Shelly, in case you haven't read this (I have posted it before): A favorite castle of mine is Burg Eltz: Drive to Landhotel Ringelsteiner Mühle, park there and walk through the woods along the Elzbach River to Burg Eltz. The castle itself is still a residence and an unmolested example of German castles (never sacked by the French). They have an EN tour and a small museum. There are two food services and I like to have lunch on their patio before walking back to the car. If you don't dine at the castle, the Ringelsteiner has a dining room and also a fresh supply of pies and cakes to complete your hike.

A nice tour in that area is up/down the Mosel River valley. It is generally less crowded than the Rhine. After your Eltz tour, wind your way to the oldest town in Germany, Trier. It's also a favorite to me because of all the Roman structures.

Shelly, I didn't see a response to your question. Are you sure you don't mean the Nürburgring near Nürburg, Germany? I have been there a couple times - the most recent for the 24-hr event just last year. If DH is a car guy, this is a world famous landmark. Whether it is worth a stop depends on the events of the day. Although I have been in a race car on the track, I haven't tried to drive a rent car on it. Check the website for a calendar of events and more details about accessing it.

You are staying at the hotel in Salzburg that we enjoyed last November. Depending on what time you get there, if time permits, I'd walk around the old town and check out the cemetery near the base of the castle. RS has a good audio walking tour that we really enjoyed. On your full day, walk up to the castle and take a tour, or you can take the funicular. There is a small bakery near the base of the funicular and near the entrance to the cemetery, which we wanted to check out, but it was closed.

Dinner suggestions include the Blaue Gans (Blue Swan) or Gasthof Goldgasse, across from your hotel.
There is also a sweet opportunity to hear a duet at the Old Residence. We sat in the former kitchen area that stored the fish in cement tanks. Very intimate. https://www.agenturorpheus.at/event-locations

Take the Nightwatchman's Tour!!!! Don't miss it!! We loved it!

VolCrew,

So sorry for the delayed response. I haven't been able to get on Fodors Forums for several days. Thank you so much for the information; it's most helpful and I'll print this and bring it along in my little itinerary binder that I've created,

Yes, Burg Eltz is most definitely on .our list, as is Trier. What I didn't know or have on our plan is the hike to/from Burg Eltz - that sounds terrific - thank you for the tip.

One other question I meant to ask, is there a specific area that you recommend for bike riding in the area?

Hi Again, VolCrew - yes, my husband is a HUGE car guy, specifically Mustangs (our daughter's name is Shelby, if that helps to put it into perspective - lol) so I know he'd love to fit that into our itinerary (although, just between you and I, I have no interest :))

I sent them a note a couple of weeks ago, but got no response. Their website does not give any detail on whether or not i can schedule a 2 hour (or whatnot) ride/drive for him with one of their cars.

gailscout - thank you for your input and suggestions. I will be printing your suggestions, as well, for Salzburg as we do plan to spend time in old town. So adding the cemetery sounds like a great suggestion. thank you. and yes, we planned on doing the Night Watchman Tour in Rotthenburg. Just hoping it's not too hokie :)

Question for Fodorites:

Between Oberwesel - (Burg Hotel Auf Schonburg) and Garmisch area, is there a recommended small quaint village or area for sight seeing/lodging anyone recommends? I know Heidelburg/Stuttsgart are along the way but they seem like bigger towns than what iwe are looking for....

One other question I meant to ask, is there a specific area that you recommend for bike riding in the area?>

Yes along the Mosel from Beilstein upriver or downriver to Cochem - bike paths hug the river the whole way. Hotels may have bikes and rentals abound in places like Cochem - indeed Mosel one of Europe's primo biking venues. too bad you have so little time there.

Thanks PalenQ.

I notice that you plan to spend day 13 in Salzburg, and for day 14 you have " back in Munich, fly home". Unless your flight is late in the day, I would suggest returning to Munich by the evening of day 13.

No need for river cruise. but you can put your car on flat ferry to cross the Rhein.. not sure about the Mosel.. Bernkastel-kues is a must stop. i have been several times to the area and have some trip reports on Fodors under my screen name form years ago. they may help. There is so much to see. it is a lovely area. if you are near Mainz do stop to see the blue Chagall stained glass windows in the church there. Do not stress about the accommodations. If they get good reviews they will be clean and pleasant, no matter the price. We spent very little and were pleasantly surprised at all accommodations in the smaller towns.. You will find some recs in my reports.

Have fun. I LOVE the Mosel and Rhein. It is very slow going, though because you keep stopping to check out the cute towns. Do not miss Burg Eltz. That will take a few hours, between the hike from parking lot to visiting the castle and having something to drink on their scenic view patio and then getting back to the car. I have never gone less than 4 nights and ONLY to the Mosel and Rhein. Went to Trier my first trip.. never been back but have repeated Burg Eltz and Bernkastel Kues and several of those cute towns all three visits, adding some every time.

Flat along the Mosel there are bike rentals and you can ferry across and do the other side, too. Or there are wonderful biking areas around through the German biking association maps. Don't have that handy right now.

Hi - we actually will be in Salzburg for 1.5 days, maybe 2 full days and will return to Munich the evening of the night before we depart. Thanks for the note. Great advice.

Lincasanova - thank you so much for your note. I could actually feel your warmth towards the area as I read your note. I will most definately read your older reviews (as soon as I can carve out some time - and I'll look for lodging recs. I must confess that I love mixing up our lodging - abit of luxury lodging (it's vacation so it's nice to get pampered for a few days) along with some cute little inns (often times moderate to lower cost choices) because to me, those are the places that I enjoy the most. I avoid "chain hotels" almost always unless there's no other decent option. The point being, I'm guessing your lodging recs will come in handy �� I'm so happy to hear your glowing reviews of berkastal-K use. That's a village I was actually just starting to research so you've just saved me a bunch of time in deciding if it's on our Must See list.

I do have a question re: Trier. I've been on again off again if it stays on our Must Do list. It's abit out of the way - not a lot - but I kind of prefer the idea of a free form day of biking around Mosel. We will have 3 nights in the area. We definately want to spend a 1/2 day at Eltz Burg. We also want a full day at just relaxing at Burg Hotel Auf Shoenburg. Also, we would like a day of just casually driving around the Mosel Valley stopping at wineries etc. So, we can make time for Trier, if everyone thinks it's a Must Do, on the other hand, I know there's plenty of other things to do if we don't go to Trier. Thoughts?

Are there any specific wineries you recommend? We are red wine lovers and I know this area is best known for its whites (reislings and such), although I heard there's a few good Pinot Noirs, in the area.

thanks for your input. I can't wait to read your reports.

Apologies for some of the spelling and grammar - my PC and iPad are both having issues so I'm struggling through these responses as best I can.

Hi Macross - question for you since you seem to know and love Zugzipite - where do you recommend staying in the area Garmisch or Fussen or? We like lodging that's abit out of the touristy areas and we like smaller boutiquey kind of inns with local charm. Also, do you know much about Lake Contance and if so, is it worth a visit? I found a beautiful castle hotel there that looked nice and I wondered if that would be a feasible lodging option or is it too far away, in your opinion?

Be sure to try the dessert=sweet white Ice Wine - only produced in years when a freeze freezes the grapes on the vine - the most prestigous Mosel-Saar-Ruwer wine I believe.

My husband has a sweet tooth so it won't take much to twist his arm ;) thanks for the tip , PalenQ