The opportunity to travel to Europe in March has presented itself to us and we are taking it! Our concern is time of year. Everything we have researched is about summer months. We are thinking about Verona, Bolzano and Lake Como in Italy. Rothenberg, Oberammergau in Germany and Hallstadt Austria as the highlights. We are outdoors people more than the big city types. Any suggestions or cautions about these areas in mid March due to weather? Thanks!
In March, I personally wouldn't pick north of the Alps, or especially in the Alps - unless the goal is skiing. Hiking trails will be closed as will most of summer tourist activities. March is a great time to beat the high season crowds but you are better off sticking to the warmer climes, Southern Spain and Italy, or Turkey would be my first choices. Everywhere you listed is either in the hills or north of the Alps. May and September are ideal for those locations (and maybe a couple of weeks into April or October).
I would be inclined to go further south in Italy: Rome, Sorrento, Amalfi. Lots of outdoor activity on the Sorrentine Peninsula and Amalfi Coast. If you hike, check out the Path of the Gods (Il Sentiero degli Dei), and the numerous other hiking opportunities in the area. Assisi ans environs in Umbria comes to mind as well. Umbria is quite lovely with many small towns and great wine country to explore. We particularly like Spello. We were there in December. For weather averages look at http://www.wunderground.com/tripplanner/index.asp and insert your location and dates. You'll get a history over many years.
Thanks for your comments. We will check out the suggestions.
another vote for "southern" Italy