kco530

Hello!

My husband and I are beginning to plan a trip to Germany for Sept 2014 (neither of us has previously been there). Our tentative plan is to fly out of the U.S. on the evening of Sept 4 and fly back on Sept. 14, which would give us 8 full days, give or take. We haven't bought any tickets yet since we don't yet know what city(ies) we will be flying into/out of.

We are in our late twenties. Our main interest is exploring the food, culture, sights of Bavaria. We are particularly interested in beer. We know we want at least a few days in Munich to explore the city and perhaps for a day trip or two. We are not particularly interested in WWII history or art/history museums for this trip.

I've been reading quite a bit about the area but want to make sure we make smart choices time-wise, as neither of us likes to rush when traveling. Our top interests right now are, in no particular order (and I know we can't do them all):
(1) exploring city of Munich
(2) Possible day trip to Neuschwanstein/Linderhof
(3) Possibly Garmisch or Mittenwald (for views of nature)
(4) Bamberg (this town sounds like something we would really enjoy as beer enthusiasts)
(5) Possible day trip to Andechs Abbey (the hike there sounds interesting to us)
(6) Salzburg (for at least a day trip, perhaps longer)

At this point I am a little uncertain about our itinerary. It seems like we could just make Munich our base and take day trips from there, but visiting Bamberg does not seem to fit in with that plan, and right now it is at the top of our list of things to do. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best way to efficiently incorporate our interests into our stay? Or have any alternate suggestions for activities that might meet our interests? Thanks so much in advance!

bobthenavigator

You could do it from one location[ Munich], but I would not.
I would consider the loop of the castles, Garmisch, and Salzburg with a car---giving it at least 4 nights. So much to see you may not have time by day trips. I do not see where Bamburg fits---the Salzburg area has more to offer.

kelbo

Oktoberfest in Munich starts Sept 20th I believe. Since you are a beer lover if your dates are flexible you may want to consider it! having done with this trip a few years ago I agree with Bob and think just basing yourself in Munich and Salzberg would be ideal with the amount of days you have.

Aramis

You have 9 nights.

Given your interests, I suggest;

Fly into Munich

Munich - 4 nights
Pick 1 or perhaps 2 day trips; Neuschwanstein, Garmisch, etc.

Salzburg - 2 nights
Rent a car on leaving Munich. On the way there, you could visit Schloss Herrenchiemsee instead of Linderhof (about 1:45 total driving for the day) or Koenigsee. You want views of nature? Google it up (about 2:20 total driving time for the day)

Bamberg - 2 nights
If its beer pilgrimage you want - it's here you get it and you get it in a fascinating town. Bamberg is about 3:30 from Salzburg. Nurnberg is on the way if you want a stop. Three words of advice in Bamberg; "SCHLENKERLA", "Bamberger Zwiebel". Google em up.

Frankfurt or Munich - 1 night at an airport hotel.
Each of these airports is about 2 hours from Bamberg. Think of it as just a convenient place to stay before your departure. You can spend the entire day making your way towards the airport, arriving late afternoon or early evening for dinner and packing If you select FRA for an open jaw departure you could visit Wurzburg on the way. If you select Munich you could see Nurnberg or swing over a little to catch Regensburg (adds 30 minutes). Freising, a quaint town located next to MUC affords a slightly nicer last night option than around FRA. However, Frankfurt's old town is only a 20 minute rail ride from FRA.

I don't really make too many 2 night hotel stays but I will them when the circumstances of my trip warrant it. Salzburg is lovely to stay in and Bamberg warrants a stop given your interests.

If you don't want to drive after leaving Munich (you didn't say), some of the recommendations would have to change because it is more challenging to visit some of these stops on this timetable sticking to rail schedules and routing.

Russ

Are you really so sure about Munich? Munich was largely flattened in WW II and rebuilt. It is a nice enough city, but it is a mostly modern place that most visitors head to for its fine museums and WW II history, which you say don't interest you so much. Yes, beer figures in but generally speaking, there are great pubs and beer all over Bavaria (and Germany as well.)

"Does anyone have any suggestions on the best way to efficiently incorporate our interests into our stay? Or have any alternate suggestions for activities that might meet our interests?" Food and culture are pretty general interests and found everywhere - but maybe more often and in more unique forms in less urban settings than a place like Munich. The only specific interest I see in your post is beer. I'm not sure what else you'd do in Munich with that much time there - except leave on day trips.

Also, doing a day trip from Munich to the "castles" requires 5 hours of train and bus travel - for a 30-minute tour or two? If you want to go to Füssen, go there and stay there for a little while, but plan some other activities there as well(hiking?)

With 9 days, I think you will need to make some choices.

Personally, I think you'll find culture and regional food specialties in somewhat smaller places and in those that were not heavily destroyed and retain at least some of their old-world flavor. Bamberg is definitely one of those places. The well-preserved old town is UNESCO World Heritage protected, and the brewery restaurants there are terrific. Nuremberg has a small but interesting old town and castle. Both cities are in Franconia, a part of Bavaria that considers itself distinct from other the rest of Bavaria. Franconia is where you'll find Iphofen as well, a fanatstic old walled wine/artist town; photos are below:

http://www.stadtbild-deutschland.org...&threadID=2985

Franconia is a good area to check out some real castles too. Nuremberg has one. The Castle Road runs through the area too; check out the Castle Road page below and have a closer look at Veste Coburg, north of Bamberg:

Nuremberg castle and old town:
http://media.belocal.de/120712/1152x768_0,0c.jpg

Castle Road wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_Road
Castle Road map: http://www.dogjaunt.com/files/2013/1...den_Europa.jpg

The Füssen-area buildings are late 19th-century palaces - maybe interesting, but not castles - so if you want to see some castles, you might indeed want to spend some more time near Bamberg... I could see 3-4 days in that area. I could see 2 nights in Salzburg. That would leave 2-3 days & nights for some time in either Garmisch or Füssen, maybe 1 of those days and a final night in Munich before you fly back out of MUC.

flpab

I love Munich and just visiting all the beer halls is worth it.Augustiner is our fav. We stayed at Hotel Daniel last trip and it was location plus, right around the corner. We did the BMW plant tour and that was great. You must email them a month ahead of time to schedule an english speaking tour.
Garmisch is worth a couple of nights stays. There is so much to see nature wise there. You can take the train to Murnau and change there to go to Oberammergua for the day. It is a beautiful village and good places to eat. Murnau has a brewery
http://www.griesbraeu.de/de/english.html
Great beer, love the helles.
From there you can go to Garmisch and Mittenwald by train. I have seen the castles and would rather spend my money taking the cogtrain and cable car to the top of the http://zugspitze.de/en/winter.

I have done it in the summer and in the winter and it is beautiful. The Wank is also great to hike up or down or take the cable car. The Gorge and Olympic ski jump are beautiful. Great lodgings in Garmisch.

flpab

Bamberg is possible, only about 2.5 hours north by train from Munich. Nuremberg is on the way and the old walled town is a tunnel walk away. Loved it there. I would go to Salzberg for the day from Munich. Get the first train after 9 and come back late that evening, you won't have to pack up and move at least. I think you can see the city in a day.
We love beer,food and nature so do recommend you see the alps. When you take the train from Munich the views get prettier and prettier.

pja1

Hi,

Just a suggestion, as you do say you don't like to "rush". Never been to Bamberg, so I can't comment or advise. Fly into Munich and head to Salzburg or Berchtesgaden area for 3 nights (they're less than 30 min apart by car). Plenty of beautiful alpine scenery/hikes and the charming old town of Salzburg. For instance: Konigsee, Berchtesgaden, Salt Mines, Sommerrodelbahns (luge rides), Berchtesgaden, Salzburg, Eagles Nest, Jennerbahn cable car, Rossfeld Panoroama Road, Salzkammergut, etc.

Drive to Garmisch or Mittenwald for 2 nights (they're less than 30 min from each other). Linderhof palace, Ettal Monestary, the Zugspitze, the Karwendelbahn, etc.

On the drive from Mittenwald or Garmisch, stop at Andechs for a few hours. Last 3 nights in Munich with a possible day trip from here.

Paul

Bugler

When enjoyed staying a night in the medieval town of Rothenburg. You can do the night watchman tour (very informative), go up into the walls surrounding the city, even at night, and even view the torture museum. The story the town square clock despicts is very interesting and to walk the cobblestone streets at night on way to an outdoor cafe, and spending cafe time with total strangers is one of my greatest memories.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rothenburg_ob_der_Tauber

Bugler

I saw someone mentioned the salt mine tours. We were not very impressed with those but it could be that we joined the german speaking tour instead of the english tour, in error.

The luge rides in Austria was very cool. Also, when we were in Austria several years back, we took the Bob's Sound of Music tour. It was very enjoyable. It was on that tour that we took a brief break and rode the luge rides down the mountain (summer metal track).

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...rian_Alps.html

AisleSeat

With 8 days on the ground and considering some jet lag I would probably start in Munich (seven major breweries) for about 3 days, renting a car on the way out of town. MUnich has tons ofr hotels of all star classes near the main train station and a short walk to the middle of town. On the beer fron, I like pilsner beer (helles bier) and Augustiner and Hofbrau Haus have my favorites.
Spend one day and night in Salzburg then drive by the way of the Inn Valley through Bertschesgaden with a stop at the Koenigsee (in Berchtesgaden). Go up toward Garmish stopping for a night in Mittenwald.
Spend about a half a day in Mittenwald and surrounds then drive by way of Garmish, Ettal Monastary, Linderhof, Oberammergau and Wiesekirche to Fussen.
Night six would be in Fussen. See the castles and then if you still have time drive the 3 hours to Rothenburg OdT. That would be night seven then back toward Munich for your final night.
I guarantee you will find great beer, great Bavarian and Tyrolian food and a great taste of Bavaria.

konig_ludwig_900

>> Possible day trip to Neuschwanstein/Linderhof
yes its possible but you will miss Hohenschwangau castle located in the same village as neuschwanstein means you will not have enough time to visit the interior
so depending to you
if you want to make a day-trip for 50eur (only transportation you pay extra the castles tickets) check the link here
http://www.new-swan-stone.eu/p/transportation.html

if you want to do that self by train (Neuschwanstein and hohenschwangau castle) and to save money (26Eur Train day-ticket + 44 Castles Ticket )
check the videos below

How To Get To Neuchwanstein ( From Munich Station ) Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKY4Ymdfuog

How To Get To Neuchwanstein ( From Füssen Station ) Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0_WFiXy4U4

How To Get To Neuchwanstein (Hohenschwangau Bus-Stop) Part 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPLfn-y56Y0