chincoteague

This is the last leg of my trip and first time to Bavaria. Traveling to Prague for 3 days, train to Vienna 2 days, train to Salzburg 2 days and then I freeze up on the plans for last 6 full days before flying out of Munich. Its hard to narrow it down when there are so many options. If Eagles Nest is open, I would like to rent a car to travel to Berchtesgaden to see the sights including Eagles Nest, then on to Garmisch, Oberammergau, Ettal, one of Ludwig's castles spending a night or two somewhere logical. Then travel up to Rothenburg for an overnight. End trip back in Munich. I can change up plans to replace Berchtesgaden with Nuremburg to satisfy my WWII history interest. Any thoughts and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Gina_07

I am talking about 2003, so things may have changed, but Eagles Nest was still closed in mid-June when we were in Salzburg.

I have heard that a day-trip from Salzburg to Konigsee is very very nice. The photos of the lake are stunning and we plan to do it next time we are in the area. You could drive there and continue from there.

A car trip through Bavaria, ending in Munich woule be very nice. Definitely, do Ludwig's castles, Rottenburg, Mittenwald. You could stay in Rottenburg for two nights and do a day trip to Nuremberg. There are also some nice towns in the area, such as Nordlingen and Dinkelsbuhl, you could visit staying in Rottenburg, not to change too many hotels. Depending on how many days you have, you could always include more or less.

pja1

Hi,

IF you're interested in the view from the Eagle's Nest, try the Jennerbahn cable car by the Konigsee. A scenic drive just above Berchtesgaden is the Rossfeld Panorama Road. An hour west of Salzburg/Berchtesgaden is Ludwig's Herrenchiemsee palace. Pretty much the mid point from Salzburg to Munich.

www.rossfeldpanoramastrasse.de/en/
www.jennerbahn.de/de/englisch/
http://www.herren-chiemsee.de/englis...lace/index.htm

Staying in either Garmsich or Mittenwald (we prefer Mittenwald) is convenient to everything on your list: Oberammergau, Ettal, Ludwig's Linderhof and of course, the Zugspitze.

http://www.schlosslinderhof.de/engli...ce/history.htm

So, if Rothenburg is a "must see" with Nuremberg, I'd say split your time between either Berchtesgaden or Garmisch/Mittenwald and Rothenburg. I'd probably go with Garmisch/Mittenwald. If you spent 4 nights here, you could add Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles, a visit to Fuessen and a luge ride or two. There's one in Garmisch and another just a mile or so from Neuschwanstein.

If interested, we have plenty of photo's from our 8 trips since 2001 to Germany and Austria.
www.worldisround.com/home/pja1/index.html

Paul

chincoteague

Thanks to both of you. Rather than be disappointed by not being able to go up to Eagles Nest, I will just put it on a list for a future trip. I was really interested in it more from an engineering standpoint. Like the suggestions and the awesome links.
Gina 07- I made the mistake in Portugal doing one night stands and now try to avoid it. I really would prefer two locations for two nights idea. I will change to have a couple of nights in GP/M and a one nighter in Rothenburg. Even though Via Michelin gives travel times between two points, I think it wise to allow more time so I can admire the route and have time for unexpected stops.

Paul, after looking at all your photos, I have to admit I want to plan on more than one trip to the Germany. Love the dragon drain pipe on Burg Eltz. Luge! Yes! Nuremburg is not a must do, but I hear Rothenburg is neat along with the night watchman tour. The scenery in your photos shows me that no matter which town we see, the trip will be gorgeous.
questions: if time or weather limits me to one great viewing, would you suggest Jennerbahn cable car or Zugspitze? What did you like about Mittenwald over GP?

Thanks again!

pja1

Hi,

As for planning more than one trip to Germany, I understand. Seems whenever we look to go someplace else, we find ourselves wanting to go back to Germany (and Austria and the Italian Dolomites!).

One great viewing... the Zugspitze, while expensive, is worth it. Mittenwald is smaller and more of a village compared to Garmisch feeling more like a bigger town. Just our take on it.

To save a bit on the Zugspitze, drive to nearby Ehrwald, Austria (beautiful alpine scenery) and take the Zugspitze trip from there. Whether you go from Garmisch or Ehrwald, you wind up in the exact same place, the top of the Zugspitze, which is shared by Germany and Austria. Price from Garmisch is 50 Euro per person. From Ehrwald it's 39 Euro per person.

www.zugspitze.at
www.zugspitze.de

The luge ride (Sommerrodelbahn) is right off the main road as you enter Garmisch from Mittenwald. Look for the sign - Sommerrodelbahn. The other luge ride by Neuschwanstein is at Tegelberg. There's a cable car trip and a luge ride. You can do one or the other or both. If doing the Zugspitze, I'd skip the Tegelberg cable car trip, but I never tire of the luge rides!

We loved Rothenburg, even though it's "touristy". The Nightwatchman Tour was excellent. It's every night, just show up at Town Hall by 8pm. The Tilman Riemanschneider alter in St. Jacobs church is in the back, up a few stairs. Incredible. In the evening or in the early am., make some time for a walk along part of the wall that surrounds Rothenburg.

http://www.nightwatchman.de/index.ph...e6dc965974b1b2

Just an FYI, the Romantic Road isn't romantic or particularly scenic. Just a basic 2 lane road that links a few noteworthy old towns. The Romantic Road drive itself is not worth the time in my opinion. Most anywhere in the Alps are better if you like "scenic drives".

Paul

Gina_07

Actually, I did not mean one night stays at all. I hate them myself. Some of the things I mentioned, including the castles, Mittenwald, and Zugspitze, you can easily do if you base yourself in Garmisch for a few nights, which is what we did. You can also visit Wieskirche and Linderhof Palace from there. Both are very beautiful.

A few other places can be done from Rottenburg.

I agree that you should not rush because there is so much to see in the area.

Good luck with your trip and enjoy.

chincoteague

Wish I could take you both with me. I am going to check out hotels in Garmisch and Mittenwald and make a selection for a couple of nights. Arg..the Austrian access to Zugspitze is closed for maintenance when we are there in May. But what is an extra 11 euros when you may never pass this way again. Plus going from Garmisch will give me the opportunity to do two luge rides TA hotel suggestions while typically good are not the same as a personal recommendation. If you have any recommendations for GP or Mittenwald or Munich and don't mind sharing, it is much appreciated. I am stoked!

Bamaman

The Eagle's Nest is now a restaurant, rather than a tourist destination. You've got to be part of a tour group to go there.

They're slated to be open the "Middle of May", for what that means.

pja1

Hi,

We stayed twice ( 4/05 and 10/06) at the Pension Schwalbennestl in Mittenwald.

www.schwalbennestl.de

A couple of mixed reviews on TA. Both our stays were very nice. If our stay in 4/05 wasn't good, why would we stay again in 10/2006? Plus the views overlooking Mittenwald and the alps were fantastic.

If it's any help, friends stayed at the Hotel-Garni Eldhuber in Mittenwald (Schwalbennestl was booked) and liked their stay there.

http://www.edlhuber-mittenwald.de

Paul

pja1

If interested, we've used Andy Bestor at www.gemut.com for our rental cars on our last 4 trips to Germany. great prices and service.

Since you mentioned it, I'm up for another trip to Germany!

Gina_07

In Garmisch-Partenkirchen, we stayed at Reindl's Partenkirchner Hof, an upscale ski resort, which I liked a lot, the restaurant, too. I would recommend it but I see mixed reviews on it at Tripadvisor.

http://www.reindls.de/en/home/

In Rothenburg, we stayed at Hotel-Gasthof Goldener Greifen. It's a B&B, very basic, low key. We decided to go for it because it's a 14th century historical patrician house (they sell souvenir copies of it in the stores, and we have one on our kitchen wall at home), and the price was good.

http://www.gasthof-greifen-rothenburg.de/english.html

You do get the medieval feel here and it's very cozy. The location is outstanding. I felt though that it was a bit dated. We were there in 2006. Maybe they have renovated.

treplow

I think this yerar they are very good. This has been an unusually warm winter. Check the Internet. The proper name of the Eagles Nest is Kehlsteinhaus. Search under sthat name.

chincoteague

Ok! Its time for me to book hotels & car. After leaving Salisbury we'll decide on Eagles Nest based on weather - mid May is too arbitrary for me to commit. Otherwise we'll just enjoy the ride, make a few stops (did I hear LUGE?)on the way to Mittenwald. Hang out for a few days with side trips to the usual places including Zugspitze. Head to Rothenburg oTB after the castles and finish off at Munich. I tip my hat to all of you for sharing your experiences ...it helped a lot.
Joyce

banares

We are in Salzburg right now and has just come back from Berchtesgaden. It#s been raining for the last 10 days in Vienna, Hallstatt, and Salzburg. Eagles Nest is closed today due to 'dangerous winter conditions'. Supposedly, the Jenner cable car ride gives the same view; it's open today or at least tickets on the cable car ride are being sold. I doubt however if there is much to see, or anything at all.
We took the boat trip on the Konigsee, still pretty despite a lot of clouds and rain. The mountains are still getting snow.