willis

This is our first attempt at planning, so are open to your suggestions.

Arrive Frankfurt May 15, pick up car, spend the night.

Drive to Chochem, stay a week, biking/exploring the Mosel and Rhein.

May 23 -24 Drive to Rothenburg. Explore the city.

Drive to Fussen, spend a week, biking/exploring.

June 1, drive to Munich, return the car. Stay a week biking/exploring the city and environs.

We do like to stay a week in each area, so rent apartments rather than hotels.

The car rental is approx. $900 for 18 days with Auto Europe.
Lufthansa flight is $608 per person, lax/fra and muc/lax.

We are ready to purchase tickets/car rental....waiting for your suggestions.

How are we doing?

bobthenavigator

You seem to be doing great. I like your trip and applaud your idea about apts. if possible. I would prefer Oberammergau to Fussen but that is a nit. I would also check out the lease buy/back car program for 18 days versus rental. Check with Kemwel for the Peuguot program.

willis

thanks, bobthenavigator! i called and found out that kemwel is the sister company of auto europe. they reported a lease costs more than a rental, but they suggested calling the cc co. about insurance....so, since cc covers collision/theft, the cost is reduced. thanks for your suggestion.

hopscotch

bobthenavigator,

I thought that the purchase / buy back, aka lease, program was only available in France. Say you?

L84SKY

Sounds like a great plan.
Is the car rental charging you a drop off fee?
If they are check with Budget, they might be able to match price without a drop off fee.

don76

Willis
Bob has a good suggestion about leasing a car from Renault or Peuguot
It will cost quite a bit more but you will have complete insurance coverage.
Otherwise,check the car insurance details with Auto Europe . If you opt for their insurance coverage you may not have complete coverage and be liable for a thousand $ or more in the event of an accident.
If you decide to use your credit card for coverage(my recommendation) be sure you are covered because several creditcard companies won't provide European coverage for rentals exceeding 15 days.
Best call your credit card company direct and ask for the details in print.
It is in your CC contract, if you can find it.
re: your itinerary, I would stay at Bacharach instead of Cochem. Bacharach is in the center of the most scenic portion of the 'Rhein' and you can either drive or take a ferry to the Mosel.

willis

don76: Bacarach has been mentioned seveal times on this board. i'll take a poll: chochem/bacarach? thanks.

bobthenavigator

You can also pick up or drop in many other major cities such as Madrid, Milan, Munich, and Rome---with a surcharge. I did 8 weeks once from Madrid to Munich and saved $1000.

Michael

Willis,

With the pick-up and drop-off fee, I doubt that a car lease would be worthwhile, especially since it is probably higher than an 18 day rental in the first place. I find the rental cost somewhat high, but that might include insurance coverage by Autoeurope. Such insurance has a relatively high deductible. I would check and see if your credit card covers your insurance as long as you decline any extra insurance either from Autoreurope or the rental agency itself. You then would have no deductible.