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20 days (summer) Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Italy

Posted by (Bend, Oregon) on

My husband and I travelled in Europe a lot before having kids (boys, 11 and 14). We are planning our first trip with them mid June - early July. We've booked airfare into Frankfurt and out of Munich and will be renting a car. We want to show our kids some of our favorite places (Rhine, Rothenburg, Salzburg, Hallstatt, Venice) and add a few new places (Slovenia, Dolomites, Munich). We'll mostly be renting apartments. Here is our preliminary plan:

Arrive FRA, drive to Boppard for 3 nights: Rhine cruise, Burg Eltz
Rothenburg 2 nights
Salzburg 4 nights: Berchesgaden, Konigsee, Eagles Nest (14 yo is WWII buff)
Hallstatt 1 night: salt mine tour
Lake Bled 3 nights: Vitngar gorge, Predjama castle & Postojna cave
Venice 3 nights
Dolomites 1 night
Munich 3 nights: Dachau, Nymphenburg palace

We used to travel like we're on the Amazing Race. This trip we want to slow down a little. Planning no more than 4 hrs on the road during travel days, but open to exploring other great places in the region.

Any suggestions for other things to see in this area? Is this too much/not enough time in any place? Any great family friendly apartment recommendations?

Posted by
556 posts

I'd shrink Venice and Bled to 2-nights and use those extra 2-nights to spend in Slovenia's capitol Ljubliana. Bled is less than a hour's drive to Ljubljana. Predjama castle and Postojna cave are an hour drive from Ljubljana.

Posted by
1901 posts

I think the drive over Vršič Pass in the Julian Alps is one of the highlights of Slovenia. You could do this as a day trip from Bled (a loop drive that Rick describes in his book on Croatia and Slovenia), or you could take this scenic route from Bled to Venice (violating your 4-hour limit for travel days).

Posted by
5183 posts

After a long flight, some jet lag, lack of sleep, and not being familiar with the road system in and around Frankfurt, driving right off the bat is, in my opinion, a bad idea. Some folks are never bothered by those things, some are driving somewhat impaired and don't realize it, and some are just plain zombies. Perhaps you can take a train to the first destination and rent a car after that. Just something to think about.

Posted by
556 posts

I think the drive over Vršič Pass in the Julian Alps is one of the highlights of Slovenia.

Driving the big loop, don't missing stopping off in the town of Kobarid. There's an award winning WWI museum there that speaks to the battles that surrounded the area, and served as the setting for Hemingway's Farewell to Arms. Also, highly respected and arguably Slovenia's finest restaurant/tavern, Hisa Franko, headed up by the world's best female chef Ana Ros; who was featured in the Netflix documentary Chef's Table. Next door is sister gastropub Hisa Polonka, great place for local beer and easy eats if you're unable to dine at the restaurant.

Posted by
15777 posts

My personal opinions! Hallstatt isn't worth the effort. I'm sure there are other scenic towns that aren't horribly crowded. Take a salt mine tour in Salzburg. Dolomites for 1 night won't give you time to hike and the views aren't worth the trip unless you plan to hike the Alpi di Siusi,

Posted by
2538 posts

Thank you all for the replies. We've decided to stay an extra night in Slovenia (in Ljubliana instead of Bled) and eliminate the night in the Dolomites. There seems to be so much to do in Slovenia that we're having a hard time fitting it all in.

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