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Best of Alsace and Bavaria in 14 days - looking for suggestions.

I'm trying to plan a 14-day trip that begins in Paris (though no nights in Paris) and tours the Alsace region (want to see Verdun on the way there) and then crosses into Germany for to tour Bavaria (flying out of Bavaria). Looking at Rick's tours of Eastern France and Bavaria I've put together the following itinerary though looking for suggestions form travellers with experience in those regions:

Day 1: Flight to Paris
Days 2-3: Sleep in Rheims
Days 3-4: Sleep in Colmar
Days 5-6: Sleep in Baden-Baden
Days 7-8: Sleep in Fussen
Days 9-10: Sleep in Munich
Days 11-12: Sleep in Salzburg
Days 13: Sleep in Munich
Day 14: Flight home from Munich

When travelling we are mostly interested in beautiful scenery and history.

Posted by
701 posts

I can comment on the Colmar/Baden-Baden section, as we did both regions last year. What time of year is this trip? Are you on train or by car? Both selections are fairly major tourist stops, especially in peak months. Expect crowds, depending on your timing. What is it you want to see in both? Two nights in each seems rushed unless you just want to see each of those towns specifically. If you want broader experiences -- say, the Moselle Valley and the Black Forest -- I might rethink both the number of nights. And if you want quieter or off-the-beaten-path, I'd rethink Colmar and Baden-Baden in favor of smaller towns, especially if you are traveling by car, where you'd have a wider pick of places.

Posted by
6386 posts

We too are headed to the Alsace/Black Forest area this year, but for a longer period of time, flying into and out of Frankfurt, and renting a car. As a gauge for your trip only, this is how we have our nights distributed so far. One night near Frankfurt airport, then 3N Baden-Baden, 1N Gengenbach, 2N Staufen, 2N Equisheim, 4N Colmar, and 2N Metz. From those locations we’ll be taking day trips or stopping at places en route, e.g., Maginot Line forts, Strasbourg, Verdun, some walks, and visiting some smaller towns & villages. The rest of our trip isn’t finalized yet, but from Metz we’ll be heading north to the Rhine area.

There are a lot of old Forts in the Verdun area and it seems most are in the woods, off trails rather than actual roads. To me, Verdun will occupy a full day and I don’t see how you’d fit that into your itinerary without taking time from your stops. With travel time you really only have one day in each place, except Munich.

Posted by
2376 posts

Looks o.k. to me. I’d probably look to stay somewhere other than Baden-Baden in the Black Forest unless you want a spa experience. I have stayed in Gengenbach for several days and really like it.

i’ve also stayed in Neustadt which is by Titiisee and that area is fine altho with more tourists

Posted by
2 posts

Going during August or September. Now considering a circuit beginning and ending in Frankfurt instead to lessen the driving, hitting Colmar along the way.

@jaimeelsabio That sounds like a great trip!

Posted by
2376 posts

Renting a car ? Then the circuit makes the most sense to avoid the usually extreme charge from renting in one country and dropping off in another

Posted by
93 posts

Id skip Colmar and go to smaller towns like Obernai, Barr, Riquewihr... I found Colmar nice but touristy. Also you dont have to drive south...Metz is a nice city and could stop by en route from Rheims to Strasbourg/Alsace area and perhaps stay around Obernai or Barr. I stayed at the 5 Terres MGallery in Barr which was lovely. Also, the Vosges mountains are surprisingly nice and great for hiking. THe town of Gerardmer is lovely spot.

Posted by
6386 posts

@laffitejames - thanks for suggesting Barr and Gerardmer. I’ve added those as possible stops. The others you mentioned were already on our “to visit” list.