Munich and Austria trip advice
 

Active couple in 40s traveling to Munich 17 Dec till 26 Dec. Need advice on side trips to take. Flexible as to renting car or taking the train. We are more interested in breathtaking scenery and memorable experiences over nightlife, etc. Also suggestions on hotels that offer convenience, ambiance and a little romantic would be a plus.

Neuschwanstein Castle, Eagle's Nest, Dachau, Nymphonburg Schloss, the churches near Marienplatz, Glockenspeil.

There are so many places, I'll just name one of my all-time favorites: Konigsee, the village and the lake. Nice Alpine hotel on the road down to the lake, but I don't recall the exact name. Something like "hotel Konigsee" or "Konigseer Hof" but easy to spot anyway. For rustic areas and mind-blowing scenery, you can't beat this. Good luck.

hallstadt, austria.....definitely
maybe Kesky Crumlov, Czech. Not sure how far you want to drive.

IMHO, driving to Cesky Krumlov from Munich when your trip is only nine days (including a day on either end for travel?) is not a productive use of your time. It's too far, and there's so much to see and do in Bavaria. Also, it may be difficult to take a rental car into the Czech Republic from Germany. Concentrate on Bavaria this trip, and next time combine a trip to Prague with a trip to Cesky Krumlov.

For hotels in Bavaria, visit www.bensbauernhof.com, a noncommercial website with many good suggestions for lodging.

You're right - taking a rental car from Germany to the Czech Republic is often not allowed. You could take a train, however. The offer overnight routes so perhaps that would work and not crimp the touring time too much.

have done rental car from western Europe into eastern Europe a few times, thru AutoEurope. Poland and Czech. No problem, just ask them. BUT...I always rent a cheapo. You probably can't take a Volvo, BMW, etc into those countries (but for that matter, you can't often take them into Italy either). Go to www.viamichelin and see what the driving distances are.
EK

'bout 180 miles to C Krumlov