Germany recommendations - please!
 

I am taking my mother on a 16-day trip through Austria, Czech Republic and Germany. I have a car for the entire trip. So far I have planned the first 3 days in Vienna, then 3-days based in Prague, with a few side trips and then 3-days Berlin. My problem is: I want to do Munich, Salzburg and Slazkammergut region, but also feel greedy and want to spend a day somewhere bet. Berlin & Munich. Also, Munich & Salzburg are so close - is it better to base in a small town in between and do both and then spare a night for Halstatt? Thanks for any suggestions.

I recommend you skip Munich and stay in the RHine valley region. Then a trip to Halstatt and Linz for a day (for Mauthausen concentration camp) is worth it. Hoep this helps. <BR> <BR>

If you really do nwat a good in-between, I recommend Weimar, though much good is also said about Dresden. And ulm gets very little press, but a Tuesday night stay there, waking up to the weekly market being constructed in from of that great Munster is awesome. But it's not halfway between Berlin and Mnucih by a considerable margin. <BR> <BR>When are you planning to do this? Have you seen the posting for "small group trip to Eastern europe ... Fodorites welcome"? The itinerary is not yet set, and could be altered to blend some of your goals with ours. <BR> <BR>I'll bring the posting back to the top for you.

sorry for the terribly clumsy typo... <BR> <BR>If you really do WANT...

Go to Berlin - ignore Munich - it's not that different from Salzburg. Try to see Dresden or Leipzig, or go up to the Nordsee so you can see the coast. <BR>Personally, my favorite German cities are Hamburg and Duesseldorf - I think they're the prettiest...

I agree with David's comments on the Rhine Valley, particularly between Mainz and Koblenz. You need to spend at least 1 night there and take a day cruise on the Rhine - if time is short -between Rudesheim and Boppard would be my choice. A great medium priced hotel in Boppard is the Belle Vue, right opposite the cruiseboat pier. You could cruise one way - about 3 to 4 hours, and catch a frequent train back - about 1 hour. One of Germany's highlights in my humble opinion.