First, you all have taught me so much, just from reading several threads about Germany. We leave for Germany/Salzburg/Netherlands/Ireland in a month. Thank you so much.
Second, we have a question about a group booking on the DB website, from Rothenburg odT to Amsterdam. (4 trains--2 regional and 2 ICE, is our understanding, a lot of luggage hauling.) The use of the words "Seat Reservations" seems to mean different things on different web pages--either making a booking for any seat on a train, or selecting a particular seat on a train. Whether we look at first or second class group tickets, we don't see the ability to select particular seats, so we can sit together. Anyone know if that can be added later, after we book the trip? My understanding is that seat selection only happens on the ICE trains. No problem seeing the "Select Seat" link when booking individual tickets; the problem seems to be only with a group booking. We don't want to give up the option of the better group booking price until/unless we know for sure we can't select specific seats. Because we have kids (9 & 11) with us, we'd like to travel together.
Third, any opinions about first vs second class? Does a second class ticket guarantee that one will have a seat, or might there be SRO?