General Info

[QUOTE=Oldbeijingguy]Ok, since we're having fun debating GPS versus a good map from a gas station versus Google maps:

Google Earth identified Bernd's as marked by the blue "A" in the attached image. Having never been, but based on the pictures I've seen of the orientation of the house, I'd guess that the house marked by the white ? is Bernds. Can someone confirm? Pretty good resolution, actually! If someone were getting some action in the back yard I think we could see it. But it's a cold-weather image.

OBG[/QUOTE]The? Is indeed over the Hof.

I've had nothing but good results with my 3 year old garmin portable. The location of the Oase has had the largest error. It put me on the correct road but many 100s of yards from the turn into the parking area.

[QUOTE=Oldbeijingguy]Ok, since we're having fun debating GPS versus a good map from a gas station versus Google maps:

Google Earth identified Bernd's as marked by the blue "A" in the attached image. Having never been, but based on the pictures I've seen of the orientation of the house, I'd guess that the house marked by the white ? is Bernds. Can someone confirm? Pretty good resolution, actually! If someone were getting some action in the back yard I think we could see it. But it's a cold-weather image.

OBG[/QUOTE]
..is actually the entrance to Bernd's parking lot. They ask that you do not park on the street but rather in this lot.
The white question mark is indeed smack on the Hof. It's a good thing that Google Earth can't see through roofs....

[QUOTE=Chukar]I have come to the conclusion I might be better off renting a car for at least part of my trip.

I lived for over 20 years in the Los Angles, Ca area so I am use to heavy traffic and congestion. I have also driven all over the USA, including many big cities like Chicago, Atlanta, etc. What concerns me about driving in Europe is off course all the road signs are in a language I don't understand. Did any of you Americans find it difficult driving in Europe the first time? Getting lost easily?

Here is a plan I have been thinking about, getting a hotel room in Dusseldorf because the hotel rates there are the cheapest of any city I have looked including Roermond and Venlo. Then renting a car there and driving to GT for a day and then to YinYang for another day. Using Dusseldorf as my base. Also of course visiting LR. Or I could stay in Roermond and drive to GT and YY, but I could only find 1 hotel in Roermond with rooms when I plan to be in that area.

Any suggestions, critics will be appreciated.[/QUOTE]
And yes, you are much better off driving than wasting precious pussy time making train connections. I've been driving in Europe for years, and Germany in particular has great signage (in fact there was a debate a while back that they have too much signage on their roads) with ample notification when you are approaching exits and turnoffs. Most European roads have international standard signs.
The only times I've gotten lost have been when I've had GPS in the car. My company pays for it in the rental car so I take one, but always prepare by plotting out my trip using via michelin or map 24, printing out their suggested directions, and also having a map. The few times that I wasn't abe to prepare and had to rely only on the GPS to find a mongering destination, I got lost.
If you're set on GT and YY, it makes more sense to stay in Venlo/Roermond rather than DUS, and drive over to LR from there. IMHO, if this is your first FKK trip, it would be better to base yourself at the Cologne/Dusseldorf area clubs like Samya, Blue Note, LR and take a jaunt out to GT.

I'm planning a business trip to Switzerland, but want to take a detour to an FKK in Germany along the way (ever tried to get laid in Switzerland?).

From my country, all flights to Geneva go through either Frankfurt or Munich.
Which airport would be most convenient for a brief "lay-over" visit to an FKK club.

In other words, which airport would work best for catching a cab from the airport, getting in a few hours of nookie, then getting back to catch a flight later that day.

And which FKK clubs are closest to each airport?

Thanks for any advice...

GT

[QUOTE=Gentleman Travel]I'm planning a business trip to Switzerland, but want to take a detour to an FKK in Germany along the way (ever tried to get laid in Switzerland?).

From my country, all flights to Geneva go through either Frankfurt or Munich.
Which airport would be most convenient for a brief "lay-over" visit to an FKK club.

In other words, which airport would work best for catching a cab from the airport, getting in a few hours of nookie, then getting back to catch a flight later that day.

And which FKK clubs are closest to each airport?

Thanks for any advice...

GT[/QUOTE]

Got to be Frankfurt. You can probably get a cab to Palace in about 25 minutes or less.

[QUOTE=Iseeu]And yes, you are much better off driving than wasting precious pussy time making train connections. I've been driving in Europe for years, and Germany in particular has great signage (in fact there was a debate a while back that they have too much signage on their roads) with ample notification when you are approaching exits and turnoffs. Most European roads have international standard signs[/QUOTE]
There is one major codicil I'd add to your praise of the German highway system. When approaching a major junction, the signs will tell you which major cities are accessible from each ramp; what they don't tell you is which direction the ramp will send you. If, for example, you're heading north, but don't know that the road to Dusseldorf is North, you can be at a loss for which way to head.

[QUOTE=Regnad]There is one major codicil I'd add to your praise of the German highway system. When approaching a major junction, the signs will tell you which major cities are accessible from each ramp; what they don't tell you is which direction the ramp will send you. If, for example, you're heading north, but don't know that the road to Dusseldorf is North, you can be at a loss for which way to head.[/QUOTE]

SOOOO TRUE! Must remember: Basel is way to the South!

[QUOTE=Gentleman Travel]I'm planning a business trip to Switzerland, but want to take a detour to an FKK in Germany along the way (ever tried to get laid in Switzerland?).

From my country, all flights to Geneva go through either Frankfurt or Munich.
Which airport would be most convenient for a brief "lay-over" visit to an FKK club.

In other words, which airport would work best for catching a cab from the airport, getting in a few hours of nookie, then getting back to catch a flight later that day.

And which FKK clubs are closest to each airport?

Thanks for any advice...

GT[/QUOTE]

DEFINITELY Frankfurt! Cab to the Palace. Half hour later you are there. München is an FKK wasteland; nearest good FKK is in Augsburg.

[QUOTE=Regnad]There is one major codicil I'd add to your praise of the German highway system. When approaching a major junction, the signs will tell you which major cities are accessible from each ramp; what they don't tell you is which direction the ramp will send you. If, for example, you're heading north, but don't know that the road to Dusseldorf is North, you can be at a loss for which way to head.[/QUOTE]
...and get your bearings before you hit the road and you shouldn't have that problem.

On / off ramps are far apart, unlike the US, so it is better to err early or you will have far to go to turn around. One time I missed the Hennef exit and it took me an hour to turn around, got caught in traffic when there was a truck fire. You must know several of the towns that the exit services, so study the map. Don't count on seeing a north or south, east or west signs.

I find Google Maps very useful for finding a given location. The zoom and shift
features let you print a " route map " in what ever size you want from the nearest autobahn exit to your destination and you can prepare a route card to maximise fun time.

[QUOTE=Regnad]what they don't tell you is which direction the ramp will send you.[/QUOTE]

It's quite easy: Odd number go from North to South or vice versa, Even numbers go from East to West or vice versa.

HB

[QUOTE=Warsteiner]Got to be Frankfurt. You can probably get a cab to Palace in about 25 minutes or less.[/QUOTE]

Thanks very much Euro & Warsteiner!
Just the info I needed.

GT

[QUOTE=Hessen Bub]It's quite easy: Odd number go from North to South or vice versa, Even numbers go from East to West or vice versa.
[/QUOTE]

True, but this is of no help, if you know that you need to go in a certain direction, say North, and all that you get offered is the name of cities on the signs, say one direction leads to Kassel, and the other to Hannover. Then what?

Even though I pride myself on knowing the German Autobahn system and generally know my German geography, I have gotten lost in the autobahn thicket around Köln for exactly that reason. If you need to make a split-second decision between Duisburg and Gummersbach, then you are out of luck 50% of the time ... (Some may argue 100%, but I won't go there ;))

Hey group;

What is the latest suggestion for a best place to go for one night away from Stuttgart area on Saturday Feb 9th? Flatrate 'fun' vs other options?

I appreciate the ideas.