Feedback Appreciated - Planned itinerary - Tour of Germany April 4-14 2019

It sounds like you may not have time, but I was going to point out that there is another castle, Hohenschwangau right by Neuschwanstein. I actually liked that one a bit more because it was lived in and was furnished. They provide more info about the family which is a good context for Neuschwanstein. I also think its best to do Hohenschwangau first. I'm sorry to not directly answer your question. I took a train from Munich. Hope you have a great trip!

"Feedback Appreciated"

You are traveling too many miles - and your plan completely bypasses dozens if not hundreds of interesting places and things to see/do. You aren't visiting even one Rheinland castle? You have very little time in Trier, in Munich, and in Berlin. I would set priorities and probably cut half the ground travel and half the destinations - and reduce the number of one-night stays, which just add to the time you will spend on logistics.

Pretty good plan.

1) I am glad to see someone visiting Vianden, Lux, it is a hidden gem. Also, Trier is very nice.
2) Your time in Bavaria is well planned, but you could spend more time there, like, visiting Salzburg and Berchtesgaden, as well as some site in Munch.
3) Berlin is great, but again, you aren't spending enough time there. Don't miss some of the museums in Berlin, like the Pergamum Museum.

You probably should have gone with two places instead of three, but I suppose you have purchased your air tickets.

Thanks for the input so far! No Rhineland castles since we are already covering 2 castles during our trip. The Viaden castle is a focal target of our trip as it is part of my husbands family heritage, as is the winery. Hoping the drive along B9 from Frankfurt to Sesselbahan Boppard will provide some scenic views of the Rhine. Also, no museums planned. We like to take in walking tours, wondering the streets and see historic landmarks, the beautiful architecture and landscape of the country we are visiting. We can't see everything but this itinerary is intended to help us manage to touch on key high points of interest. It will be a lot of miles traveled but albeit a fast pace, it is at our pace! :o)

For Berlin, suggest a tour with Insider Tours. This will show you the highlights of Berlin in the most efficient way, but it is also a very interesting tour. I went on my 1st tour with them about 12 years ago and I still have a decent orientation to the city when I go back.
https://www.insidertour.com/

When you return to Frankfurt, is there a reason why you are staying at an airport hotel? Staying in the city is cheaper and offers more things to see and do.

This is what is happening in Rhine Main region while you are here.
* 5-7 Apr. Easter Market, Wiesbaden Pedestrian Zone, Sunday Shopping
* 6-7 Apr. Medieval Easter Market, Ronneburg Castle
* 12 Apr.-5 May Spring Dippemess
* 13-14 Apr. Easter Market, Hessenpark
* 13-14 Apr. Medieval Easter Market, Ronneburg Castle
* 13-14 Apr. Hexen Market, Idstein
* 13-28 Apr. Spring on the Rhine, Mainz Riverbank

Planning to stay at the airport on our final night due to the long drive from Berlin. We want to take our time and enjoy the drive with several stops along the way. We don’t plan to get to the airport hotel until around 7pm and will be dropping off the rental car. Convenient location for the flight the next day. Thanks for the information! Will definitely do the tour you suggest in Berlin!

I hope you will report back on this post how it went

Yes, absolutely I will share how our trip went!

Since you are staying in Frankfurt the first night, why rent a car on the day of your arrival? You will be tired, sleepy, jet lagged, and on unfamiliar roads to boot. Frankfurt is not the easiest place to drive, and is very easy to navigate without a car. Suggest you pick it up the next morning as you leave town.

"No Rhineland castles since we are already covering 2 castles during our trip."

The tour guides at Neuschwanstein would disagree. For them, and for Germans generally, N'stein is very clearly a palace. The fanciful faux exterior tricks many foreigners into thinking otherwise, but it was in fact built at about the same time Chicago got its first skyscrapers and represents an entirely different part of European history altogether. "Castle" in German ("Burg") is a word reserved for structures from the Middle Ages that served defensive purposes, a place that might have seen invading hordes and tossed arrows or spears at them. Any guide who called N'stein a "Burg" would be looking for a new job.

Oh boy. Castle or palace.

Please let us know how your trip goes.

We’ve been to Germany over a dozen times, stayed in Munich 2 nights total. No interest, so you don’t need more time there or any city. You do need less places to visit on your list. My opinion and travel style.