Bavaria bests - and GO!

From Heidelberg, take a trip up the Neckar river valley. It offers scenery similar to the more well-known Mittelrhein valley- steep valley walls, attractive towns and many castles.

I can't find Munich the »Best of Bavaria«. Have a look at Bamberg. Beautiful and rightly popular city, and close to cities like Nuremberg and Würzburg for a possible day trip.

And not that far from Rothenburg odT.

Still, if it's your first time in Bavaria, you should see Munich. I've spent over 14 nights there in half a dozen trips. There is so much there to see. It's really the only large city in Germany I like.

I agree totally with Lubitsch, you really don't have much time for anything other than Heidelberg and Munich themselves. Plenty to see in each of them for the short time you'll actually be there, especially if you're traveling by public transport. If driving then you may want to venture out of the cities themselves, but I probably wouldn't even do that with such little time. I also agree that if, for some reason, you find 2.5 days in Munich too much, then Regensburg and/or Passau are good day trips by train - I actually visited both in one day (Munich-Regensburg-Passau-Munich). In Munich I spent almost a whole day between the Englischer Garten and the botanical garden, if you're into outdoor passtimes and like to walk. I also spent a day with a 2-hour walking tour, visits to a couple of churches, lunch at the viktualienmarkt, and the Deutsches Museum. I only spent one day in Heidelberg but I've spent 7 days total in Munich and only took 2 day trips.

Heidelberg isn't too far from France. Why have you chosen Munich, exactly? Perhaps you could see similar things and have similar experiences - or better ones - without making such a long trip.

If you are focusing on Bavaria, I would suggest going to Munich...worth your time.

We will be traveling by car into and out of Germany. Have a friend to visit in Heidelberg, so it remains in the itinerary. Have been told by several that Munich is a must see, especially for a first time trip, so the dates themselves are set in stone. Won't be relying on public transit except for forays within Munich. Loving the suggestions - keep them coming!

Lisa

"Have been told by several that Munich is a must see, especially for a first time trip..."

OK then. When it comes to choosing destinations, I'm probably just handicapped by my need to consider logistics and to gather all the details about several alternatives beforehand. And as DW will tell you, I rarely do as I'm told. Specific, must-see recommendations in a huge, diverse place like Southern Germany - or even Bavaria - have never made much sense to me.

For a first timer I'd recommend basing in Munich and doing a day trip to the foothills of the alps on s nice weather day. Any of the locations served by the Bayrische Oberlandbahn, or BOB, train would make a nice day trip.

DJ

Munich is nice but not my favorite and I read here that it is still a pain to drive into. Years ago I gave up driving into it, using distant commuter lots and the train system.

I like the recommendations of TonfromLeiden: Bamberg, Würzburg and Nürnberg. If you like small, scenic towns then Rothenburg, Ochsenfurt, Markbreit and Iphofen can be very appealing.

Rothenburg is not a bad base for a car. Lots of hotels and restaurants. Parking is close to the city wall. Road access is easy. It is close to Würzburg and Nürnberg, plus the other small towns that I mentioned. The place empties out in the evening for pleasant walks about town. It is also not that far from Heidelberg.