I am attending a work function in Munich May 6-8, 2025. I’ve never been to Europe. I’d like to take advantage of being there and add on some time for vacation. In Germany, as a car lover, going to Audi museum in Ingolstadt and also Autostadt look interesting. Wondering if it makes sense to look at another country to visit or is there enough to keep me busy and interested just in Germany?. I’ve always wanted to go to Croatia but maybe somewhere else better. I figure I could do up to 7 days on either side. Travelling from Atlantic Canada. Any recommendations?
Posted by
Germany
669 posts
There is absolutely enough to fill a lifetime in Germany alone, but if you've always wanted to go to Croatia, don't rule it out.
If you decide to stay in Germany, there are a ton of things you can do in and near Munich, and they completely depend on your interests. We'd need to know more.
Posted by
San Diego, California
6066 posts
There's the Mercedes Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart.
And, magical Salzburg is a two hr train ride from Munich. You'll have so much to keep yourself entertained! Get an RS Guidebook and watch a few RS videos, U-Tube videos, and join some area-specific Facebook groups for ideas of interest.
Have a great trip!
Posted by
Schwerin
3527 posts
Agree to #1.
Explore interesting options in Bavaria with this map, e. g. castles, hikes, lakes, breweries, ...:
https://bavaria.travel/map/
Be aware that for rental car firms Croatia is a zone 2 country, means that it is better to travel to by train or plance and rent a car there.
as a car lover
Visit BMW Welt and Museum in Munich before heading to Audi.
If Audi is must-have discover other interesting places in Ingolstadt.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34621 posts
Welcome to the Forums.
Mundane, but as a newbie here (you may have travelled the rest of the world) just a reminder to have your passport up to date, and if there is a possibility you driving check if your driving licence is sufficient - you can organise an IDP, although I don't know who issues them in Nova Scotia (a province I always wanted to visit when I lived in Montreal but never did).
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
8693 posts
I agree that there is plenty to see and do in Germany for 7 days, but of course, a lot depends on your interests. Cars are big thing in Germany, but what about history? WWII? Hiking? It would help to know what else you like.
Regardless, I agree with Pat that you should definitely consider heading to Salzburg in Austria for few days if you can. It is beautiful there and very easy to reach by train from Munich.
Another potential place is Nuremberg. You could base yourself there for a few days and take day trips to lovely towns like Bamberg, Wurzburg and Regensburg.
Croatia is also doable, but I would not suggest train or bus travel, as it would take you almost a full day to get there from Munich. There are flights, however, that head there from Munich that would be much faster.
Posted by
70 posts
Do you like classic cars, too?
Cologne
https://motorworld.de/koeln-rheinland/
Bremen
https://schuppeneins.de/oldtimer-zentrum/
Düsseldorf and/or Berlin
https://remise.de/duesseldorf
Posted by
198 posts
I absolutely LOVED the Bierstadt of Bamberg!
SO scenic, an SO many breweries-home if Rauchbier/smoked beer.
Posted by
San Francisco
15250 posts
There are a ton of things to do to keep you "busy and interested in Germany." It's all a matter of setting priorities, devoting the needed time, energy and money to see your sites and places of interest.
You're a car lover, an enthusiast of that topic, aside from the above suggested museums, I would suggest also going to Ludwigsburg , take day trip from there to Hockenheim. You might find that thrilling.
Posted by
San Diego, California
6066 posts
Oh, in Salzburg, there is the RedBull Museum, which is free. It's a quick bus ride from the Old Town.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
461 posts
I suspect you could easily spend two weeks in Germany and have a great time. Less is more; seeing less, means you can experience it more deeply. I'd be concerned that trying to spend meaningful time in Croatia (we spent 11 days there in 2018; Zagreb, Plitvice, Dalmatian coast including 6 day bike tour with local guides) plus seeing more of Germany than just Munich is taking on too much.
We have not yet had meaningful time in Germany. We picked up a BMW in Munich in 1999, spent a couple days there (with a side trip to Dachau) and then drove down the Romantic Road and into Switzerland, France (just Provence) and Spain. Part of picking up the car in Munich meant that we saw the BMW Museum in Munich. https://www.bmw-welt.com/en/index.html (Back then, there was just the Museum, not the Welt (world)).
We are now planning a trip to France and Germany that will involve close to two weeks just in SW Germany: Black Forest + Baden Wurttenberg and the Mosel River, plus a little of the Rhine. Period. No Bavarian Alps, No Berlin. You might want to spend some time at https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/germany and see what rings your bell.