Re: [Leica] visiting Leica in Germany...questions for those who have been.

["Dan S" <dstate1@hotmail.com>]

Actually I found the factory tour worth the trip.  It lasts a few hours and 
is very detailed.  You will have to make reservations at least a month in 
advance however.  They offered free copies of the Leica family tree poster, 
and some good coffee, but no T-shirts....

As for Solms/Wetzlar, you are correct, they are fairly average German towns, 
but don't forget that the factory is minutes from Braunfels.  This is a very 
quaint town, castle and all, with some decent hotels and wonderful food.  It 
is the subject of many Leica promo shots.

If you like Leica, don't miss the factory tour.
(or the beer in Braunfels.  I was told by the waitress it comes from 
Wetzlar....I do not know the name, but it was heaven on earth!  Sorry to the 
Scotch drinkers, but my motto is "if it really tastes good you should be 
able to guzzle it)

Best Wishes
Dan


>
>Francesco,
>
>Leica's HQ and factory is in Solms, about 10-15 km from Wetzlar. The
>distance from Munich is 460 km, so it is not really feasible for a day
>trip. In my opinion it is not worth the drive, unless you are a really
>hard-core Leicaphile. Neither town is particularly interesting; I do not
>know about the factory tour, I have never taken one. As for buying Leica
>stuff, I do not believe that neither Solms nor Wetzlar offers much in
>this regard. The only shop selling Leica in that area is Lars Netopiel's
>(sp) shop in Wetzlar, but he specialises in rare mint collectibles and
>you are unlikely to find any bargains there. You are better off visiting
>a well-stocked dealer in a large city like Munich; perhaps the German
>LUGgers can give you some pointers.
>
>If you do decide to go to Solms, you can find detailed driving
>directions on Leica's web site.
>
>My other suggestion is to think about the weather when picking the time
>to travel in the countries you mention. If you come in March, you are
>most probably going to encounter snowy roads in the mountains of
>Southern Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Northern Italy. When I went
>to the Solms Photo Shoot in early April, we had snow in the Eifel area
>on the Belgian-German border, and the elevations where you will be are
>much higher. I think you are better off coming in May, you will still
>beat the summer crowds but the weather will be better.
>
>Nathan
>
>Francesco Sanfilippo wrote:
>
> > Yvonne and I are already eagerly planning our next photo
> > trip.  We expect to be taking a 2-4 week trip sometime
> > between March and May to catch the tail end of the
> > winter and its natural beauty, and to avoid the summer
> > crowds.  Our plans are to start in Munich, working our
> > way through Southern Germany, stopping in Vienna,
> > then working down through Austria, ending in either
> > Switzerland or Northern Italy.
> >
> > Can someone tell me where the Leica factory/HQ is?
> > Solms or Wetzlar?  Is it feasible to make it a day trip
> > from Munich or is it across Germany somewhere?  Is it
> > worth going there?  I was hoping to go for an afternoon
> > and possibly take a tour, ramble through a gift shop, buy
> > a few Leica shirts, pick up the new M6 brochure, etc.  Is
> > this how it works?
> >
> > How many LUGgers are there in Southern Germany or
> > Austria?  Maybe we can meet for a coffee or beer and
> > some photography if I pass through your area!
> >
> > Francesco Sanfilippo
> > Webmaster & Network Administrator,
> > InContact Systems, MentorU.Com
> > ...and Leica M6 photographer!

>
>
>

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