sockboy

Hi,

I have been working on this itinerary for what feels like forever. It has gone through different lengths, dates and locations, but I now think I have something sort of final. Any and all comments are welcome! I can still make changes - but can't make the trip any longer!

Day 1 arrive in Amsterdam, bus to Haarlem (2 nights @ Lion D'Or) Battle Jet lag, not easy for me . . .
Day 2 Haarlem
Day 3 Amsterdam (3 nights @ Estherea)
Day 4 Amsterdam
Day 5 Day trip to Hoorn and Enkhuizen - Zeider Zee Museum or Amsterdam
Day 6 Train to Bruges (3 nights @ Cavalier), stopping for the afternoon in Brussles
Day 7 Bruges
Day 8 Bruges
Day 9 Train to Cochem (2 nights @ Alte Thorschenke) either via Luxembourg, or with a stop for a couple of hours in Cologne.
Day 10 Mosel Valley
Day 11 Train to St.Goar, cruise to Bacharach, train to Rothenburg (1 night @ Gasthof Greifen)
Day 12 Rothenburg
Day 13 Rothenburg to Munich (4 nights @ 4pts Central), stopping in Dachau for the afternoon - anyone know if there are lockers available at the train station??
Day 14 Munich
Day 15 Day trip to Fussen and Ludwig's castles
Day 16 Munich
Day 17 Munich to Prague (3 nights @ Medvidku)
Day 18 Prague
Day 19 Prague
Day 20 Prague and late train to Dresden (2 nights @ Westin)
Day 21 Dresden
Day 22 Dresden to Berlin (3 nights @ Westin)
Day 23 Berlin
Day 24 Berlin
Day 25 Fly Home

We are planning on travelling by train throughout with a Benelux-Germany 6 day rail pass, supplementing with Bayern Tickets and point-point where it is cheaper. The Westin and 4points stays are using starwood points.

Ingo

This itinerary sounds excellent to me. Except the part of Ludwig's castles ;-)

I understand you want to see them from the outside at least - and on a sunny day the views are indeed fascinating. I suggest you spend a bit of your time in Füssen itself instead of touring the castles inside. Füssen is quite charming, but overlooked.

For Dresden: If you have enough starwood points I highly recommend to book a room with view of the Elbe river and the old town. The rooms to the street are a bit noisy in rush hour.

Ingo

sockboy

Thanks Ingo,

One of the things I have been tossing back and forth on is Ludwig's castles, and how much time to spend in the area. If we were driving, I would happily spend a couple of nights in the area, and visit other southern Bavaria sites. But since we are going by train, it seems quite hard to get around down there. I figure a day trip from Munich gives us maximum flexability. Maybe we'll even consider a car or an organised tour for the day, so that we can see other sites as well. As you say, I am mostly interested in seeing the castles from the outside, perhaps doing a little hike around them, and spending some time in Fussen.

I will see if we can get an upgrade to a river view in Dresden, I think it is as little as 1000pts. Do you have suggestions for a "perfect day" in Dresden? (We love Museums and architecture). Will we be able to walk most everywhere from our hotel? I was looking at some of the city passes, which include transit and wondered if they were worthwhile.

RufusTFirefly

While much of the interior of Neuschwanstein castle was never finished, the 12 to 15 rooms that were finished have some of the finest 19th century woodcarving and other examples of German craftsmanship in Bavaria.

And the story behind Ludwig's choices for interior "decorating" themes is quite interesting (some might say bizarre).

sockboy

I have been tinkering with my plan for the day to Fussen and area. If it is a nice day, I am looking at taking the train from Munich via Garmisch to the Ulrichsbrucke station (just beyond Reutte) where I understand there is a trail to hike to the castles. Has anyone done this? It sounds like a nice way to add another element to the day.

Ingo

Haven't done this hike, but hiking is always nice However, I can tell you the train ride from Garmisch to Reutte is scenic.

Re Dresden: I think I posted here a couple of times on what to do with a day in Dresden. Maybe you can just click on my username and find some old threads.

Regarding city passes - I am not sure about them, but I heard the 48 h city-card would be a good deal. I don't think, though, you will need much public transportation that day. You just have to walk across the bridge (five minutes) to be right in the old town and in the middle of all the major sights. And right vis-a-vis from your hotel you find the so called Neustadt (new town) where you can still feel a bit of the Baroque times ambience.

A sort of "perfect day" would definitely include a stroll through the old town (expect construction sites), the Zwinger Palace (visit one or two museums/picture gallery depending on your interest), a tour of the Semper Opera house (check the times, usually in the early afternoon), the catholic cathedral, the stables (a Renaissance jousting yard), climbing up the dome of the Frauenkirche (inside still in reconstruction till 30 Oct 2005, but you'll have a look inside). See also the Albertinum building (picture gallery etc. again) and have a walk on Brühl's terraces overlooking the river with paddle steamers and the city). A must is IMO the visit of the New Green Vault (treasure chamber) in the Royal Palace.

This should keep you busy for a day ;-) Another option would be to keep this stroll in the old town a bit shorter and make a relaxing steamboat ride on the river in the afternoon - a sort of city tour with views of beautiful 19th century residential areas (villas!), castles, the Blue Wonder bridge, some vineyards, picturesque villas and timber-framed houses spread over the hillsides, and finally Pillnitz Palace and gardens (with museum of decorative arts).

Don't forget to stop in one or the other cafe, beergarden or fine restaurant

Let me know if you need more information. If you tell me when exactly you will be in Dresden I could maybe show you around a bit if you like.

Ingo

sockboy

Thanks so much for all the info Ingo! I might have to reconsider that late train out of Prague to get another afternoon in Dresden . . .