Itinerary Questions???
 

My wife and I (mid 50s) plan a 21 day auto tour in Germany in Sept. Does anyone feel we are allowing too much time generally? Should we add more spots to visit? such as?
Proposed Itinerary: Frankfurt(2), Heidelberg (2), Baden Baden (2), Lake Konstanz(2),Fussen(3), Munich(3), Augsburg(2), Rothenbeg(2) and Frankfurt(2).Thanks for any comments!!

My impression of Frankfurt is that it is not worth the four days you allocate it. I also believe that 24 hours (arrive early afternoon, depart at the same time the next day) is sufficient for Rothenburg.

I spent 4 weeks in Germany (auto trip) and I would be happy to send you my trip report just to give you ideas. The trip was perfect and I wish we'd had more time. Germany is lovely. I personally wouldn't spend any extra time in Frankfurt - head for the Rhine. Anyhow, if you'd like my trip report, e-mail me at [email protected].

Some good advice so far. Frankfurt isn't much to look at, and the Rhine villages are a very good alternative, especially in September, when there are numerous wine festivals and fireworks shows (these aren't your average 4th of July event - don't dismiss them!)

And right next door to the Rhine is the enchanting Mosel Valley - dozens of quieter, quainter, and even more picturesque villages than on the Rhine. Burg Eltz, just a few km north of the river, is the most authentic, well-preserved castle you can hope to visit. And Trier, Germany's oldest city, has some terrific sights - more impressive than Augsburg and Frankfurt combined.

I would recommend the places above over your other choices, especially since you're coming and going from Frankfurt. Hang onto Munich, Rothenburg (overtouristed, but loved by many), Konstanz, and Fussen (beautiful and loved by many - but again a little too touristy for my tastes.) You could drop or skimp on the following, IMO:

Heidelberg: old town area is okay; see it if you have time, but it's not that special when compared with hundreds of other German cities. Take a drive along the Neckar River Valley through Bad Wimpfen, detour to Michelstadt or Miltenberg, if you end up in the area.

Augsburg: a little dull, but okay, I suppose.

Baden-Baden: only if you're into casinos and spa treatments.

Also: Near Rothenburg: Weikersheim, attractive town on the Romantic Road with nice palace to tour; Wurzburg - visit the Residenz (palace)- a real eye-popper.

I would include some time to wander down the Mosel (Konstantz, Cochem, Trier & perhaps Luxembourg)(excuse the spelling). You can easily do this by taking some days from Frankfurt as previously mentioned.

Thanks for your replies!! Perhaps we'll cut back on Frankfurt and Augsburg and maybe travel up the Rhine and Mosel. Good suggestions, what we're looking for.

How about this as an itinerary?

Drive to Rothenburg - 1 or 2 nights.
Munich 3 - 4 nights, (lots to do and many side trip possibilities.)
Drive to Fussen/Landau 3 nights.
Freiberg/Black Forest 2 nights
Cochem and the Moselle 2 nights
Colonge - 1 night (I love the Dom.)
Wurzberg/Bamberg for 3 nights
Heidelberg or Frankfurt the night before leaving.

My bad, Koblentz, totally got my cities mixed up...

You should only go to Munich for 2 days topps
Going to Hiedelberg is only really good for seeing the castle road

If you want to relax there, take a riverboat down the Neckar river

I'll be staying in a small town along the Main River called Sommerach. I'll be there for 2 months. I'll be spensing time in Rothenburg, Bamberg, Wurzburg and alot of time on the beer street. (All in the same general area of Sommerach)

www.bierstrasse.de

I am thinking that you'd be spending way too much time in Wurzburg/Bamberg/Rothenburg. They are all pretty much near each other.

From Munich, you might substitute Berchetesgaden with a day trip into Salzburg for 2 of those days,

or you might even consider heading down to Kufstein from Munich and get into the Tirol region of Austria for a couple of nights. Elmau or St Johann are wonderful places to visit. The GrossGlockner isn't that far away from St Johann,

or you might consider Tegernsee (60 minutes from Munich) with a trip to the Andechs monastery and brewery on your way from Munich to Tegernsee,

or you might even consider getting down to Obersdorf, I believe it is the Southern most town in Germany,

or you might even consider some time in the Titisee or Schluchsee towns in the Black Forest.

There is so much to do. All are great choices, some a bit more touristy than others. I have always felt that following the crowds make the least sense. I have always enjoyed getting lost, at least temporarily) Heading to the out of the way places with your car would make for a much nicer and possibly a less expensive Germany tour.

Have fun

Mark

I assume that you are staying in Frankfurt since you are flying to/from there. In the past we have stayed in Mainz when flying out of Frankfurt. Mainz is a city with a pretty pedestrian zone with lots of restaurants and a beautiful Dom. The airport is located between the cities. We used Mainz as a base for our last day on the Rhine and for our night before departure.