dfinley

I am planning a 11 day trip in late MAy early June. My husband, 13 year old son and my parents are planning a trip and would like any advice you have to offer. We plan to fly to Munich and then go to Innsbrook, LAke Garta, Venice ,Klagenfort and Salzburg. Then we are going back to Munich and then fo the next day to Rotenburg. Any advice on hotels, sites, etc.. would be appreciated. Thank you!!

MaureenB

We stayed at the wonderful Hotel Uhland in Munich, near the Oktoberfest Park, in a lovely tree-lined neighborhood of old converted mansions. The hotel itself has been run by the same family for over 50 years, and we highly recommend it. We had a family-sized suite for my husband and I with our two teens.
It was ideal. Nice breakfast buffet included, free bikes to borrow, great and safe neighborhood with good restaurants within walking distance, 10 minute walk to train depot, free internet and coffee in room off the lobby, newly-remodeled rooms. Good rates and friendly people, too. Check out their website: http://www.hotel-uhland.de/enwelcome.html

dfinley

Thanks,that sounds just what we are looking for. We are looking at hotel grifone on Lake Garta, locanda Orseolo in Venice and Hotel Bavaria outside of Salzburg. This one in Munich sounds great!!

baglady

I agree 100% with MaureenB - the Uhland was a wonderful hotel. If you plan to stay in Rothenburg, I would recommend the Hotel Klosterstueble ([email protected]). Not sure if you plan to go to Fuessen (famous castles), but if you do, I highly recommend the Hotel Kurcafe ([email protected]). Have a fabulous trip and an even better time planning it!

Tweeter

Hi Dfinley - My husband and I were in Salzburg and Venice in May 2004. We stayed at Locanda Orseolo in Venice and loved it. (I understand it books fast even a year out). Here is what I wrote in my trip report about our Salzburg hotel, which was one of our favorites on our trip. It is in the city versus outside the city, but driving there was easy.

Salzburg Hotel
Hotel Auersperg - Great hotel! We booked Suite 375 at 180E a night. The room was really big. It has a bedroom, with separate sitting room and 2 large bathrooms. The only negative for us was it had no AC and they didn't have a fan available (only available during summer). Otherwise, the service was good, location was good, parking was free, internet was free and breakfast was pretty extensive. The garden looked pretty, but we didn't get out there. I would highly recommend this hotel.

If you want to read my trip report for more info just click on my name and find it.

Have fun planning!

MaureenB

The trains from Munich to visit Salzburg, Fussen, etc. in the Alps are an incredible bargain, plus being convenient and comfortable. We really enjoyed our day-trips to the Alps from Munich via train.
We had planned to rent a car, and even had one reserved, but when we discovered the Bayern Pass we 'passed' on the car and were really glad we did. So much nicer to just relax and watch the scenery.
The Bayern Pass was just 39EUR last June. That covered up to five people, round-trip. You could just buy it before boarding.
We were there in early June-- the weather was gorgeous, and all the city flower gardens in bloom. It was a great time to visit. Also, a bit before the tourist rush begins.
Could you fly home from another city than Munich? It would save you some backtracking. We flew into Vienna for 5 nights, took the train to Prague and stayed 3 nights, then the train to Munich, and flew home from there after a 4 days. It worked really well.
If you're looking for other train fares, try Euraide.com. They sell them at face value, plus a $45 handling fee for the entire purchase. Call their 800 number if you can't get an e-mail reply. I think they are under-staffed, but very good. We were glad we had the tickets in hand-- one less thing to figure out there.
Have fun planning. Keep asking questions. This site is so helpful, always someone has been there, done that and can answer.

dfinley

Thanks for all the info! Our schedule so far looks like this:
Arrive in Munich - 1 night
Drive to Innsbruck- 1 night
Sirmione at Lake Garta 2 nights
Drive to Verona -look around and maybe take train to Venice
Venice- 2 nights
TRain? to Salzburg- 2 nights
Go back to Munich 3 nights
Any suggestions on driving vs train? and are we giving ourselves enough time in each place. Also, if there is any place you can recommend that we are missing.Thanks

MaureenB

That schedule looks too tight, especially for five people who include one teen and two older folks. Also driving a car can cause stress for some.
Again, I'd suggest you not arrive and depart from the same city. I don't think Munich is worth 4 nights total. Just my opinion.
I'd cut out at least one town.
Have you plotted it out on a day planner? When you factor in the drive times, the finding the hotel times, the checking in/out times, the packing/unpacking times, you might not have much down time to enjoy yourselves.

dfinley

That is what I was thinking (about not having enough time)We have already booked our flights so we can't change that as we used FF miles for 4 of the 5 tickets. My huabands best friend and family has just moved to Munich so we are visting with them for part of the visit. But, I don't know if there is enough to do there for that long. Could you suggest where we should extend our stay so we will not be so rushed? Thank you again for all your help!

MaureenB

If you have friends in Munich, that will take up more time, but maybe you'd want to return to Munich for just 2 nights instead of 3.
And I'm certainly no expert, having never been to Venice, but others here may recommend more than 2 nights there. People seem to love Venice.
I've been to Salzburg, and think 1 night there might suffice. I also know nothing about Verona, Innsbruck or Lake Garta.
Again, keep asking on this thread, or maybe start a new one with more specifics about those places. You'll get some good replies here. It's fun to plan such a fabulous trip.

Melissajoy

Highly recommend the Pensione Accademia in Venice in the dorsoduro area. Ask for a garden view. It's a lovely, cozy, well run little hotel with a fine breakfast. It's on a smaller canal just off the Grand Canal. Just 1 vaporetto stop from the busier San Marco area. We were very pleased with this hotel.

tomc

It sounds like a great trip. I stay as long as I can in Munich but that is just me. If you get bored with the Munich sights there are lots of good day-trips Berchtesgaden, Herren Chimsee, Oberammergau, Garmish, Mittenwald, Fussen, Dachau and lots more.