If you could plan a trip.....
 

...for 2 weeks in July, by car, beginning and ending in Frankfurt, for 50ish couple, with these few specifications, what would the itinerary be like?

NO: Switzerland or France or Rotthenburg

Yes, to Any or many: Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia. Maybe even northern Italy, Croatia......

No: or almost no hiking, some but not an over abundance of museums, castles or cathedrals.

Yes, to enjoying the scenery, small towns, a few cities, relaxed travel and safety.
Hall in Tirol, Austria, Alps, & Bavaria can be repeated from past itineraries.

Have fun planning the itinerary with favorite places~

Hi
We always travel by car, so let me try. From Frankfort to Potsdam. Mercure Hotel, near train station, free parking. Take the train into Berlin, its a short ride. Visit Potsdam and Berlin. Head south to Dresden.. We visited San Souci in Potsdam and the Green Vault collection of gold and jewellry in Dresden. We spent 2 nights in Potsdam and 2 nights in Dresden, but it is changeable. Enjoyed the outdoor cafes and walking around. Go east to Czech Rep. Visit either Kutna Hora and/ or Cesky Krumlov, then driving to Telc in Czech Rep. A pretty undiscovered town with a beautiful town center. Head north to Poland and visit either/or Wroclaw or Krakow. Head back west again stopping in Berlin again and then go west back to Frankfurt.
We are late 50's and early 60's and have been independent travelers for many years. We've been to the countries that you mantioned in your post and to do much more is difficult if you want to enjoy the countryside. What we usually do is fly into Frankfort and take another flight to bring us closer to where we are traveling. I hope you find this helpful. Enjoy your trip.

Thanks!Great options, will put your suggestions in the pot....

>If you could plan a trip.....

I would start by going to the library and reading a few guidebooks.

After I had a draft itinerary, I would come here and ask for suggestions about improving it.

If I didn;t have the time to do that, I would see a travel agent.

((I))

Here is a good start--you fill in the blanks:
1. Fussen or Oberammergau-3
2. Riva del Garda--3
3. Castelrotto--2
4. St. Gilgen/Salzburg--4
5. Heidelburg--last nite

I hope you have a camera. Good luck !

ttt

Frankfurt TO FREIBURG 4 nights

Lake Constance (Bodensee), the Alsace, the Vorgese, the Schwarzwald.

Freiburg to PIEMONTE 4 nights

The Langhe and Monferrato (ALba, Asti, Acqui Terme, smaller gems like Nizza Monferrato, Mobaruzzo, other wine villages), Ligurian Coast (Genoa, Camogli, Portofino)

Piemonte TO AUSTRIA 4 nights (Salzburg,Salzkammergut, German/Austrian border towns,
Munich, Neuschwanstein, Tegernsee, Chiemsee etc)

Austria to the RHEINGAU 2 nights
(Eltville, Kiedrich, the Taunus Mountains)

The Rheingau is very near Frankfurt Airport.

Diana