Mid August trip has my 21 yr. old daughter and I flying into Munich (3 nights) and out of Berlin (4 nights). I understand there is more than enough in either city for my remaining three days of touring, but my daughter in particular wants to experience a little 'outdoor activity' time, if only for a day. We have narrowed down two itineraries out of several choices, but both have the potential of being very exhausting (the mountain one) from a travel standpoint. Thoughts?
Option A Day 1 Rent car in Munich (the giant bus groups are not appealing) early as possible, drive to and tour Linderhoff. If time left hiking/biking or the like. Overnight in area. Day 2 Visit Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau . Overnight in area again. Day three ?Free time? Return to Munich and take late-ish train to Berlin for 4 full days there and surrounds.
Means missing Dachau, unless we return in the am to Munich and stay overnight there before going on to Berlin . Cuts into Berlin time. Pro is beautiful mountains and palaces. Neuschwanstein sounds appealing to most, if you can handle the crowds, and inefficient use of time. Hohenschwangau sounds better.
Option B Rent car in Munich. Visit Dachau. Remainder of day head towards Rothenburg de Tauber to arrive in early evening. Stop at towns along the way and maybe make the touring of less crowded towns the focus. Overnight stay in or near Rothenburg. Day 2 bike ride or hike in vicinity of Rothenburg (assumes we can get lodging, which might not be easy). Drive to Nuremberg and leave car, overnight stay in Nuremberg. Day 3 See Nazi informative sites. Take 8 pm train to Berlin.
Pro: A little more wandering. Get to spend a little time in Nuremberg (not enough am sure). See Dachau. Traveling in better direction of ultimate destination. Cons: Miss mountains and Neuschwanstein. More 'city' or town feel. Two one (1) night stays which are generally to be avoided.
Other options we have looked at are Salzburg; only one day in Rothenburg or the like and more in Nuremberg or skip Nuremberg and go to Dresden. The train travel time is not insignificant if Dresden is substituted. Again, the idea is to add some 'activity' related sight.