Thank you for a great report. We leave for Germany and Austria next Wednesday. This trip was a year delayed. We had all arrangements made for this time frame last year but had to cancel because of work issues. We'll use some of your info. PJK

Are the prices you gave for dinner at Gusthaf Zum Baren in Meersburg per person or for both you and your husband? Do you think I will need to make reservations before we arrive? We are staying there for two nights. I tried to look on the web site, but I could not find a menu. Thank you. PJK

Hey bettyk,
Hope you don't mind a couple of questions...
About how long is the drive from Franfurt airport area to Bernkastel? Did you follow the Rhine before getting to the Mosel?
Our tentative plan is to stop in St. Goar or Bacharach on the way to our first hotel in Valwig (Cochem).
We are leaving 1 full day open to see Trier. Is this too much time in your opinion? Now thinking we should leave some time in the afternoon, see some of Bernkastel, and have dinner there.
Just curious what time you left St. Gilgen to arrive in Nordligen at 1 pm. We are driving kind of opposite, Rothenberg to Ramsau (Berchtesgaden).

Sorry if this is tooo many questions. Your report has been very helpful to us. Thank you. Hope your shoulder is getting better.

Paul

Paul, let me see if I can answer your questions:

1. Prices for dinner at Zum Baeren – All meal prices are for both of us. The second night, we shared a meal because we just weren’t that hungry. Ironically, that dinner was more expensive than the previous evening. I wouldn’t worry about reservations ahead of time. We didn’t have any and had no problem getting a table. However, you could make one when you arrive. It’s really a great restaurant and the staff was very friendly and accommodating.

2. It was less than 2 hrs from Frankfurt Airport to Bernkastel. We did not follow the Rhine.

3. We really loved Bacharach. I liked it better than St. Goar.

4. You probably don’t need a full day to see Trier. We wished we’d had more time, but we saw a lot in just a couple of hours. I would definitely allow as much time as you can to see Bernkastel. It was so beautiful! I hope we can get our pictures posted before you leave.

5. In my itinerary, it said it was a little over 3 hrs from St. Gilgen to Nordlingen and I believe that was about right.

Hope this helps. The shoulder is getting better, thanks.

bettyk,
Thanks for the info! Again, enjoyed your report plus it was very helpful.

paul

My Favorite Travel Author ,Betty,
As usual, sounds like you two had a wonderful trip. Only you can describe it so well. Sorry about the weather but bad weather in Germany is better than good weather in Houston any day. Can't wait to see Dave's "post card" quality pictures. Maybe someday, we can take another trip to Germany and Austria with you guys.
Rick

Thanks for sharing, B.

Wanted to go ahead and include the link to our photos with the trip report:

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/561038806XxDcvw

Hi Betty,
As always, a wonderful trip trip report! Since your town recommendations are always excellent, I will make note of those you enjoyed most. David, wonderful photos, as always, especially with that new 30d.

Thanks for all the details! We spent several days in Austria last June and are heading back for 16 days this coming May. The info on St. Gilgen will be most helpful :-)

I want to chime in with my thanks too. We leave Wednesday for the same general area. PJK

Thanks, guys. I keep reflecting on this trip and how wonderful it was. Looking at our photos has put this permanent grin on my face! It was our first 3-week trip and I was surprised at how quickly the time passed, especially without any major "incidences".

The GPS certainly made a difference even if there were a few glitches. Being able to enjoy the scenery instead of worrying about missing your next turn made the trip less stressful.

Everybody was kind to us and we had several locals come up to us and initiate conversation. Even when we responded in our limited German, they would smile nicely. One old gentlemen in Pertisau, Austria, overheard us speaking English in his shop and proceeded to start telling us how he learned English during the occupation after the war. He was very proud of his language skills and very kind.

I guess that's what makes these trips so special. To meet people who may not even understand what you are saying and yet are so kind and friendly. That's why I can never agree these posts about Germans being cold. Sure, maybe not every person you meet is going to be Chatty Kathy, but that's true here at home too.

Again, thanks for all your kind words and I hope your trips will turn out as wonderful as ours.

I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have.