Hi, Please help us with day trips along the way and any and all feedback will be appreciated. We are planning an 8 night trip for this August, flying into Frankfort, picking up the car at the airport and driving to Wurtsberg for 1 night, drive to Rothenberg for 1 night, drive to Nuremberg for 1 night, drive to Innsbruck for 2 nights, drive to Munich for 2 nights. Fly out of Munich. I know it's a lot of moving, but both like to move a lot. They love history, but we also need some outdoor activities, lakes or hikes or whatever. Any other cities that would be better? Where should we add an extra night? Thanks so much.













fly out of Munich

Where should we add an extra night?>

Just about every place you're going -1 night stands means you drive half a day to get there and relocate hotels - leaving you with a few hours there before packing up next day and doing the same your first three days. Wurzburg is neat but I'd ditch it and spend more time in other cities.

I'd try and get in some wandering in the woods, some swimming and a little sitting while drinking fresh young wine and eating onion tart. Look for a river, Wurtsburg is a good example, lots of vinyards, and the local tourist office will have walks (or hotel).

Also, google "Summer Luge" on google maps and maybe combine with a barbecue.

In August, which can get baking hot in Germany, you need to chill out.

If doing Wurzburg-Rottenburg and doing so because of driving the famous Romantic Road don't go for the road- a busy thoroughfare that skirts the towns and is rather blah along it.

DO I presume you are from the U.S. based on your other posts?

It appears the trip is structure as if you are traveling in the U.S. where the primary objective of the trip is driving where you drive drive drive for hours, then stop at a place to do one thing then keep on driving. Unlike many U.S. destination, the places you mentioned have MANY things to do.

I have several couples who travel this way. Breakfast, drive, quick bite, drive, quick dinner, go to sleep, then repeat. They, at least the husbands, love this, and I don’t argue with them. It satisfies their objectives.

Of the places mentioned, places with scenic hiking opportunities and lakes are in the border region between Germany and Austria. But you are spending so little time in this area. You might be able to visit places around Garmisch-Partenkirchen on the day you are traveling from Innsbruck to Munich

Nurnberg drive to Innsbruck for two nights - it will take all day about to drive there and in one day you will not be able to easily get into high Alps are a distance from city - The Zugspitze in Garmisch is more impressive IMO than anything easily available from Innsbruck, a town that also fails to capture my fancy after several visits. I'd suggest substituting gorgeous Baroque Salzburg for Innsbruck and can be done as a day trip from Munich

Würzburg is actually a good place to start your trip from - don't miss the Residenz, which is the major drawcard there. However, you are likely to be jetlagged when you get to Frankfurt, so a caution around driving, and another caution about just spending one night - because you will conk out by 4pm or earlier you won't be able to maximise your experience there. If you can add another day, do so. But Würzburg is a good distance from Frankfurt generally speaking.

Had you thought about picking up a car in Würzburg itself and catching a train there, just to avoid that first day's drive?

Lavandula

Okay, that's a lot of moving.
In my opinion, I am doubtful as to if you would be able properly enjoy your stay, it all seems like one big road trip to me (which I am not sure if it is supposed to be that).
I would advice you pick maximum of four places and spend time there accordingly. Germany is much too attractive and fascinating to be able to simply explore it with less than a day.
However if you still want to stick to your initial plan and include one more city, I would recommend Berlin. It's one of my favourite cities in Germany and I would recommend it for a trip finale. Note, my time in Berlin was not for a day so I had more time to explore the city, but I have a colleague that spent a day in Berlin and still positively raved about it. Though I think she used a tour agency: Anastasia tours for her sightseeing. Going from her experience as well as comments and pictures, you may be able to pull a day trip to Berlin and still make the most of it and find it very enjoyable.
Best of luck

Berlin even for a day is great! Take the doubledecker hop on hop off bus around the main sights.

Hi all, Thank you for all your thoughtful input. He does not mind one night stops, but I did get him to stay longer in some places. Here is his revised itinerary-Land in Frankfurt, pick up the car and drive 2 hours to Rothenberg for 1 night, next drive 1 hour to Nuremberg for 1 night, drive 3 hours to Garmisch for 3 nights, end in Munich for 3 nights, fly home. So they'll have a combination of history, sightseeing and nature. Do you have any must do's to suggest or restaurants or experiences?

I suggest you appoint the teenager as official tourism researcher. Ask him to sit down at a computer and look up the city/state tourism authorities for each of your proposed destinations. Collect ideas. Circulate to other tour members. Discuss. And take his advice, which will make it a special trip for him even before you leave home.
There is a huge amount of information on the Internet and he's a lot closer to knowing what might suit whose interests, far more so than any stranger here.

I agree that Wurzburg is a good place to stop the first night - the Residenz will be a good activity and then early to bed at 8 pm or so. (Don't go to bed too early - set your internal clock to local time.)
I like the idea of your grandson doing the research. When they were young, my kids chose at least one thing to see in each museum or city e.g. the Sitting Scribe in the Louvre or Alnwick Castle where some of Harry Potter was filmed, and it made their experiences more meaningful.
If you need a fun break, spend some time at the Nuremberg Zoo this March. We had a blast. They have a great porpoise and dolphin show! I know, it isn't German culture, but it is a great people watching experience!
Marsha

See early comments, I'd really try and stay in smaller places, most of what you have selected are big cities and or tourist traps centres. Find a river valley with a town and maybe a pool (open air is good) and get out and enjoy the country. Cities can be bah especially in August.