin

As John and Jim has said would certainly be very interested in this trip

Keep us informed please

Mark and Lisa

6

Hi Colin

Christine and I would be interested in your trip.

Chris  & Christine.

7

So here are a few links to stuff.

 

https://www.bilster-berg.de/en/

https://www.warsteiner.com/brewery/brewery-tour/

http://www.hubschraubermuseum.de/?lang=en

https://www.wewelsburg.de/en/

https://www.airport-pad.com/en/airport-experience/quax-aviation/quax-hangar/

https://www.hermannsdenkmal.de/

https://www.hameln.de/en/

https://www.motorradmuseum-ibbenbueren.de/

 

Most are in English. I am fluent in German so language isn’t a problem over there but because of previous British military

presence in the area English is understood in most places. 

So I think that is enough to start with. Any questions just ask. Hope to start getting hotel info soon. 

 

Colin & Jan

8

Hi All,

 

Been thinking and having a quick look around and just a couple of questions for everybody.

Hotel / Guesthouse or Holiday apartment ? The area is a big ski resort in winter and there are a lot of Holiday apartments in Winterberg 

which is a little further south than my initial plan but still ok.

6 days or 7 ? For some reason I’ve been looking at 6 days.

I was looking around the 6th to 12th May but I realise the 4th is May bank holiday. Any better suggestions, not wanting to travel Monday or Friday.

Any suggestions welcome.

 

Colin & Jan

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After talking to a friend of mine who lives near the Mohne Dam I have started to look at hotels etc in the Willingen Area.

There is much more choice there. But I have also found some interesting options in or near Bad Westernkotten which is in the north of the area.

I know this area a bit as I lived not too far away for 20 years. 

I’ve been trying to find somewhere within walking distance of a town / village centre so we can go out in the evening on foot. 

 

Colin & Jan

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Anytime in May 2020 is fine with us (but we’re lucky and retired); if incorporating the Bank Holiday helps with people’s leave, that’s also fine.

A guest house that could take us all would be great.

We’re happy to go with your preference regarding area - you’re the ‘local expert’!

Thanks for all your efforts in organising an interesting trip.

Alan and Jan

11

We would be interested in this if there are still places please.

 

Cheers

Neil and Anne

12

Just a few updates.

I have decided on early ferry Dover to Calais (or Tunnel) Wednesday 6th May 2020 to Tuesday 12th May 2020. Check out hotel then early evening ferry Calais to Dover. 

We plan on driving down to Dover on the Tuesday and staying overnight near Dover in a Travelodge / Premier Inn. 

I have emailed 7 hotels in and around Willingen and waiting for replies on cost and availability.

So we would have 6 nights in Germany and 1 or 2 nights in UK. Depending on whether people want a stop before the ferry or after getting off the ferry on the way back.

On a previous trip to Germany I organised, I prepared a route book for different routes/places of interest. This means people can choose their own daily trips. It is your holiday as well and I don’t force anybody to come with us on our day trips but all are welcome to come with us. People can decide on a daily basis. A non driving day to Dusseldorf / Cologne as originally planned isn’t really an option as Willingen is further South East than my original planned base. However I think there is much more to do in Willingen than Warstein.

Ok so names I have so far are:

Colin and Jan (Us)

John Harris (Friend from Newcastle)

Alan and Jan

Jim and Dawn

John and Hilary

Mark and Lisa

Chris and Christine

Neil and Anne

Tim and Julie

 

That’s 17 so my original limit but anybody else interested can still put their names down as it is still a long way away and peoples circumstances can change.

If anybody on my list can’t make the dates I suggested please let me know and can I have full names please so I know who I have. Also at some point I will need email addresses to coordinate stuff.

 

Now I have a rough itinerary as an idea but as said the road book allows you to do as you please.

Day 1 (Wed 6.5.20)  Ferry to Calais. Drive Calais to Willingen (550km - 6hrs 30m approx)

Day 2 (Thu 7.5.20)   Free day in Willingen - No driving!!

Day 3 (Fri 8.5.20)     Drive to Sorpe / Mohne Dam

Day 4 (Sat 9.5.20)    Drive to Warsteinerwelt - Brewery Tour 2hrs (€15)

Day 5 (Sun 10.5.20)  Drive to Wewelsburg / Paderborn Airport

Day 6 (Mon 11.5.20) Drive to Diemelsee / Bad Arolsen

Day 7 (Tue 12.5.20) Checkout and drive back to Calais.

 

Any questions just ask.

 

Colin & Jan

13

Having now heard back from the bulk of the hotels I’ve contacted I can give an approximate price of €300 per person for the 6 days bed and breakfast.

That is for the dates (arrive) 6th May to (check out) 12th May 2020. Can’t get ferry prices yet. 

I have provisionally booked 8/9 rooms and have them on option until 20th June. 

This is the Hotel I have at the top of my list. 

 https://www.brueggesloui.de/ (own website)

 

https://www.booking.com/hotel/de/privathotel-brugges-loui.en-gb.html (in English on Booking.com)

The hotel is a biker friendly hotel and the owner has offered to help with nice driving routes and safe parking behind the hotel. He can also arrange a bbq for us one night if we want it. Very amenable and helpful. 

I have noticed that some people have shown interest in both this trip and the NI trip. As these are quite close together can I please ask people who are definitely wanting to come on this trip to let me know as we will have to give numbers and possibly pay a deposit to the hotel. 

We will be attending both Shrops and Staffs meets this month if anybody has any questions.

 

Cheers

 

Colin & Jan

 

 

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HI Colin 

 

We would like to join you on your trip as we have already been to Northern Ireland previously 

 

Many thanks 

 

John & Hilary 

 

15

Morning Colin / Jan

As with J & H. If it comes down to having to choose from one trip or the other, as we have already done one to Ireland, it would be Germany for us too.

Cheers

Mark & Lisa

16

Colin,

Happy to commit to Germany. Please keep us posted on any developments. Catch up with you at the May meeting.

Jim and Dawn

 

17

Hi All,

Can the people on my list above please message me with your email address, whenever you get a chance.
Also anyone who is interested but not on the list.

Thank you

Colin & Jan

18

Hi All,

 

Having been in touch with the Hotel owner in Germany can I please ask anybody who hasn’t given me their email address yet to please do so by 15th June at the latest. 

I need to give the hotel numbers of rooms needed by the 20th June. I currently have only 4 cars / rooms on my list, that is including ourselves. Whatever I have by the 20th is what I’ll book.

 

Thank you. 

 

Colin & Jan

19

Hi All,

Just a reminder that cut off for registering interest is Saturday morning (15th June) so if anybody wants to be on this trip please message me with your email address before
Saturday. I still have places available.

Regards

Colin & Jan

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Hi Colin,

We can be contacted on either of the following email addresses:-



Thanks
Anne & Neil.