Western Europe itinerary

Overall, you're trying to cover far too much ground, but I'll only make one specific comment. Going from Rothenburg to Interlaken then back to Oberammergau makes no sense. You're going to spend the better portion of two travel days going back and forth from one alpine area to another. See recent posts about weather in the Alps under the "To the West" section on why it is much more preferable to hedge your bets in one Alpine location rather than dividing your time amongst two . Example: A few weeks ago, it was cloudy and raining in the Swiss Alps but sunny in the Bavarian and Tyrolian Alps. The inclement weather then moved east for a few days. So, if you had followed your plan on those days, you would have spent most of your time in hotels imagining what the Alps look like behind the clouds.

It's always nice to spend at least two nights at a location. This will allow you time to relax and depending on what time you finally get to Rothenburg, two nights may be fine. Are you planning on staying in Interlaken? This is a very touristy city. Stop there and then continue your journey up into the Berner Oberland. I like Muerren and Gimmelwald, however, there are many other towns in the Swiss Alps. Check our Rick Steves' Swiss tour book for other options.

Two nights in both rothenburg and Oberammergau gives you time to stroll through both places and get a little off the main tourist roads. Both will be enjoyable. I, like many others, find Interlaked is a good transit point (conveneint for getting to Jungfraujoch or the Lauterbrunnen Valley) but not much to commend it as a dectination spot. You may get more out of Garmich and Mittenwald.

Thanks for the responses. By Interlaken I really mean somewhere in the Lautenbrunner valley. Not sure where yet. The decision to go Rothenburg-Interlaken-Oberammergau came about when I realized that going directly from Interlaken to Rome via the train was going to take me back into the Tirol before heading south anyway. I suppose an alternative would be to fly into Zurich, train to Interlaken, then head for Munich/Oberammergau before heading to Rome. That would cut down some on the train time. Another possibility might be to fly into Frankfurt, assess the weather and then make plans to see the Alps, or castles and towns, based on what the weather was doing. I'm a little apprehensive about finding last minute accomodations on the road with limited internet and communications ability.

Like I mentioned, I would just pick one alpine location and stick with it. My preference would probably be the Bavarian Alps around Oberammergau, because you're coming from Rothenburg anyway, and there's more possibilities for rainy day activities in region. Plus... you're schedule is tight enough, going all the way to the Berner Oberland really seems unnecessary to me.

I'm not sure what else there is to do in Oberammergau other than look for wood products (which I love) but you can also get to Garmisch, go up the Zugspritz, go to the castles...see Rick Steves. If you can get from Rothenburg to Dinkelsbuhl do so!

Both garmisch and Oberamergau have murals on the house walls, which I enjoy wandering around and seeing. Another vote for a side trip to Dinkelsbuhl if you can squeeeze in a coupls of hours. Not very far from rothenberg

I have no idea what there is to do in Oberammergau, but as far as # of days and nights, I'd say that your trip is pretty well planned. You've satisfied the one cardinal rule of no single night stays. One full day and two nights should be plenty in Rothenburg. As there is never enough time in Rome, just don't try to do too much.

'one cardinal rule of no single night stays' Where in the heck did this rule come from?

We have rules now? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Guess I'd better hang up my hat. I stay places several nights but while traveling towards and back often have single nights. Oh well. Can somebody tell me when I can travel again please. Don't want to break the Rules.

Oberammergau is a delightful little town. We were only there for a few hours (took a drive from Munich for a day trip) and loved it. Would love to have spent more time. Also had time to go to the Zugspitze which I highly recommend. I think you'll be fine on time there.

Rules are made to be broken! :-) I try to avoid one-nighters, but just like Nigel, sometimes it makes sense to stop for one night while enroute to another location.