We're travelling from the Rhine region through to the Dolomites in May and would like to know your thoughts on whether a route through the Black Forest or via the Romantic Road would be better. Our priority is good scenery and picturesque towns. We'll be travelling by car. All help appreciated!

I believe that the Romantische Strasse is the tourist industry recreation of the road taken by the 19th centuiry Romantics on their way to Italy, Goethe being a prime example. As such it probably has more diverse sights than the Black Forest.

If you are looking for scenery, choose the Black Forest, which also has its share of picturesque towns and villages. If you are looking for towns of historic and scenic interest, choose the Romantic Road. The countryside, while pretty, is nowhere near as beautiful as the Black Forest. However,places such as Nördlingen, Dinkelsbuhl, and above, Rothenburg ob der Tauber are well preserved mediaeval towns and are well worth seeing. You also have the cities of Würzburg and Augsburg, with many attractions. In May, the tourist hordes should not yet be overwhelming. The Romantic Road ends at Füssen, with the nearby castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, which you might want to visit.

The Black Forest has fewer "must sees" but it is a very beautiful part of Germany and any of its mountain resort towns would make a pleasant overnight stop.

In summary, if you are oriented to sightseeing, take the Romantic Road, for it has many sites worth visiting. If you are looking for a peaceful and relaxing trip, choose the Black Forest.

Well put, Laverendrye. Don't forget Linderhof. Done both, Romantic Road wins out in my opinion if you can't do both.

klondike- also after having done both, even if you can do both, I would still do the Romantisch Strasse twice.

swood - Though I think the Black Forest is more scenic - you will have plenty of magnificent scenery on your trip from the Rhine to the Dolomites. I would therefore opt for the Romantic Road for its picturesque towns and the Alpine vistas at its southern end.

I liked the Romantic Road the best.

I vote for Romantic Road over Black Forest...much more to see between Wurzburg and Augsburg or Munich.

Romantic Road - Rothenburg ob Der Tauber is worth it alone.

and in Rothenburg, do the night watchman's tour at 8pm

Hey everyone, thanks for the great responses. Our thoughts had been towards the Romantic Road so it's been good to see so much positive feedback. Further planning to be pursued!