Romantic Road in Germany
Dec 28th, 2011, 10:23 AM
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Romantic Road in Germany
I need your help!! This is my itinerary:
3 nights Munich
3 nights heading north on the romantic road, the 3rd night in Wurzburg?
3 nights? to divide between Dresden, Leipzig, Bamberg, Quedlinburg
4 nights Berlin
We have a car from Munich until Berlin, unless we can dump it in Dresden, and train to the other cities and on to Berlin.
We are going to begin the romantic road drive in Fussen. Where should we stop and stay on the way to Wurzburg? We obviously want to stop each day and visit castles, or a beautiful town for lunch, and would like to get to the hotel for dinner each night. Should we drive the whole road? I would also like to visit Bamberg, I have read that is is beautiful.
The 3 nights for Dresden, Leipzig, etc., can we do these cities from one base, or how should we split it up??
Thank you,
Alison
3 nights Munich
3 nights heading north on the romantic road, the 3rd night in Wurzburg?
3 nights? to divide between Dresden, Leipzig, Bamberg, Quedlinburg
4 nights Berlin
We have a car from Munich until Berlin, unless we can dump it in Dresden, and train to the other cities and on to Berlin.
We are going to begin the romantic road drive in Fussen. Where should we stop and stay on the way to Wurzburg? We obviously want to stop each day and visit castles, or a beautiful town for lunch, and would like to get to the hotel for dinner each night. Should we drive the whole road? I would also like to visit Bamberg, I have read that is is beautiful.
The 3 nights for Dresden, Leipzig, etc., can we do these cities from one base, or how should we split it up??
Thank you,
Alison
Dec 28th, 2011, 11:03 AM
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Bamberg is a really lovely town - we spent 3 nights there last summer. I definitely recommend it.
The Romantic Road towns I have been to are Fuessen, Dinklesbuhl, and Rothenburg obT, which I enjoyed.
Dinklesbuhl is compact and uncrowded - we were able to drive right into the old town and park on the street. It was picturesque and nice for a lunch stop and a little wandering. It would probably make a nice overnight if you are looking for a very quiet town.
Rothenburg obT was very busy because it is quite popular with tourists, but I think it is popular for a good reason - storybook town with an intact town wall. We found that most of the visitors seemed to be on the route between the train station and the town square, but a short walk in any direction away from this main route and it was much quieter. I have heard that in the evenings it is very good because most of the tourists are day trippers.
The drive along the Romantic Road isn't anything special - it is just a road through the countryside. It is a nice drive, but not as good as the marketting would lead you to believe. The towns are really what makes the route interesting.
The Romantic Road towns I have been to are Fuessen, Dinklesbuhl, and Rothenburg obT, which I enjoyed.
Dinklesbuhl is compact and uncrowded - we were able to drive right into the old town and park on the street. It was picturesque and nice for a lunch stop and a little wandering. It would probably make a nice overnight if you are looking for a very quiet town.
Rothenburg obT was very busy because it is quite popular with tourists, but I think it is popular for a good reason - storybook town with an intact town wall. We found that most of the visitors seemed to be on the route between the train station and the town square, but a short walk in any direction away from this main route and it was much quieter. I have heard that in the evenings it is very good because most of the tourists are day trippers.
The drive along the Romantic Road isn't anything special - it is just a road through the countryside. It is a nice drive, but not as good as the marketting would lead you to believe. The towns are really what makes the route interesting.
Dec 28th, 2011, 03:05 PM
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November-Moon has good thoughts. Dinkelsbuhl might be good only for a few hours of strolling. Rothenburg would be worth a few nights, and it will clear out of many tourists in the evening. The busloads of tourists will usually be gone.
Make sure to join the "Night Watchman's Tour". Check to see if it is still running. This tall man dressed in medieval attire will take you on a walking tour with lots of history. It's usually a small group, and you pay 10 Euros or so, and he does the tour in English. Quite fun. He might have a website to give the details.
I lived about 20 min east of there back in '03, in Ansbach. There is a "castle" of sorts, just east of the Autobahn that is running North-South, just east of the town of Rothenburg. Just a few minutes away from the town. I believe it is called Burg Eltz. It is a quite nice restaurant, and somewhat deluxe accomodations. It is up on a "hill" and gives one a bit of vista to see (which will make some sense after the Watchman's tour).
From Fussen, IMHO there isn't much to see on the Romantic Road until you get to Dinkelsbuhl and then a bit north of that is Rothenburg. Now, as you continue north from R'burg towards Wuerzburg, you might want to stop at a little town called Weicherscheim (all my town spellings are probably incorrect). Also, as you approach Weicherscheim, there is a road that goes to your left which will take you to a tiny church which houses an incredible hand carved all wood altar from.......way back. It is across the street from the "thimble museum" by the way. (Rick Steves mentions this town and this church in his Germany book).
After that, on to Wuerzburg.....great great place. Wish I could do this trip with you!! And, Berlin was marvelous!!!
EK
Make sure to join the "Night Watchman's Tour". Check to see if it is still running. This tall man dressed in medieval attire will take you on a walking tour with lots of history. It's usually a small group, and you pay 10 Euros or so, and he does the tour in English. Quite fun. He might have a website to give the details.
I lived about 20 min east of there back in '03, in Ansbach. There is a "castle" of sorts, just east of the Autobahn that is running North-South, just east of the town of Rothenburg. Just a few minutes away from the town. I believe it is called Burg Eltz. It is a quite nice restaurant, and somewhat deluxe accomodations. It is up on a "hill" and gives one a bit of vista to see (which will make some sense after the Watchman's tour).
From Fussen, IMHO there isn't much to see on the Romantic Road until you get to Dinkelsbuhl and then a bit north of that is Rothenburg. Now, as you continue north from R'burg towards Wuerzburg, you might want to stop at a little town called Weicherscheim (all my town spellings are probably incorrect). Also, as you approach Weicherscheim, there is a road that goes to your left which will take you to a tiny church which houses an incredible hand carved all wood altar from.......way back. It is across the street from the "thimble museum" by the way. (Rick Steves mentions this town and this church in his Germany book).
After that, on to Wuerzburg.....great great place. Wish I could do this trip with you!! And, Berlin was marvelous!!!
EK
Dec 28th, 2011, 04:03 PM
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Allowing yourself only 6 nights to see the Romantic Road, Bamberg, Wurzburg, Quedlinburg, Leipzig, and Dresden is very aggressive. If you only stop one place on the RR, that is 6 destinations in 6 nights, and you aren't going in a straight line, either.
Quedlinburg is a bit of a geographic outlier on this itinerary, but worth it. Rothenburg to Dresden is about a 5.5 hour drive, going through both Bamberg and Leipzig. It becomes 8 hours if you branch off west from Leipzig to see Quedlinburg.
It is my preference to stay a minimum of 3 nights in each destination and day trip from that base. I don't see how you can do that and see all the places you want to see without consecutive driving days of up to 4-5 hours. That may be acceptable for your traveling style. If not, you probably have to let some things go or drop down to 2 days per stop and see some places as a 3-4 hour stop while driving to your next destination. If that sounds like your style, I would recommend.
Munich 3 nights -from Fussen to Rothenburg stop in at Dinkelsbuehl. About 3 hours total driving time.
Rothenburg 2 nights -day trip to Wurzburg
Quedlinburg 2 nights -stop in at Bamberg on the way from R od T to Quedlinburg. 1.5 hours to Bamberg, then 3.5 to Quedlinburg
Dresden 2 nights -stop in at Leipzig on the way from Quedlinburg to Dresden. 1.5 hours to Leipzig, then 1:20 to Dresden.
Berlin 4 nights
If you don't want to do 2 nights stays, I'd be happy to suggest an itinerary with two 3 nights stays in the middle. You should probably indicate if you are willing to "skip" some places to make that work or whether you want to see them all and have some very long day trips.
Quedlinburg is a bit of a geographic outlier on this itinerary, but worth it. Rothenburg to Dresden is about a 5.5 hour drive, going through both Bamberg and Leipzig. It becomes 8 hours if you branch off west from Leipzig to see Quedlinburg.
It is my preference to stay a minimum of 3 nights in each destination and day trip from that base. I don't see how you can do that and see all the places you want to see without consecutive driving days of up to 4-5 hours. That may be acceptable for your traveling style. If not, you probably have to let some things go or drop down to 2 days per stop and see some places as a 3-4 hour stop while driving to your next destination. If that sounds like your style, I would recommend.
Munich 3 nights -from Fussen to Rothenburg stop in at Dinkelsbuehl. About 3 hours total driving time.
Rothenburg 2 nights -day trip to Wurzburg
Quedlinburg 2 nights -stop in at Bamberg on the way from R od T to Quedlinburg. 1.5 hours to Bamberg, then 3.5 to Quedlinburg
Dresden 2 nights -stop in at Leipzig on the way from Quedlinburg to Dresden. 1.5 hours to Leipzig, then 1:20 to Dresden.
Berlin 4 nights
If you don't want to do 2 nights stays, I'd be happy to suggest an itinerary with two 3 nights stays in the middle. You should probably indicate if you are willing to "skip" some places to make that work or whether you want to see them all and have some very long day trips.
Dec 28th, 2011, 04:17 PM
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I agree Rothenburg becomes much more delightful in the late afternoon after the coach tours and day trippers have gone. It's worth staying a night at least. The Night Watchman's walking tour is a bit of fun. Dinkelsbuhl is worth a few hours, but another enjoyable overnight stay we had (on a different trip) was Donauworth. Fussen itself is nice, and there'a a tremendous amount to see in and around that area.
Dec 30th, 2011, 11:03 AM
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You all have been so helpful. Here is my itinerary with any changes!!
I actually have 17 days , 16 nights to see Germany. I am sure I am covering too much, see what you think, now!!
3 nights Munich
2 nights Rothenberg
2 nights Bamberg
1 night Dresden
4 nights Berlin
2 nights Quedlinberg
2 free nights?? Rhine area outside Frankfurt,
Last night Frankfurt Airpot Hotel
How crazy is this?? What does anyone think about not booking all the hotels in advance?? That would give us so much freedom to make any changes as we go. We are arriving in Germany on April 29th.
I know that Bamberg and Rothenberg are close but they both have such wonderful write ups. If I had to choose , which would you pick?
Thanks again for your help!
1 night Frankfurt hotel
I actually have 17 days , 16 nights to see Germany. I am sure I am covering too much, see what you think, now!!
3 nights Munich
2 nights Rothenberg
2 nights Bamberg
1 night Dresden
4 nights Berlin
2 nights Quedlinberg
2 free nights?? Rhine area outside Frankfurt,
Last night Frankfurt Airpot Hotel
How crazy is this?? What does anyone think about not booking all the hotels in advance?? That would give us so much freedom to make any changes as we go. We are arriving in Germany on April 29th.
I know that Bamberg and Rothenberg are close but they both have such wonderful write ups. If I had to choose , which would you pick?
Thanks again for your help!
1 night Frankfurt hotel
Dec 30th, 2011, 02:25 PM
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We've traveled a lot in Europe, and enjoy "wandering", which means going without reservations most times. We've almost never encountered a problem, and we are usually there in summer months. April would be even more open. Of course, some folks would never try it, and I can see their point.
Also, last night at Ffurt airport??? We've used a small place called Hotel Tanne, about a 5 minute taxi ride from the terminal, so the price was right
Also, last night at Ffurt airport??? We've used a small place called Hotel Tanne, about a 5 minute taxi ride from the terminal, so the price was right
Dec 30th, 2011, 02:37 PM
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My absolute total favorite is Quedlinburg.Beautiful city, like something out of a Grimm's fairy tale. I also like Bamberg. Rothenberg is pleasant before the tour buses arrive and after they leave, but if you have to make a choice, I'd pick Bamberg. That's just my preference. Rothenberg is very crowded, but it has been perfectly restored to a medieval town.
I've been to Berlin several times, and aside from the museums and some WWII and Cold War sites, I don't like it very well. Again, just my preference.
I stayed at a place near the Frankfurt airport that was called Motel One, I think. It answered all my needs, for about $100.
Are you taking into account that you'll need at least half a day to get packed, travel to your new city, check in at your new hotel?
I've been to Berlin several times, and aside from the museums and some WWII and Cold War sites, I don't like it very well. Again, just my preference.
I stayed at a place near the Frankfurt airport that was called Motel One, I think. It answered all my needs, for about $100.
Are you taking into account that you'll need at least half a day to get packed, travel to your new city, check in at your new hotel?
Dec 30th, 2011, 06:33 PM
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Okay, you are leaving from Frankfurt, not Berlin and have 16 nights to fill, not 13 - that changes things a little 
. However, your revised itinerary actually lists 17 nights if "last night at Frankfurt airport hotel is not included as one of the 2 extra nights, and it looks like it is not. I will work with 16
It looks like you are comfortable with 2 night stops, so I won't try and work this into a bunch of 3's just for the sake of doing it.
I'm not sure how you intend to do Fussen and the castles - are you going to drive from Munich to Fussen, see Neuschwanstein and then drive up to Rothenburg? That's 4 hours on the highway (1.5 and then 2.5) so you will have to start early.
This makes the most sense to me;
Munich 3
Rothenburg 2
Bamberg 2
Dresden 3
Berlin 4
Quedlinburg 2
FRA hotel 1
I would not drop Rothenburg or Bamberg (never have in my trips there - if I go to one I go to the other). You will want to visit Wurzburg (a complete day) and there is Nurnberg you could see between them. It is still about 1.5 hours between them - that is enough to warrant staying in each, I think.
Adding the extra nights to Dresden allows you to see it "well" (don't hit me quokka, Ingo!), and also day trip to Leipzig, Meissen, Bautzen, or Goerlitz, if you wish.
Have you considered dropping your rental car in Berlin and then picking up another one to drive to Quedlinburg?
On your way to FRA from Quedlinburg you could stop any number of places; Goslar, Wernigerode, Goettingen, Marburg, etc, and arrive late in the afternoon at the airport hotel - most will have free parking. Then you can return the car before your flight. Just a thought - the 3 days rental may be about the same cost as the train legs and give you more flexibility.
. However, your revised itinerary actually lists 17 nights if "last night at Frankfurt airport hotel is not included as one of the 2 extra nights, and it looks like it is not. I will work with 16It looks like you are comfortable with 2 night stops, so I won't try and work this into a bunch of 3's just for the sake of doing it.
I'm not sure how you intend to do Fussen and the castles - are you going to drive from Munich to Fussen, see Neuschwanstein and then drive up to Rothenburg? That's 4 hours on the highway (1.5 and then 2.5) so you will have to start early.
This makes the most sense to me;
Munich 3
Rothenburg 2
Bamberg 2
Dresden 3
Berlin 4
Quedlinburg 2
FRA hotel 1
I would not drop Rothenburg or Bamberg (never have in my trips there - if I go to one I go to the other). You will want to visit Wurzburg (a complete day) and there is Nurnberg you could see between them. It is still about 1.5 hours between them - that is enough to warrant staying in each, I think.
Adding the extra nights to Dresden allows you to see it "well" (don't hit me quokka, Ingo!), and also day trip to Leipzig, Meissen, Bautzen, or Goerlitz, if you wish.
Have you considered dropping your rental car in Berlin and then picking up another one to drive to Quedlinburg?
On your way to FRA from Quedlinburg you could stop any number of places; Goslar, Wernigerode, Goettingen, Marburg, etc, and arrive late in the afternoon at the airport hotel - most will have free parking. Then you can return the car before your flight. Just a thought - the 3 days rental may be about the same cost as the train legs and give you more flexibility.
Dec 30th, 2011, 06:38 PM
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Oh, and Potsdam is a 35 minute commuter train (S-Bahn) ride from central Berlin. Planning to stay there for one night instead of staying in Berlin proper (as suggested in this thread) would be a lot of effort (extra packing, check out/in, luggage lugging, etc) to just save a 35 minute return ride on a day visit.
Dec 30th, 2011, 07:51 PM
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If you are going to be in Frankfurt, why not stay in the city and see some of the many wonderful sites that Frankfurt has to offer rather than some boring hotel near the airport?
This is a 2000 year old city, with medieval churches dating back to 850 in the neighborhood of Hoechst and the 1200's in downtown Frankfurt, one of the most beautiful opera houses in Europe, the Karmelite Cloister with the largest religous wall paintings N. of the Alps, the Imperial St. Bartholomew where the Holy Roman Emperors were elected and crowned, one of the largest and oldest medieval Jewish cemeteries as well as the Jewish Holocaust Memorial Wall, a couple of dozen museums of all kinds, local farmers Markets and the Klein Markt Halle as a special treat.
If you want an extra night near Frankfurt though, consider Buedingen, a wonderful, medieval walled town, or Idstein. Both are featured towns on the Fachwerk Route.
http://www.deutsche-fachwerkstrasse.de/uk/cont.php3
This is a 2000 year old city, with medieval churches dating back to 850 in the neighborhood of Hoechst and the 1200's in downtown Frankfurt, one of the most beautiful opera houses in Europe, the Karmelite Cloister with the largest religous wall paintings N. of the Alps, the Imperial St. Bartholomew where the Holy Roman Emperors were elected and crowned, one of the largest and oldest medieval Jewish cemeteries as well as the Jewish Holocaust Memorial Wall, a couple of dozen museums of all kinds, local farmers Markets and the Klein Markt Halle as a special treat.
If you want an extra night near Frankfurt though, consider Buedingen, a wonderful, medieval walled town, or Idstein. Both are featured towns on the Fachwerk Route.
http://www.deutsche-fachwerkstrasse.de/uk/cont.php3
Dec 31st, 2011, 09:25 AM
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Thank you, thank you, you all have been so helpful!!! I am so excited about this trip, and you have all made it so much better!! Now I get to book the hotel rooms, and then just wait!
Alison
Alison
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