swanny65

Hi everyone,

Here's what I have so far.
Land in Frankfurt.
3 nights Bacharach to enjoy the Rhine
3 nights in Cochem for the Mosel region
3 nights in Baden-Baden
4 nights in Lindau, Bodansee
4 nights in Fussen
4 nights in Munich
3 nights in Rothenburg
3 nights in Dresden
4 nights in Berlin

I'm picking up a car rental in Koblenz en route to Cochem and dropping it two weeks later in Landsberg just before heading into Munich.
I'm beginning to regret not making time for the Neckar Valley, especially Bad Wimpfen with a bike/boat trip into Heidelberg. I could trim a night each from Cochem and BB. Is the Neckar worth it?
Also, should I trim time in Fussen to add time in Mittenwald or Berchtesgaden? I try to avoid anything shorter than three nights in a place, but it's hard if it means passing up spending time in another great spot.
In addition to seeing the museums and castles, my partner and I love to hike, swim, bike and prefer the smaller towns to the cities, generally.
Any suggestions or comments?
Thanks!

bettyk

We have stayed in Lindau, Meersburg and Ueberlingen on Bodensee and would recommend basing in one of the latter towns rather than Lindau. We found the traffic going in and out of Lindau to be very heavy so not very conducive for day trips. If you didn't have a car, Lindau would be your best choice because it is serviced by train. Last September, we stayed in Ueberlingen and enjoyed it very much. It is just a short distance to Meersburg where we plan to stay again on our trip this September.

I would suggest that you consider taking a few days from your other stops and visit the Neckar Valley as well as Mittenwald or Berchtesgaden as you mentioned above. I understand not wanting to move around too much but I'd rather spend time in one or more of these areas than in Munich or Berlin. Just my opinion, however, as I'm not that fond of the big cities.

Aramis

I think you are on the right track thinking that 4 nights in Fuessen might be too long. Apart from the castles, there is really only scenery and there are some better spots for alpine scenery and activity, like Berchtesgaden, which would allow you to see Salzburg, or even Salzburg itself as a base.

You could also trade it for the Neckar, but you are also a little thin through the heart of Germany if you plan to go directly from Rothenburg to Dresden. You could shift things and stop somewhere along the way, like in the Harz Mountains; Quedlinburg, Wernigerode, or Goslar all great small towns close to each other come to mind. That would give you a different feel from a third river valley (Rhine, Mosel, Neckar).

With the car Meersburg is maybe the best choice on the Bodensee. It gives the best access to Mainau, and Konstanz, and is in between Ueberlingen and Lindau. I think it is the most attractive of the three as well.

You have a pretty well laid out plan.

Pegontheroad

I think Betty's and Aramis's suggestions are good ones. I had planned on staying in Lindau but was put off by all the traffic. I love Meersburg and have stayed there a couple of times.

I'm not crazy about either Munich or Berlin, though I've been to both several times. I'd spend time in Quedlinburg. Wernigerode, or Goslar, as Aramis suggests. And as long as you're in eastern Germany, you shouldn't miss the Spreewald, a truly unique area. Om the Mosel, how about Beilstein with the nearby Burg Eltz, my favorite of all the German castles.

Woyzeck

Your plan is well laid out. I agree with Aramis that 4 nights in Fuessen might be a tad on the long side. Frankly, I couldn't imagine spending 3 nights in Rothenburg either, but I get where you are coming from with liking to settle in for a few days.

I think the Harz mountains are a little out of the way between Rothenburg and Dresden. Consider a stop in Bayreuth or, better yet, in the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) southwest of Dresden. The town of Seiffen is known for traditional wood carvings and toys. Who goes to the Erzgebirge? It's lovely, but kind of underrated compared with the usual suspects.

But I digress. Your itinerary sounds great. Have a good trip!

swanny65

Thanks, everyone, for the heads-up on Meersburg, Fussen, etc. I'll definitely follow up.

Thanks, too, for letting me know I'm on the right track with my itinerary so far. I can now pinpoint each region and appeal for Fodorites' expertise with more specific questions.

Cheers!

Romira

Rothenburg can be seen in a day or afternoon, I'm not sure I would spend several nights there. I'm not sure when you are going, Fussen can be a headache in the spring, summer with tourists from everywhere and this year the Passion Play will be held in that area and with even more crowds and people. To see great castles I would stay in the area somewhere around Stuttgart and visit Schloss Ludwigsburg, Burg Hohezollern or Burg Lichtenstein for castlesand the towns of either Tubingen or Esslingen for a touch of old Germany and then I would go down to the Allgau region and stay in or around Obertsdorf for 4 days or so if you love the alps. Lots to do in the Allgau if you like to be outside, waterfalls, hikes, cows, huts on the mountains, great food and beer and cheese.

traveldawg

You are getting good comments. I agree with Fussen being too long. Garmisch is better as you can easily drive from there to Fussen in a day trip. Start early from Garmisch, drive through Austria and Reutte to Fussen to visit the two castles. Then return to Garmisch the northern route to stop at Wies church, Oberammergau and Ettal Abbey. A full day, but great sights. You can then do Linderhof on another day. Beautiful castle.

Salzburg is a great town! We enjoyed the BRISTOL HOTEL a few years ago. Old Town is small and easily enjoyed.