My husband and I have a trip in October to Germany that ends in the city of Nurenberg. We have about 30 hours before we need to be in Munich for a flight home. I need advice on whether to rent a car in Nurenberg and visit Rothenberg or is a visit by train/car to Garmisch/Mittenwald a better use of our last hours in Germany?

We've just been to each in August and I vote for Rothenburg. It's a gem and not too far at all from Nurnberg. Garmisch is hardly worth of a visit (unless you want to go up the Zugspitze) and Mittenwald, also a gem, is quite small in size. Rothenburg would be just right for you I think.

Tuck H.: Do you recommend a hotel/B&B in Rothenburg?

I agree that Rothenburg is a better bet. The weather in Garmisch really must be great to enjoy the scenery.

If you drive, take the A-6 Autobahn from Nuernberg to the A-7 Autobahn, and then head north to Rothenburg. We usually, during the vacation season, stay about 15km outside of Rothenburg in the Kurhotel in Bad Windsheim. Less expensive and crowded with tourists. But in Oktober you probably won't need a hotel reservation in R. proper and can pick a hotel you like.

To get to R. from Nuernberg take the A-6 Autobahn to the A-7, and go north to Rothenburg.

On your way back, to Munich, again take the A-7 south to the A-6, and head on the A-6 east towsard Nuernberg, but get off at the Lichtanau exit (39km on the A-6) and turn righgt toward Windsbach, Roth, Allersberg (40km.)There you pick up the A-9 south to Munich. This is a very pretty drive and it will save you km's and having to go back to Nuernberg. The Munich airport is off the A-9 before you get to Munich.

S: Rothenburg is in Franconia, which is part of Bavaria (we ex-Bavarians are a bit touchy about this!)

Have fun. Henry,Michigan

We stayed in Iphofen, a scenic small town sort of midway between Bamberg and Rothenburg because we wanted to visit each of them, which we did. Bamberg, too was very picturesque. This is where we stayed (4 nights) and were very happy there...
http://www.gaestehaus-duering.de/

I would vote for staying in Bamberg rather than Rothenberg. Bamberg is an absolutely beautiful little town that is not "touristy" like Rothenberg. If you want to experience a more typical German town, then skip the tourist trap of Rothenberg.

30 hours is not a long time, but i vote for rothenburg...it is about 1+ hours drive from nuremburg....you will love them both....from roth. you can drive south west to munich through some nice countryside as well or hop on a highway...this will give you 1/2 day in rothen....that is enough to hook you....we always stay in the klingentor B&B which is just outside the klingentor gate to the town....family run with a good restaurant, reasonable---we paid about 70E in november last year for a dbl with private bath...good breakfast....simple but clean rooms...free parking in the enclosed courtyard for guests...www.hotel-klingentor.de

Another vote for Bamberg over Rothenberg. We were very disappointed in Rothenberg when we were there last fall. Jammed with tourist busses. The church in Rothenberg is "worth it," St. Jacob's, I think, but the rest of the town struck us as a kind of Disneyland destination, a town with a past but no present.

We enjoyed our stay at Hotel Cafe Frei just inside the city walls in Rothenburg. Has its own parking.
Feel that Rothenburg is definitely a must see village in Germany with very well preserved medieval buildings.
Recommend taking the Night Watchman's Tour (in english) which starts at the town square.

Both Bamberg and Rothenberg would be worth a trip, I think, because both have lots to offer.

I found the above comment comparing R-berg to "Disney" rather amusing considering the fact that Disney and many others probably had a place like Rothenberg in mind when they did their planning. The town, and the walls, AND the moat literally conjure up every medieval fairy tale you may remember.

The place is wildly popular and there will be lots of tourists...just like YOU but so what? Go early if having other folks around is distracting.

We were in Rothenburg in the evening for dinner and for the Nightwatchman (a lot of fun!) and then again early the next morning until noon, by which time there were a few other people there. Both times we felt unaffected by other tourists.

Bamberg or Rothenburg o.d.T. are both equally worthy of visits. I just returned from a trip which I started with 3 days in Rothenburg and never ran out of things to do and see. I think I've seen Rothenburg in every possible season - awesome in the snow around Christmas time but also very nice in September. The tour buses are not so frequent this time of year but during certain parts of the day they give the village a veeery touristy flavor. The trick to Rothenburg is enjoy the old town from about 5pm til just after dark and from daybreak til 9am. Daytrip inbetween. One day I walked down to the little village of Detwang (oldest part of Rothenburg) to see the Church of St. Peter and Paul and The Crucifixion Altar by Riemenschneider. Nice walk but steep enough and long enough to tighten up your calves if you're not a regular walker. Another morning I started out by walking every step of the old wall that could be walked (right at two hours with lots of photo breaks).
Over the years I have stayed at several zimmer frei around the Altstadt and a nearby farm. This year I tried Haus Karin (http://www.haus-karin.de/) and will now list it as my favorite place to stay in Rothenburg. Frau Wiess is a wonderful hostess and welcomes guests with open arms. I had an excellent single with lots of room, a sink and a cable TV at the foot of my bed. WC and shower in the hallway. This is a very well kept home that is what every B&B should be like. Warm friendly family operation. Frau Wiess or her husband will gladly pick you up at the train station and deposit you there when you need to leave. 22 Euro per night per person. Includes a sumptuous spread at breakfast (see her website). The house is about a five minute walk from the walls and I could see part of the wall and town buildings from my room windows. If anyone might be interested in seeing more about this place I will have a zimmer frei page posted on it with lots of pics in a few weeks. Tell her Ben sent you and she will give you a free Bier.

Just kidding - she will give you a free Bier, mineral water or Saft drink anyway - just because you are her guest. Can't say enough nice things about this lovely lady whose English is very good.

Was saying it right in my head but not typing it correctly - the names are Hans and Karin Weiss at Hans-Sachs Strasse 26. Worth jotting down for any future stays in Rothenburg ob der Tauber... Ben

The Burg Hotel in Rothenburg o d T was grand in Sept '02.
M