In Germany, which is your favorite area in the south and why?
 

I am trying to narrow down where we will go in September. Once again faced with so much to see, so little time!! I want to see it all. So, looking for feedback from those that have experienced Germany.

The areas that we are interested in are: Bavaria, the Black Forest, the Romantic Road area, the Mosel Valley and the Rhine Valley. Every time I think I have crossed off an area, I read something that intrigues me or I google images and wonder how I could not go there!

If you have been to any/all of these areas, could you tell me what you liked about them?

If you've been to more than one, could you rank them?

Been to all those areas, southern Bavaria is best. Why? Because it's home.

I've been to all of them and couldn't choose. Just pick an area go and know that you may have to return. Oh drat!

I particularly liked the Rhine/Mosel area but my favorite city was Munich (I could live there). I spent a month touring southern Germany. I could send you my trip report if you'd care to read it (from 1996). For me it was a perfect trip and you could pare it down. I did have a car the whole time. [email protected]

We've been to Germany 6 times in the last 10 yrs as well as time spent there when we lived in Austria years ago.

We've visited the Rhine River area three times and the Mosel River area twice.

We've visited the Bodensee three times staying once each in Meersburg, Lindau and Uberlingen.

We've stayed in the Black Forest twice -- once in Gengenbach and then in Staufen.

On the Romantic Road, we've been to Rothenburg numerous times, even if just for a couple of hours, as well as Dinkelsbuehl, Feuchtwangen and Noerdlingen.

And years ago, we visited Munich, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Oberamergau, and Ludwig's Castles. More recently, we've been to Berchtesgaden and Mittenwald.

We've also visited Bad Wimpfen, Schwaebisch Hall, Tuebingen, Wurzburg, Bamberg, and Iphofen as well as numerous other small towns and villages.

Could I pick a favorite? Absolutely not. That's why we just keep going back.

Have been to all those areas - but without knowing your interests and how much time you have it's hard to make any recos.

....with our 2 young children....Meersburg

Hi,

We've also been to Germany 6 times in the last 10 years! I think we're being followed :)

We've stayed once on the Mosel by Cochem (in Valwig)
We've stayed in both Mittenwald and Fuessen twice
We've stayed in Garmisch once
We've stayed in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
We've stayed in Ramsau (by Berchtesgaden) 3 times

29 nights so far.

Then there's the visits to Munich, Oberammergau, Andechs, Ludwig's castles, Ettal, Bad Tolz, Bad Reichenhall, Dinkelsbuehl, Trier, Bernkastel, Zell, Beilstein, St. Goar, Bacharach, etc. etc.

Pick a favorite... that's tough, but I'd have to say Ramsau. After that, it's a toss up. They're all great places that we'd like to see again and again.

Paul








1) Berchtesgaden area. Beautiful scenery and close to so many terrific places such as Salzburg, Zell am See, Hallstatt, etc.

1a) Mittenwald area. Mittenwald is in my opinion, the quintessential Bavarian village. Again, there's many great places to visit nearby based in Mittenwald.

1b)

Wow, I screwed that up! I attempted to rank them and gave up, but then forgot to delete it.

The main danger is believing that you have to see it all. If you try to cover too much ground, you will get lots of nice pictures but will have trouble absorbing what you see.

I like the towns of Franconia (northern Bavaria) and villages of the Rhine/Mosel valleys best. We enjoy the feel of history in both areas. We can not get that feeling in the USA. We find train travel more to our liking as we visit these areas in recent years. (We were in the military and lived in Germany for 6 years traveling usually by car.)

If you had never seen the Alps, that might be a first choice for the scenery. You may want to rent a car in the Alps. While stationed in Germany, we visited the areas of Füssen & Garmisch frequently and it was quite beautiful.

Regards, Gary

Okay, Betty - It's not a contest. We know you get out a lot.

My favourite is Franken. The rolling hills and the ease (proximity) with which you can visit a large number of fantastic towns and cities; Nurnberg, Bamberg, Rothenburg, Dinkelsbuhl, Wurzburg, etc..

Aramis, what's your problem?

Did you help the OP with their question, or just point out how many places you had been?

If you want me to get into it more, I can.

I really like Muenchen. Great food, great beer, easy transportation. You will have a good time. :-)

luvlimoncello,
You haven't mentioned how many days you have and how many persons of what age and interests.
These are important when one decides

I suggest, stretch your time.
Just the feeling, that I have so little time, is not very good.

Germany has so much to offer, that so many people here have been visiting again and again for so many years.

You can pick up two areas, primarily to get the essence and vaiety of experiences.

Germany has well defined routes. Pick any two and divide your time.
In that order..
1. Alpine route
2. Romantic strasse
3. Burg strasse
4. Wine strasse
5. Historical route
6. Rhine valley
7. 3rd Reich trail

Mix it with Big, Medium size cities and typical quaint villages. This will give you a large spectrum.

We stayed for a week in a verrry small village "Deidesheim" near Neutadton winestrasse> We will cherish it for our lifetime.
Also interesting...
Rhine cruise/ Train alongside; coupled with some hikes..
Heidelburg is magical..
Liked Berlin..
Romantic strasse is probably the best of them all..

Wish list

Dresden
Lubeck
Berchtesgaden, Ramsau, Koningsee, Mitten wald
Fussen, Garmisch, Lindau...

Planning to Visit the Bavarian Alps in May 2010...

And keep returning like everyone.. gagin.. and again...and...

To uncomplicate..
My 1st 2 choices are..

1. Bavarin Alps
2. Romantic strasse.. coupled with Munich

Beg, Borrow or steal... But stretch your vacation...
and keep in mind that
Germany will keep calling you for the rest of your life..
you will also be one of us... who are hopelessly in love with the country.

All the best and have a great trip.

Hi bettyk, we're tied! :)

luvlimoncello... Paragkash raises good questions. More info will help people assist you better.

Thanks all for your thoughtfull responses.

I guess if you are answering in order to help us, I will give you a little information about us. There are 4 adults going, we will have 2 weeks and we will rent a car. The four of us have traveled to Italy and France in the past. We enjoy small, quaint towns with a sense of history and especially beautiful scenery. We are more interested in towns rather than cities. We do plan on visiting Munich and most likely Salzburg. We are more of a group to skim a town with maybe a half day or so, rather than delve into a city with visiting museums and numerous churches etc. But we also understand we need more time in the cities. My two favorite areas so far that I have visitied would be Tuscany and Dordogne.

Hope this helps! Thanks again, I'm taking careful notes!

If do not wish to go to Oktoberfest, you should avoid Munich from Sep 18- Oct 3 this year, or pay a premium for hotel rooms which sell out quickly.

From the regions you mentioned, all are good destinations in September.
Bavaria as a whole is a bit too large to compare it with a more narrowly defined region like the Mosel Valley.
You got lots of ideas above already. As a rule of thumb, Bavaria is the nicest where it ends. While that is obviously just a bit of nonsense, you should also not stop at political boundaries. Southern and SE Bavaria and Tirol mix well, so does SW Bavaria (Lake Constance) with Vorarlberg (Austria) and Switzerland. NE Bavaria has the border with the Czech Republic/ Bohemia, and you wish to explore both sides of the border there as well.
Travelwise, Munich will be your gateway to Southern and Eastern Bavaria, while Frankfurt (or Nuremberg for which you usually have to connect) is an option for Franconia and NE Bavaria (and when flights to Munich get expensive and booked out during Oktoberfest).

The Romantic Road goes mostly through a less than spectacular countryside with the different towns and villages being the highlights. Most start in Frankfurt, catch the RR near Würzburg and go to Munich (or vv).

The Mosel gets less tourism than the Rhine valley, as is probably more for people who do not wish to share the sights with 10 busloads of tourists each, but only with 5 :-)
In both valleys the vast majority of tourism focuses on the towns along the river. The hinterland gets much less tourist.
Frankfurt airport offers best access to both river valleys.

The Black Forest is again a pretty huge area with not only one or two highlights, but an overall scenic region with many villages and towns worth visiting. Hiking is also easy and almost a must to actually see something other than just the view through the windshield. Another plus would be the proximity to Alsace.
Accessibility (with non-stop flights) is mostly done through Frankfurt (bit away), Stuttgart (not many flights to the US), or Zurich. Or connect to Strasbourg via Paris. But renting a car in Switzerland or France is more expensive than in Germany so you should put that into calculation, too.

Salzburg is Beautiful.. My most favorite city..

Aramis, what does it matter to YOU if I helped the OP or not?

My point was that ALL of those areas are worth visiting -- multiple times in fact. That's why we keep going back.

I'm sorry if you are so hung up on your dislike of ME that you couldn't understand that.
-----------------------------

Paul, any plans to go back this year?

Betty;

I don't dislike you - I don't even know you. And since Germany is the favourite destination of both of us, how unlikeable could you even be?

I just think that Trip Reports are the place for your listings all the places you have been how many times, all the wonderful places you have stayed, and for putting links to your travel photos.

You have some great advice to give but it gets muddled up in what amounts to the online equivalent of inviting people to look at your home movies and photo albums when all they asked for something else. It just rings of too much "Do what I did!" at times.

With respect to the reason you just gave for providing your original response in the thread, the OP expressed their own confusion about where to go with so many choices. Your answer, apart from tallying up all your adventures for us, essentially said "I am always confused about where to go because it's all so wonderful". That was no help, so the purpose of your post was simply to extol your adventures for all.

Just my opinion.

Aramis, your opinion means nothing to me as mine obviously means nothing to you.

Also, I am not the ONLY poster to provide photos and trip reports to people when they ask about an area. To me, it is a great way for them to see WHY we liked a place so much.

I am proud of our photos. My husband has been recognized several times for his work, which is not so easy when you have thousands of people posting photos on a particular website.

Again, I don't know WHY you felt compelled to comment about my response but not that of pja1, whose responses are almost identical to mine on many threads.

Hi lovlimoncello,

With 2 weeks and a car, you can do just about everything on your list. In my response here, I'm ommiting the Black Forest region as we've never been there.

I'd recommend flying into Frankfurt and out of Munich. We did this in Oct. 2007 and shouldn't be any more expensive than flying r/t from either.

My intinerary would look something like this:
Fly to Frankfurt
Drive from Frankfurt to either the Rhine or Mosel (we prefer the Mosel) and stay 3 nights. I'd suggest Cochem as a base. From here, Burg Eltz, Zell, Trier, Bernkastel and Beilstein are easy to see.

Drive to the RR and stay in Rothenburg for 2 nights. Rothenburg is touristy, but in the evening after the crowds have left it's magical.

Drive to the Fuessen area or maybe 2 nights. See "Mad" King Ludwig's Neuschwanstein castle, Hohenschwangau castle "next door" (Ludwig;s bothood home) and ride the "luge" and/or take the cable car 1 mile away at Tegelberg.

Drive over to Hall in Tirol, Austria and stay 2 nights. Lovely old town with an Alpine backdrop. From here, Innsbruck is 15 min. away.

Drive to the Berchtesgaden area for 3 nights. We love staying in Ramsau. From here Berchtesgaden is 10 minutes away, Konigsee 15 min., Jennerbahn cable car 15 min., Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle's Nest) 20 min. and Salzburg 30 min.

Drive to Munich

That's 12 nights. You could probably add the Black Forest or a night or 2 in Munich before flying home.


We have photo's at:

www.worldisround.com/home/pja1/index.html

www.worldisround.com/home/pja1/travel15.html


If interested, we have 2 "Trip Reports" at:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ith-photos.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...nd-austria.cfm

Hope this helps.

Paul

Betty,
No plans for Europe this year :(
But I said that early last year also... you never know how things will go.

Hey betty, just read you last post... I agree with you 100%. It gives a better insight into why you like these places and the photo's, IMO, are a great way to see the area through another traveler.

I think I'm being "snubbed" by Aramis! :)

Thanks, Paul. I think snubbed is preferable to the above.

Strange how we seem to like so many of the same places!

Grumpy old foreign folks fighting about how many times they were here and what are the best areas to visit.

Now that's something I do like ;-). Now do give me some good advice for sunday. Do I have to go to Austria (again) to shop and "watch the Dutch" or better find a more interesting local place. It'll be a bright and sunny day tomorrow! The last few days of winter.

Hi lovlimoncello,
pja1 has a point. Make use of the open jaw ticket which I find is a very effective tool.
Land at Frankfurt and fly out of Munich.

I would leave Austria for the next visit.
I think Austria is a microcosm of Europe.
Europe in a Nutshell and deserves many more dedicated visits.

I am in love with Salzburg, so much so, that I have toyed with an idea of buying a summer holiday home there or in Salzkamargut region. (There are no taxes on dreams!!! Hahaha)

Concentrate on Germany and you would be handsomely rewarded.
You may visit Salzburg on a day trip from Berchtegaden.

I would do it this way..
1. Mainz or Cochem 2 nights ( Rhine & Mosel valley)
2. Heidelburg ( atleast 1 night) You can compare it to Salzburg or Prague. Straight out of a fairytale.
3. Romantic strasse - 2 nights
4. Berchtesgaden- 3 nights- Chiemsee on the way(Ramsau, koningsee)
5. Mittenwald- 2 nights
6. Fussen - 2 nights
7. Lindau- 2 nights
8. Munich- 2/3 nights ( Don't miss Dacau concentration camp- a moving experience which my change the way one looks at life)

That makes it 16/17 nights.
If you start on a Friday, you can get 3 weekends and 2 weeks- which makes it 16-17 days.

Atleast you would have seen the most beautiful part in Germany, rather than trying to rope in Austria.
This doesn't even complete Bavaria fully. But German towns and villages are to be experienced at a slow pace. Slower the better.
You can call it an orientation tour which cn help you decide, where to spend more time on your next visit.

Wherever you go, these two weeks are going to be one of the best and most memorable ones in your life.

Have a great trip!

Hi again,

The reason I included Austria (Hall in Tirol) is that it is SO close to Bavaria and a logical and beautiful place to stay between Fuessen and the Berchtesgaden/Salzburg area. Perhaps it's just me, but I find there's a "fine geographical line" between Germany's Bavaria and Austria's Tirol.

Paul

If you visit Berchtesgaden, you must at least listen to this Fredl Fesl song about the king visiting the area and the yodeling people there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEb7wtaMv0Y

I found this website invaluable when planning one of our (several) trips to Bavaria. Ben used to post on this board, but I haven't seen him around for a while.

http://www.bensbauernhof.com/

Although his musical taste is questionable ;-), Bens site is just brilliant. All the info you need!

Hi luvlimoncello (I love it too!). I've been only twice, once on a Christmas market tour that ran out of Munich. Great fun but really cold. I enojoyed wandering around that city, especially the Englischer Garten. The second trip I wanted to visit the town my father's family emigrated from - Freinsheim on the Wine Strasse. I went in October, flew into Frankfort and drove west. Short drive - probably less than two hours. At that time of year, it was quite lovely, the grapes picked and the vines glorious in colors of reds and oranges and yellow. Lots of Germans there - not particularly a big American tourist attraction. Plenty of small quaint towns, very very friendly people, some Roman ruins and some great medieval cities close by. My minor was in medieval history, so I can't choose the best city, but really enjoyed most the small towns, each with their own little wine or beer festival. Had some of the traditional first press - VERY strong - and the little cheese tart - dang - can't remember what it was called. Since I was alone, I couldn't partake of the wine as much as I would have liked but the area was so pretty with the Hunsruck (sp) mountains as a backdrop I was able to drink in all the scenery I wanted. The weather was warm during the day, cool at night, no crowds, although the weekend brought out the locals in bunches. Whatever you decide, have a wonderful time. I was astounded at how friendly, kind and helpful the Germans were - even with someone whose German is limited to a pitiful "Ich spreche nein Deutch!" Even when I got lost, they wanted so patiently for me to turn around - no horns or dirty looks.

logos;

Who you calling old?

Sometimes you're a pip, too, ;-) but always entertaining.

I'm young and strong and full of life :-). Always. :-)

What is the best approach to a first trip to the area? Probably would be flying into MUC but assuming most of the areas listed in this thread are well beyond Munich proper.

It would be for a week trip, probably arrive on a Sunday afternoon, fly back home Friday or Saturday.

Is a car needed or does train and bus connections get you to a lot of these places?

betty;

Okay, the "why" seemed pretty clear when I wrote it and read it back, but I will try again (last time - I don't want to keep rolling in the muck).

You were not responsive to the OP's request (in this instance).

It is annoying to read about how many times you have been where.

You try and direct people to places you like - from specific places right on to specific hotels - when they have asked about other places.

It is annoying to see you show off your husbands photos when it is not relevant to the thread.

Put another way, it seems to me that you are seeking validation of your own experiences as opposed to providing on point, helpful, advice.

You will see it another way and those who also seek that validation will agree with you and think I am a cad. There are those who agree with me, too.

You have some good advice to give, certainly - it's just the delivery.

I know, I know - you don't care and why don't I pick on others too. Do you see the need for validation in that type of response (your last post directed to me) to the points I raised?

Wow, it seems to me, other than one sentence, that nothing Aramis posted is in response to the OP's question either?

Aramis,

I'd find it very hard to recommend places that I didn't visit and like. What other "first hand knowledge" can one respond with? After reading bettyk's post again, I don't see how it's "off topic", as the topic was pretty broad the way I read it.

Enough already. Take the bickering to where it belongs... the lounge!

Paul

My goodness! I'm glad I was too lazy to answer the question properly.

Aramis
I’ve been to all of those places too but Betty was kind enough to type lots. I don’t think anyone here is bragging if they say they’ve been to many places. It’s a travel forum, not a letter to a poor cousin. Going places and talking about the places we’ve been is often what we do around here. Remember?