My 14 year-old son and I are doing a dad/son 7 day driving tour of Germany in mid-April. Out of Frankfurt we head for Stuttgart (tour Mercedes) and then to Munich. After that, we are trying to decide between heading south to Mittenwald, and then head up the Romantic Road toward Wurzburg, or from Mittenwald head to Lindau, then Zurich and back to Frankfurt thru Heidelberg (268 miles). I've heard the Romantic Road is enjoyable, but I'm concerned we will be overwhelmed by tour bus's. Anyone want to weigh in on this rough itinerary, offer suggestions etc. BTW, we are comfortable covering large distances quickly if required. Thank you for any comments you choose to share.

It's a lot of driving (though no one day too brutal); you already seem to know that, and I think your ideas are just fine. It's not like there won't be more trips, if this turns out to be enjoyable.<BR><BR>I think there are better destinations than Zurich (Luzern, Bregenz or Sankt Gallen?) bit you may have your reasons to want to go there.<BR><BR>I can't believe that you'll find yourself "clogged up" by the tour bus crowds. There will be a few - - of almost no consequences.<BR><BR>You probably have little or no chance to get tickets with this little no notice (only 10-30 a day, 2-4 days a week) - - but the tour to knock your socks off in Stuttgart - - is Porsche. If you're an owner, contact your dealer immediately. You'll be glad you did.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Grahame<BR>Rex's advice is always good, but to get more responses you might want to repost your question with a more specific title, such as Driving tour in Germany. Almost every question on this message board is about "destination" advice.<BR>good luck

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Two suggestions, Grahame,<BR><BR>Repost your query, just as written, but with a more definitive topic, i.e., "Suggestions for Southern Germany Driving Itinerary". It'll prompt scads of knowledgeable responses.<BR><BR>I think you're a bit ambitious in your seven day planning. You'll not have that memorable or meaningful an adventure by trying to do to much. (Your son will, for example, be thoroughly captivated by the Deutsches Museum in Munich with its vast collection of everything from Daimler's first automobile, circa 1896, to a modern Formula 1 racer; from steam locomotives to space vehicles. He'll want to spend the day, assuredly!)<BR><BR>I have driving itineraries for Upper Bavaria that may be of interest to you. Drop me an Email and I'll forward them promptly. <BR><BR>Consider staying in an inn outside of Munich and using the suburban trains to access the city. Parking in the city is difficult to find and prohibitively expensive.<BR><BR>Whilel the Romantic Road passes through some charming towns: Rothenburg, Dinkelsbuhl, Nordlingen and Schongau to Fussen and the Bavarian castles, most of the truly fascinating sights (Alpine lakes, Baroque architecture, hiking trails, lie just off the Road. You can easily expend two weeks exploring the area. If you'd like suggestions for accommodations as well as the itineraries and sights to see, do feel free to contact me. <BR><BR>

ttt

Heidelberg is a good place to end your trip as it is very close to the Frankfurt airport...1 hour. We always stay there and drive up on day home.<BR><BR>Did the Porsche tour this winter. It was good as one poster noted but they only take 15 people at one time and a dealer needs to set you up.<BR><BR>From Munich I would go to Garmisch and that area and then head over to the Bodensee and up to Frankfurt and Heidelberg. Zurich is a boring town, all business and traffic. Stay to the smaller towns and you will enjoy it more. Nothing worse than 5 o'clock traffic when you are on vacation.<BR><BR>

Thank you for the good advice. We were pushing the envelope to include Zurich. I think what we will do is Stuttgart/Munich/Mittenwald/Romantic Road. What do you guys think about that? Any favorite hotels/restaurants, etc. not to be missed? Thank you again for helping out. Cheers<BR>Grahame

I was thinking about planning a very similar trip, and strangely enough also having second thoughts about omitting Switzerland. Other opinions on this?<BR>