I am currently in the planning stages of a 3 month trip in Europe with my girlfriend. We already have tickets Arriving in Stockholm, Sweden April 27th and leaving Dublin, Ireland July 15th 2016.

After Sweden we will be going to Amsterdam for four days and then on to Germany. Since we're in the planning stages were looking for suggestions on what to see, do, stay. The idea right now is to station ourselves in Munich because our next stop after Germany is Italy. We're thinking of staying in airbnb, but cheaper hotels or well rated hostel suggestions would also be really appreciated.

After Sweden we will be going to Amsterdam, Germany, Italy and then to Paris for four days, after to the Uk for a month and then to Ireland for 3 weeks. No dates/lengths are definite besides arriving and leaving in Europe.


Links to other country posts:
Amsterdam: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...m-566169-2.cfm

Italy: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...uggestions.cfm

Paris: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-566169-2.cfm

UK: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...to-a-month.cfm

Ireland: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...d-566169-2.cfm

Prior to Munich, visit the Middle Rhine Valley and make a 2-3 day stopover in one of the old world towns within this UNESCO World Heritage site. See map at page below:

http://www.welterbe-mittelrheintal.d...php?id=274&L=3

Take a cruise, enjoy a hike, try the local wine, visit some medieval castles:

Cruise: https://www.k-d.com/en/home/
Marksburg Castle in Braubach: http://www.marksburg.de/english/frame_nj.htm
Wine tasting room in St. Goarshausen: http://www.rhein-lahn-kreis.de/image...emou7dthn601h7
Rhine Castle Trail: http://www.romantic-germany.info/Rhe...eg.6751.0.html

"airbnb" offers only a tiny fraction of the BnB options in Germany. In some places where housing is tight for citizens, regulations outlaw airbnb and other rentals. Your best bet is to check local tourist office websites.

Here are a couple examples from the Rhine towns:

St. Goar: http://www.st-goar.de/612-1-host-directory.html
Boppard: http://www.boppard-tourismus.de/2-1-Gastgeber.html

I had a good stay at the Geissler apartment in St. Goar - less expensive than any hostel, perfect location:
http://www.st-goar.de/586-1-fewos.ht...id=586&clang=1

Thanks a ton these all look like great suggestions. Start lookging into them right now.

No sure how much time you are allocating to Germany but I would definitely do Berlin either instead of or in addition to Bavaria. Munich is fine - some interesting things but for me not a top level sight. But Berlin is fantastic, the differences between east and west interesting, great museums and nightlife and very budget friendly.

In Bavaria I think the countryside/mountain and some of the castles (NOT Neuschwanstein which IMHO is boring - we prefer Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee) are really more interesting. And if you are not visiting Switz I would ascend the Zuzgspitze.

http://zugspitze.de/de/winter/berge

My favorite spot in all of Germany. There is a lot more to do in Garmisch and reasonable lodging. Easy train ride from Munich which is a very fun city.

I am a huge fan of Bavaria and the Tirol. You can't go too wrong going with your plan to base in the Munich area and enjoy all the wonderful areas around there.

Not to high jack the thread but a question for flpad. What is it you like about Garmish outside of the trip up the Zugspitze. I have been through there a number of times and never discovered the charm. I just head on over to Mittenwald or Oberammergau.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qad7wfd0x8M
Partnach gorge, I have hiked this winter and summer and it is beautiful. You go through it and then up above it.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tMDfQ2lv0o
the wankbahn cable car, you can hike it one way

The restaurants, hiking and bike trails are great here.
The Olympic stadium is very interesting and they have great competitions at the Olympic Ski Jump. Partenkirchen was part of the Roman road and it is a bit different than Garmisch. More traditional and they often have festivals. The Sunday markets in Garmisch are very nice. We like it because of the beauty and you can get public transportation to go to Mittenwald or Oberammergau. My husband did duty at the NATO school there and we love the area.
It is also not expensive to rent an apartment. You have activities there for every season. It is a skiers paradise but the hiking trails are amazing.

Of course, it depends on your preferences and interests: Scenery? Picturesque historic towns? Castles? Museums? History? Nightlife?

There is an overwhelming number of options.

- Berlin is the Capital and has great historic buildings, world-class museums, a lively contemporary art scene, bustling urban life and history at every corner. Of course, Berlin has much more to offer than München which is just a provincial city.

- There is beautiful scenery around the Alps. The Zugspitze (accessible from Garmisch) is impressive, but also the foothills with many lakes and castles. The Königssee at Berchtesgaden is very beautiful, and you have already read about the castles.

- The Middle Rhine Valley is also very scenic with dozens of medieval castles and picturesque wine villages along the shores. The Mosel is similar.

- There are many picturesque historical towns scattered all over Germany. The finest ones are:

- Monschau (near Aachen).
- Wernigerode and Quedlinburg in the Harz (west of Berlin).
- Rothenburg o.d.T., Dinkelsbühl and Nördlingen between Frankfurt and München.
- Gengenbach and Staufen at the western slopes of the Black Forest.
- Melsungen and several more east of Frankfurt.