I'm planning for a two week trip to Germany this spring. We're starting in Cologne mainly because we really want to see the cathederal (although if there are other "musts" we'd love to hear.) Will spend one night in Cologne. <BR><BR>Then we head a little south and have booked to nights at Auf Schoenburg. Plan to do a side trip in the Mosel area while staying there.<BR><BR>The next night I was thinking of either Heidelberg or Wurzburg and then two nights in Rothenburg. My question is what do people think between Heidelberg and Wurzburg? Is there another option? Or should we skip that night and go directly from Auf Schoenburg to Rothenburg? That seems a little rushed but I'm open to opinions.<BR><BR>I'm still thinking about what comes after Rothenburg. We will have 4-5 nights to play with and then we will end with three nights in Munich. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions on that end of the trip! <BR><BR>We like architecture, history, beautiful scenery, some shopping but not a lot, good food and wine. Thanks for any help or opinions.

Burg Eltz. Absolutely fantastic - - easy to incorporate on your way south from Cologne.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Maggie<BR>It has been 10 yrs since we've been to Germany but Rothenburg was one of our favorite places! We liked Garmisch Partenkirchen and loved Fussien and the castle Neuschwanstein. If you go to Fussien and Neuschwanstein, be sure to take the walk up the hill to the Queen's "Narrow" Bridge built between two mountains. The view of the castle from that bridge is breathtaking. From Rothenburg you could go to Rudesheim which we also loved. You can take cable cars up over the vinyards on the Rhein. You can also take a Rhein cruise from there that gives you great castle views. And when you get to Munich, be sure to have a beer at the famous Hofbrauhaus. Have a great time!

Maggie: My favorite is Wurzburg. The town is quite overlooked by tourists and the shopping there is great. The center of town is traffic free so shopping is easier. I spent 2 years there in the military so I am partial. The Residenz is the main atraction but my wife keeps saying the chapel beside the Residenz is one of the best kept secrets of beauty in Europe. The Marienberg Fortress overlooks the town surrounded by vineyards. If your up to it the walk up the hill is an adventure. It has some very good restaurants and the wine is a delight. Rothenburg is a short distance away. After Rothenburg make your way to Garmisch. A great resort city and a trip up the Zugspitze (highest mountain in Germany) makes for a great day. From there you are a short distance from Fussen, Neuschwanstein,(you got to see the castle), Oberammergau and Linderhof. My wife loves Oberammergau for its shopping. If you have time, see Berchtesgaden on your way up to Munich.<BR>Have a great trip.

We took a similar trip two years ago and from Rothenburg drove on to Munich and from Munich to Salsburg, which was so lovely and not that far. It was so quaint and historic, with all the Mozart background. We took in "The Magic Flute" puppet show as well as an evening of Mozart movements by performers in period costumes, accompanied by a 4-course meal all performed in a building built in around 800-900. We stayed at the Holiday Inn, Crown Plaza, which was very, very nice. As a prior author mentioned, take in Berchtesgarden if you can and we also went to Hofbrauhaus while in Munich - it's really a kick! Dittos on Neuschwanstein. Have a great time, we are still reminiscing over the wonderful trip we took through Germany and into Austria and hope to repeat it some day.

Maggie,<BR>If among your interests are history and architecture, skip Heidelberg and opt for Wurzburg. For one thing, Wurzburg is far less tourist oriented than Heidelberg. For others, it has an imposing fortress with a five hundred year history, the Festung Marienberg, that looms over the Main River. The Residenz is an impressive Baroque palace with stunning frescoes by Tiepolo whose work also appears in the architectural riot that is the adjoining Hofkirche. From the balustrades of the Hofgarten, you get a truly stunning view of the Residenze. You’ll find examples of Renaissance architecture in the Rathaus, Baroque interiors in the Dom, Gothic architecture in the Marienkapelle and examples of both Baroque and Romanesque in the Neumunster.<BR><BR>There are any number of small charming towns between Wurzburg and the better known, more tourist infested Rothenburg. Sommerhausen is a tiny walled town with its own castle overlooking the main street and a 16th century gabled town hall. Ochsenfurt still has its gated ramparts and half-timbered houses. It’s town clock has mechanical figures that strike the hour (Munich’s glockenspiel does so only twice a day). <BR><BR>England’s London, France’s Paris and Germany’s Garmisch Partenkirchen all have two things in common. First, they’re the primary recommendations of posters here to people visiting any of the three regions. Second, they all have McDonald’s fast food restaurants.<BR>For a more authentic feel for Upper Bavaria, consider a town such as Steingaden with its opulent Baroque Wieskirche or Rottenbuch with its equally stunning Baroque church, formerly part of an Augustinian monastery. Either town is convenient for day trips to the castles of Neuschwanstein , Hohenschwangau and Linderhof, the monastery at Ettal, the village of Oberammergau, and Hohenpeissenburg’s stunning views of Alpine lakes and mountains. They’re similarly convenient if you choose to drive to one of the S-bahn stations from which to tour Munich.<BR><BR>If you’d like some driving itineraries for the area, drop me an Email. <BR>

I stayed in Germany for 6 monthes and my favorite Cathedral wasn't in Koln. Aachen's Cathedral was constructed by Charlegmane. The history of the Cathedral is fascinating and its museum has more artifacts than any other of its kind. It isn't as imposing as Koln's Cathedral but a tour is available through the museum that will give you better insights into its past than Koln.

Hi Maggie, Three places that I found really interesting for their architecture and scenery: Harburg, a tiny village just north of Munich, Mittenwald in Bavaria, with lots of painted facades, and Lindau on Bodensee. Have a wonderful trip! J.

I've been to all 3 & would suggest a short visit to Heidelburg and at least 1 night in Wurzburg along with a night or 2 in Rothenburg.

I agree with Wes that W&uuml;rzburg is a more worthy destination than Heidelberg. You shouldn't miss the Residenz, a UNESCO World Heitage Site, nor the adjacent chapel, and be sure to enjoy the local ambience in some of the wine bars or the outdoor Biergarten along the Main River, where you'll have a nice view of the fortress Wes mentions on the other bank and of the bridge over the river, which is faintly reminiscent of the St. Charles bridge in Prague. <BR><BR>However, W&uuml;rzburg and Rothenburg are so close that an overnight stop in between Oberwesel and R'burg isn't really justified. W'burg makes a nice daytrip from R'burg if you can't see it on the way to R'burg. R'burg is pretty Disneyesque - not my pick for an authentic overnight spot - but you could use it (or some other town like Sommerhausen, Ochsenfurt, or Marktbreit) as a base for daytrips to the other towns of interest in the region - Weikersheim, with its own little palace, Bamberg, a UNESCO site itself, and N&uuml;rnberg, among them. This region is worth a few days, for reasons other than Rothenburg.

Berlin is one of the best cities in Europe--so much history and culture, good food and friendly people. The best wine is Mosel area near Koblenz.

Koln and Heidelburg are only worth about a half a day each. I wouldn't waste time staying overnight in either. Rothenburg is beautiful though...even in the rain! take a boat ride down the Rhine too!

to the top<BR>

Guess I'll put in a plug for my favorite river drive along the full length of the Mosel; you said you plan to do it, so please don't miss it. There is a bit more of an intimate feeling along the Mosel compared to a bit more commercialistic feeling along the Rhine. Lots of Mosel villages are worth visiting or staying in; my favorite was Cochem, with a great castle on the hilltop that you should visit.

Maggie,<BR>Having been to southern Germany several times, I have to agree that the drive along the Mosel River region is very pretty, seeing small villages and vineyards on the hillsides. We love Rothenburg. If you are there at night, the best time, be sure and take the Nightwatchman's Tour. Our son's, on their first trip to Europe, still remember this as a favorite part of the trip. He gives such a good history of the Thirty Year's War and how that affected much of this region and caused so many little villages to remain, in his words, "as time forgot". You might want to read Rick Steve's book on Germany. Have a great trip.

Maggie, I forgot to second Burg Eltz, definitely worth the visit. Some of the original family still owns the castle and spend some time there.

Maggie: You'll love the laidback Mosel (compared to the Rhine) and whatever you do, don't miss Burg Eltze, one of the most beautiful castles in Europe.<BR>I would also opt for Wurzburg instead of Heidleberg for the reasons indicated above. <BR>Heading South, Nurnberg is worth a stop on the way to Rothenburg. The Castle on the Hill, it's main square, the remaining walls and it's shops and restaurants are interesting and fun. Rothenberg is not to be missed. Yes it is very Disneyesque, because it is so authentic. It is what Disney strove to duplicate when he thought "Medieval Village". When the crowds are gone in the morning or late afternoon when the tour buses are gone, it is magic. A short distance away is Dinksbuhl, a smaller version of Rothenberg with fewer tourists. You can pretty thoroughly wander this little walled village in half a day. Going South, don't miss Weiskirche, the most glorius Rococo style Church you will ever see, just brilliant. <BR>Again, heading South, stay in the charming little village of Fussen and take in "the Castles", Neuschwanstein the most impressive among them. As indicated above, take the hike to the Queen's Narrow Bridge for the views of Neuschwanstein and an opportunity to take a picture beside a handsome German in Liederhosen with Neuschwanstein in the background. It remains one of my wife's favorite pictures.<BR>If you still have time at this point, I would head for Munich and, yes, I would spend an evening at the Hofbrauhaus; touristy, trite, crowded and just plain fun. Look a little lost and a nice German Group with space at their table will invite you to join them. You will never have more fun. Plan a side trip to Andechs Monastery for its Baroque Church, beautiful setting, hearty food and great beer made by the local monks. There are great sites within Munich as well, not the least of which are the Residence, a fine Bavarian Palace and Marienplatz (Mary's Place), the wonderful central square. This part of Germany is loaded with things to see and do. You're going to have a great time.

Thank you all so much----this is more wonderful information than I ever could have anticipated. I have to digest all the tips everyone gave---I'll let you know what we decide. I really appreciate the help---this site is superb.<BR><BR>Wes, I'll contact you about your driving itineraries.<BR><BR>Thanks so much to everyone.

Maggie, I did your trip the opposite way- started in Salzburg, then to Munich, then to Garmisch, spending a few days in that area, then to Rothenburg for a couple of nights. On the way to the Rhine River area, I stopped in Heidelberg. You can visit for a few hours, take the funicular to the castle, and be on your way to the Rhine. I stayed at Auf Schoenburg and loved it. Also agree that Burg Eltz is a must near the MOsel.

Take the Romantik Strasse from Rothenbur<BR>to Munich. Dinkelbuhl is on the route..<BR>most charming. You'll love it. Sharon