<<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.>>

Quite a few years ago I lived in Germany for several years, and have returned to visit many times since. I have travelled through quite a bit of Germany over the years and now that I am older I have this bit of advice for the OP.

You can't see it all, so don't try.

Pick one area that appeals, and spend your time there. Take the time to get to know that area rather than rushing from place to place trying to pick off the highlights. In other words, slow down.

When I was younger, I tried to "see it all", but I have now realized that in a certain sense every place is much the same, and travel can be much more enjoyable if I take the time to really experience a place rather than quickly moving on to the next "three star" attraction.

So it really doesn't matter if you choose Upper Bavaria, the Black Forest, the Rhine, the Moselle, or whatever. Each one in its own way will be interesting and enjoyable if you slow down and get to know it.

LOL, logos. I dive for the mute button as soon as I can after accessing the site. :D

So you missed the jodler? Really famous all over Bavaria! :D

Been to the Bodensee two times and going for a third time in May. We stay in Meersburg but Lindau and Uberlingen are nice.

I highly recommend you try and go to the wine festival in Boppard in late Sept. If you are from the U.S.A. you have never seen anything like this. Well at least I hadn't and I have lived in L.A. my whole life.

Mittenwald is nice and the Hallstatt area is beautiful.

Go to Frankonia- you could visit Bamberg and Bayreuth with beautiful architecture and interesting history, taste some good beer brewed in the area and you have a beautiful landscape and good food as well.
Apart from that Munich has a lot on offer:history, culture, shopping and everything with a flair!

My favorite without question is Bamberg and the sorrounding countryside of Upper Franconia. Favorite place to visit in the world actually.

Why? Because I love both beer and history. Bamberg and Oberfranken is dripping in both. Also, it's very affordable. Whereas could you rent an apartment in an Altstadt like Bamberg's for less than $400-500 per week and you can treat a family of four to a homecooked dinner with drinks for under 30 euros? Where else can you hop off a bus in the countryside and go for 5 mile walk and visit 5 or 6 breweries/bier kellers en route? Its paradise.

I love it so much I'm taking my daughter in late July as her high school graduation gift. Annafest here we come baby!!

Schwarzwald.
Shinken.

Hmmmmm...how did I miss this thread until now?

luvlimoncello, I lived in Stuttgart for 2.5 years, so I have a fair amount of experience with southern Germany. Based on what you described, I think I have pretty similar interests to your group...I prefer smaller towns, beautiful scenery, excellent food, and I enjoy museums and churches in moderation. I love to drive, so that is a factor in many of my trips. FYI, the Dordogne and Provence are my favorite regions of France.

I have been to all of the regions you listed, but have spent the least amount of time in Bavaria. I am most familiar with the Romantic Road and the Mosel/Rhine area, but have also made numerous day trips into the Black Forest.

Given all that, from the list you provided, I would definitely encourage you to spend your two weeks exploring the Rhine and Mosel valleys. The Mosel is by far my favorite area of Germany (so far). I have never seen anything like it anywhere else in Europe. You could have an amazing trip visiting such places as Trier (larger town with well-preserved Roman ruins), Burg Eltz, Cochem, and some of the smaller towns along the river. The drive through the valley, with its steep hillsides lined with vineyards, is stunning in and of itself. A favorite hotel on this board is Haus Lipmann in Beilstein (tiny gorgeous village with a ruined castle above; www.hotel-haus-lipmann.com); we also enjoyed the Hotel Alte Thorschenke in Cochem (www.alte-thorschenke.de).

The Rhine is a wider river valley, not quite as scenic as the Mosel, but has the highest concentration of castles I've seen anywhere in Europe. It's just one quaint town after another, each with a spectacular castle perched above it. I HIGHLY recommend the Hotel Schoenburg in Oberwesel if you want a little splurge. (www.hotel-schoenburg.com)

On one of our last trips in Germany we spent a few days in both areas, photo links follow.

Mosel - Cochem, Burg Eltz, valley scenery:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hausfra...7603934645632/

Rhine - Hotel Schoenburg, Burg Marksburg, Burg Pfalz, various castles seen from the road:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hausfra...7604099509243/

Thanks for all of the helpful Germany advice! Bookmarking