Where to go in Germany
 

So, we were planning to spend 4 days in Rothenburg over Christmas for our honeymoon. Now we're thinking it's too touristy, though probably worth a visit. Any suggestions on where we should go? This would be from Christmas Eve - Dec 28. We fly out of Munich so want to be in easy driving distance from there. Some place charming, romantic, and not too touristy but touristy enough to have nice hotels.

One day in Rothenburg is enough time to see the sights and shop. Fussen is also worth a day. I would spend the other 2 days in Munich.

We're spending the first 3 days of our trip in Fussen, and just plan to relax after our wedding. Then we have 4 more days to plan for. We will go to Munich I'm sure but don't want to stay in a city.

My favorite spot outside Munich for a relaxing time in a nice village is the town of Rottach-Egern, on the Tegernsee about 30 miles south, more or less. There are some other villages along the lake, which makes a pretty backdrop along with the mountains in the distance. The village is large enough to have good shopping and good restaurants. You could also choose to stay in any of the villages along the Starnbergersee. It might be obvious from these recommendations that I like a peaceful lakefront environment. Good luck.

You could spend several days on Bodensee (Lake Constance) using either Meersburg or Lindau as a base. You can do a search here for hotels. The Zum Baren in Meersburg is highly recommended on Fodors. Bodensee is less than 3 hrs from Munich.

http://www.karenbrown.com/germany/de...sso?RecID=1510

Alternatively, you could stay at Hornberg Castle on the Neckar River and explore the many small towns in that lovely region. This is around a 3 hr drive from Munich.

http://www.tompgalvin.com/places/de/...ckar_river.htm

I'm not sure how big it has to be to be a city but Salzberg is wonderful and Hallstatt, Austria would be a perfect fit for what you describe. Also worth a look is Berchtesgaden, Garmish (and Mittenwald)and Oberammergau in the alps. You might also consider Dinkelsbuhl between Munich and Rothenburg.

You need not worry about the standard of hotels in Germany. What for you may not be a tourist area almost certainly is for the Germans themselves. And all hotels receive a strict classification from the German Hotel Association (DEHOGA) on a five-star scale which they must display at the front door and in all advertising material. So no matter where you are there will be accommodation of a suitable standard.

Having said that, you have benn well served with the suggestions given here, all of which can give you a romantic experience.

My own recommendation is this. Since you are already in a lake region in Fussen, you might consider the nice little winter resort town of Bad Tolz as a contrast to your first three days.
Bad Tolz is 30 miles due south of Munich. You can read about by visiting
<bad-toelz/bad-toelz.de/Englisch/default.eng> and clicking on the British flag for the English version. The hotels Alexandra, Alpenhof and especially Altes Zollhaus look very nice too and you will be surprised at their prices - well under $100 a night, in one case with breakfast. Booking needs to be done early though as this is a favourite destination for the Germans themselves.

Harzer