Maudie, we are going in May. How about you?

I believe Amazon.com delivers to Australia, but I'm not sure if it would be worth your while. Rick Steves scales down his information somewhat, but I like his guides when I'm making a first time visit. We're renting a car, but you may find his guide helpful because he puts a bit more information on train travel than many other guides. I'm also using Fodor's Germany. Maybe you can find that locally?

Mare and Maudie (and Rufus),

I'll be in Bamberg for an extended lunch at the Schlenkerla; driving from Munich to Coburg on May 12. (I have family in Coburg.) Look for a Robert Redfordish looking character.

Hi,
Yes, sometime in May but really not sure of dates at this stage.
Thanks for the tip on the Fodor's Germany book, have looked at several but wasn't sure which one to buy.

If our paths don't cross, have a wonderful holiday, I'll be sorry that I missed Robert Redford though!!!!!

Happy travels,
Maudie

Wurzburg. Beautiful bridges over the Main River. Views of the vineyards from everywhere in the city. Sit at a beer garden and view either!

As far as guide books, I prefer Frommers over Fodors. The hotel and restaurant listings are separated from each other and organized by price ranges. The font is easier to read, the paper quality much better, the photos very attractive and the information quite extensive. While the Fodors.com discussion is far superior to Frommers, the Frommers guide book wins hands down, IMO.

I totally agree that Frommer's guides have a better format than Fodor's. I preferred them up until a few years ago because of this, but after several instances of misinformation, I switched to Fodor's. I know that all guide books are out of date by the time they are printed, but we seemed to have worse luck with Frommer's than any other guide. Some of the accomodations they recommended in England and Ireland were truly awful. I usually get that information for this forum now, but I just can't shake my bad feelings toward Frommer's. Your mileage may vary, though.

I'm not sure from what town on the Rhine you'll be coming from but from Bacharach to Bamberg is 180 miles and from Bacharach to Wurzburg is 120 miles. That might be something to take into consideration since Wurzburg and Bamberg seem to be both very charming.