Help with trip to Germany, Switzerland and Austria
#22
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Thank you so much everyone! I have researched quite a bit, including Rick Steves' information. Here is generally what I'm thinking. Our main interests are just seeing the beauty of each country. I realize I can't do them all justice in two weeks, so I've tried to pick the things I think we would most enjoy. I was thinking of flying into Frankfurt, driving through some portion of Black Forest area, then on to Fussen for two nights to see Neuschwanstein Castle. Then a night in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Then on to Salzburg and stay four nights there. Take two day trips from there, perhaps to Hallstatt and Grossglockner/High Alpine Road. I would like to see Vienna, but we only have two weeks, so I don't think that will be doable. Then on to Lucerne for four nights. Thinking of day trips to Lauterbrunnen, either Mount Titlis or Jungfraujoch, and possibly to Zermatt. I realize that it would be a LONG day trip to Zermatt and back, but I figured we can sleep on the train on the way back! Then Fly out of Zurich. Any suggestions?
Have a look at a map - what do you think of this option:
1) Frankfurt - first night locally because of jetlag, maybe even train to Würzburg and stay there.
2) Würzburg - pick up car, drive to Rothenburg (stay night)
3) drive to Baden-Baden, stay night
4) drive to Freiburg im Breisgau via Triberg and/or Gengenbach. Stay night in Freiburg (this is the Black Forest part)
5) see Freiburg
6) drive to Füssen via Lake Constance (Bodensee). stop in Lindau on the way. Night in Füssen.
7) see Füssen morning, then on to Neuschwanstein. night in Füssen.
and then onto Salzburg via Bad Tölz (this is not an autobahn, slow roads mean slow travel times).
Here I leave off and let other people (or you) criticise and/or suggest routes for the other portions of the trip. I think if you go into Austria you are pretty well wiping out Switzerland, it's not just a short hop across but an enormously long distance. It might be shorter if you go to Innsbruck instead of Salzburg but I think it may well be unfeasible. You will also have to make decisions about the car. If you drive into Austria and drop off the car there it means big drop-off fees. You can test this out by just doing a mock booking but not going through with the whole thing on a website like Auto Europe (www.autoeurope.com). You could drop your car in Füssen and go by train to Salzburg instead.
OK Fodorites, what do you make of this journey? And nonniej, feel free to say you don't like this. I have included some towns which are logical stops on the way, but if you don't like them you can reject them. Also - Austria and Swizterland experts - your help is needed now!
Lavandula
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Thank you!
Hi Lavandula - Thanks for your input. I see now that going to Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber first definitely works better. We may actually just skip that stop. From what I am reading about Baden-Baden, I wasn't sure we wanted to make that a stop. It seems mostly about the spa, which is not of interest to us. While we are interested in the seeing the Black Forest area, we really have only four nights available for Germany, so we may have to leave something out. I will peruse the map a bit more and see what works for us. Yes, I had thought about taking a train to Salzburg. Thanks so much for taking time to help me think it through!
#25
i'm a bit confused, first it was by public transport now it is by car. If by car it will be slow, but at least you will be flexible
If using the train, then Wurzburg should be on the route and Lindau would fall into the same. I'd start by searching on the bahn.de website for the German train map and plan from that. You may also find seat61.com is worth reading up on.
If using the train, then Wurzburg should be on the route and Lindau would fall into the same. I'd start by searching on the bahn.de website for the German train map and plan from that. You may also find seat61.com is worth reading up on.
#26
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Thanks for your comments, bilboburger. We actually haven't made any determination either way concerning driving vs. public transportation. My original intent was to look for an agency that offers private transportation, which is still my preference. I will look at your suggestions. Thanks again.
#27
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Had you thought about an organised bus tour? There would have to be plenty of those 'best of Germany / Switzerland / Austria' type things, which you can find just by googling. Or maybe something like Untours (https://www.untours.com), who do a lot of the groundwork for you.
Lavandula
Lavandula
#28
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Hi Lavandula -
Yes, I have looked at some of them, and you are right - there are plenty of those. We're not interested in a large group, but I am exploring some of the small group tours. Untours.com looks intriguing; I'll check that out. Thank you!
Yes, I have looked at some of them, and you are right - there are plenty of those. We're not interested in a large group, but I am exploring some of the small group tours. Untours.com looks intriguing; I'll check that out. Thank you!
#29
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I have never been to Germany or for that matter Europe. My son is in the Military in the Bavaria area (Vilseck) he wants to see among other things the Black Forest, that is all he has expressed interest in. I would like to see some Castles and other interesting sites. (Natural wonders) Can take short hikes, maybe 1 hr long, not steep either. I would probably fly into Munich as that seems central. Should I have him drive me back to Vilseck and then head south to visit the Forest or just stay in Munich and let him come to me and then the sites will be much closer? What would I miss by not going to Vilseck (Any major sites between Munich and Vilseck?)
I would like to see some Alps, maybe drive some mountain roads. Looks like Zurich is maybe an hour from the Black forest? How about traveling East from there to see more Alps and maybe even into Austria? I know no one can predict the future of the Pandemic but are there any major obstacles to this?
Any suggestions are welcome and appreciated!
I would like to see some Alps, maybe drive some mountain roads. Looks like Zurich is maybe an hour from the Black forest? How about traveling East from there to see more Alps and maybe even into Austria? I know no one can predict the future of the Pandemic but are there any major obstacles to this?
Any suggestions are welcome and appreciated!
#30
Welcome t Fodors xajoles. You have tacked your questions on to a lengthly thread with different questions and issues. It would be much better if you started a new thread of your own 1) so your query doesn't get lost in the shuffle and 2) so we don't have two conversations going on the same thread.
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