Time for a new trip! Help me get started on Germany/Austria/Italy itinerary
Nov 26th, 2008, 11:26 AM
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Time for a new trip! Help me get started on Germany/Austria/Italy itinerary
Hello lovely fodorites! We've only been home for 2 months but I'm already going through withdrawls so I've decided to start planning our trip for this coming October! We have 2 weeks not including travel and want to hit Oktoberfest (DH's dream...) before exploring new regions! Here is what we are thinking of so far:
Fly into Frankfurt (head straight out)
ROTHENBURG – 2 nights (explore area)
MUNICH – 6 nights
Day 1: Explore City
Day 2: Oktoberfest
Day 3: Oktoberfest (last day)
Day 4: Dachau
Day 5: Neuschwanstein
Day 6: Explore City
Day 7: Head out!
SALZBURG – 3 nights
DOLOMITES – 2 nights (Ortisei?)
VENICE – 2 nights
How is this looking? Would you recommend more time in a certain area? Less time? Any accommodation ideas (I've already emailed Hotel Uhland for the time in Munich).
Also would you recommend the train for the trip or rental car? We've always driven or flown while in Europe but I wouldn't mind trying out the train system!
Fly into Frankfurt (head straight out)
ROTHENBURG – 2 nights (explore area)
MUNICH – 6 nights
Day 1: Explore City
Day 2: Oktoberfest
Day 3: Oktoberfest (last day)
Day 4: Dachau
Day 5: Neuschwanstein
Day 6: Explore City
Day 7: Head out!
SALZBURG – 3 nights
DOLOMITES – 2 nights (Ortisei?)
VENICE – 2 nights
How is this looking? Would you recommend more time in a certain area? Less time? Any accommodation ideas (I've already emailed Hotel Uhland for the time in Munich).
Also would you recommend the train for the trip or rental car? We've always driven or flown while in Europe but I wouldn't mind trying out the train system!
Nov 26th, 2008, 11:54 AM
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Potentially a very good trip. I have some comments/questions:
1. Why Frankfurt and not Munich for flight?
2. I see 6 nites as too much for Munich--I would spend 2 of those in the castle country. Oktoberfest may get old real quick--too many people.
3. When do you plan to get the car? Where and when do you plan to drop it--that will be your challenge.
I would fly into Munich for X days---train to Salzburg for X days--get your car in Salzburg as you leave and drive to the the Wolfgangsee for 2 nites and then to the castle country for 3 nites. If you drop the car in Innsbruck you will avoid any drop charges--all Austria. Then, you need to pick where the train goes--likely to Bolzano, and then eventually to Venice. That is a start---good luck !
1. Why Frankfurt and not Munich for flight?
2. I see 6 nites as too much for Munich--I would spend 2 of those in the castle country. Oktoberfest may get old real quick--too many people.
3. When do you plan to get the car? Where and when do you plan to drop it--that will be your challenge.
I would fly into Munich for X days---train to Salzburg for X days--get your car in Salzburg as you leave and drive to the the Wolfgangsee for 2 nites and then to the castle country for 3 nites. If you drop the car in Innsbruck you will avoid any drop charges--all Austria. Then, you need to pick where the train goes--likely to Bolzano, and then eventually to Venice. That is a start---good luck !
Nov 26th, 2008, 12:26 PM
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We will most likely fly into Frankfurt b/c airline prices seem to be much cheaper than flying into Munich!
The two days at Oktoberfest are a must....I can pretty much guarantee my DH will love it - right up his alley!
How many days would you recommend we need to explore Munich? We want to spend at least 1/2 day at Dachau and a day at Neuschwanstein.
We haven't decided if we are going to get a car or not...waiting for recommendations on the board!
Looking at the ideas you posted would you not recommend going to the Dolomites then? You have us going more through Austria & the Castle region than the Italian Dolomites - just wondered why! Don't know much yet about either!
The two days at Oktoberfest are a must....I can pretty much guarantee my DH will love it - right up his alley!
How many days would you recommend we need to explore Munich? We want to spend at least 1/2 day at Dachau and a day at Neuschwanstein.
We haven't decided if we are going to get a car or not...waiting for recommendations on the board!
Looking at the ideas you posted would you not recommend going to the Dolomites then? You have us going more through Austria & the Castle region than the Italian Dolomites - just wondered why! Don't know much yet about either!
Nov 26th, 2008, 12:28 PM
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2 nights in the Dolomites mean one single full day. What if the weather is lousy? No one can guarantee you sunshine.
2 nights in Venice mean, again, one single full day which is very short for such a city.
I'd cut out either one or the other and spend 4 nights in one place.
6 nights in Munich are not too long. There is enough to see and do in the city for several weeks even without Oktoberfest going on, and it is an excellent base for day trips.
2 nights in Venice mean, again, one single full day which is very short for such a city.
I'd cut out either one or the other and spend 4 nights in one place.
6 nights in Munich are not too long. There is enough to see and do in the city for several weeks even without Oktoberfest going on, and it is an excellent base for day trips.
Nov 26th, 2008, 12:41 PM
#5
hi waterlily,
great ideas til you leave munich. Salzburg is NOT en route to Venice.
i would fly into Munich, stay 5-6 nights to cover the Oktoberfest, then head to the dolomites and Venice.
you should aim to have at least 3 nights in Venice.
a night in Innsbruck might fit in well.
regards, ann
great ideas til you leave munich. Salzburg is NOT en route to Venice.
i would fly into Munich, stay 5-6 nights to cover the Oktoberfest, then head to the dolomites and Venice.
you should aim to have at least 3 nights in Venice.
a night in Innsbruck might fit in well.
regards, ann
Nov 26th, 2008, 01:19 PM
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This is why I love this board...makes me rethink everything!
We had picked Salzburg b/c of the easy travel from Munich (2hrs by train). We were thinking that we could pick up a car then and drive through the Dolomites (staying for a few nights) before driving to Venice and dropping off the car.
I am going to play with the budget and see if I can extend the trip by a day or two and add it to the Venice/Dolomite part!
For sightseeing would you recommend Innsbruck over Salzburg?
We had picked Salzburg b/c of the easy travel from Munich (2hrs by train). We were thinking that we could pick up a car then and drive through the Dolomites (staying for a few nights) before driving to Venice and dropping off the car.
I am going to play with the budget and see if I can extend the trip by a day or two and add it to the Venice/Dolomite part!
For sightseeing would you recommend Innsbruck over Salzburg?
Nov 26th, 2008, 01:25 PM
#7
hi again waterlily
<<For sightseeing would you recommend Innsbruck over Salzburg?>>
frankly, no.
but you can't have it all. if you want the dolomites, they are directly south of Munich via Innsbruck. IMHO a diversion to Salzburg takes you too far out of your way.
OTOH, if you aren't that fussed about the dolomites, you could do Salzburg and Venice.
but in 2 weeks you can't do it all. not and stay sane.
europe and Salzburg will still be here.
regards, ann
<<For sightseeing would you recommend Innsbruck over Salzburg?>>
frankly, no.
but you can't have it all. if you want the dolomites, they are directly south of Munich via Innsbruck. IMHO a diversion to Salzburg takes you too far out of your way.
OTOH, if you aren't that fussed about the dolomites, you could do Salzburg and Venice.
but in 2 weeks you can't do it all. not and stay sane.
europe and Salzburg will still be here.
regards, ann
Nov 26th, 2008, 02:59 PM
#8
Hi,
First, we've travelled to Bavaria, Austria and the Dolomites 5 times the last 7 years. October is the best time to go, in my (our) opinion.
Q: For sightseeing would you recommend Innsbruck over Salzburg?
A: Salzburg!
Where are you flying home from?
This is the most important question. It determines whether a car would be a good option. Drop off fees from Austria to Italy could be hefty. I think that if you were to rent a car, get it in Germany (it seems to be the most reasonable as far as rates).
We ahve 2 trip reports that may be of help to you:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35089110
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34893886
Paul
First, we've travelled to Bavaria, Austria and the Dolomites 5 times the last 7 years. October is the best time to go, in my (our) opinion.
Q: For sightseeing would you recommend Innsbruck over Salzburg?
A: Salzburg!
Where are you flying home from?
This is the most important question. It determines whether a car would be a good option. Drop off fees from Austria to Italy could be hefty. I think that if you were to rent a car, get it in Germany (it seems to be the most reasonable as far as rates).
We ahve 2 trip reports that may be of help to you:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35089110
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34893886
Paul
Nov 26th, 2008, 03:18 PM
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You have to think big picture. The Dolomites are wonderful, but you need a car. To keep your car until Venice may cost you an extra $300[ or more] drop charge--is that OK?
You need more time than just a day trip to see the castles--I would spend 2 nites there--I prefer Oberammergau.
You need more time than just a day trip to see the castles--I would spend 2 nites there--I prefer Oberammergau.
Nov 26th, 2008, 07:40 PM
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We have done this area many times in the last 30 years.
I would spend a few nights in Garmisch in order to see both Neuschanstein as well as Linderhof and Oberammergau. Great area to explore.
Salzburg is a better choice than Innsbruck. We stayed at the BRISTOL HOTEL in Salzburg in summer 2007. Great location, great people and not priced bad. Easy walk across the river to the old town and next to the main concert hall. Plus, Herr Ricky in the main bar is great!
You need more time in Venice. I would do less time in Munich and add to Garmisch or Venice.
Get a car. Only way to really stop and explore the area.
Munich: I think the main halls at the Oktoberfest now take reservations. You used to be able to walk in and sit down. Now you need advance tickets. Check that out to be sure.
Rothenburg: Plenty of info on this town on this site. Click on my name for many. We enjoy the Markusturm Hotel or the Reichs Kuchenmeister Hotel in this city.
Dachau: Depressing, but a must see. We did it one time in 1970 and again in 2001. Be sure to visit the special cells behind the main building.
I would spend a few nights in Garmisch in order to see both Neuschanstein as well as Linderhof and Oberammergau. Great area to explore.
Salzburg is a better choice than Innsbruck. We stayed at the BRISTOL HOTEL in Salzburg in summer 2007. Great location, great people and not priced bad. Easy walk across the river to the old town and next to the main concert hall. Plus, Herr Ricky in the main bar is great!
You need more time in Venice. I would do less time in Munich and add to Garmisch or Venice.
Get a car. Only way to really stop and explore the area.
Munich: I think the main halls at the Oktoberfest now take reservations. You used to be able to walk in and sit down. Now you need advance tickets. Check that out to be sure.
Rothenburg: Plenty of info on this town on this site. Click on my name for many. We enjoy the Markusturm Hotel or the Reichs Kuchenmeister Hotel in this city.
Dachau: Depressing, but a must see. We did it one time in 1970 and again in 2001. Be sure to visit the special cells behind the main building.
Nov 27th, 2008, 03:26 AM
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6 days in Munich - OK if you're doing daytrips by train, but not by car. Traffic can be nasty. Seems OK to start from FRA if headed to Rothenburg. It's not far to R'burg by car or by train, but really, I don't see much purpose for the car between FRA and Munich or for the rest of your destination. The car might be handy in the Dolomites, but that's about it. We stayed near Bolzano and Ortisei in the village of Klausen and took a short bus ride into the Dolomites from there so we could do some hiking.
Nov 27th, 2008, 03:55 AM
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People seem to be missing the point that Oktoberfest is her husbands dream. 6 nights in Munchen with 2 full day trips as part of that is not too much time. I would devote all three available Oktoberfest days to experiencing Oktoberfest in and around Munchen. Then you have only 1-2 days to see the "normal" sights because of the day trips planned.
Salzburg or Innsbruck - Salzburg, absolutely. Training there and then taking a car to Venice - if you can stomach the drop fees is a great idea. You will be hard pressed to properly split your time between Salzburg and Venice, but Venice probably deserves the extra day here. Salzburg is small and "Germanic" like Munchen, so having the extra day in something as different as Venice might balance the trip a little better.
Salzburg or Innsbruck - Salzburg, absolutely. Training there and then taking a car to Venice - if you can stomach the drop fees is a great idea. You will be hard pressed to properly split your time between Salzburg and Venice, but Venice probably deserves the extra day here. Salzburg is small and "Germanic" like Munchen, so having the extra day in something as different as Venice might balance the trip a little better.
Nov 27th, 2008, 04:39 AM
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I would suggest that one day you go to Oktoberfest at 11 AM. And watch the tents and booths being restocked and see the beautiful clothing on the local (usually 50+) crowd. It's also a great time to actually see the beautiful, big and complex tents. We walked around, saw the horses being brought in, with all their beautiful gear and the wagons. Had lunch in a beer hall, because most of the tables were reserved for later in the day and all evening. It was a Friday, and school groups were also arriving to see and enjoy the celebration. Much, much, different in the evening.
Nov 27th, 2008, 05:06 AM
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The very best way to see the Octoberfest is to watch the parade from Munich to the festival grounds that occurs on the Sunday of the Octoberfest opening. All of the breweries use their finest horses, costumes and decorations - it is really not to be missed. Octoberfest starts on the third weekend of September. Check for the opening of 2009.
Regardless, make your decisions about Munich soon and secure a hotel reservation for that, at the very least.
I would rent a car when finished with Munich and stay in the area of Berchtesgaden ( this includes many outlying small towns and villages with countless zimmer frei's) and visit Salzburg, and the many other beautiful sites by car. You could easily spend a week in this area and not see everything.Additionally, it is a much better experience to stay outside of the cities because you will mingle more with the local folks. It also costs a lot less!
When you are finished, take the train to Venice from Salzburg, if you are determined to include Venice in this trip.
Regardless, make your decisions about Munich soon and secure a hotel reservation for that, at the very least.
I would rent a car when finished with Munich and stay in the area of Berchtesgaden ( this includes many outlying small towns and villages with countless zimmer frei's) and visit Salzburg, and the many other beautiful sites by car. You could easily spend a week in this area and not see everything.Additionally, it is a much better experience to stay outside of the cities because you will mingle more with the local folks. It also costs a lot less!
When you are finished, take the train to Venice from Salzburg, if you are determined to include Venice in this trip.
