german itinerary

"Can I get from the Black Forest down through Lake Constance on my way to Seefeld ."
That's quite the long trip. Like 8+ hours. Use the DB itinerary page and schedule a stopover in Radolfzell and Lindau (with no time there) to get the proper route.

I think your trip is OK. I don't like changing rooms all the time so I'd probably spend 4 nights in Würzburg and day trip to Bamberg and Rothenburg. Nuremberg, Iphofen, Marktbreit, Ochsenfurt, and Bad Windsheim (great open air museum) would be worthwhile and easy day trips too. You might enjoy some of these places more than touristy Rothenburg, by the way.

"3 days in Berchtesgaden as hoping to do more walking"

The great thing about Germany is that there are good walking paths nearly everywhere. You might stop in Garmisch and/or Mittenwald instead - much closer to Seefeld - for the alpine walking experience. The Rhine and the Black Forest are full of hiking opportunities as well.

",travelling by train flexipass for 7 days travel."
That's around $320, right? At $45 per day, probably not what I'd do. Many of your trips are pretty short and can be done for around €23 by day pass. The longer ones can be pre-purchased cheaply as well, if your travel dates aren't too close. Such tickets go on sale 91 days in advance, and prices rise as tickets sell. Check DB page above for pricing on your dates.

Thank you- My first time on here so exciting to get a response- Been researching like crazy-I'm like the lady who has been researching longer than the trip!! Had planned to stay by Lake Constance but If I wanted to hike in Austria I had to give something up- Mittenwald does make more sense than B-Gaden but all the posts say it's unmissable and was thinking of a day trip to Salzburg, liked the idea of the Konigsee. Had originally planned on Cochem and the Mosel but gave that up in favour of the BF, thinking that my friends might take me to Trier. My interests were mostly hikimg in the alps but I live next to the Rockies so am I crazy but then we don't have the cute little villages or the mountain huts- If I wanted to get to a mountain hut for a day would Mittenwald suit. Also looking for medieval history and trying to get as much as possible out of my 3 weeks- Think you are right about the train but too late now- Thanks again- Elizabeth

Agree with Russ about changing hotels so often. Wurzburg is a good place to base and do day trips to Rothenburg, Heidelburg, even Aschaffenburg. Depending on when your plane leaves Frankfurt, you might even consider going straight to the airport from W'burg. Lived in W'burg and A'burg so let me know if you need specifics.

Hi Atlanta Isn't 4 or 5 nights in Wurzburg too long? Most reports I've read mention 2 at the most- Other than the Marienburg fortress and the residenz what would be of most interest and would there be hiking or biking along the Main?I haven't been able to get the night I wanted in Bamburg anyway so was thinking of a day trip- As for Aschaffenburg I wanted to go there as I have a friend who's from there and it's on the way to the airport. There seems to be a castle and a lovely park there. Would definitely like more specifics!! Thanks

"Hi Atlanta Isn't 4 or 5 nights in Wurzburg too long? Most reports I've read mention 2 at the most- Other than the Marienburg fortress and the residenz what would be of most interest and would there be hiking or biking along the Main?"

It was your plan, egriffin, to spend 4 nights in the Rothenburg-Würzburg-Bamberg area. My suggestion was not to spend 4 days seeing Würzburg, but to stay in just one town (Würzburg) instead of 3 towns while you visit those 3 towns. There's a lot to do in Würzburg, actually, and if you're doing day trips, then a week in/near Würzburg would not be out of line.

"Must-sees" in W'burg
Museums and Galeries
Tours
Biking and leisure activities
Würzburg market square
Veitshöchheim Palace
MORE

Hey, if you're doing 4-5 nights, can I recommend throwing Coburg into the mix? It's a really nice town and has one of the best castles in Germany.

If one plans to spend 4 or 5 nights in W'burg and never leave the city, then yes, perhaps that is too long. But if it is used as a "base camp", one can spend a whole day going to Rothenburg, another to Heidelberg, another to Milltenberg, and so on. Many possibilities for day trips. In W'burg St. Killian's Dom is often overlooked. When you visit the Prince Bishop's Residence, be sure to see the Hofkirche on one end of the Residenze. Easy to miss if you are not looking for it. The Marienberg Fortress is ok but if time is tight skip it. The view of it from the town is more impressive that the view of the town from the fortress. In Aschaffenburg there is a lovely castle named Johannesburg (sp?). There is also Pompeiigean (sp?) which is a replica a villa in Pompeii. If you drive the old road (not the autobahn) from W'burg to A'burg, just south of Haibach which is just south of A'burg is the village of Messpelbrun. It has a fairy tale moated castle that has been in the same family for 5-600 years. You should be able to google all of these and see how much they interest you.

Thanks to both of you for these wonderful ideas- Looked up Coburg and it looks terrific- Is there a way to Messelbrun other than by car ? looks like there is plenty to do all over Germany- have concentrated on Bavaria because my friend is from there - had originally planned to focus on the alps but decided the heights and narrow paths might be too much. So sticking to Bgaden and easier walks around Seefeld. Am I spending too much time in B-gaden ? ( 3 days) Would either of you recommend a better base for hiking? If I'm going to Gengenbach do I need Rothenburg at all- Could switch the night in Rothenburg for one in Bamberg as I've read that you need a night to really see the place,then on to Coburg for the day and back to Wurzburg for the next few nights. One problem was getting the hotel I wanted in Bamberg but could get it if I skipped Rburg and still have 4 nights in W Burg?

Am I spending too much time in B-gaden ? ( 3 days)

How many nights? Is this three fulls days or just two nights with one full day? A good rule of thumb is that without the benefit of a short-term weather forecast, you should budget at least two full days in the Alps. That gives you a hedge against bad weather wiping out your time. The Alpine weather gods are a fickle lot, and they don't if you only have one day.

do I need Rothenburg at all? My opinion is that Rothenburg is, at best, a regional attraction. It's a very attractive old town, but hardly as unique as the tourist literature claims. You can find scenic old towns practically everywhere in Germany, some of which also maintain their defensive walls and towers. However, I've never seen Gegenbach, so I can't comment if the experience to Rothenburg would be comparable.

Miltenberg is also another little gem, but I don't think you have the time.

Hi again- Bgaden would be three nights, two full days moving to Rothenburg next day- going to Bgaden from Munich so thought would go through Salzburg for the day and catch bus to Bgaden which is supposedly a short ride. Would like to hike around Konigsee, maybe go up the eagle's nest but not the salt mine as I've already been to Wielichska which is much bigger and a WHS. The trip so far looks like this-4 nts with friends near Bonn hopefully doing the Rhine area with some hiking, 3 nts Black Forest,side trip to Strasbourg as I've never been to France,couldn't choose between Fussen,Mittenwald ended up with Seefeld, 3 nts Munich,3 nts Bgaden then working my way back north with the airport in mind, hence W burg etc. How does this sound for someone who has never been to Germany- Trying to get a mix of outdoors,history and beer!!

Getting to Mespellbrun without a car can be done. There is a local / regional bus service that leaves from A'burg and you can get off at Mespellbrun and pick up a return bus on the way back. The tourist office close to the music arena in A'burg should have info on the bus schedules, prices, and etc. I don't remember ever seeing railroad tracks in Mespellbrun.

Mespelbrunn looks wonderful- Guess I could always walk haha- it's only 16kms or so but will look for the bus!!

Even with the bus to Mespelbrunn, you will still have a short walk to the castle itself. But it is not very far at all.