I third the suggestion of staying on the Wolfgangsee. We spent part of a day in St. Gilgen and the surrounding area and loved it. Gorgeous! I personally would prefer to stay here and daytrip to Salzburg and Hallstatt, both very close.

We stayed in Hohenschwangau but Reutte and Fussen are both very close by. If you are looking for a base to tour the castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, all three are great. Oberammergau is a wonderful little town although a little further away from Neuschwanstein and Oberammergau (although still easily accessible to them), but it is close to Linderhof castle.

Sounds like you have the makings of a great itinerary!

Tracy

If you are considering adding the Bodensee area with Lindau you may want to consider Meersburg and Mainau Island the flower island.

Is there a reason you're not flying out of Vienna or is Munich a must, I haven't heard great things about Munich but then that's someone elses opionion. It sure seems like you'll be on the road most of the time and won't be able to enjoy the places you visit.

I second the recommendation of Hall in Tirol. It's a lovely town in a beautiful setting. We stayed right on the River Inn just across the bridge from Hall at the Gasthof Badl (www.badl.at). Clean, reasonably priced accommodations with a good restaurant.

Just to throw another wrench into your plans (I am loving reading this -- such envy!), keep in mind that the Montreux Jazz Festival (also blues, alternative rocks, etc. etc) will take place in Switzerland from 30 June to 15 July 2006 -- and this is such a wonderful festival to spend at least a couple of days at in an area that is beautiful beyond belief.

July is also the time for the Music Festival in Salzburg, but if memory serves, that takes place mid to late July.

Over the summer I did a tour of Europe with a group from school. My favorite stop on the whole tour was Rothenburg. You have to stay there at least one more day. While your there walk at least part of the wall at sunset. It made some of the best pictures I have from the whole trip. Then check out the Christmas stores and have some ice cream. Its the best ice cream I have ever had. The last thing is you have to watch the clock in the middle of the square (you can't miss it). Every hour it puts on a little show. Thats my two cents.