Hi,
We will be spending 2+ weeks in Germany and we're thinking it might be a little bit too long in one country, and while we're there, thought we would experience a bit of the neighboring countries. We are thinking one or two of the following...
-- Austria (fairly committed to this already)
-- Switzerland (I've heard that Lindau and neighboring Germany towns will give us a similar enough experience)
-- Denmark (would love to go but it might be too far since we're flying from Munich?)
-- Czech Rep. (Prague)

What are your thoughts on which countries we should do, and which towns? How many is too many given our timeframe (we will have a car)? Bit lost in planning now, but I love you guys on this forum, and I know you'll help sort us all out!!

Any of the places you mention could be interesting, but if you want something different and truly special for a few days, go to Switzerland's Berner Oberland - Lauterbrunnen, Muerren, Interlaken, that area. The scenery is simply eye-popping.

2 weeks would not necessarily be too long in one country. We spent 2 weeks just in Bavaria and on the Mosel River, and could have used another week or two easily.

The only time we spent outside of Germany was on the short drive from Linderhof palace to Hohenschwangau when we dipped into northern Austria driving along the Plansee.

When are you going? Time of the year is a huge factor when driving (are you?) on that area. I do agree that with 2+ weeks, you need to include more exploration and diversity to your trip. That said, I would spend 8 days exploring the Bavaria-Mossel River Regions in Germany and include some days exploration of the Strasbourg region in France (INCREDIBLE wine, food, scenery).

Also, I enjoyed tremendously a weekend side trip to Prague when we drove from Germany with an overnight on the border town of Firth-i-Wald.

It would be great if you could prepare a draft of your trip to get a better sense of how many days you truly have to spare.

While you are in SW Germany, say the Stuttgart area, it is about a two hour drive to visit either Switzerland (the charming Stein am Rhine and the Rhine Falls) or France (Strasbourg and the Alsace region).

If you go to Lindau, don't miss the beautiful gardens on the island of Mainau.

If you are in the NW, around Cologne or Bonn, definitely go to Amersterdam.

From Munich, it is easy to visit Innsbruck and Salzburg.

Most of Switzerland and Austria will be very similar to what you are experiencing in Germany. However, it makes a nice driving loop to go from the Stuttgart area, into Switzerland (maybe including Lucerne and Chur), and then over to Austia, and up into Germany. Perhaps you could spend half your time driving that loop, and split the rest of the time between two areas in Germany.

The one place mentioned above within driving distance that would be very "different" is Amsterdam. It's a fantastic city.

I don't know much about Prague, except that I'd love to go soon!

Good Luck! Sounds like you'll have a wonderful time.

Just realized you are going in April. Perfect time to see the Keukenhof and all the magnificent bulb blooms! It is on the way to Amsterdam from Germany, if you should end up going that route at all.