I've wanted to post a trip report since returning home a month ago but never have the time to get a 3 week trip written up.

Its taken me this long to realize if I divide it into smaller segments I might make some progress.

We flew into Frankfurt to take advantage of a bargain airfare, rented a car, and drove to Wurzburg.
there we toured the Wurzburg Residenz having purchased a 14 day Bavaria ticket.

A trip to Bavaria would not be the same without stops at a palace or two. The best deal in Bavaria is the 14 day Bavaria ticket http://www.schloesser.bayern.de/engl...ts/jahresk.htm For 20 Euro per person or partner tickets, 2 for 36 Euro, you can visit over 40 palaces and castles including Wurzburg, Herrenchiemsee, Linderhof, Munich Residenz and Treasury, and Schwangau (Neuschwanstein Castle.) All Ludwig's Castles except Hohenschwangau. You could not possibly visit all the places this pass includes in the 2 week period the pass is valid, but planning an itinerary around the sites you've already pre-paid is an economical way to enjoy Bavaria.

After a brief visit in Wurzburg we headed for Munich. My friend and I stayed for 10 days in Munich at the home of her sister. Needless to say, a highlight of the trip for me was getting to meet this wonderful family and see their city with the convenience of living with a family. From our home base in Munich we explored Fussen, Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau
Zugspitze, Linderhof, from Prien am Chiemsee we took the ferry to Herrenchiemsee and Fraueninsel: Nymphenburg, English Garden, Wieskirche Andechs, Salzburg, and Munich including, Residenz, Pinacothec (Alte, Nue and Moderne) and of course, Oktoberfest.

I've posted details and photos from the "Ludwig's Palace Tour" here:
http://www.worldisround.com/articles/338919/

more to follow
kathy

Thanks for getting this on here Kathy. My husband and I are planning a trip in March/April that will include some time in Germany. We'll probably fly into Budapest, rent a car and head west into Germany and through the Bavarian area. Your photos are great, and really inspire me to get busy planning our route! Did you go to the Black Forest...and if so, worth it?

bkm

Zugspitze - or how did an acrophobic like me get talked into this...

One of the unexpected highlights of the trip was a trip to the highest mountain in the German alps.

At least it was unexpected by me. I didn't give it any thought when my travelling buddy said we simply had to include Zugspitze in our plans.

I am afraid of heights. I can not walk near the edge of a mountain path. I get dizzy looking down from a multi-storied building.
I can only walk across a bridge from the center of the lane...what was I thinking!!!

We rushed to get on the cable car (wait - I thought there was a train..._) and before I could work up a reason to desist we were on our way. Fortunately I was packed fairly close to the middle of the packed car.

From my perspective the view was lovely... and I made it to the top.

From there I discovered an interesting fact. If I kept my eye looking through the lens of my camera it wasn't too scary.

Wow - looking at those guys climbing up the top of the mountain...look at the glorious view...I have never been so close to Heaven!

Oh, God, look at those cable cars swinging from those little bitty wires...look how steeply it descends...how fast....ah oh...how will I ever get down!

As my friend pointed out, if I didn't want to climb down I was going down in that dangling little vehicle.

Mustering my limited courage I embarked...it didn't have much of a sense of descent...it was way too beautiful to do anything but look out and marvel at the miracle of engineering that let an acrophobe like me enjoy the marvel of Zugspitze!

my Zugspitze photos are here:
http://www.worldisround.com/articles/338951/index.html

Waiting for more of your report! I love Bavaria, now I want to return.

Kathy, I enjoyed your pictures and can't wait to hear more of your adventures. You write well! I can identify with your feelings about heights. I have too many times been conned by travel partners into getting into/onto places where all I could think was, "I must have been out my mind to get into this one!"

Bavaria is a wonderful place and I enjoyed reliving my trips there through yourreat report and can't wait for more!

While I was at your photo sight, I took a look at your Irish pictures. I enjoyed them as well.

Thank you for the trip report. Where can I purchase the 14-day Bavaria Ticket? Thank you!

Excellent, Kathy! And thank you for the wonderful links.

I assume the 14-day Bavaria ticket can be purchased at any of the palaces, etc?

If I'm recalling our Berlin trip correctly, they had the same type of pass available, and we just purchasd it at the first one we visited.

Love the photos!

Yes, you can purchase at any of the places included. We got ours at Wurzburg since it was our first stop. Even the sites with timed tours/entrances like Neuschwanstein and Linderhof can be your first site.

fsufan1,
We did not go to the Black Forest - so much to see we couldn't fit everything in!

Thanks for all the comments - I'll try to write some more as soon as I can find time!