Recommendations in Western Germany?
 

Hi everyone,
As part of a long trip I'm doing this summer I will be going to some smaller towns in Western and Southern Germany and would love any recommendations or information people have about them. I'm actually re-tracing a trip my grandfather did back in the 30s so my itinerary (in terms of main cities) is pretty set. Any ideas on how many days I should spend in places or things to definitely see would be much appreciated (I'm a mid-20s American female). Here's what I have on the list so far:
Cologne
Heidelberg
Idar-Oberstein
Munich
Bad Reichenhall
Berchtesgaden

Is it worthwhile to add Neuschwanstein if I have time and can plan ahead?

Thanks so much for your insights!
Stephanie

I might try to fit Trier in, it ws capital of the Roman Empire for 30 years, has some building left and good wine and shops

Hi ste,

>Is it worthwhile to add Neuschwanstein if I have time and can plan ahead?<

Of course. How much extra time do you have? Are there other stops?

((I))

Hi Stephanie,

I'd suggest visiting Ludwig's Neues Schloss (Herrenchiemsee). It is on the way (and about midpoint) from Munich to Bad Reichenhall and/or Berchtesgaden. It's my favorite of Ludwig's castles/palaces. It's simply amazing inside!

http://www.herrenchiemsee.de/englisc...lace/index.htm

Paul

Thank you all for the suggestions!!

I agree with pja1

You must be very close to your grandpa to be retracing his trip. I was motivated to do the same thing after hearing all the bits of stories from when my grandpa used to travel through Leipzig, Berlin & Dresden or Provence. It's quite an experience to see what you've been hearing, some parts are like watching a movie after reading the book, but for the most part it's much better because you get to appreciate how places/people have changed through time.

<< Any ideas on how many days I should spend in places or things to definitely see >>
Traveling alone at your age...just go with the flow. You'll meet people (hopefully locals) and stay as long as you're comfortable and then move on. You'll get local tips & guides along the way.

You might enjoy reading A Time of Gifts by Patrick Leigh Fermor, a classic travel memoir by a British author who traveled in Germany in the early 1930's
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Between..._and_the_Water

Hi spr; That is a great trip you have planned. There are so many places we could suggest near the cities of your choice. Need to know how many days you have to spend in Germany? iris1745/dick

HI Iris, I'll be spending around 3 weeks in Germany (including a few days visiting friends in Berlin). This is definitely the part of my trip that I have the least planned so ideas would be much appreciated!
Thanks for the recommendation Vttraveler

Dax, my grandfather actually died about 20 years before I was born, so this trip is actually a chance for me to try and find/imagine some of the stories I never got to hear! I think you're absolutely right that it will be a bit like a movie - I've been staring at the photos I have for so long it will be fantastic to see how it's changed in the last 80 years!

Just curious, why is Idar Oberstein in your itinerary? We've spent a very long day there as my mother in law went on a buying spree for exotic precious stones for which the area is famous for. We saw a few foreign ladies selling precious stones(including raw diamonds)from Africa bundled (& smuggled?) in dirty traditional cloth towels inside some of those trade offices for cash.
Idar Oberstein is also where the half german actor Bruce Willis was born.