"Rheinfels Castle (ruins)- Rhine What else should we see in this area??"

IN Winter: It's open on weekends only, and only if weather permits, and closed Christmas and other public holidays.

Marksburg Castle in Braubach, unlike Rheinfels, was never destroyed offers the best tour in the area.

" This is one of Germany's must see castles...":
http://www.roadstoruins.com/marksburg.htm

www.marksburg.de

Be sure to visit Rüdesheim's Christmas Market, just to the south - terrific atmosphere. Mainz's is very good too.

There is a Christmas market in the courtyard of the Residenz in Munich. But I don't think of the Residenz as a castle.

Like CarolJean I do not think of MOST what you listed as a *castle*. They're palaces.

Seems like you'll be in Dresden only for one day, right? That does sound like a whirlwind trip, you'll hardly scratch the surface, especially if you want to experience some Christmas markets as well. Yes, the Green Vault is not to miss and I would rearrange the schedule. Real castles are to find outside the big cities, of course. In case of Dresden that would be Weesenstein, Königstein fortress, Kuckuckstein, Kriebstein, Scharfenberg in the Erzgebirge mountains and so on. Or try Meissen with castle Albrechtsburg which was thoroughly restored recently, has a new exhibit, and also has a nice albeit small Christmas market.

We could do another day in Dresden if need be. So, if most of what I listed are palaces, are there any merit a visit more and any not as worthy?

I so wish we could wing it without reservations but I don't think possible at this time of year.

This is very helpful, keep it coming.

Sanssouci/Potsdam is not *that* much of a *must* see in winter - some of the buildings are closed, the park/gardens are nothing special in that time of year.

Residenz Munich - I found it to be overwhelming. Way too much of the same after a while.

Royal Palace Dresden - definitely see the New Green Vault and make a reservation in advance for the Historic Green Vault. While you're at it, see the Turkish Chamber as well (it's included in the New Green Vault ticket). It's not much castle or palace ambience, though, more museum.

Neuschwanstein - see it from outside. Maybe Hohenschwangau inside, too. Definitely Linderhof.

Definitely Residenz in Würzburg. No idea about the castles along the Rhine.

What else around Dresden depends on your itinerary. In case you have time to explore the Erzgebirge mountains and Christmas markets/towns there (highly recommended) you could easily add a castle there.

Ingo, Thanks for your valued opinion.

This website might have some info for you

http://great-castles.com/official.php

Marksburg would be great. We'd like to go to Burg Rheinstein someday!

Too bad about Berg El--my hubby's favorite.

Has anyone visited Kriebsten Castle in meissen that Ingo mentioned? How about Kaiserburg (called Imperial castle) in Nurnburg?

How long do you have in Germany?

yes add a day in dresden and a day in fussen too---there are 3 major castles at least in the fussen area..

I did add a day to Dresden and am trying to add one to Fussen, it may only be a half day. We fly out of Frankfurt at 7:20 and will need to drop a car. My daughter doesn't fly out till noon. I hate to spend the night near the airport, what would be some close by options. Is Mainz too far away? I am even wondering if I will be able to drop the car early in the AM (5:30ish)??

> Has anyone visited Kriebsten Castle in meissen that Ingo mentioned?

Kriebstein castle is not in Meissen. In Meissen is castle Albrechtsburg. Kriebstein is a bit farther from Dresden. Just saw that Kriebstein is closed in December and in November only open on weekends.

> How about Kaiserburg (called Imperial castle) in Nurnburg?

I found it nothing special except for the double-storey chapel.

There are several Christmas markets in Dresden. I enjoyed the 2 near the Frauenkirche & Altmarkt. Did I mention the Feuerzangenbowle & Stollen?

The market in Freiberg, in the Erzgebirge mountains is a nice variation - a lot more local foods (aka wild meats). I thoroughly enjoyed my day in Freiberg last December, including the Christmas oratorio at the cathedral there, but if you are pressed for time in Dresden I'd explore the city and castles south of the city along the Elbe first before going to Freiberg.

For a couple of "classic" castles try Hohensalzburg above Salzburg and Wurfen a few miles south of Salzburg. Also close by is Ludwig's Herren Chemsee on an island in a lake beside the autobahn from Salzburg to Munich. It is Ludwigs copy of Versailles, only bigger.
When you are in Munich IMHO Nymphrnburg is a better palace than the Residence. They are both palaces rather than castles. The Residence has the Wittlesbach jewels and Nymphenburg has an outstanding coach house full of Cinderella coaches.

The Ehrenberg castle complex were among our favorites BUT, I would not try it in the winter. Both the lower and upper castles are very much in ruins and it is a good walk on a wooded path to the lower ruins and one heck of a climb to the upper ruins with its spectacular view - the type of climb where you find yourself having to pull along by grabbing the roots of the trees ahead in spots. Click on my name and scroll down to my TR if you would like to read about it and some other castles visited - the TR is titled A Castle Junkie's dad...
BTW Ehrenberg is in Austria. Some of the other castles you mentioned are described there. There is also a photo link.

Marksburg Castle mentioned above is a don't miss must- it is one of the best. Heidleberg Castle is nice too as is the city.