Hello All,

After reading many threads and trip reports, I feel fairly close to finalizing the itinerary for my first trip to Germany (9 day trip the last week of April) but ask for any feedback or suggestions you may have.

Day 1: Arrive Frankfurt Airport. Travel to Heidelberg where we will be staying with friends for two nights.
Day 2: Explore Heidelberg and surrounding towns.
Day 3: Visit Bad Wimpfen and Schwabisch Hall. Then proceed to Rothenburg ob der Tauber where we will stay at the Altfrankische Weinstube for two nights.
Day 4: Explore Rothenburg early and then drive to the other towns along the Romantic Road, including Dinkelsbuhl and Nordlingen.
Day 5-6: Proceed to Bamberg for two nights. We have not made reservations yet, but are considering staying at a brauerei that lets rooms (perhaps Fassla).
Day 7: Depart Bamberg and proceed to Wurzburg. Either stay the night in Wurzburg or return to Heidelberg.
Day 8: Schwarzwald or Middle Rhein???
Day 9: Depart Frankfurt mid-day.

So, I suppose my main question is what locale should we visit before departing Germany -- Schwarzwald or the Middle Rhein? If going to Schwarzwald we will likely drive the Schwarzwald Hochstrasse from Baden Baden to Freudenstadt. If exploring the Rhine would likely explore Bacharach, St. Goar, etc.

Thanks!

I don't have my map out and have never been to the Schwarzwald, but the Rhein certainly is beautiful and leaves you very close to Frankfurt for your last day.

AMber;

Nice plan. I like it all (Heidelberg would not be a choice but when there are friends or family involved it changes things, for sure)

Although I do not usually recommend the Rhein ( I prefer the Mosel ), Bingen and Bacharach are only about 2 hours from Wurzburg, but Baden Baden is about 2.5 hours and adding Freudenstadt. would make it 3 hours plus. Then you are still 2.5 hours from FRA

Rhein destinations are more convenient to FRA - <1 hour and you could comfortably stay there and get to the airport for a flight.

Agree that the Rhein would be more convenient for your last day. We really enjoyed Bacharach. We stayed at the Rhein Hotel but there are several nice hotels and pensions in Bacharach.

On another trip, we spent our last night at the Auf Schoenburg Castle Hotel in Oberwesel on the Rhine. Lovely hotel, wonderful restaurant. If it's in your budget, it would make a memorable last evening. As I recall, it took us about 1.5 hours to get to Frankfurt Airport.

http://www.hotel-schoenburg.com/

As much as I love the Schwarzwald - you just don't have enough time to do it justice. Don't return to Heidelberg. Visit Würzburg and continue on to the Rhine. Spend your last two nights in Bacharach or somewhere nearby. That would give you a day and a half in the Rhine Gorge area and that would do nicely. Nice way to end a trip... Ben

http://www.bensbauernhof.com/accommo...hinemosel.html

I agree with bavariaben. You won't really get a good idea of the Schwarzwald from the Hochstrasse, as the most interesting parts are in the valleys. If you have not done so before, you must see this most scenic stretch of the Rhine.

Definitely the Rhein for reasons already mentioned.