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Boston to Munich (or Innsbruck) to Garmisch Partenkirchen to Paris

Planning an August 17 - 26, 2017 trip with my girlfriend and 15-year old son - we like exploring, adventure, historical sightseeing, people-watching, ethnic foods, cultural experiences, etc. Mid-range budget and not averse to trains or rental cars.

This is what I'm thinking...

Fly Boston to Munich (or Innsbruck?), then train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, three days there exploring Zugspitze, Neuschwanstein Castle, etc.

Then I want to make our way to Paris for 3 or 4 days there. Direct train? Rent a car and drive through Friedrichshafen to the Black Forest and drop car off in Stuttgart or Strasbourg?? Then train to Paris for three or four days? Then return home Paris to Boston.

Would be great to get advice on routes and places to stay along those routes - Small hotels and inns are fine as long as they are clean, honest and helpful.

THANKS!! Frank

Posted by
16893 posts

If the maximum time you have for Paris is 4 days (or maybe only 4 nights), then I would not trade away that time to the relatively low-key sights of the Black Forest. But if you pick up a car in Garmisch, you need not drop it back in the same town. Any of the major rental agencies have zero or minimal fees to drop within one country, and dropping at Stuttgart or Karlsruhe would help you get directly onto the TGV to Paris. Strasbourg, on the French side of the border, would have a drop fee. Early morning TGVs departing from Munich also stop in Augsburg and Ulm, but you'd have to sleep there to make the connection practical.

Posted by
28 posts

Thank you! So... wondering... skip the Black forest? Spend more time in Garmisch Part and Paris? Fly to Munich or Innsbruck, immediate train to Garmisch, stay 3 or 4 days. Train to Paris from there. Stop somewhere along the way (Strasbourg, Colmar?) and then to Paris?

Frank