We'll have 5 days in So. Germany (Bavaria) prior to flying out of Munich the morning after the 5th night. Thinking of making our base in Munich for airport convenience but prefer to stay in smaller towns. Suggestions? Also, if you had to pick between Rothensburg and Regensburg, which would it be?

Augsburg is a cute little Bavarian town with a train station, if you're looking for alternatives to Munich (about 40 min away).

Regarding your second question, I'd pick Rothenburg.

There's lots of good info about the small towns of Bavaria at www.bensbauernhof.com/

Enjoy this beautiful area.

I clicked on your user name "celloman," and see that you're new to Fodors. Welcome! If you come back to the site later and can't find your post, just click on your user name way at the top of the page beside the word welcome, and all your posts will come up in the left-hand column of the screen. Fodor's, for some inexplicable reason, neglects to tell you this.

Have not been there, but I've heard a lot of good things about Landshut where I believe you could probably take a train into Munich. It should also be relatively close to the Munich Airport which is some distance outside the city.

Check out www.landshut.de.

Rothenburg would be my pick. Although not easily accessible by train (it is at the end of the line). We had little trouble day-tripping from there & actually extended our stay. 2 nights when we arrrived in Munich, 5 days in Rothenburg & 3 more days in Munich prior to leaving. We visited Wurzburg, Salzburg & Garmisch while there as well. Try rothenburg.de or .com. I can't recall the name of the family owned pension we stayed at but it was right off the main square, very reasonably priced w/a restaurant & beer garden.

In Munich we typically stay at the Hotel Amba, right across from the main train station. Good location for about $100 or so a night.

GARMISCH is a good town to use as base for flying out of Munich. We have done this in winter and summer. The drive from Garmisch to the Munich Airport is not bad and there is plenty to do in the area: Linderhof Castle, Oberammergau, Eibsee Lake, Innsbruck visit, Zugspitz, etc.

ROTHENBURG would be my choice. We usually stay at the MARKUSTURM HOTEL or THE REICHS KUTENMEISTER. Both are in the walls of the city and great locations to walk and explore the town.

The answer to your first question will depend a lot on how you are planning to travel. If you are training it may be another answer but if you plan to have a car you can base around Oberammergau and go one way to Fussen and the other way to Bertschgaden and Salzburg.

Spend a few days there then go go Munich, drop the car, enjoy Munich and take the S-Bahn to the airport.

I would echo the others who have recommeded Rotherburg. It is a great experience.

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