Thanks,

Mary

Joseph Rosendo: Rothenburg has everything you need for the day. It will offer a lot of the German Christmas experience as far as what we dream about Christmas -- visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads -- but remember the ultimate German Christmas experience is intermingling with the people and their life and their celebration of Christmas and the larger the city the more people and the more opportunities to have good experiences with the people and their celebration. In Hamburg there are six Christmas Markets throughout the city, everywhere you go there are food and drink stalls and goods galore -- there are parades and music everywhere -- so yes, the larger the city the more opportunities you have to join the local celebration. Just keep in mind that in travel (and I propose life) "The guy who gets the most toys doesn't win, it's the guy or gal who gets the most experiences."

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Downingtown, Pa.: We'll be going to Germany in late April/ early May 2008. Considering the loss in dollar value, what are some good values in Germany for that time of year? Are there any particular locations or activities we should consider? We are an active married couple around 50. We'll be traveling from Philadelphia to Munich, visiting a friend who lives in Munich and also traveling to Switzerland to visit a friend. We'll have about 10-12 days for the trip.

Joseph Rosendo: Food is still a good value in Europe. Value for dollar is still the name of the game throughout the continent. You can eat reasonably and well wherever you are. Try the local specialties -- they are always the best value and most fun. Another money saving tip: Many of the cities have Welcome Cards -- or whatever they may call them -- which are cards that you pay a set price for and they give you discount (if not free) admissions to museums and attractions, discounts on accommodations and other travel necessities. Public transportation is usually always included and you can buy the cards for 1 -- 3 -- 7 or more days. This is the best and cheapest way to get the most out of your city experiences. Just visit the tourism offices in each town (addresses in your guidebooks) or information can be obtained at airports, train stations, etc. You may be able to purchase the cards ahead of time. The German Tourist Office would have the answers to those questions. Zimmer Freis, public transportation, small cafes, free days at museums are all additional good money saving ideas. Regarding Switzerland: You may be surprised, but because of the value of the Euro, Switzerland is now less expensive than some of its neighbors. They are still on the Swiss Franc.

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Baltimore, Md.: We are two couples (age 30-40ish) headed to the Black Forest for about 4 days next week. We'd like to go on some nice walks, eat some nice (but not expensive) food, and stay in some cute (but, again, not expensive) inns. Can you give recommendations? Are there any sights we shouldn't miss?

Joseph Rosendo: The Black Forest region of Germany is beautiful and great cuisine abounds. There is nice food throughout the area -- the best is expensive and the best is there. I ate in three Michelin star restaurants in one day there -- a one, two and three star. It was an overload -- on both my body and my pocketbook -- hey, but what the heck. Once again -- look for the Zimmer Frei signs in the villages, but the don't expect things to be cheap. The Black Forest is a huge tourist destination for Germans. But walks are cheap and each village tourist office will be happy to direct you to the ones surrounding their town. Any hotel and inn will gladly show the path and the paths often lead to or pass other inns and Gasthauses where you can refresh yourself along the way. It's the perfect place to have a wonderful lunch/picnic with great views surrounding you. I love this part of Germany.

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Moorhead, Minn.: My son is doing a study-abroad semester in Freiburg and I will be going to meet him in Germany, arriving 19 Dec. and departing the morning of 27 Dec. I will be flying RT Frankfurt and immediately take a train to Freiburg to meet up with him. We need to be in Clausthal-Zellerfeld on the 24 & 25th of Dec. This is my first trip to Germany and I would like to visit a Christmas market and want the trip to be fun for my 22 year old son...any ideas of where to visit and where to stay over? Great places for food and local beer? Are the Christmas markets in Cologne nicer than in Frankfurt? Any "don't miss" spots or a recommended route to take from Freiburg in Bavaria to CZ? Thanks for your help. Cindy

Joseph Rosendo: Freiburg is a fun town...a university town so definitely filled with the young and the young at heart. Best is a funny word. What is best to you is not necessarily the best for me and in every circumstance there is a bit of "best" about everywhere you go. On Travelscope and in Where To Go When we've tried to capture the best of the destinations featured. Generally Cologne is a nicer town that Frankfurt which is very business oriented -- (in fact, the Germans call it Bankfurt), and I would assume the Christmas Markets there in the shawdow of the great catherdral would be wonderful. I was in Cologne for Carnival, but not for the Christmas markets. If you're after a more homespun, local esperience I would head to the smaller towns of Germany. Celle and Lubeck in the North, Erfurt in the Thuringia forest, Esslingen on the River Neckar and Bad Muenster am Stein-Ebernburg outside of the "Big" town of Frankfurt. As far as big cities go, Berlin is an exciting town with its combination of old and new. Remember it was divided in two until the '90s. So you can still get a flavor of the East while the West is about as American as you would like. Munich is the heart of Bavaria and the Christmas Markets of Bavaria are some of the liveliest. Here are some of the highlights: Colburg has a candlelight parade on December 1st; Bamberg's Nativity Trail has 34 nativity scenes from around the world,; Nuremberg -- famous for its grilled sausages, gingerbread, fruit loaf (think a fine tasting fruit cake) -- is the place to sample the goodies from the stalls¿.it's hard to do wrong. For details on all of the markets of Germany go to cometogermany.com. They can also tell you if the Rhine Cruises are still operating during the winter months...that's an easy way to experience castles and culture. Remember its up to you to reach out and meet the locals and at the Christmas markets you will have plenty of opportunity -- all you have to say is "Guten Tag." (Good Day).

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Joseph Rosendo: Thank you for joining me today. I really enjoyed chating with you. Sorry, I didn't have time to reach everyone. If you'd like to email me personally you can do so on my website travelscope.net. I look forward to seeing you on Travelscope Television which is airing on your public television station and in the pages of DK Eyewitness Travel's Where To Go When book. Auf Wiedersehen.