Is it possible? My husband and I are planning to go on a trip to Europe with our two girls (3 and 1 y.o.) at the end of july 2014. We plan on spending one week in the bavaria area, possibly going to Prague, if there is time. Ideally, we would rather rent a space (airbnb) somewhat centrally located in bavaria, so we could go to salzburg, the castles, etc, on day trips. If there is time, we would love to visit prague as well, even if only for a couple of days. So, where should we stay and what are the must-do's during that time of the year? Thanks!

It's possible but whether it's too much or not only you can answer.

I suggest basing in Munich as it is only 90 min from Salzburg by car (90-120 min by train) and there is an express bus that leaves several times a day from Munich that gets to Prague in 4.5 hours. Neuschwanstein Castle is about 2.5-3 hours by public transit from Munich (less than two by car). That is about as centrally located as you're going to get.

Just so you know, July is the height of tourist season and so the prices for lodging are accordingly high. It is also the summer school break for most of Germany (but not Bavaria).

We traveled to Bavaria and Salzburg with our (older) children in 2009, and split the time between Fussen and Salzburg. Our trip report is under my name if you're interested.

Fussen: Landhaus Kossel. Our favorite. A one-bedroom apartment with kitchen, plus a large living room with another bed. Terrific views, large yard for the children to play in; a very pleasant choice.
Salzburg. Haus Am Moos. We rented the family apartment and the space worked out beautifully. The family offers breakfast for their guests, as well. We now live in Vienna, and later this month we're spending a weekend again at Haus am Moos while we enjoy the Christmas markets.

In one week with 2 little ones IMHO this is way too much to do.
You can see parts of Bavaria and a day trip to Salzburg is doable - but long.

But Prague is 5 hours by car - so at least 10 hours of driving without stops. It would make sense only if you spend 3 nights (2 days) there - making seeing much of Bavaria and Salzburg at all impossible.

"Ideally, we would rather rent a space (airbnb) somewhat centrally located in bavaria, so we could go to salzburg, the castles, etc, on day trips. If there is time, we would love to visit prague as well..."

Suggest you base yourselves either in Salzburg itself, in nearby Berchtesgaden, or in Prien, Germany.

Prien is home to one of King Ludwig's "castles" - Herrenchiemsee, which like Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwnangau is a palace. Herrenchiemsee is situated on an island in Chiemsee Lake. Nice place.

http://home.arcor.de/oberpfalz-nord/...s/chiemsee.jpg

Prien is 60 minutes by train from Salzburg, so you could daytrip there and back. It's about the same into Munich if you want to see Munich. You'll find a lot of rentals there as well (airbnb offers only the tiniest fraction of the total rentals available in Bavaria; check local tourist office sources instead.)

http://tourismus.prien.de/en/

Berchtesgaden is close to Salzburg and would also be a possible daytrip from Prien - or vice versa.

Castles: Salzburg and nearby Werfen are your best options.

http://www.salzburg-burgen.at/en/

I can't see how you squeeze in Prague. See it another time.

Thanks everyone! Sounds like we can stay busy without going to Prague. Prague is one of those places I've been dreaming of going to visit, so it may be worth the wait.
Sparkchaser, thanks for the suggestion. I was actually thinking of flying in and out of Munich. So it may be a good place to call home base.
Fourfortravel, love the suggestions for stay outside of munich. Your post is so thorough! Super helpful. Thanks!
Nytraveler, totally agree. We'l skip Prague for now.
Russ, thanks for all the links and suggestions of places to stay.

I have another question:
How about the "Romantic Drive"? If we were to fly into Frankfurt, then out of Munich, would we have time to drive down and make it to Salzburg? This would mean a stop at a different place every night, which we are okay with. We've road the coast of california and oregon in recent years and had a blast! What are your thoughts on this drive? Worth it? Or is it best to stay in one spot and drive part of it?
Thanks again!

Driving the Romantic Road is not any more scenic or romantic than driving any other route through Bavaria, certainly nowhere near as gorgeous as the Big Sur Coastline...

There are some nice old-world towns on the RR with half-timbered buildings and old town walls that are worth seeing, but there are some nice towns on other routes south as well. Your time is already pretty short, and driving the RR would be a substantial detour. What you might do is research a few towns, see what interests you and, arrange to break up the trip south with one overnight stop in one of those towns.

You might check out Marktbreit, Ochsenfurt, and Iphofen, all pretty close to Würzburg:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLUgpoQIFHI
Iphofen photos: http://www.stadtbild-deutschland.org...&threadID=2985

Weissenburg and Pappenheim are attractive little towns too.

Weissenburg: http://www.tuxfoto.de/reiseberichte/...al/weisenburg/

Pappenheim: http://www.denkmalschulen.de/cms/upl...cht_Medium.jpg

You can take the train to all these places, if you prefer - it's often better than climbing into a car for a drive in strange territory after a long and possibly sleep-deprived international flight.

Hi Russ,
I'm starting to agree with you. It'll be stretch to arrive and drive this distance in such a short time. Also, as you point out, the Big Sur drive is very hard to beat! I was, however, looking for a scenic experience, as if I could feel an embrace from the Alps. On that note, is it better to approach the Alps from Germany, Switzerland, or Austria? I'm leaning towards staying stationary in one or two towns for the week (splitting the time between both places), then take day trips as suggested. Thanks again!

"I was, however, looking for a scenic experience, as if I could feel an embrace from the Alps."

The Berchtesgaden area has some spectacular Alps. If you stay or visit there, you'll want to visit the Königssee area.

http://www.top-taxi.at/ausfluge/images/koenigssee01.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PFb9UPCUtb...e+von+oben.jpg

You might want to ride the Jennerbahn there: http://www.jennerbahn.de/de/englisch

The Swiss Alps are even more spectacular. But they're pretty far off, and you aren't going there.

If mountains are for you, stay in or near Berchtesgaden for most or all of the week. Salt mines, Hitler's Eagle's Nest, amazing scenery... Do day trips to Salzburg, Prien and Herrenchiemsee, Werfen (Hohenwerfen Castle/Fortress; "Where Eagles Dare" was filmed there.)

http://www.salzburg-burgen.at/en/werfen/index.htm

Hallstatt Austria - picture perfect and an easy day trip:
http://www.zastavki.com/pictures/160...ia_007838_.jpg

Local tourist offices have hundreds of accommodations listings that you won't find elsewhere. Use the accommodations boxes at the top left of the Berchtesgaden area tourist office website to search for apartments (in English) which would no doubt be the most convenient for a couple with 2 small kids.

http://www.berchtesgadener-land.com/en/home/

Thanks again Russ! Awesome tips!

Hi,

I agree with Russ's advice on the Berchtesgaden area as a base. We've stayed in the Berchtesgaden area in 10/06, 10/07, 9/09 and 11/10 and are heading back there soon for the Christmas Markets once again as we did in 11/10. From here we did easy day trips to Konigsee, Salzburg, St. Gilgen, Hallstatt, "Mad" King Ludwig's Herrenchiemsee, Bad Reichenhall, Hallein, Zell am See, etc.

If Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau are "must sees", consider splitting your time between the Berchtesgaden area and Fuessen. The Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak (which borders Austria) is easily accessed from Fuessen in nearby Ehrwald, Austria.

Except for 1 trip, we've always flown r/t from Munich. It's an easy 2 -2.5 hour drive to either Berchtesgaden or Fuessen.

If interested, we have some photo's (3 "pages" of them) at:

www.worldisround.com/home/pja1/index.html


With 2 children, you may be interested in our favorite place to stay in the Berchtesgaden area (and probably anywhere we've been):

www.mayringerlehen.de

Just wanted to add that the Rossfeld Panorama Road and a summer luge ride are near Berchtesgaden.

http://www.rossfeldpanoramastrasse.de/en/

http://www.duerrnberg.at

Thanks pja1! Awesome tips!
The fact that you agree with Russ, who I was already agreeing with, helps me solidify my plans. Thank goodness I still have time (although buying airplane tickets would be the first move and the earlier, the better)!
I'm starting to feel more and more interested in Austria... Maybe even Switzerland. Although it's further out, I've read that the train rides are gorgeous, so it would facilitate getting from one country to the other. I would just have to pick the right place to stay in Switzerland.
Anyway... lots to think about. I sure do appreciate all of y'all's inputs!

Although Airbnb ( and others such as vrbo ) are interesting ways to rent a place, Germany has a long tradition of renting rooms and apartments. As Russ said, the local tourist office will have listings of virtually all the places in the town and sometimes the neighboring areas. When you have decided on places you may want to stay, look up the town website, usually www.(town name).de

I try to stay in apartments. I would suggest staying in two places max. Many pride themselves on being kid friendly.