I thought I had our itinerary all set but now I’m wondering about the day in Salzburg and if it is worth it. I can’t get tickets to the Mozart dinner concert, which would have saved us a lot of time. We would have been able to tour the city right up until the concert and not worried about having to eat before. I’m actually having trouble getting tickets to any concert. In your opinion, would you still take the long drive to Salzburg, or would you add another night in the Fussen area and take a day trip to Innsbruck? My husband could go either way and Mozart was a big draw for me in Salzburg. It could be a more relaxing vacation without it, but I’m not sure we’ll ever get to this area again. We don’t mind driving but we would not be able to make any stops for sightseeing on the way to Salzburg since we would have to get there as early as possible.

Another option would be to add a night in Ismaning. Then we could split that extra day between seeing a little more of Munich (bike tour?!!) and the Fussen area.

Here's what I thought we were set on

Saturday, 9/23 – Arrive in Frankfurt at 10:35, drive to St. Goar. Stay 2 nights at Hotel Am Markt. Tour Rhenfels on Saturday. On Sunday rent bikes, cruise Rhine and bike back. ? Wine related activities ? Any advice is welcome

Monday, 9/25 – early departure. Drive Romantic Road to Ismaning. Stop in Rothenburg or Dinkelsbuhl. Evening - check into Hotel Frey for 2 nights (15 min train ride to Munich). We plan to spend Monday night and all day Tuesday in Munich. We will also have most of Wednesday before driving to Schwangau.

Wednesday, 9/27 – arrive in Schwangau in the evening. Stay in Hotel Ruebezahl for 3 nights. Wednesday night – probably just eat and sleep. Tour the castles one day. Plan some other sights for Friday. ?

Saturday, 9/30 – leave early and drive to Salzburg. Spend day touring Salzburg.

Sunday, 10/1 – leave Salzburg at the crack of dawn for 10:30am flight out of Munich.

Hi D,

>Saturday, 9/30 – leave early and drive to Salzburg. Spend day touring Salzburg.

Sunday, 10/1 – leave Salzburg at the crack of dawn for 10:30am flight out of Munich.<

Is there something that has an irresistible allure for you in Salzburg that you would put yourself to this trouble?

It was part seeing a little of Austria – which I can do in Innsbruck. It was part that I imagine Salzburg to just be beautiful. And mostly Mozart. The birthday and seeing a concert. But I really wanted to do the dinner and now I question dragging us all that way to maybe not even see a concert. Now that I see how long a drive it is it is seeming like a lot of trouble. So what would you do with that day?

Instead of cramming in Salzburg, why don't you stay overnight in Rothenburg. Perhaps - on the way from the Rhein - stop over in Wuerzburg and at least spend some time in the Residenz (and or the castle overlooking the city). Late that afternoon drive to Rothenburg. That gives you more time to visit R. before you drive to Ismaning on th next day.

From Schwangau, you should also take the short (about 3 hrs. R/T) to visit the Wieskirche, near Steingaden.

I wouldn't drive all the way to Innsbruck. Rather, I would spend the time to go to the top of the Zugspitze if the mountains are clear. There is a cable car to the top of the Austrian side of the Z.from Leermoos, about 35km out of Schwangau; or you can do the round trip via cog railway/cable car from Garmisch and return to Schwangau ( about 1 1/2 hrs from Garmisch). If the weather doesn't cooperate, take a day trip to Schloss Linderhof, Ludwig's dream palace. There is a back way, tarting shortly out of Schaangau, and you can return via Kloster Ettal (nice) and garmisch. II like Linderhof it more than Neuschwanstein. It's less "Teutonic".

Then, leave for the Munich airport not at the crack of dawn, but late in the afternoon and drive to close to the airport (I like the Hotel Kastanienhof in Erding), take the S-Bahn into the city for dinner, and in the next morning take the 20 minute drive to the airport.

I was hoping to hear from you! We've decided against Salzburg. Unfortunately it looks like we'll just have to come back afterall!!!

I've asked about staying an extra night in the hotel near Munich (Hotel Frey) and then getting to Schwangau a day later. If that works out it would be my preference. Your idea for staying near the airport is a good one, too. It would still give us another night in Munich.

I do think the countryside will be too beautiful to tear ourselves away from. I would love to go to the top of the Zugspitze and I'm trying to talk myself into a luge ride. (my husband said he'll hold my things and meet me at the bottom) I think we'd rather picnic, hike and see some of the other things you've recommended. We live in a big city so I think Munich will be enough of that. And now I think we have time for Mike's Bike Tour.

And we can't stay on the Romantic Road - remember the Hops Girls? : )