We are a family of 8 traveling by van in late March, early April to Frankfurt, then to Oberwesel and Rothenburg. I have a 2-fold question:
l. Is it better to drive from Rothenburg, through Schauffhausen, to Lucerne area, then to Garmisch and on to Austria? Or should we forget Schauffhausen and go straight to Garmisch, and then to Lucerne area, and to Austria?
2. Lucerne is terribly expensive, and I've been looking for a smaller area in which to stay, eg. Weggis or Kusnacht, etc. I have read reports on this site, but thought someone might have an idea for a large group such as ours. Am also concerned about what would be open at that time of year, and what would be family-friendly (4 young children).
After Austria, we have 2 days in Munich and then fly home.
Thank you for any advice you have!

Why Luzern, or even Switzerland in general? Your post reads as if it might be better to stick to Germany and Austria.

Because we want to make a brief visit to some distant relatives. Otherwise, we would bypass Switzerland on this trip.

ttt

anyone?

If you are driving through Schaffhausen, you should stop by Stein am Rhein to see its painted wood beam houses.

Where are you flying into? How many days do you have? I tend to hate the 1 & 2 night stays, so if you have only two weeks, you might limit your places to 4-5.

If you are planning to fly to FRankfurt but out of MUnich, might do a circle route:
--Oberwesel
--Luzern
--Austria (where?)
--Rothenburg
--Munich

Last March we stayed in Meggen, just a couple miles up the lake coast from Lucerne. There was a city bus stop right in front of our hotel (Hotel Balm) and the bus ride into Lucerne took just a few minutes. The hotel restaurant was pricey, but there were more reasonable ones in the small lake towns. Most mountain passes are still closed, but there are lots of things to do and see in Lucerne and the drives around the lake are spectacular. Kids would love the covered bridges, the Glacier Museum and the Hall of Mirrors, which are right next to the Lion of Lucerne stone monument.

Thank you for the input. We probably will spend 2 nights in each place --- Salzburg and Vienna in Austria, as well as the other stops mentioned.
Will report in at the end of April!
Thanks.

We are a family of six travelling to Switzerland and Germany in July. Where did you rent your van from and do you have any advice renting a vehicle? Also, what itinerary did you decide on and how long will you have to travel? We are also working onour plans. Thanks so much.

Nancy - I suggest this and talk to Andy and/or his Dad Bob (it might help to mention my name)...

http://www.gemut.com/Page.asp?ID=304

I agree with Tuck. I talked to Andrew, and rented a 9 passenger mini-van from Gemut.com. Price was reasonable (as reasonable as you can get carrying 8 people!!), and included CDW and taxes, etc. He also arranged for the car seat we need. Very prompt, and courteous.

For our itinerary: 2 days each --- Oberwesel (Rhine castle); Rothenburg (Garni Hornburg); Lucerne area (via Schauffhausen and Stein am Rhin); Garmisch (Frauendorfer); Salzburg (Wolf-Dietrich); Vienna (Pension Petschy); Munich (Uhland). There are lots of helpful posters on this forum. Also researched Rick Steves forum for traveling with kids and gemut.com archives (it pays to join!!). Would recommend and prefer fewer stops with more days at each, but didn't work out that way. First step is your itinerary, and then get hotels asap!! I e-mailed hotels directly after researching recommendations on this and other sites. Use tripadvisor.com, too.

No comment on the itinerary. I think others have answered well enough.

As for a van rental, another option to explore is the flat rate rental available at budget.de. You can get a 9-seater van for 59 EUROS a day.