scrb11

Be aware that if you rent a car in Germany and drive it into Austria or Switzerland you have to get a vignette to drive the freeways.

Austria charges much less.

tailsock

I did see that yes thanks. Any charming Alpine villages in Bavaria flanked by the Alps you would recommend?

PalenQ

Fussen and Garmisch are such Bavarian villages - Fussen is much more than Neuschwanstein Castle but a popular resort area for Europeans - lovely hikes - lakes- that said Garmisch is I think a better base for visiting other nearby areas.

Actually a drive between Fussen and Garmisch via Austria could be a cool route. Trains run the same route and buses go everywhere so do not need a car but would be nice.

Mittenwald is another cute town surrounded by bucolic Alps.

tailsock

Thank you PalenQ. All of you are very helpful. I was seriously considering making Innsbruck my 2nd base after Munich but I'm thrilled to see Garmisch is only a little over an hour from Munich. Looking at the map it seems I could make Innsbruck a daytrip from Garmisch in just over an hour. Same for Neuschwanstein Castle. I saw that I'd pass through Mittenwald which is a huge bonus. I'm hoping the drive would be scenic enough to tick "Alps" off my list.

So a question: Are there any other high alpine type roads similar to the Großglockner heading west towards Switzerland? It looks amazing but a little too deep into Austria.

Still considering Stein am Rhine but it's more of an emotional decision than a logistical one at this point. It's jaw droppingly gorgeous but just so far away and I still have the Black Forest to visit before heading back to Munich... I may have to dump that idea altogether (Switzerland tick mark)

so far:

1. Munich
2. Garmisch (Innsbruck/N. castle)
3. ???
4. Somewhere in the Black Forest (Rothenburg/My friends in Stuttgart)
5. Munich

PalenQ

The Innsbruck area is high Alps on a lower level and the drive Garmisch-Innsbruck-Fussen goes thru Alpine valleys - nice but not awesome high Alps but if you took train Innsbruck-Switzerland you would go thru a more Alpine valley and past famous ski resorts.

But there is no Grosseglockner types roads between Germany and Switzerland - very low mountains along that border.

mr_go

Be sure to visit the falls while you're there. The pictures you see on the internet don't really do justice to it.

PalenQ

You can take boat trips on Rhine also from Stein I believe - up to Schlauffhausen (another neat old town) and eastwards to Constance.

tailsock

Alpine valleys like this?

fourfortravel

tailsock, in May you might be hard pressed to find alpine valleys that resemble your photo in western Austria. By May even the Großglockner highway is open for touring...which means that lower elevations have opened for hiking...which means the snow has generally cleared.

Perhaps consider engaging in an online chat with the Austrian tourism staff? They speak English, and have often proposed some great travel ideas for us, be it a long weekend or something more specific. They might have greater insight into your specific requirements. Good Luck!

Macross

Oberammergau is one of my favorite places to visit with a stop in Ettal. Garmisch has so much to see and do there.

tailsock

I'll check Flickr for photos of what to expect. As long as the mountain tops have snow I'll be happy. Assuming the valleys will be green and lush

dugi_otok

Let me test my understanding.
This is your current thinking:
1. Munich
2. Garmish (Innsbruck/N. castle)
3. ???
4. Somewhere in the Black Forest (Rothenburg/My friends in Stuttgart)
5. Munich
You have 8 nights. Flying in and out of Munich is a given. What is your feeling about one night stops?
How many nights total do you want to stay in Munich?
Are Rothenburg ob der Tauber plus Stuttgart possible replacements for the Black Forest?

tailsock

Probably 2 nights in Munich at the tail and of my trip. Drive straight to GP as soon as I land. My friends house near Stuttgart is important because its a free place to stay for a couple of days (black forest base). And yes 1 night stops are fine for the rest.
​

PalenQ

Stuttgart itself has some neat sights and museums - one area has Bauhaus residences built as a new modern type workers housing - still there though more upscale. And of course you have the Mercedes plant tour and museum. Also easy access to Black Forest though rather longish drives to the most popular parts I think.

If you pass thru Ulm en route to Stuttgart do pause to see one of Europe's tallest cathedral spires.

Tubingen just south of Stuttgart is a classic university town - really nice (sister city of Ann Arbor, MI).

tailsock

This will be strictly a photography trip so no museums, castle tours, skiing, etc. for me. I saw that Ulm was along the way to Stuttgart and definitely planned on checking out that cathedral and glorious looking rathaus. Thanks for the Tubingen suggestion, it looked like a place that would be definitely worth a look. Once I've got a good list of places I'll be trimming them back. Looks like I'm nearly there.

My one other question involves the painted buildings. There are lots in Stein am Rhein in close proximity. Do you know of any other places (preferably in Bavaria) that are similar? Stein am Rhein is the only town that's blown me away so far with the painted buildings. I know that Garmisch has some but they are quite spaced apart

PalenQ

https://www.google.com/search?q=ober...w=1903&bih=922

not half-timbered but all timbered.

tailsock

lovely PalenQ thank you

dugi_otok

Mittenwald is known for it's frescos.

https://backroadjournal.wordpress.co...sque-villages/
https://www.onedayinacity.com/visit-mittenwald-oberammergau-bavaria/
https://www.google.com/search?tbm=is...&bih=936&dpr=1

Cowboy1968

Silvretta alpine road is west of Innsbruck in Vorarlberg, close to the border of Switzerland.
https://www.silvretta-bielerhoehe.at...chalpenstrasse

Keep in mind that opening times are only estimates.. so May does not mean that on May 1st the road must be opened but that, weather permitting, the road should usually be opened on some day in May.

dugi_otok

Option for days 1&2: Munich Airport (MUC) - Alpback- Innsbruck- Mittenwald- Garmisch Partenkirchen. Alpback, together with Innsbruck, Mittenwald, and Garmisch-Partenkirchen may be that alpine scenery you are looking for. I would sleep in G-P on night 2. I would spend night 1 in either G-P, Mittenwald, or Innsbruck depending on how long you want to drive.

https://goo.gl/maps/oQo5dTjGQEE2
https://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/...p=yhs-adk_sbnt