We will travel to Germany in late September but have found that due to time limits we must choose between seeing Lake Konstanz and the Isle of Reichenau OR Rotenburg O D Tauber. Does anyone have an opinion about which is best?

I would recommend that you visit Meersburg on Lake Konstanz/Bodensee and the island of Mainau. Meersburg is really charming and isn't filled with American and Japanese tourists, as is Rothenburg. Mainau is quite beautiful because of all the flowers.

I've been to both several times and would go back to Meersburg in a New York minute, but not to Rothenburg.

I recommend that you visit Rothenburg o.d.T. if you have never visited before. Rothenburg is really charming and is only filled with American and Japanese tourists during the heart of the day during mostly the summer and early fall months. Rothenburg is quite beautiful because of all the cobblestone streets, historic old buildings, surrounding walls, etc.

I've been to both several times and would go back to Rothenburg o.d.T. in a Texas minute, but not to Mainau or Reichenau - which are also nice - but you can see flowers anywhere. Altho I do love Meersburg... Ben

Among fears of being trooped over by the crowds of tourists, we still went to Rothenburg o.d. Tauber this summer.

We were there right in the middle of July. We arrived in the evening and walked at leisure, alone, on the streets.

Next day the town was full, but we still found our way around easily.

We went on the walls, saw the door in the gate (eye of the needle - people arriving after the curfew were required to pass through that small door to make sure they were locals or did not carry weapons) and the mask through which the citizens used to pour hot oil and tar over the enemies (NOBODY knew about these two things, as they were just passing by, ignoring them completely).

We went up the town hall clock tower and wandered the streets. It was one of the best visits we had.

And if you want to visit an intact medieval town, however crowded it may be, Rothenburg it is. I had my own doubts before going there, but someone on this board told me to do it if only for one time.

For a short visit, I would suggest Rothenburg. Lake Constance is worth a longer stay, you can be there for a week or two.

At Lake Constance, Reichenau island is known for its monastery and church.
http://www.reichenau.de/index.php?id=12&L=2
Mainau island is known for its gardens and flowers.
http://www.mainau.de/htdocs/en/start.htm
Lindau island is known for its historical city and nice beach side.
http://www.lindau2.de/index1.php

But there is much more to be seen and to be done.

In late September you might have fair autummn weather (sunshine and warm but not hot weather), but there are no guarantees for that. As one main attraction of Lake Constance area is the landscape - a lake with alpine panorama, when seen fron the German side - weather is of concern.

Just curious, but why those two particular locations? Time-share swap or something?

Thank you all for the excellent information. I deeply appreciate your insights. We are considering these two locations based upon recommendations of friends who have traveled in Germany.

If limited to these two choices, I'd take a location on Lake Constance.

Here's some other options for you:

Bamberg--a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a wonderfully preserved old town (Altstadt) on the Regnitz River. It was an Imperial city, and both a Pope and Emperor are buried there. Has it's own "Little Venice" along the river which meanders through the Altstadt. There's even a castle--used to have a bear that loved raw eggs. But the bear is long since gone.

Bamberg was not damaged in the war. The Altstadt is not a tourist preserve, but a working part of the real city. It gets enough tourists that it has a good tourism infrastructure, but not busloads full that make it a zoo during the day and a ghost town at night.

Dinkelsbuehl and Nordlingen--two interesting towns on the Romantic Road (the same tourism marketing route that Rothenburg is on). I already waxed poetic about Bamberg and don't want this to get too long, but you can get info on them and all the notable towns on the RR here: http://www.romanticroad.com/

Wuerzburg--at the northern end of the RR. Larger than most of the other RR towns, with numerous interesting sights.

My husband and I just last month returned from our trip and we visited both Meersburg and Rothenburg. As a 1st time visitor to Rothenburg, we absolutely loved it. Even after being there for 2 days we would go back in a heartbeat. It's such a cute town. Yes, it's touristy compared to some other smaller towns .. but well worth a visit. We found Meersburg to be a bit touristy and crowded as well.

I am with Bavaria Ben, both have their plusses and minuses but I would go to Rothenburg if I had to choose. Depending on the time you have you might consider that you can experience Rothenburg in a day and a night. Lindau, Meersburg, Mainau Insel really deserve a day each.