In your travelling thoughout Germany is it too much to fly into Munich, stay in that area for two days, go to Salzberg for 2 days and then drive up to Frankfurt sightseeing along the way and then to Berlin where we would fly back to the States. We like stopping at quaint villages and try to stay away from the tourist areas. We'll be arriving in September. Please help with any suggestions as I need to book my flights asap. Thanks

Your trip sounds like how we travel. In fact, we did a similar trip in Germany flying in and out of Frankfurt.

I suggest spending a night in Rothenburg even though it attracts many tourists. After the tour bueses leave late afternon, it is a very quaint, scenic place. Be sure to take the Nightwatchman's tour.

In planning our Germany trip, I read Karen Brown's Inns and Itineraries book. She has a website as well.

I suggest you use the car for a few days to visit the smaller villages you decide on, if you want to, but use the train to travel between Munich, Frankfurt, and Berlin. These are major cities where a car is more of an inconvenience than an asset. A 4-day German railpass can be had for about $135 each when traveling as a couple - a huge savings over regular tickets and probably over car rental, including unused days within these cities that you'll be paying for, gas, parking, etc. You could use the railpass for Munich-Salzburg, Salzburg-Frankfurt, Frankfurt-Berlin, plus maybe a daytrip out from Munich to a mountain village like Garmisch.

I strongly suggest you visit:

www.Bensbauernhof.com

You'll learn all you need to know about German accomodations plus some wonderful itineraries. I'm sure they'll answer all your questions if you contact them.

I recently took my wife to Frankfurt with me. After I finished my business dealings we drove to Bamberg. It is one of the most quaint of original german Medieval cities. Untouched by bombing during WWII, it is the most charming of winding old cities. Famous for it's ancient nature, old clay roof tops, university, and smoked (rauch) beers, this cities rates as one of my tops across Europe. The Alt Ringlin is a fine, old city center hotel and here's a secret: do what the locals do and walk up to the Brauerei Spezial- a 15th century restaurant brewery with a breathtaking view of the town and valleys below.

Basically, I agree with Russ, except I probably would drive from Munich to Wuerzburg (instead of Frankfurt), and drop the car off there, taking the high speed train (ICE) to Berlin.

I would pick up my car in Munich at the end of my stay, just for the day-trip on the scenic route to Berchtesgaden, Salzburg; and for the trip Munich - Fuessen - Rothenburg. Incidentally, Wuerzburg is also well worth a stop.

If you like quaint villages...I would suggest flying into Frankfurt(not staying there!), renting a car and heading up the Rhine. Then on to the Mosel(one of our favorite areas) where there are some very quaint places to stay and explore. We stayed in Brehm, our Guest House was Famile Hutter. Our room had a little balcony that overlooked the Mosel and the vinyards...very nice sitting and sipping some of the family's own wine!

We also spent the night inside the walled city of Rothenburg and enjoyed it...very picturesque and fun to walk around after the crowds leave. There is a great bakery near the square and a nice wine shop in the opposite direction that offered samples.

Then, head down the "Romantic Road" thru Munich. I would just spend the afternoon in Munich and stay outside of town. We stayed in a small village at the base of the castles...really not touristy (one of the fun moments was driving thru the small streets and being surrounded by cows as they were lead thru town...now that's quaint.A short ride to view the castles which are beautifully lit at night was very romantic. We enjoyed dessert at the restaurant at the base of the castles.
Rick Steves book gives a good loop to see Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau, Weiskirche, and Linderhof...we did this in a day.

From there it is an easy drive to Salzburg. You could spend the night in Berchtesgaden. Our guest house had its own little beer garden. Easy drive from there to Salzburg.

Spending a day or 2 at each place would leave you time to get to Berlin with a stop on the way if needed.(I personally would not put Berlin near the top of my Germany must see lists...big city with a lot of construction...believe it or not one of the stops on the city tour was of a construction area...they are very proud of all the new buildings!)

Germany is very easy to drive(best way to see quaint villages) and Guest Houses/B&B's are the way to go as far as places to stay. (just takes a little time to get use to highway signs which are different from the states...need to aware of towns in the direction of your destination...no N,S,E,W)

Bamberg is an absolute gem of a small city. Lovely Altstadt that is a real, working, functioning part of the city.

The Mosel is great--liked it better than the Rhein. We stayed in Beilstein at the Hotel Haus Lipmann--a lovely hotel with great restaurant right on the river--and no train tracks to create a lot of noise and commotion. After we stayed there, we found out that R. Steves made it a recommended place to stay. Wonder if that has changed the hotel at all.