I am picking up a car in Munich the first week in May. I have four nights to spend in Munich and/or Salzburg and/or Bavaria before driving to Lake Como.

I am traveling alone (probably), and I can be a pretty fast traveler. I am most excited for Munich, particularly. I love architecture, love walking and exploring, and I am not real big on things too "touristy" or spending hours in museums.

I am booked for two nights in Munich, then I was thinking one or two nights in Salzburg, then maybe one night at the Hotel Muller in to see Neushwanstein and Hohenschwangau . I am tempted to extend Munich, drop Salzburg, and stop at the castles on the way to Como. Should I bag Salzburg, and head up to Rothenburg, then down the Romantik road (this seems like too much driving)?

Any thoughts, suggestions as to how to best divide these four nights? (Remember, I will driving to Como from my last stop, so the closer, the better.)

Thanks.

If you are flying into Munich, I would definitely tour Munich prior to picking up your car. Get a hotel downtown which will be convenient to the U-bahn (subway) and see Munich. Having a car in Munich, especially a new car, will be a pain.

Visit Munich, then pick up the car and head directly out of town.

Where are you dropping off the car?

How about 2 nights in Munich and 2 nights in the Garmisch area where you can visit Linderhof, Attal, Oberamergau, Weiss Church, Neushwanstein, and that area.

Hope you do a trip report because I am looking at picking up my car in October and heading to the Northern Italy area, Lake Como, Switzerland, etc.

I agree with NOT having a car within Munich itself..unnecessary in terms of parking hassles and expenses unlee you are totally adverse tto using the city's excellent transportation system.

I agree with the other posters. Wait
until you're ready to leave before you pick up your car, driving around Munich is a nightmare especially in down town
We rented a car for our vacation in Europe and as soon as we found our hotels we left it parked and used the public transportation systems and they all were very easy and cheap! As far as droping our visit to Salzburg? Don't do it! Salzburg is wonderful and a must see
part of Europe.

I am getting into Munich Saturday, picking up car Monday; so no car in Munich, fortunately.

Budman, after these four nights, I am heading to Lake Como, Bellagio to be precise, then to France through the Alps then Burgundy then Paris to drop off the car. I will definitely do a report.

If you are picking up a "rent" car (as opposed to picking up a BMW at the factory) you should be aware of the heavy penaly they charge for picking it up at the airport or train station. I think it adds something like 21%. Pick up your rent car at one of the other lots downtown just before you leave Munich.

You could do Salzburg as a day train trip from Munich. When you leave Munich, drive to Fussen and see the castles on your way to Lake Como.

fishskis - sounds like you're going to have a great trip. Enjoy.