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From HARC to HARZ. Or Thoughts for a trip in 2012. From HARZ to HARC. Or Thoughts for a trip in 2012. Dates suggested are from Wednesday 2 nd May Returning Monday 7 th May ( Bank Holiday ).
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FromHARC to HARZ Or Thoughts for a trip in 2012
FromHARZ to HARC Or Thoughts for a trip in 2012
Dates suggested are from • Wednesday 2nd May • Returning Monday 7th May ( Bank Holiday ) Some of the group have indicated that they would stay for a few extra days – but would make their own arrangements.
The route from Calais to the Harz is about 464 miles and takes around seven and a half hours.
As it’s a long way, there are several options, but two that have been made are :
The first idea is to have a stop over at Brüggen, which is Adrian’s relatives area. Brüggen is about 230 miles from Calais, and various maps show it as between 3 and 4 hours. This would be about half way to our destination.
The other idea is to travel to Celle near Hannover and have a stop over there. Celle, which is my home town, is typically 16th century and is on the edge of the LuneburgerHeide. The Drive to Celle takes a little under seven hours.
This is the town Centre in Celle, showing a couple of views of the Schloss or town castle. The Schloss, built about 1318, gives good examples of the Renaissance period, and is well worth a visit.
This is the “Alter Kanal” restaurant, where excellent food and beer is served, and is a recommended place to eat. + The two pictures show the restaurant on a summers evening, and also ready for a winter party.
If we stay in Celle on Wednesday and Thursday evening the journey to the Harz mountain range is just under two hours, and would take us through the town of Brunswick.
As we can’t arrive at the hotel until around 3.00pm, prior to leaving Celle, for those that are interested, I can arrange a trip to the Belsen concentration camp, on the edge of LuneburgerHeide, where the German surrender was signed on 4th May 1945. A visit to the Bergen-Belsen camp and museum is a very sobering experience. The body of Heinrich Himmler is also buried on Luneburg Heide. Belsen is about 10-15 minutes from Celle.
These pictures show the Hotel Alexisbad, where we will stay, the station, about five minutes walk away, and the rail line which runs along the road next to the hotel. This area is a beautiful tourist attraction, with many pleasant walks in the hills and forests.
Above is a screenshot of the Brocken, which is the highest point in the Harz mountains. Its about 4000 feet asl. For us older folks the train goes right to the top ! If you go onto Google maps and type in Brocken Wernigerode Germany and then just click on Brocken, there are several really good photos of the area. Alternatively follow this link
On Sunday morning we can leave our hotel and travel to Nordhausen, where the V2 rockets were developed. The journey time is a little under an hour. For those that want to visit the remains of the factory and museum here are some links and the opening times. Link one Link two Link three Link four April 1 - September 3010:00 - 18:00 hoursMuseum and tour closed on Mondays (site itself is open)Tours weekdays 11.00 and 14:00 hours (~ 90 min.)Tours Saturday and Sunday 11:00, 13:00, 15:00 and 16:00 hours. Tour takes about 90 min. and goes into Mittelwerk underground factory Tour and entry free of charge.
Well the final leg of the trip on Sunday afternoon takes us to the area where the Dam Busters visited. The MohneSorpe and Eder dams. Map Legend; A = Calais B = Celle C = DreiAnnenHohne ( our hotel in the Harz ) D= Nordhausen E = The Ruhr Gebiet where the dams are.
It may be that those that want to take some extra days out will leave the tour at either Nordhausen or perhaps the Ruhr Gebiet. The Nordhausen area would give a good chance to either explore to southern part of the Harz mountains or travel south to the area of Erfurt ( this is part of the Weimar republic ! ) Also within easy reach are Leipzig, Gottingen, Kassel and Halle – all different directions !
I have included this map of the route between the Mohnesee in Germany and Colmar in France. The trip is about 550 kms and Google maps suggest about 5½ and half hours. Please can you all email me back with a yes or no to be included on the trip ( or even a maybe ) I want to get bookings made during January 2012. Merry Christmas to all Mick G4EFO