Arranging a Week in Bavaria! Help!
Nov 6th, 2011, 03:26 PM
#1
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Arranging a Week in Bavaria! Help!
I'm going to be spending a few weeks in Europe and want to spend around 7 (or 8, I'm flexible) days in Germany. I've already done reasearch (I've read Rick Steves Germany and Eye Witness Travel Munich and Bavaria) and know the areas I want to see. However, I'm not sure how to arrange them into my itinerary. I know I want to see Munich (with a day trip to Neuschwanstein), Rothenburg, and Salzburg (with a day trip to Berchtesgaden). What i don't know is what order to see them in and how long to stay in each place. Help would be greatly apreciated! Thanks!!
Nov 6th, 2011, 03:42 PM
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Well, Rothenburg is darling but it is really the best in the evening and early morning when the tourists are gone. Not much to do there except wander around, maybe do the Night Watchman tour. So one afternoon, night and next morning there before heading out to net location.
Munich can take 3 days including a side trip to the castles.
I have not been to Salzburg so cannot comment.
Where are you arriving from? That will make a difference in the order in which you visit these places. How will you be traveling, train or car?
Munich can take 3 days including a side trip to the castles.
I have not been to Salzburg so cannot comment.
Where are you arriving from? That will make a difference in the order in which you visit these places. How will you be traveling, train or car?
Nov 6th, 2011, 03:56 PM
#4
Hi,
Most important questions... where are you arriving from and departing from (where does Germany fit in your overall trip plan) and how are you getting around, rental car or public transportation?
Munich and Salzburg are 2 hours away from one another. Salzburg is one of our favorites. Berchtesgaden is less than 30 minutes from Salzburg. Love the Berchtesgaden area. Rothenburg is also a terrific old town. We liked the Crime and Punishment Museum, St. jacobs church (esp. Tilman Riemanschneiders 500 yr. old wood carved alter, a true masterpiece), walking the wall in the evening and the Nightwatchman Tour... the best hour we spent in Rothenburg.
Rothenburg, spend at least a day and night. Salzburg, 3 nights and Munich... never really cared for Munich (it's just that we don't care for the larger cities, nothing against Munich itself), so I can't comment on how long to stay. We stay in the Berchtesgaden area for our visits to Salzburg. I should mention that we always use a rental car.
Paul
Most important questions... where are you arriving from and departing from (where does Germany fit in your overall trip plan) and how are you getting around, rental car or public transportation?
Munich and Salzburg are 2 hours away from one another. Salzburg is one of our favorites. Berchtesgaden is less than 30 minutes from Salzburg. Love the Berchtesgaden area. Rothenburg is also a terrific old town. We liked the Crime and Punishment Museum, St. jacobs church (esp. Tilman Riemanschneiders 500 yr. old wood carved alter, a true masterpiece), walking the wall in the evening and the Nightwatchman Tour... the best hour we spent in Rothenburg.
Rothenburg, spend at least a day and night. Salzburg, 3 nights and Munich... never really cared for Munich (it's just that we don't care for the larger cities, nothing against Munich itself), so I can't comment on how long to stay. We stay in the Berchtesgaden area for our visits to Salzburg. I should mention that we always use a rental car.
Paul
Nov 6th, 2011, 03:56 PM
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Thanks! yeah I had heard you wouldn't need a lot of time in Rothenburg so I'm glad you said that! I'll be coming from venice, so I'll probably stop in either Munich or Salzburg first I'm guessing.
Nov 6th, 2011, 04:00 PM
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I'm arriving from venice and it doesn't really matter where I depart from. We'll be spending a day training to Paris but it'll be OK if we have to connect somewhere. We're open to either public transport or a rental car. What do you suggest for where we want to go?
Nov 8th, 2011, 08:41 PM
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Since you are open to rental car, I recommend you go that route as it works best for the places you want to see. Germany also has the cheapest rental rates in Europe, easy driving and no drop charges.
You could stay in Munich right away and then pick up a car when you leave to drive to Salzburg for a few nights and then hitting Berchtesgaden on your way to Fussen for a night to see Neuschwanstein. From there you can drive up the Romantic Road to Rothenburg and drop the car in Frankfurt where you can connect to the train for Paris.
I usually don't recommend 1 night stays but if you want to see those castles (overrated in my opinion) I think this schedule works well.
Munich 3
Salzburg 2
Fussen 1
Rothenburg 2 (arriving late after the drive up the Romantic Road from Fussen, stopping in Nordlingen and Dinkelsbuhl)
You could stay in Munich right away and then pick up a car when you leave to drive to Salzburg for a few nights and then hitting Berchtesgaden on your way to Fussen for a night to see Neuschwanstein. From there you can drive up the Romantic Road to Rothenburg and drop the car in Frankfurt where you can connect to the train for Paris.
I usually don't recommend 1 night stays but if you want to see those castles (overrated in my opinion) I think this schedule works well.
Munich 3
Salzburg 2
Fussen 1
Rothenburg 2 (arriving late after the drive up the Romantic Road from Fussen, stopping in Nordlingen and Dinkelsbuhl)
Nov 9th, 2011, 05:59 PM
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Aramis. Thanks for your response. I wasn't planning on staying in Fussen, but instead making a day trip from Munich. Do you think this will work? Also if I were to go only by trains and buses what do you suggest?
Nov 9th, 2011, 07:23 PM
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Sure you could train straight to Salzburg from Venice, stay 3/4 nights, seeing Berchtesgaden, and/or St. Gilgen, St. Wolfgang, Hallstatt, etc. as a day trip. Then train back to Munich for 4/5 nights and see the castles as one day-trip and Rothenburg and/or Nuremberg/Bamberg as another, before training to Paris. If you like this plan, consider the overnight train to save the day - you can add it back to Venice, Munich, Salzburg, or Paris.
You could also consider;
Salzburg 3
Munich 3
Rothenburg 2
which would let you stay in Rothenburg during the evening and morning - the best times. Getting from Rothenburg to Paris would be quite a task - at least 8 hours with at least 2 connections, including a bus. Training to Rothenburg is also a chore - 3 hours and 2 connections. A bus might be easier, especially for a day-trip, but I don't know bus specifics. A car really is the best way to see Rothenburg and the Romantic Road towns. The second plan would leave you with little time in Salzburg/ Berchtesgaden - you could cut Rothenburg to 1 night, I suppose.
You could also consider;
Salzburg 3
Munich 3
Rothenburg 2
which would let you stay in Rothenburg during the evening and morning - the best times. Getting from Rothenburg to Paris would be quite a task - at least 8 hours with at least 2 connections, including a bus. Training to Rothenburg is also a chore - 3 hours and 2 connections. A bus might be easier, especially for a day-trip, but I don't know bus specifics. A car really is the best way to see Rothenburg and the Romantic Road towns. The second plan would leave you with little time in Salzburg/ Berchtesgaden - you could cut Rothenburg to 1 night, I suppose.
