Gruezi - as always thank you. One question I have for you is do you feel going to the castles can be done in a day and going back to Munich? Or would it be too much. I have a great rate at the Le Meridian in Munich - 60.00 USD per night plus points.

Dawn,

The castles definitely can be done in one day (I really didn't "get" how close they were until we arrived there) but I don't know what the trip is like to Munich as we went there from Dachau. You will have to check here on Fodors or on the DE train sites for info.

I would say you should try to see Fussen as well before you go if you can, but it's not necessary...

I'm sure it can be done...I have a Top 10 Munich book here and it lists the castles so I'll check and see if it gives travel tips and get back to you tomorrow. If I forget, remind me.

What I love about trains is that you can rest and relax and so even if your day is long you don't have the stress of driving. You can have a little nap on the trip back to Munich.

more tomw...

gruezi

gruezi

gruezi -

I could leave Munich - go to Fussen and then go to Salzburg from there - it adds an additional "one-nighter' to the trip and am not sure about the rail service from fussen to Salzburg - I will have to check and see... but it is an idea.

well this sounds like a pitiful little piece of advice, after all the great information above ;-)

Yes, I'd probably take the sandals (only if they are comfortable ones you could walk all day in).

To successfully pack light like you are attempting you have to get over the idea of having lots of choices in what to wear. 2 pants, 4 tops (1 short sleeve, 2 mid sleeve, 1 long sleeve)... like that...

A fleece zip-up vest is good because you can pack it into a gallon ziplock baggie and sit on it to get the air out. It makes a very good layering piece without being too bulky packed that way.

Hi Dawn,

Here is the link for the castle website that includes information on travel from Munich and the website for buses etc.

http://www.neuschwanstein.de/englisc...t/howtoget.htm

gruezi

suze - it is good advice. I have realized I am just going to have to be very sick of my clothing by the time I get home. :-) I have a long skirt that is reversible that I have out to pack, a few cashmere sweaters - and while I know jeans are not a popular travel item I am going to bring a pair I think - as well as find one of the vests you recommended. Does anyone have a link so I can get a good idea?

Thank you gruezi! I believe I will try to do it in a day - I have to go back through Munich (it looks like via the rail sites I looked at) in order to get to Salzburg anyway ...

I think jeans are fine for October travel.

What vest? I didn't say anything about a vest ;-)

You're right, the one trip I went in only a gym bag-sized duffle for three weeks, I was ready to *burn* those clothes by the end, haha. But that was my most extreme-packing-light experience.

You can find fleece vests online at LLBean or Lands End and possibly REI.

I pack light, always under the required weight. I keep weighing my suitcase as I pack and remove clothing as needed. I do get tired of my clothes after two weeks but if there is space I bring one favorite lightweight top and save it to wear toward the end of the trip to boost my morale. I've also packed a few items that I'm getting tired off and discard them after a few wearings. Then I can buy something new.

Buying something as light and small as a bright scarf to wear over a long-sleeved black or white T-shirt or sweater will add variety.

the fleece vest no? I am really losing it... LOL

I can see me discarding and getting soemthing along the way. I know I am going to want to scream after 4 weeks of the same few items.

oops, of course. for some reason i was picturing the suggestion of a "travel vest" that I'd read recently here, where people use it instead of a purse/daybag (an idea i think is not for me). anyways it's not you losing it, it's me -lol!

with four weeks, surely they'll be time you can pick up a few small things along the way. like an extra tshirt or sweater or something.

That is what I figured Suze - we will be in Florence for two weeks and I am sure some of those days will be lazy...

I did order a fleece vest today from LLBean and a few long sleeve t-shirts. Mine are pretty gross from last year. I tend to buy the cheap ones and they are horrid after one season.

I don't ziplock everything, but I find them very helpful to keep your suitcase organized, especially trying to pack light. I make little packets of socks, undies, etc. Be careful because you can fit so much more in with this method it's easy to make a small suitcase too heavy! Then you have them to use and separate dirty clothes as you go along.

I think I will try the ziplocks only to start out with at least... in order to be sure I am organized in what I am bringing etc. I can tend to be a "last minute" stuffer.

To make it in carry-on only, you'll have to resist those last minute "I *might* need this" type of items. They can ruin an otherwise perfect packing, and guess what(?) you probably don't need them.
:-)

Suze.. I know.. I know...I am packing for camp with dd for 4 nights and going through that very thing right now!

Ah, but camp is more like a car trip. So I say it's OK to pack extra stuff. Because you don't have to drag it around all over the place, like you do on a trip to Europe!

When I go on a beach vacation staying in one hotel the entire time, I feel free to pack a larger bag, because I only have to wrassle it thru the airport one time, into a taxi, that's it until time to go home a week or two later.

The extent of "packing light" is directly proportional to the amount you are moving around, was my long winded point above.

Dawn,

for camp, if you haven't already left, may I suggest your own pillow and pillowcase? I always sleep better knowing at least my face is on something I know is clean and comfy...

g.

I am here :-) I have my own pillow, sheets and comforter LOL - all in my heft green trash bag tied with a yellow ribbon ...

I have so much stuff because of the goodies for the girls in my cabin
:-)

Suze - I would be bringing even more but I have to get it from the bus to the cabin... I am like you and am not crazy with the "don't" check a bag - and the reason for the light packing is as you said, moving around in Europe - trains, airports, being pretty "solo" (well, an eleven year old) but no strong male to assist!