But I think I have the solution to the travel problem! (HOORAY! *\;-)
My German boss suggested that if I had a car we could have dinner somewhere nice in the Black Forest. (So I'll get to see him once this year.)
So... we fly into one of the less expensive and difficult problematic cities on Saturday and stay there that night. Maybe tour a little, but mostly try to get on schedule.
Next morning we hire a car and set off to Strasbourg (~4 hours drive) and arrive well in time for the pre-meeting get-together Sunday evening.
After the meetings conclude on Tue, dinner Tue or Wed with my boss. Day before departure we drive back to the airport (~4 hours again, unless we go sightseeing along the way), turn in the car, and check into a hotel there for the night.
I think this will work and LoM will be delighted. She'll get her birthday present.
The look on her face will erase the stress.
Enjoy yourselves, and post some pics when you can.
*HUG*