History Holidays
Whilst trying to find out more about the unusual fifth century baths in Faversham, I came across some guided holidays that are really rather tempting. Roman Holidays have a super programme of tours including Roman Germany. Ohh, I want to go. But it costs too much :-(
posted by Alex Bordessa @ Tuesday, September 12, 2006
11 Comments:
and then on to Saalburg Roman fort high in the German forests where Varus led his legions to disaster.
Em, the Saalburg, a reconstructed Limes fort, is not the place where Varus led his legions to disaster. And if they still think the battle took place in the Teutoburg Forest, they're like 5 years behind present research. The Roman saltus Teutoburgiensis meant a much larger area.
The way I read it, it says that the fort is in the *German forests* and the German forest is where the legions got duffed up, not the fort. 'German forest' rather than Teutoburg forest, note. I suspect that would be the get-out clause if it came to an argument - archaeologists always have get-out clauses somewhere along the line ... ;-)
Damn those sneaky archaeologists. :-)
I still think it's misleading, and they should have left out Xanten which is a Roman Disneyland and added Kalkriese instead, lol. But there's nothing wrong with Cologne, Trier and the Saalburg.
Yes, I would expect to go to Kalkriese. I have a suspicion that this itinerary was written a while ago, and may be subject to tweaking. If I had the money to go, I would check it out with them.
I'd actually like to see Xanten on the 'Heritage presentation' score; I'm not sure if we have anything similar in England - for a Roman site, that is.
Yup, I think I'd like Roman Germany too. Is it really very expensive?
It depends on the level of accomodation and food you're looking for but the prices of that program are rather on the higher scale - I could organise something for less. :)
Now there's an offer, Alex ...
Diane, yes indeed!
Gabriele - are all the sites easily reachable by public transport? Some are obviously in towns so it should be straightforward, but is Kalkriese?
I think the trip as advertised is expensive, having compared it to others. But there'll be something added so profit is made for the company running it. Rather a generous amount, I think ...
Alex,
Kalkriese is near Osnabrück which is reachable by train, and there's a bus transfer. Cologne and Trier of course, are connected to the railway and I suppose there's some sort of transfer to the Saalburg. Xanten can be reached by bus via Kleve.
I'll be in Trier Sept. 22-25, let's see what it's going to cost everything included.
Ok, checked the Saalburg. It's reachable by bus from Frankfurt, but it's a bit tricky because when you come from Trier or Cologne by train, you'll be in Frankfurt only after noon and then it takes another hour by bus which doesn't leave you much time at the Saalburg. Not to mention Frankfurt is expensive and not very attractive. It may be worth considering if you really need to see the Saalburg - it's famous because it was the first Roman fort ever to be reconstructed, but basically, it's not different from Vindolanda and other places at the Hadrian's Wall.
You could come to Göttingen instead and I'll get my father's car and take you to Hedemünden and the Abbey at Bursfelde, then you can leave for Osnabrück the next day and be there early enough to make it to Kalkriese without stress.
You could do something like this:
overnight ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam
train Amsterdam - Cologne, arrival in the afternoon, stay there 2 days (3 nights)?
train to Trier, arrival at 12:00, stay 1 1/2 days (2 nights)?
train to Göttingen, arrival at noon, tour to Hedemünden (1 night)
train to Osnabrück, arrival at 10.30 in the morning, bus to Kalkriese (1 night)
next day - train Osnabrück to Kleve, arrival 11.30, bus to Xanten (1 night)
next morning - train Kleve to Amsterdam, overnight ferry to Newcastle
If you don't mind sleeping on an air mattress in my living room, you're welcome (but I can only host one person, there's not much space), and my aunt lives in Kleve - she may be willing to let you stay in her guestroom.
Thank you for this; it gives me some idea of how to get to places. I think the best place to get to a ferry is Hull, as I'm in York. Thanks too, for the offer of accommodation.
Do tell us how much there is to see in Trier.
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