My husband will be 60 in 1 1/2 years. I would like to plan a surprise trip to Austria and Germany for us. Can you make any suggestions as to cities to go to and a good time of year?
His birthday is late September and I am considering to go during Oktoberfest.
I think 2 weeks would be the length of the trip. Thanks for any ideas as a starting point.

Hi RG,

We can all come up with what we think would make a good trip, but may I suggest that you get some guidebooks, plot a draft plan and then let us help you improve it?

When we planned our trip for last summer, I went to the library and checked out several guide books to help create an itinerary. I found the Eyewitness Guides to be a great starting point because of all the color pictures - I could really get an idea of the places. They aren't particularly detailed, but are great for deciding where to go. I made a list of everywhere I wanted to go, then looked at the map to see what sort of itinerary made sense. With the help of people on this board, I pared things down and came up with a good itinerary.

Late September is a fine time to go. Why don't you start off in Munich, visit the Oktoberfest (my In-Laws, both in the 60s, had a blast when we took them) and then plan your itinerary from there? There are so many beautiful spots in southern Germany.

My 60th is this July. I also spent #50 in Germany.

We are flying into and out of Frankfurt. Trip includes Rothenburg, Prague, Salzburg, Berchtesgaden, Garmissch and final night in Heidelberg. No tour...rental car.

This trip is to revisit places we enjoy and want to go to again. You need to make up your own itinerary and go for it.

Bavaria area is a great place to start but we have been doing that area for 35 years alread