If we went Amsterdam, Antwerp, Cologne, Bamberg, we'd go from Bamberg to Baden-Baden on Wednesday to catch our flight. It looks like by train, we'd have to leave at 9:30 in the morning to be reasonably safe about catching it (to get to Baden-Baden by 15:00). Even that is a little risky, though, since trains inevitably get fucked up by an hour or two. Right now it looks like it would be possible to get tickets for about 30 Euros a piece, but I assume there are additional fees not included in the price. Even that sounds pretty cheap, but I also haven't done my in-country research yet.
Anyway, as I mentioned to Ed, I thought I'd throw out the idea of getting a little closer to the airport the day before our departure to minimize the chances of minor disasters like Ed being late for his wedding and putting his poor wife through what would be some understandable distress. (I vaguely remember promising Barbara to deliver Ed in a timely manner, but I'm sure that was after a few drinks.) Just one idea close to the airport is Heidelberg, a fairly picturesque southern German town an hour and a half away and 15Euros by train. Of course if we did something like that, we'd have to adjust the itinerary. I guess that would mean cutting out Antwerp, Cologne, or Bamberg. In terms of distance, Bamberg would make the most sense, although that might also be some of the best beer.
At this point I'm not too attached to any one of the stops. What do you guys think, exchange one of our stops for a city closer to the airport? Keep the itinerary the same and go for a long haul from Bamberg? And not to rehash to much, but rent a car (my tendencies are similar to Clint's here)?
Go Dahlhauser, the thin beast!
