Hello to all! I've enjoyed reading many posts on this board and it has assisted me with our trip plans to Czech Republic &amp; Germany. This is my first post and I would appreciate your advice as I finalize the itinerary for our trip scheduled for mid May.<BR><BR>Days 1-5 depart USA &amp; arrive Prague via Frankfurt. Rent car in Prague &amp; travel to Litomerice/Usti nad Labem in Northern Czech Republic for family roots research (possibly overnight in Litomerice for 2 nights &amp; then to Prague for 2 nights). Any Fodorites have an email address for Sabine (travel guide recommended here for a Prague walking tour)?<BR><BR>Days 6-15 to Germany either via train Prague to Munich &amp; pick up a different rental car in Munich OR retain car from Prague &amp; drive to Germany.<BR><BR>There are 4 adults, 3 of whom enjoy driving. We enjoy exploration and great scenery and are looking forward to the Deutsche Alpenstrasse and Romantic Road after family history research in Czech Republic. We don't really enjoy big cities or big tourist crowds, but know we'll probably experience both. We definately want to see Linderhof, Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau with possible ride to top of ZugSpitz, Ettal Abbey, Wieskirche, Nightwatchman's tour in Rothenburg while in Germany. <BR><BR>At this point we are looking to spend 2 nights in Berchtesgaden, 2-3 nights in Fussen/Oberammergau/Garmisch area (still debating which town to stay in), 2 nights in Rothenburg and 1 night in Frankfurt before flights out.<BR><BR>The first question I need advice on is the debate between taking the train vs car from Prague into Germany. We could take the train into Munich and spend 1-2 nights in Munich before driving to Berchtesgaden, or keep 1st rental car &amp; drive from Prague, spending a night or two in other parts of Czech Republic or Germany. I'm thinking cost will be alittle higher keeping the rental car becuase of fuel prices, but it appears the drop fee and train ticket prices are close to the same within $100-150 bucks or so. Also, if we spend a couple of nights in Munich, we could do a day trip to Dachau via train and not pick up the 2nd rental car for a day or two.<BR><BR>My 2nd question relates to Herrenchiemsee near Prien. Is it recommended to overnight in Prien to do this area justice or is it a possible stop on the drive from Berchtesgaden towards Fussen area? Would you plan an overnight stop 1/2 way towards Fussen like in Tegernseer/Bad Wiessee area?<BR><BR>Thank you in advance for any advice you can give. Wishing you Safe and Happy Traveling!

hello!<BR><BR>I am not sure that I can help you on all fronts...but I have done a lot of travel between the areas to which you are traveling.<BR><BR>first, let me suggest a guide for a walking tour of Prague, and other towns...Cesky Krumlov, Kutna Hora, etc....and even if you would like, a suburb of Prague...small village for a view of the &quot;common people&quot;, etc......she is a guide I have used now 3 times, and she was excellent. Her name is Dana Chaloupka, born in Prague, speaks very very well in English, is very nice, smart and honest. She can be reached via phone at 011 42233541678 or via email at [email protected] She will take excellent care of you. I have saved her information that she sends to potential clients, so if you would like me to forward it to you, I do not think she would mind.<BR><BR>In terms of the train.....I would recommend it. We did the opposite on one trip, drove from Munich to Prague...about 5 hours and an easy trip. It is easier to take a car from CZ to GER......harder the opposite. I have also taken the train. Just do first class if you do it. It was a good time to rest and relax. The towns you mention will have tourists, but are nice, very nice....and in may won't be qite as crowded. Consider Chiemsee, in the southeastern portion of Germany...take a boat ride around the lake...go to the school on the island...the pottery, etc. it is something out of the Sound of Music. Also, Fussen.<BR><BR>Dachau is only about 20 minutes north of Munich, and you can take the bus to do it and easily do it in a long afternoon, ...so do not do a whole two days there. It is something to see though....I would really recommend it. If you are that close, consider Salzburg...the Sound of Music town....it is beautiful.<BR><BR>Well, that is enough for now. If I can help you at all, let me know.<BR><BR>thanks<BR><BR>Lorri <BR><BR><BR>Other neat areas, Passau.....

My wife and I are flying into Munich on the 22nd of April. We are spending several days in Munich and will then take the train to Fussen. We are staying at the Hotel Sonne in Fussen for two nights. Do you have any suggested afternoon excursions other than the castles and top of the mountain?<BR><BR>John D. Pringle

Being a huge Munich fan, I would suggest spending some time there. Dachau is not to be missed, but be prepared for downed spirits.<BR><BR>As to not enjoying large cities and crowds, Munich is really a wonderful larger city, not overhwelming at all with so many wonderful sites to offer.<BR><BR>You can easily do many wonderful day trips in addition to dachau from there, including the castles and many of the &quot;Sees&quot; (lakes).<BR><BR>I just think your plan sounds like a lot of traveling.

Yaroma - Thank you for the advice and the contact information for Dana. I think we're leaning towards driving and heading South out of Prague towards Cesky Krumlov and then into Passau on the way to Berchtesgaden.<BR><BR>We're planning a stop in Chiemsee. Do you know if Prien is a good overnight spot for that area?<BR><BR>LED, thanks for the Munich input, I think we'll plan to spend a longer period there on a later trip. We'll probably try to spend an afternoon in Dachau, but to do Munich justice I think we'll cover it on the next trip.<BR><BR>John, I'm still finalizing ideas for the Fussen area, but I'll post more ideas as I learn them. This Fodors site is great for gathering information. There have been a number of posts in the Germany section for Fussen you could search.<BR><BR>Thank you for the replys!