Der Lenz ist da (we hope) - the spring edition of the Germany/Austria thread

[LinzerTorte]

A thread for all those living in Germany or Austria or anyone who just wants to chat/ask a question about living in or visiting this part of the world - all welcome.

Previous thread here.

[YeGodsAndLittleFishes]

Come to Vienna! Not in Germany, I know but it is rather lovely here, and the city and there are hills and mountains and picuresque villages in the surrounding areas (reachable by Ubahn or tram and then a bus ride).

Through Vienna there is the Danube, some of which is good for water sports like sailing, and some for swimming. There are also swimming lakes dotted about.

There are many different parks, the biggest being the Prater which is 4.5 km long and has a great fairground at one end. There are all kinds of historic sights from grand palaces and museums to the most beautiful art nouveau architecture and some of the best art collections in the world.

You could be based in a self catering apartment along the Alte Donau for swimming, use the tram/UBahn/bus for getting into town and use the car for trips out to lakes and mountains.

[MrsNutella]

juneau ask away! I always recommend Nuremberg because I think it is beautiful the Schwarzwald (Black Forest) is supposed to be good too. You could probably even squeeze in lots of fairy tale (brothers Grimm type stuff) around there.
Alternatively heading along the northern coast you could maybe hit Hamburg and Schwerin and Rostock. Schwerin is supposed to be very pretty - it and Rostock were part of Eastern Germany.

Still no baby... 40+8 today bleurgh

How is everyone else?

[MrsNutella]

I mean dairy tale stuff around the Black Forest area.

[doradoo]

Oh Mrs N - not long now though.... DS1 was 40+10 before he made an appearance!! The german (polish?) nursery nurse said to me - "ach boys... always lazy"...... SHe may well have had a point! At least it's not too hot at the mo (silver linings and all ;) )

Juneau I know I replied on your other thread - I think the wine areas around the moselle are worth a try - and we've also had lovely times in Regensburg and Nuremburg is also good - and with small DC has the Playmo Funpark just outside which is FAB - great aparthotel and not too £££ either!!

[BertieBotts]

I'm in Baden-Wurtemburg near the Black Forest. Karlsruhe, which is a giant building site at the moment but there are lots of beautiful areas around. Rastatt or Baden Baden would probably be better places to stay if you wanted to do mountains, forest, lakes, and the Rhine. Plus there's EuropaPark nearby which people keep urging me to take DS to. And it's close to Baden Baden airport which has very cheap flights from Stansted if you're in reach of London.

Or the Pfalz is beautiful - it's a very unique place because it's swapped over from French to German ownership so many times, quite a mix of cultures. If you like posh wine it's apparently the place to go, too.

[BertieBotts]

There is a definite abundance of fairytale type houses around here.

[juneau]

This is great! Thanks very much. We're about 40 mins from Stansted, 20 mins from Luton and about 30 mins from Heathrow (but not in rush hour). We would consider flying if the drive is going to be onerous. We're doing a flying and car hiring trip this year, so I think how that goes will influence how we feel about doing that again next year.

Googling some of these places though is making me rather excited to visit Germany! DH and I have been to Vienna, but in the winter. It was freeeezing, but really pretty. Definitely one to go back to.

[FrauEnglischLehrerin]

I hated EuropaPark tbh, but dd was a bit too small for it (lots of rides with a 1m height requirement), so wasn't distracted by her enjoyment from the theme music on a one minute loop that blasts out from speakers all over the park . Playmobil Fun Park otoh is fantastic and ideal for 7 and 4 yos - we were there again this week and the kids spend all day being active. I don't know the Nuremberg area very well, but Bamberg (nearby) is a very pretty city and several people have recommended the Main cycle route in that area to me recently.

[BertieBotts]

We can't go to any theme parks at the moment since DS is terrified of fairground rides, even little baby merry go rounds

Flying would probably work out cheaper than the petrol! But of course then you wouldn't have a car on arrival.

There are loads of villages around in B-W which are beautiful. More names to throw out there that come off the top of my head - Weingarten, Ettlingen, Durlach.

[HeinousPieTrap]

Juneau come down to Freiburg, it's gorgeous! We've been living in a village about 10k out of Freiburg since Christmas, and it's idyllic.

all about Freiburg

The Black Forest is beautiful, marvellous for walking and cycling (and skiing in winter). Food is great. Weather good, loads of sunshine. We have loved it here. Sadly we move next week!

Though for fairy tale German towns, hard to beat Dinkelsbühl… It's just like stepping back in time. It's walled and moated, lots of historic towns in the vicinity Franken

[HeinousPieTrap]

And talking of moving, our move to Berlin is now imminent … This is the first time our girls will start school in the Autumn, we've always dropped them in it mid year before, poor things. So I wanted to ask - do German children do the Tüten thing every beginning of school year, or is it only for 1. Klasse?

MrsNutella how are you doing?

[MrsNutella]

Hello Heinous I'm good thanks. I'm going to make a note of your tips about the Freiburg area!
Fingers crossed your move goes smoothly!!

Baby Helena arrived (12 days late) on Monday. 3640g and 52cm. She sleeps. It's amazing. DH and I keep checking on her.... DS never did this. I wake her up to change her, feed her and then.... She sleeps again!
She made a very speedy arrival once she decided it was time - and possibly with the help of induction- just less than two hours from waters breaking to delivered. It was quite shocking and amazing.

[doradoo]

ooohhh congrats MrsN and family - can we have a pic of your little bundle??

[HeinousPieTrap]

what lovely news MrsNutella und herzlich willkommen little Helena! Beautiful name I hope the sleeping thing continues, it sounds utterly miraculous. What a clever baby!

[YeGodsAndLittleFishes]

Congratulations to you and all your family, MrsNutella!

Helena sounds like she is getting ready for great things. Yes, so clever to sleep so much! And yes, may we have a photo peek at her. Asleep it fine!

[LinzerTorte]

Congratulations, Nutella! I love the name - DS would have been Helena if he'd been a girl.

Heinous Assuming that it's the same in Germany as it is in Austria, children are only given Schultüten when they start school, i.e. 1. Klasse. DS managed to have two as he went to the Vorschulklasse (I suppose we could have been mean and refused to let him have one when he went into the 1. Klasse as he'd already been at the school for a year, but I think he would have felt left out otherwise).

YeGods How much longer are you going to be in Vienna? I was quite disappointed to find that the weather here was worse than in the UK when we got back on Tuesday, but it seems to be improving again now.

[suenanlostamboresdelarebelion]

congratulations nutella! It's a great name, and goes really nicely with DS's, I really like his name too. You have fab taste in names. You should set up a baby name consultancy. Glad to hear she sleeps! have fun adjusting to being a family of four.

[HeinousPieTrap]

Linzertorte thank you, that sounds right - just didn't want my two to be the only ones minus cones. There might have been tears!

[MrsNutella]

suenan ahhhh thank you. My name picking criteria was that it be linked to DS's name in some way. And it's the name I've had in my head the whole pregnancy. When she arrived with dark hair it was just sort of fixed.

Anyway, here she is

[MrsNutella]

Oh, and thank you everyone else too. We're all getting used to one another again slowly :)

[doradoo]

mmmm lovely!! bet you're loving the newborn smell ad snuggles not jealous at all me, oh no enjoy these precious first weeks - they soo turn into giants -wonders what to get DS1 for his birthday when he turns 10 in a fortnight's time -eek!

[YeGodsAndLittleFishes]

Aww that photo is great! So sweet to see big brother peeking in. :)

[MrTumblesBavarianFanbase]

Congratulations MrsNutella - lovely pic, lovely name :)

[petitemom]

Congratulations, MrsNutella!

juneau, I just pm'd you a link to our home-made itinerary for a two+ road trip around Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg

[petitemom]

Two+ week road trip, I meant