Munster/Munich/Bavaria/Berlin
Jul 14th, 2006, 06:12 AM
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Munster/Munich/Bavaria/Berlin
After much thought and review of many posts on this site, I have compiled the following "rough draft" of an itinerary for the 2-week trip to Germany my husband and I will make this fall.
A couple of travel details will explain my proposed ordering and destinations. We will visit my husband's father's family in Munster, after arriving Dusseldorf in the morning of Oct. 28th. We need to be in Berlin two weeks later for our flight home around noon on Nov. 11th.
We will be in Munster for two nights, departing on a DBA flight to Munich in the afternoon of the Oct. 30th.
Munich for 4 nights.
Rent a car in the morning of Nov. 3rd and drive to Garmisch-P'n, via stops in Starnberg and Murnau. We will stay that night and the following in G-P. On the 4th, tour the castles, Oberammergau, Linderhof, the Wieskirsche, Ettal (is that doable in one day?).
Early on the morning of the 5th, drive to Salzburg (with a stop in Mittenwald on the way-- would also like recommendation for a half-way point for lunch-- thinking about Reit im Winkl?). Afternoon in Salzburg, with a Mozart concert that evening. I know some may say to drop Salzburg because we will have only about 24 hours, but I really want to go for the 250th celebration, being so close and all.
Finally, on the 5th, drive to Munich (alternative might be to return car in Salzburg the day before and take train to Munich) for 5:00 DBA flight to Berlin.
Five nights in Berlin.
Your thoughts? As always, in the many years of my participation on this site, I thank you in advance for your always valuable input!
A couple of travel details will explain my proposed ordering and destinations. We will visit my husband's father's family in Munster, after arriving Dusseldorf in the morning of Oct. 28th. We need to be in Berlin two weeks later for our flight home around noon on Nov. 11th.
We will be in Munster for two nights, departing on a DBA flight to Munich in the afternoon of the Oct. 30th.
Munich for 4 nights.
Rent a car in the morning of Nov. 3rd and drive to Garmisch-P'n, via stops in Starnberg and Murnau. We will stay that night and the following in G-P. On the 4th, tour the castles, Oberammergau, Linderhof, the Wieskirsche, Ettal (is that doable in one day?).
Early on the morning of the 5th, drive to Salzburg (with a stop in Mittenwald on the way-- would also like recommendation for a half-way point for lunch-- thinking about Reit im Winkl?). Afternoon in Salzburg, with a Mozart concert that evening. I know some may say to drop Salzburg because we will have only about 24 hours, but I really want to go for the 250th celebration, being so close and all.
Finally, on the 5th, drive to Munich (alternative might be to return car in Salzburg the day before and take train to Munich) for 5:00 DBA flight to Berlin.
Five nights in Berlin.
Your thoughts? As always, in the many years of my participation on this site, I thank you in advance for your always valuable input!
Jul 14th, 2006, 02:13 PM
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Your itinerary, in general sounds good. You'll like Muenster, but watch out for the bicycles!
Your trip from Munich to Garmisch: There really isn't much to see in Starnberg and Murnau. Since you have the whole day for the drive, I suggest you get off the A-95 autobahn at exit 6 (Wolfratshausen) and then go on the more scenic, but good road B-11 to Benediktbeuren (famous church), Kochel (town along lake with same name), Walchensee (lake), Wallgau and then enter G-P on the B-2 from the south.
If lunch in Reit i. Winkel is a bit tight: Along the way there are a couple of nice places to eat along the Walchsee. To get there: Once you are on the A-12 (don't forget to get your Austrian autobahn user's vignette, perhaps in the gas station along the way as you descend the Zirler Berg), get off at exit 59, Oberaudorf, and follow the B-172 to Walchsee, Koessen and Reit im Winkel.
Otherwise, a good place to eat is just before R.i.W., before you cross back into Germany. It's called Peterhof, I believe. The road to it turns off to your left, between Koessen and R.i.W. It is a resort and the dining roomn has a great view of the mountains. Otherwise, in R.i.W, the Zwirbelstuben also is a good restaurant. Follow the signs near the far end of the village to the Hallenbad; it's right across from that indoor swimming pool.
I would do Ettal,Linderhof Oberammergau in one day. Thatbis a full day. Do "the castles" and "die Wies" on another. I personally think Linderhof is more interesting than "the castles", so if you are limited to just one day, do the Ettal etc. bit
Dropping the car in Salzburg would be very expensive, because of the cross-border drop-off charge.
Instead, drive from S. to the Munich airport and stay near there overnight. (I like the Hotel Kastanienhof in Erding, 15 min.from the airport by car) The drive S. - Munich airport is not much longer (especially in the evening (other than Sunday) than the train, considering that you have to change from the S-MUC train to the airport S-Bahn shuttle.
Your trip from Munich to Garmisch: There really isn't much to see in Starnberg and Murnau. Since you have the whole day for the drive, I suggest you get off the A-95 autobahn at exit 6 (Wolfratshausen) and then go on the more scenic, but good road B-11 to Benediktbeuren (famous church), Kochel (town along lake with same name), Walchensee (lake), Wallgau and then enter G-P on the B-2 from the south.
If lunch in Reit i. Winkel is a bit tight: Along the way there are a couple of nice places to eat along the Walchsee. To get there: Once you are on the A-12 (don't forget to get your Austrian autobahn user's vignette, perhaps in the gas station along the way as you descend the Zirler Berg), get off at exit 59, Oberaudorf, and follow the B-172 to Walchsee, Koessen and Reit im Winkel.
Otherwise, a good place to eat is just before R.i.W., before you cross back into Germany. It's called Peterhof, I believe. The road to it turns off to your left, between Koessen and R.i.W. It is a resort and the dining roomn has a great view of the mountains. Otherwise, in R.i.W, the Zwirbelstuben also is a good restaurant. Follow the signs near the far end of the village to the Hallenbad; it's right across from that indoor swimming pool.
I would do Ettal,Linderhof Oberammergau in one day. Thatbis a full day. Do "the castles" and "die Wies" on another. I personally think Linderhof is more interesting than "the castles", so if you are limited to just one day, do the Ettal etc. bit
Dropping the car in Salzburg would be very expensive, because of the cross-border drop-off charge.
Instead, drive from S. to the Munich airport and stay near there overnight. (I like the Hotel Kastanienhof in Erding, 15 min.from the airport by car) The drive S. - Munich airport is not much longer (especially in the evening (other than Sunday) than the train, considering that you have to change from the S-MUC train to the airport S-Bahn shuttle.
Jul 15th, 2006, 06:51 AM
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Treplow,
thanks so much for your recommendations on the drive from G-P to Salzburg. We were planning to spend the night in Salzburg and the following morning and, given your recommendation not to return the car in S'burg, drive to Munich for a 5:00 p.m. flight to Berlin-- will that drive take longer than a couple of hours? Also, about how long will the drive form G-P to S'burg take, with 1 or 2 stops-- we were planning to drive the Alpenstrasse. Am I crazy for trying to fit Salzburg in, as we may be there less than 24 hours I think. I wonder if it would make more sense to go Munich to Salzburg and then finish up at G-P, driving from G-P to Munich for the flight to Berlin? Thanks again!
thanks so much for your recommendations on the drive from G-P to Salzburg. We were planning to spend the night in Salzburg and the following morning and, given your recommendation not to return the car in S'burg, drive to Munich for a 5:00 p.m. flight to Berlin-- will that drive take longer than a couple of hours? Also, about how long will the drive form G-P to S'burg take, with 1 or 2 stops-- we were planning to drive the Alpenstrasse. Am I crazy for trying to fit Salzburg in, as we may be there less than 24 hours I think. I wonder if it would make more sense to go Munich to Salzburg and then finish up at G-P, driving from G-P to Munich for the flight to Berlin? Thanks again!
Jul 15th, 2006, 12:50 PM
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For a 5PM flight, the drive from Salzburg to Munich airport will be longer thnan 2 hours, probably 3. At that tiome you will get into the early rush hour traffic on the Munich by-pass autobahn A-99 and the A-9 at least as far as the airport turn-off.
In priniple, even half a day in Salzburg is fun. My family lives about 50km from Salzburg, and at times drive there just for an afternoon coffee. The city is very compact, and while you won't see everything, you can at least visit the castle, walk the Mozartstrasse and visit the cathedral (and have an afternoon coffee!)
The drive from GP to Salzburg on my suggested rote and the Deutsche Alpenstrasse is very scenic. To do it justice, it will take you about 5 hours at the most, with a couple of stops. It will get you to Salzburg for coffe! (In my mind, Salzburg and coffee and pastry in the Kaffee Glockenspiel near the cathdreal go together. Of course, the whole experience is based on the premise that the weather is good and the are mountains clear.
Now, another oprion: Reverse your itinerary, as you suggested. From Munich take the train for the day to Salzburg, and return to Salzburg in the evening. With the Bayernkarte it is very cheap for up to 5 five people, less than US30.
Then take the car trip to GP, and return from there by car to the airport. The return, on the A-95 autobahn to the airport will take you also about 3hrs, because the by-pass, at the beginning, takes you through a built-up area and the traffic can be sticky.
As is, with a car, you will also see great scenery in and around GP. If you drive for the day from GP to "the castles" and the Wieskirche, on the way from GP to Leermoss you will be driving along the Zugspitze, an impressive sight.
In priniple, even half a day in Salzburg is fun. My family lives about 50km from Salzburg, and at times drive there just for an afternoon coffee. The city is very compact, and while you won't see everything, you can at least visit the castle, walk the Mozartstrasse and visit the cathedral (and have an afternoon coffee!)
The drive from GP to Salzburg on my suggested rote and the Deutsche Alpenstrasse is very scenic. To do it justice, it will take you about 5 hours at the most, with a couple of stops. It will get you to Salzburg for coffe! (In my mind, Salzburg and coffee and pastry in the Kaffee Glockenspiel near the cathdreal go together. Of course, the whole experience is based on the premise that the weather is good and the are mountains clear.
Now, another oprion: Reverse your itinerary, as you suggested. From Munich take the train for the day to Salzburg, and return to Salzburg in the evening. With the Bayernkarte it is very cheap for up to 5 five people, less than US30.
Then take the car trip to GP, and return from there by car to the airport. The return, on the A-95 autobahn to the airport will take you also about 3hrs, because the by-pass, at the beginning, takes you through a built-up area and the traffic can be sticky.
As is, with a car, you will also see great scenery in and around GP. If you drive for the day from GP to "the castles" and the Wieskirche, on the way from GP to Leermoss you will be driving along the Zugspitze, an impressive sight.
Jul 16th, 2006, 02:18 PM
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Treplow, Thanks again. I am thinking it makes more sense to do a day trip to Salzburg and try to catch a Mozart concert, returning on the train to Munich for the night. And that will add a 5th night in Munich, which will be nice as far as not moving around, unpacking, repacking, etc. Of course, renting the car in Munich, making the G-P drive and touring the surrounding area for 2-3 days, before returning to Munich for our flight to Berlin means that we wil not make the Alpenstrasse drive-- will we be sorry not to have done that?
Jul 16th, 2006, 06:34 PM
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I think your revised itinerary is a good trade-off. More relaxing and more flexibility. The Alpenstrasse is very nice and very scenic, but you need good weather, always a risk.
If you wanted to add another day to GP, you could do a part of the trip you had planned.
Look at the map: GP, Mittenwald, Zirl,Autobahn A-12 Innsbruck (by-pass), Autobahn A-12 to Jenbach exit 43. Drive north on B-181 to the Achensee. Stop at Pertisau. Then either return the way you came, or continue on the Austrian B181/German B13 to the Sylvensteinsee, where you intersect with the German B-307 to Vorderriss. From there continue on a toll road to Wallgau, and from there on the -11 (south) and the B-2 to GP. You may have travelled that short stretch from Wallgau, when you followed my suggested route from Munich to GP. The toll road is good but narrow, so keep to your right side. You are on the uphill side, so give the other guy on the downhill side room. (I was on the "other guy's side, and a BMW passing me in the opposite direction ripped of my side mirror.)
The whole trip is about 175km and leads through some nice countryside. Driving time is about 3 hours.
If you wanted to add another day to GP, you could do a part of the trip you had planned.
Look at the map: GP, Mittenwald, Zirl,Autobahn A-12 Innsbruck (by-pass), Autobahn A-12 to Jenbach exit 43. Drive north on B-181 to the Achensee. Stop at Pertisau. Then either return the way you came, or continue on the Austrian B181/German B13 to the Sylvensteinsee, where you intersect with the German B-307 to Vorderriss. From there continue on a toll road to Wallgau, and from there on the -11 (south) and the B-2 to GP. You may have travelled that short stretch from Wallgau, when you followed my suggested route from Munich to GP. The toll road is good but narrow, so keep to your right side. You are on the uphill side, so give the other guy on the downhill side room. (I was on the "other guy's side, and a BMW passing me in the opposite direction ripped of my side mirror.)
The whole trip is about 175km and leads through some nice countryside. Driving time is about 3 hours.
Oct 22nd, 2006, 12:06 PM
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Hope you are still there Treplow, or that some of you trusty fodorites might have some thoughts on two quesitons I have posed in the below itinerary. We leave this Friday!!!
As often happens, I have changed around som of the itinerary since I originally posted in July! Here is the updated version, most of which is set except for the driving days in Bavaria and Tirol regions, which I'm still playing with.
10/28 arrive Muenster (Hotel Feldmann)
10/29 Muenster (family party)
10/30 DBA flight to Munich (Hotel
Admiral)
10/31 Munich
10/31 Munich
11/1 Munich
11/2 Munich (possibly go for daytrip to Salzburg)
11/3 Rent car; I think we are staying in Telfs (in Austria, near Seefeld, west of Innsbruck) at the Interalpen, but have not been confirmed yet (fingers crossed, big time!)
QUESTION: What is the best way (most scenic, not necessarily fastest) to drive from Munich to Seefeld area-- was thinking about the route throuh Walchensee, as Treplow suggested above, but then got it in my head perhaps going Kufstein,Hall in Tirol, Telfs might be more scenic.
11/4 more touring of area (Oberammergau, Ettal, Linderhof, Wieskirche)
11/5 drive from Telfs to G-P (Hotel Zugspitze); see castles, Fussen
QUESTION: doe this hotel move make sense? We fly out of Munich around 3:00 p.m. on the 6th-- should we go somewhere closer than G-P for this night? Is G-P worth an overnight? Should we stay in Telfs and make the drive to Munich from there the next day? Not sure of timing or the roads.
11/6 DBA flight to Berlin (Dorint Sofitel in Gendermarkt)
11/7 Berlin
11/8 Berlin
11/9 Berlin
11/10 Berlin
11/11 Home to Miami Beach!
As always, thanks a bunch!!
As often happens, I have changed around som of the itinerary since I originally posted in July! Here is the updated version, most of which is set except for the driving days in Bavaria and Tirol regions, which I'm still playing with.
10/28 arrive Muenster (Hotel Feldmann)
10/29 Muenster (family party)
10/30 DBA flight to Munich (Hotel
Admiral)
10/31 Munich
10/31 Munich
11/1 Munich
11/2 Munich (possibly go for daytrip to Salzburg)
11/3 Rent car; I think we are staying in Telfs (in Austria, near Seefeld, west of Innsbruck) at the Interalpen, but have not been confirmed yet (fingers crossed, big time!)
QUESTION: What is the best way (most scenic, not necessarily fastest) to drive from Munich to Seefeld area-- was thinking about the route throuh Walchensee, as Treplow suggested above, but then got it in my head perhaps going Kufstein,Hall in Tirol, Telfs might be more scenic.
11/4 more touring of area (Oberammergau, Ettal, Linderhof, Wieskirche)
11/5 drive from Telfs to G-P (Hotel Zugspitze); see castles, Fussen
QUESTION: doe this hotel move make sense? We fly out of Munich around 3:00 p.m. on the 6th-- should we go somewhere closer than G-P for this night? Is G-P worth an overnight? Should we stay in Telfs and make the drive to Munich from there the next day? Not sure of timing or the roads.
11/6 DBA flight to Berlin (Dorint Sofitel in Gendermarkt)
11/7 Berlin
11/8 Berlin
11/9 Berlin
11/10 Berlin
11/11 Home to Miami Beach!
As always, thanks a bunch!!
Oct 22nd, 2006, 05:32 PM
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Hey Dukey-- yes, the most updated version of the itinerary, on 11/4, we visit Oberammergau-- question is, on that day, check out the driving for that day the next two (up to 11/6), does the changing hotels and route on the 6th make sense?
