I am touring Germany in December and plan to propose marriage to my girlfriend. Can anyone suggest a romantic place that will stand in our memories forever, to propose in either Munich, Cologne, Hannover or Berlin?

You could propose in the Weis Kirche in Bavaria, on at the Zugspitch or on a Rhein cruise.

There is a small town on the Rhine called Bacharach. It is a charming town and there is a winery that does wine tastings. If you could work it out with the owner you could go for the wine tasting and then have the waiter bring out one last "wine" to taste. Instead of the wine bring out the ring. See if she likes the "vintage". Cheesy? Yes but we romantics love cheese, especially with our wine. Of course this could be done at any establishment that offers a wine tasting but I think a charming small town is more romantic.

Take day trip down to Neuschwanstein Castle, from Munich.<BR>The castle that looks like Disney castle. Get to the highest floor inside you can, look out from the balcony, it's so Romeo and Juliet!!!<BR>Been there, Loved it!

Be proposed to in a European castle sounds perfect to me!

Love the idea of proposing in a castle. A nice reminder of the special event would be a small ceramic figurine of the castle for her to take home with her.

I like the idea of Weis Kirche in Bavaria too. It is so beautiful! Or what about a castle turned in to a hotel.

Can't figure out why everyone would think being surrounded by dozens of tourists in Neuschwanstein would be romantic. It will be December...Zugspitze will be COLD, not much romantic about a runny nosed kiss. If there's snow, try to find a sleigh ride, cold, yes but not nearly as cold as 3000 feet up a mountain! Or on a stroll through the English Gardens in Munich. This is hard...good luck and congratulations.

You could take a day trip to Heidelberg and go up to the castle. There is an arch in the gardens that the king had built overnight as a symbol of his love for his new bride. Legend has it that if you pass thru the arch 7 times, you will have good luck. Maybe you could do that for fun, and on the 7th time through, pop the question.

We have recently returned from a trip to Bavaria, just in the mountains south of Munich, and I think there would be quite a few good options there. Castle Neuschwanstein does look like a fairytale castle (esp. in December, with the snow, I would imagine) but is a bit too much of a hyper-efficient German tourism enterprise to be truly romantic. There is a bridge over a river gorge close to the castle (5 mins walk) called Marienbrucke which would be a beautiful spot for sure (though cold!), and could possibly be a bit too busy. There is second, smaller castle near Neuscwanstein called Hohenscwangau. This is a bit less 'packaged' and more informal, still very pretty with stunning views. I reckon you could have a quiet word with the guide before you start your tour and they may well 'enter into the spirit of it'. Otherwise, it has a very pretty fountain in the garden. Finally, there is an exceptionally pretty village called Mittenwald almost on the Austrian border. There is a pretty and dramatic river gorge near here which you can walk down - it would ceratinly be different! Alternatively, a few miles from this village is a TINY little very 'Bavarian' church which is in a beautiful setting in the Alpine meadows (I am not thinking of Wieskirche, as suggested by a previous respondant - this is quite a large but certainly nice church, but very much on the tourist trail). If you think this sounds nice, I can describe it a bit better if you e-mail me (and I have a photo of this as well as most of the other spots I mentioned). Good luck - wonderful idea!

my choice would be at the castle schonburg in oberwesel, rhine valley. the most amazing place i have ever been. beautiful views of the rhine and the valley, lovely small town, amazing food, viciously romantic!

Nice to see that romance is still alive, Mark.<BR><BR>If you want somewhere breathtakingly beautiful, you'll probably need to get outside the cities you mentioned. <BR><BR>OUtside Munich: I'd forget Neuschwanstein itself. It's a little too artificial and overtouristed. But in December, the Marienbr&uuml;cke, as mentioned by fi, will be a pretty remote spot and you could do the deed with an incredible backdrop (if you can get up there in the snow.)<BR><BR>The Zugspitze, Germany's highest peak just outside Garmisch, as suggested by Art, is one option. But, if you can get up there in December, you'd probably lose your capacity to procreate from the wind chill.<BR><BR>The K&ouml;nigssee Lake, near Berchtesgaden to the extreme southeast of Munich, would probably be accessible and have a magnificent view for popping the question. <BR><BR>Outside Cologne: The Rhine area is great too. The Auf Sch&ouml;nberg Castle-hotel in Oberwesel has a great view of the Rhine Gorge, but it is closed in December. You could still head up there and enjoy the view, perhaps. Bacharach is a pretty town but lacks the scenic splendor you are looking for. <BR>I'd suggest going to St. Goar, a few km north of Oberwesel. Take a short, steep hike up the trail behind the train station there to the top of the cliffs that overlook the Rhine. From the lookout hut up top, you can see the gorge, some vineyards, and 3 different castles that keep watch over the Rhine. If you walk south along the trail a little further toward Oberwesel, you'll reach another lookout where you can spy the Loreley cliffside across the river - the spot where, according to German romantic legend, hundreds of sailors lost their lives as they spotted the gorgeous siren atop the cliff, fell in love/lust/whatever, and crashed their ships on the rocks below. The views here are super. That's where I'd do it if I had it to do over again.

Cold or not, I vote for the top of the Zugspitze.

I've been to the Zugspitze in winter and yes, it's cold, but it's still beautiful. Only catch, it has to be a clear day to see the views. <BR>I'd skip Neuschwanstein. It won't be too crowded in December but you can't just walk around inside on your own and find the perfect spot. The path up to Marienbrucke might be icy and inaccessible. <BR><BR>Someplace indoors might be nice, so she doesn't have to take off her gloves to put on the ring. I think inside any beautiful little church would be nice. The Asamkirche in Munich (on Sendlingerstrasse) would be great! <BR><BR>If you plan something for outside, you may get stuck with freezing rain or just cold, dreary, gray weather.

I vote for the Marienbrucke overlooking Neuschwanstein. I was just there a few weeks ago, and the view is spectacular. I bet you can get it to yourself on a winter day. Tour the castle, propose on the bridge, and then take a horse and carriage down.

My husband proposed to be in Germany in late November of 1997. We flew into Antwerp (diamond capital of the world) where he bought the diamond (without my knowledge). Beautiful emerald cut, wholesale, practic. flawless, certified, etc....Had a great time...it was my first stop in Europe...then...<BR><BR>We then drove to Cologne...got in at night, it was just starting to snow...stopped at the Dom Hotel which overlooks the magnificent Dom cathedral. He lucked out- they had a cancellation we got a room with a balcony that overlooked the square where all of the Xmas markets were open, Xmas carols were being played, little girls dressed as angels were running around, we opened the door to the room, didn't turn on any lights, told me to close my eyes and led me to the balcony...when I opened them there was the magnificent Dom all lit up in greenish blue light...light snow was falling, Xmas music being sung, I felt a tug on my wrist turned around and he was on one knee...incredibly romantic...sipped champagne by the window watching the magical scene.<BR><BR>Don't worry- he hadn't planned a damn thing beforehand...just kept waiting for a place to materialize...Luck was on his side- I couldn't imagine a more perfect way. <BR><BR>I totally vote against Neuschwanstein...reeks of Paris and the Eiffel tower...way too cliche...just a girls advice. Go for something off the beaten path.<BR><BR>Good luck with everything...and don't try too hard!!! JEn