Karen Brown's German Country Inns and Itineraries

If you have an extended budget, like to drive (especially on the fast German autobahns), and want to explore the culture and history of Germany this may be a good choice for you. This travel book is different than the rest in that it presents several travel (rather driving) itineraries to experience differnt parts of the country. It is well priced, with lots of good tourist information on all the major towns covered on the selected beautiful routes and also loding information (not for the travelers on a shoe-string budget).

When I planned my first trip to Germany, back in 2000, I read through a copy of Karen Brown's guide that I'd taken out of the library. I recall sniffing at it: the hotels it listed were all the expensive, elegant places that I couldn't afford. And there was something about the itineraries that bothered me -- perhaps an emphasis on elegance (presumably at the expense of experiencing the real country).However, during my vacation, we found ourselves following much of the Black Forest itinerary that the (then-current) book suggested, and discovered that one of the hotels we picked -- a lovely one in Triberg -- was on her list. I've now been to Germany twice, and am planning a third trip. I've looked at this guide once more, and (now that I'm familar with the country) I am incredibly impressed by it. My initial criticisms, four years ago, were completely off the mark. I've done at least part of a few of her itineraries, and they really are very good.While it's recommended that you stay a day or two in the major cities (such as Munich), these really get only an arm wave. (You'll want another book that focuses on them.) Where this book shines is in sending you -- in a car, this isn't for the train traveler -- along a well defined route to see stuff outside the litany of museums and yet-another-church.In addition, those itineraries take you through regions that other books simply ignore. I've found that several books completely ignore the Black Forest, or briefly mention Frieberg and Baden-Baden. The DK book (which does have beautiful pictures) gives a single page to Baden-Baden, for instance; this one has three or four, including some idea of what to expect at the famous spas. Plus, unlike a lot of guide books, this one gives you some idea of how much time to budget for each leg of the trip. For instance, she points out that it's a 5-hour drive from point-a to point-b along this stretch of the Alpine Road, but between lunch and sightseeing you should expect to stay a full day.The only earlier criticism that did apply -- an emphasis on expensive places to stay -- has been addressed, as there are now several places listed for 80 euros rather than 200.I now have quite a collection of Germany tour books. This one's sure to be among the ones I pack along.

We slept in the most lovely inns by using this book. Excellent descriptions of properties...accurate in details. Thoroughly enjoyed the ambiance of many of the family owned historical inns described. More than worth the price...

These books have been very helpful on our two trips to Europe. I have found every hotel review to be accurate. The authors also give great ideas for side trips and useful maps. You can plan your whole vacation using these books.If you want to find charming smaller hotels in Europe this books is your best bet. If you prefer a larger American Style hotel or resort this is not the book for you.

We travelled to Germany in May returning in June. We had purchased four travel books to help us in our places to stay. After two days we mailed the other books home from my brother-in-laws. Brown's book on Germany was the only book we should have taken. The say the least, it was helpful. We have already purchased the Irish volume and are planning our trip for next year. One other comment: the author did not do justice to all the places we stayed, they were better than they were wrote up as!