jlaughs

Hi AisleSeat. Yes, I debated posting what my BF wants to do in Switzerland, but I figured that was the only way I might get some good information. I checked on airfare to different cities (Munich, Berlin, Amsterdam, even Paris), but Frankfurt was the cheapest by far. I don't believe we'll have much choice about open jaw since we'll both be using FF miles (different programs) for our tickets. It may be tricky enough just coordinating both our tickets for the same flights.

The itinerary is no where near being complete, but I'm hoping that we can land in Frankfurt and head to Baden-Baden (with maybe a quick stop in Heidelberg). We'll spend a day in the Black Forest before heading to Switzerland (maybe 2 days). From there, we'll go to Munich (trying to see if I can fit Meersburg in somewhere, but it's not looking good). While in Munich, we'll take day trips to Dachau and to see the Neuschwanstein Castle. Leaving Munich, we'll head to Berchtesgarden (Eagle's Nest & Salt Mines) and then go to Salzburg. We'll hopefuly spend at least a couple of days in Salzburg (gotta take the 'Sound of Music' tour since I saw the movie 7 times when it first came out and I know every song by heart!). From there, we'll start making our way back towards Frankfurt. I haven't figured out whether we want to go towards Nuremberg (with an overnight stay in Rothenberg) which means we'd miss the Romantic Road sites or whether we should cut across further south and take the rest of the Romantic Road north. Once we're back in Frankfurt, I'm hoping that we have at least one day that we can take a Rhine River excursion (Mainz or Bingen to Koblenz) with a train back to Frankfurt before heading home.

Whew!!

What was I ever thinking when I was pondering whether we could fit Berlin, Hameln, Prague, Belgium or the Netherlands in two weeks?!? I'm hoping that I can even fit everything from above into two weeks without it becoming the 'amazing race' trip.

blondlady

I agree with Aisleseat, if you are interested in the castles. We are and loved everyone of them. When in munich be sure and do a day walk to all the churches. You cannot tell they are churches from the outside. We met a local at the beer garden who offered a walking tour --for tips only and well worth it. It is easy to skip around and see a lot in Europe. You can see a lot either by rental car or train. We always plan a basic itinerary and then go with the wind and the train schedules so to speak. I would definitely take in Dachau, its an important piece of history, heartbreaking, but a place every person should see.
Its very easy to get around, be flexible when you get there. You'll have a great time.

EuropaDreamin69

Yes i think you have planned a bit too much. If you try to rush all the sights you will be more worried about getting to the next place and not the one you are visiting. I can attest to this because last year i did the same thing. 16 day trip to Germany and 6 of them in Berlin so i spent 2 in Leipzig,1 in Dresden, 2 along the Rhine but no time to relax 1 in Hamburg and the other 4 days going between Lueneburg, Hameln, Eisenach, Weimar and Jena and while it was fun i wish i had some more time to explore especially with Weimar and Hamburg. For next spring i learned a lesson and will stay a week in the Rhine river valley to discover the beautiful castles along the river and a few days in Koeln to see the Koeln Cathedraland a few days in Vienna and a couple of days in Innsbruck. You could probaly make a couple of trips, one for Bavaria and Austria and maybe a second trip to the river Rhine, Hamburg and Berlin and a third trip for Belgium and Netherlands, just a thought. If you do make it to Berlin a great sidetrip is Potsdam and spend an afternoon at the Sanssouci park to see the palaces from Frederick the Great.

jlaughs

Europa: I would like to confirm your opinion of my trip. You said that you think it's too rushed, but then you mentioned taking a 2nd trip for Berlin and Hameln and a 3rd trip for Belgium and the Netherlands. Did you realize that those were part of my original trip ideas, but have since been eliminated? Do you still think that my trip, as I described it, is too rushed. The rough draft of our itinerary looks like 1 night in Baden-Baden, 1 night in Freiburg (just 1 hour away, but I thought maybe less expensive and would allow us to spend a day in the Black Forest), 2 nights in Bern, 3 nights in Munich, 2 nights in Salzburg, 1 night in Rothenburg and 1-2 nights in Frankfurt. I'm debating about skipping the one night in Freiburg (and entire day in Black Forest) for a night in Meersburg or Linden. Opinions?

I'd also like to ask -- I've read (can't remember where anymore) that people who are used to beautiful mountains and forests may not be as impressed with the scenery in Germany. My BF and I each grew up going to the High Sierras (Mammoth Lake, Yosemite, etc.) every year for vacation and have been to Zion, Bryce (UT) and the Grand Canyon (AZ). Would we be underwhelmed by the Black Forest? This is why I'm thinking maybe we could spend less time here.

Thanks again for all the helpful comments! Your feedback has helped to really start forming this itinerary instead of everything being just a 'wish list' still.

jlaughs

Oh! I forgot to ask another question. If we decide to cut across to drive the Romantic Road, would this even be a good idea? For some reason, I have the idea that driving from the plains to the mountains would be impressive, but would it seem the same in reverse?

Thanks!

AisleSeat

jlaughs, The romantic road is mostly picturesque in the South when you get into the alps. What makes it romatic are the charming little towns like Dinkelsbuhl. If you are going that way and the romantic road is on the way, use it. Otherwise on a whirlwind trip you will get from place to place quicker by using the autobahn.

jlaughs

Hi AisleSeat. Sorry. Again, I guess I wasn't very clear. Or maybe I just don't really know what I'm talking about.

I'm assuming that the 'Road' would be just as "romantic" whichever way you're going because you hit all the same little towns, but I wondered whether it would be just as picturesque and impressive going from, say, Fussen to Wurzburg as it would be going from Wurzburg to Fussen. One way you would be going into the Alps and the other you would be coming out. Would that make a difference?

TXgalinGA

We spent about 2 weeks last summer in Germany, Austria, Italy (lake Como) A'dam and Switzerland. It was a wirlwind but we saw all we wanted to see.
From Germany, we went to Interlaken, which might be an option for you since your BF wants to do Switzerland. Very easy driving...

jlaughs

TXgal, WOW! I'd love to hear your itinerary. I don't think I'd try to squeeze in quite as much as you did, but I'm very happy to hear that it was possible.

I actually posted another message under 'Switzerland' asking for suggestions for 2 nights / 2-ish days from Germany. Interlaken was mentioned (after a quick stop and look around in Bern) and I'm looking into it.

Thanks!

offlady

We traveled Germany via Frankfurt-Koln-Muenster-Hamburg-Berlin-Munich. My favorite spot was the Neuschwenstein castle, while my husband loved the Checkpoint Charlie museum in Berlin. I suspect, though, his biggest thrill was going 90 mph on the autobahn--legally(or is it?)!

We did day trips to Saltzburg (Mozart's home) and Switzerland (Lake Lugano) so it's workable-but you will have to give up one day for each. We took the train which worked out very well.

Gary_Mc

Regarding how many sights to see, it seemed best to me to keep a flexible schedule with lots of options. If we were staying in a place that struck the right chord in us, we would just extend our stay.

On the other side if some well known tourist site turned out for whatever reason (lousy room, wrong weather, crowds,etc.) to be a bore, we would bailout sooner.

I never enjoyed traveling with a fixed list of things that I had to see. Better to dawdle where the spirit of the moment struck us.

Regards, Gary

jlaughs

offlady - That's so funny about your husband. Driving on the Autobahn is the same reason why my BF first suggested Germany. But, I don't think going 90 mph is going to excite him too much since he (and everyone else) drives at least that fast between LA & Vegas.

Gary - we absolutely want to be somewhat flexible, but I'd hate to come back and wish that I'd seen something if I'd only known about it. Plus, if we have an itinerary (that we know is not necessarily set in stone), we can see where we might be able to make changes to accommodate spontaneous urges. But, regarding being flexible, I was curious how to handle hotel reservations and tour reservations. I understand that some tours are very popular and that you should make reservations in advance. That, obviously would affect our ability to be too spontaneous. And, what about hotels? Would it be crazy to arrive at destinations without hotel reservations? I've had fairly local trips (San Diego and Santa Maria, for example) where we wasted a lot of time looking for a room because we hadn't made reservations in advance. I've also had times where I wasn't even able to stay at my destination because I couldn't find a room (Carson City, NV). This makes me a little nervous to travel without reservations.

logos999

>drives at least that fast between LA & Vegas.
I don't know... I've tried it, but it seemed like people were scared. Fast, but once you are behind in the left lane my idea is GO GO GO, they don't... Maybe its the police they're scared of. What happens if you get cought? Do I need to worry the next time? ;-), or is it just the car that doesn't go any faster?

jlaughs

logos, I guess you've just had the bad luck of getting behind those darn law abiding citizens who observe the speed limit.

My BF and I used to go to Vegas about 2-3 times a year (haven't gone for over a year now) and, except when we've hit traffic, we've always "flown" on the I-15. Sometimes it's been surprising to look down at the speedometer and see just how fast you're going, but 90 mph is pretty standard.

If you get caught? You get a ticket.

logos999

Sounds great! In Germany, we have this "more than 30km/h (20miles/h) above the speed limit, you loose your license for a least one month" policy. Do I need to worry about this in Nevada/California?

jlaughs

logos, is that true for foreign licenses as well? What do they do if a foreigner is going over 30 km/h over the speed limit? I can't imagine they would take away a foreign license, but, ohhhh...I would be SO upset if my BF lost his license there and I had to drive the whole time! <grrrr>

I honestly don't know what happens to a foreigner with a moving violation here.

AisleSeat

I undersatand that speeding tickets in Switzerland are EXTREME... like a year's salary for the extrememly fast. If you are in a porsche coming off of German autobahns it might be wise to switch to trains when you hit Switzerland. One thing that makes me think I am driving faster than I am is that the speedometer is in Kilometers and I think I am going 130 MPH when it is 130 KPH or about 80 MPH.

jlaughs

A year's salary?!? OUCH! That could put a serious crimp in our travel plans! Like being able to afford to get home!

logos999

I'm quite sure the law's the same for everybody on german roads. I know "a few" people who experienced this procedure. 30km/h sound like being a lot, but its enough to go 81 kph on a 50 kph road. The fine isn't the main problem, one month without license is a punishment heard to bear for many.

logos999

hard