pmrichard

I agree with a lot of the posters here - a little too much travelling for my taste. However, the towns that you picked are great. When you're in Rothenburg, make sure you go to the criminal museum - fabulous medieval devices (the kids will love it). Also, check out the Bayerische Hof - great family owned restaurant right outside the city walls (hopefully it is still there - check out the Fodors recommendations, that's how we found it). Fussen has a horse drawn carriage ride up the hill to Neuchwanstein, but my husband and I opted for the walk up. A little tough if you're not in shape, but the views are FABULOUS!! There's also a little map you can pick up just about anywhere that will show you all the castles on the Romantiche (sp?) Strasse. We took that from Fussen to Dinklesbuhl, etc. back to Rothenburg. Have a wonderful trip!!

jamiesmom

bookmarking.

missypie

Why does everyone assume that kids love torture museums and seeing torture devices?

hausfrau

tomboy, yes, Harburg is amazing and the little restaurant there is great - we ate in the shaded courtyard in the middle of last year's July heat wave and it was like being in a little corner of (medieval) heaven!

Davelw, you can order a great packet of information about the Romantic Road, including a detailed map of all the towns and castles, on this website:

https://www.romantischestrasse.de/?lang=uk

They used to be free but you can get the basic package for 2 Euro plus postage.

J_Correa

Good question about why everyone assumes the kids will love the torture museum. I thought it was quite interesting, but I guess it wouldn't be for everyone. It might be very disturbing to some.

I have the same question about concentration camps. A lot of people consider them must-sees, but I personally have no desire to go. We spent a fair amount of time in Munich, but didn't go to Dachau. We are planning to go back to Munich in about another year or so and I don't think we would go then either.

ComfyShoes

J_Correa,

I suspect hausfrau and others recommend Dachau etc because they are a key marker in human history of the last century, as Anne Frank and WWII buffs know. But none of us obviously have to go if we don't want to. Regards.

J_Correa

Uh yeah - I realize that WWII was a key marker in recent world history I understand why some people want to visit those sites.

Missypie asked why so many people assume that the torture museum in Rothenberg is a must-see when you are travelling with kids. I feel the same way about concentration camps. Some people think that esspecially if you are travelling with children, that you must take them there.

ComfyShoes

To educate kids they are lucky no one is using a cattle prod on'em when they least expect it?

Sorry for being flippant, J_Correa. Okay, point taken. I respect your opinion, Lady, have a good day.

JN

I too echo the sentiments against one night stays--too much time lost to packing/unpacking and moving. I also think you'll find a car in Munich or Salzburg to be a huge disadvantage--parking cost and hassle.

So, here is what I'd suggest:
Day 1 Stay in Wurzburg (or Rothenburg) for two nights.

Day 2 Day trip to Rothenburg--see Night watchman tour, return to hotel late if staying in Wurzburg

Day 3 Nurnberg

Day 4 Nordlingen

Day 5-6 Salzburg; Drop rental car off in Freilassing just before the Austrian border to save drop off fee and Salzburg parking hassles. Can cab or bus to Salzburg (or short train ride).

Day 7-9 Take Train to Munich using Bayern Karte--whole family rides for less than 30 Euro second class on local trains
--on one day, use BayerKarte for day trip to Castles near Fussen

Day 10 Train to Heidelberg

Day 11 Train to Frankfurt airport then fly Home

pmrichard

Sorry, missypie. I did NOT mean to assume. I should have said my husband and I both enjoyed the museum as did my pre-teen nieces and nephew.

missypie

It's not just you, pmrichard. It seems like every time a city has a "torture" attraction, it's mentioned among the top things to do with kids. I just can't comprehend why. My mind has a really hard time with the concept of torture. I still find myself horrified by what they told us when we toured the dungeon at Warwick Castle, and that was in 1990!

tomboy

Davelw: I guess it's like ice cream: some folks like coconut, some like moose tracks. Some can't see a different hotel each night for dust, we find it no encumbrance whatsoever. I suppose it depends in part how much one packs (we may travel with 3 suitcases, but only take 1 in with us), and in part on how much dislikes the lack of certainty in finding accomodations. In 63 days of Euro-traveling over the last 6 years, we prebooked multi-night stays for perhaps 12 of those days. The remainder were largely one night stays. Maybe 15 minutes at the local tourist info office to choose one; no big deal. All but 3 of those 50 nights were memorably pleasant. The 3 weren't horrible, just somewhat deficient. For us, the 3 made the 47 worthwhile, in view of the people we met, the experiences, etc. So if you don't mind the unpacking, moving, etc, feel free... you'll see more in the process

moniqb

missypie/pmrichard, It is good you are respectful of differences. comforty, you are funny!

noe847

Back in 1983, we visited Salzburg in the off season (mid-January) and the only tours available were in German. (This was in the days of real tour guides not the audio tours that we had on a return visit in 2002.) Anyway, the tour went to the dungeons and the guide was giving (apparently) graphic descriptions of the torture. We didn't really understand enough German to follow it all, but the funniest thing was the reaction of the two elderly Austrian women who were giving little squeals of horrow at his descriptions.