Being more German??

PurpleHS The latest ruling on Motorhomes is that you can park anywhere in Germany but overnighting is not allowed for any length of time.
Have good time
Gute Reise!

Sorry I meant overnighting only on camp sites if you are staying longer.

I have just had a week's cruise on the River Moselle and I can strongly recommend it.
I got lost several times on my way from France to Koblenz (because I got bored with the Motorway!) and found many Germans who were able to give me directions in English.
The 'is it better here than in England' question pops up regularly on French expat forums and there is never a consensus. As far as I am concerned, it is just different, and I have adjusted to French bureaucracy, products, opening times, etc. over the years.

That's an interesting point about the differences in attitudes about personal space MargaretX. When we meet friends & neighbours of our son we have nothing but kindness, very different from when on stations, queueing or getting off planes.

Tegan- yes it is true certainly in Bavaria, though agreements can be made with friendly neighbours if the activity is not too noisy. Bavaria is still very religious (Catholic). Registered Church members also pay an extra tax (not sure what it goes on & I think Protestants pay one as well as Catholics). Having a quiet Sunday is rather nice - if you don't need to do DIY or mow the lawn.

I certainly think they are a lot more sociable in the South of Germany !!!

Thanks once again to Oldgreymare, MargaretX & LizG for all the tips, hints & enticements! Between you, together with warm endorsement from Greatnan you have have focussed us beautifully on the Moselle & the south, along with great suggestions on where to visit - for that, many thanks. The trip is taking shape & we feel very good about heading south (well, it's hopefully going to be sunnier/warmer) and as we enjoy pottering along rivers (Loire, Dordogne) your ideas fill the bill very nicely.

We're very familiar with France - even have a French DiL & extended family there because of this, so Germany in the motorhome will be a new experience and the lack of height barriers will be welcome!

The only space I can offer LizG in the van is in the bathroom, which will be full of other bits, bobs & the fold up bike.....but if you could perch on the top maybe this would do.....?!

Yes the South of Germany is RC but all Germans pay Church tax BUT they can opt out of it and a lot do. On the other hand many hospitals, kindergarten and care homes are financed partly by church tax, so lapsed Catholics like DH still pay the tax - regarding it as a donation.

purpleHS when travelling South you will pass over the Gruess Gott border. That is the line where you stop saying 'Guten Tag' and say 'Gruss Gott'
Looking on your map of Germany it is South of Wurzburg. So don't be surprised if you are met with this form of greeting. For us who live in South Germany it is like coming home, and even pilots on planes flying to Stuttgart will use it to make his landsmen and women feel at home.