If you had 7 days for Romantic Road..What would you do:)
 

Hello Experts!

I am trying to plan 7 nights on the Romantic Road not including Munich.

Have to be in Munich on the 8th day for a flight.

Adventurous couple in early thirties exploring Europe for the first time ...................... wondering what YOUR itinerary would look like with any tips or suggestions on sights or accommodations.

PS....Could it also include time for Innsbruck.

Thanks:)

Fox

I am biased and find walled cities very interesting.

If this was my first time to the area, I would spend a day in Rothenburg o.d. Tauber, Dinkelsbühl, and Nördlingen and see each town from inside, outside and on top of the wall. I would also spend a day in Würzburg, visiiting the Marienberg Fortress and the Residenz, finding time to sip some good wine.
I would also detour off the official "Romantic Road" and spend a couple of days in Bamberg, since I enjoy beer tasting.

I'd try to stay in only one or two locations and do day trips to the other locations. I'd likely choose Bamberg for one of those locations, and probably Dinkelsbühl for the other. I find Rothenburg very touristy, even in the evening.

I'd skip Innsbruck for this trip.

Have fun planning.

Given 7 days, I would spend 2 of them on the Romantic Road, 2 in Munich, and the rest in Salzburg and the lakes nearby.

We are actually in Munich for five days and fly out out of Frankfurt on the 6th.

Was thinking of visiting Salzburg during those days.

Keep em coming!!

Thanks in advance.

I would also cheat off the RR and see Bamberg if you have 7 days to spend in the area. Possible itinerary with nearby "via stops, or day trip options;

Wurzburg - 2 days
Bamberg - 3 days (Nurnberg, Bayreuth, Coburg, Vierzehnheiligen)
Rothenburg - 2 days (Dinkelsbuehl, Nordlingen)

We did a similar trip in 2009, flying into Frankfurt and out of Munich:

2 nights: Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
Drove from RodT to Fussen, stopping in Dinkelsbuhl and Nordlingen
Two nights in Fussen
Three nights in Salzburg

The trip report is here if you are interested:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...e-children.cfm

What time of year are you going? In summer Salzburg will be packed with tourists. It was one of my least favorite spots when I was traveling in July (though I really enjoyed touring the Mozart houses). But I loved Hallstatt, despite the tourism (gorgeous and not crowded). It depends on what you enjoy doing. Rothenburg is a must (2 nights) and do the night watchman tour. I wasn't thrilled with Bamburg. I was ready to leave after a half day there -- but I was booked there for 2 nights.

My wife and I have been in and out of this area since 1970 when I was stationed in Germany in the Army in my early 20s. I would recommend the following:

Short stop in Wuerzburg to see the castle/residence then,

ROTHENBURG: Two nights here at Reichs Kuchenmeister or Markusturm Hotel. Definitely stay in town, within the wall. Do nightwatchman tour at 8 pm in English. He leaves from the main town square and is very funny. The restaurant and ourdoor bar at Reichs Kuchenmeister is also very good....casual.

Drive south through DINKELSBUHL. This is worth a walking visit and lunch. Keep heading south to GARMISCH area. Stay there for a few nights. Drive over to Fussen to see Neuschwanstein (Disney castle). Also try to make it to Oberramergau, Linderhof (another Ludwig castle) and Ettal Abbey. You can spend alot of time in this area.

INNSBRUCK is not a bad drive from Garmisch but I don't have a big love for the town. It is an easy day trip from Garmisch. The OLD TOWN area is nice for shopping and browsing around but that is about it. I have tried it 3 times, both in summer and winter. You may enjoy it and the drive over the Alps is fun.

SALZBURG/BERCHTESGADEN; Try to get to these spots. Both are very close together. If you stay in Berchtesgaden you can drive to Salzburg in less than 1 hour. Both are very scenic. Berchtesgaden has the Salt Mines tour (fun), Lake Koingsee electric boat tour, and the Hitler stuff. All fun to see and not a bad drive to get you back to Munich.

We enjoyed the BRISTOL HOTEL in Salzburg when last there in 2007 with friends. Great location near Old Town and we could walk to most sites. It sounds corny and you are young, but take the SOUND OF MUSIC tour there. First rent the movie before you leave, then take the tour. It takes you to some beautiful areas around town. People of all ages were on our bus. The movie crew and most of the stars stayed at the Bristol when filming the movie in 1964.

Here's what I did in 2011, traveling solo by train and bus:
Bacharach am Rhein (2 nights)
Cochem (on Mosel) (3 nights)
Rothenburg (2 nights)
Bamberg (2 nights)
Regensburg (1 night)
Salzburg (2 nights)
St. Gilgen (2 nights)
Hallstatt (2 nights)
Mittenwald (2 nights)
Meersburg (3 nights)

If I could do this over knowing what I know now -- I would remove Bamberg, Regensburg -- and save Salzburg for an off-season visit.

My favorite stops were Bacharach (charming), Rothenburg, St. Gilgen and Hallstatt (stunning scenery).

I visited Munich in '07, and didn't care for it, but then I'm not much of a big city person (Paris is the exception).