We are planning a 2-week trip at the end of May 2025 and would love some advice. We are planning to start in Germany, specifically in Munich. The general idea is to spend some time in that region of Germany, work our way through Switzerland and then end our trip in the south of France. We would be planning to do spend 1-3 days at each stop along the way and would love a combination of sight-seeing and activities with some days of relaxation thrown in. Any suggestions for areas or towns/cities to visit, along with thoughts about day trips, restaurants/food recommendations and just general advice for ease of traveling would be greatly appreciated. We are open to any and all suggestions!
Posted by
Charleston & Birmingham
4601 posts
I'm not a fan of Neuschweinstein Castle but loved our 2 night stay in Fussen. There's an interesting little museum,it's a nice place to walk around-a good place to relax. I also enjoyed Rothenburg ob de Tauber. I don't now what activities you plan in Munich because I've only seen the train station there. Salzburg is an easy train trip from Munich, and in my opinion, is more interesting than Munich.
Posted by
Irving
3226 posts
Where are you flying home from?
Posted by
Columbus, USA
346 posts
I know this is a bit Germany heavy handed, but that is where we have spent a majority of our time.
Here is my list
Munich (Schmalznudel - Cafe Frischhut for a yummy donut)/Viktualienmarkt/Marienplatz/St Peters/ Frauenkirche/Dallmayr Delikatessenhaus
Berchtesgaden (Take the boat trip on the Koenigsee and do the 20 min hike to the Obersee)
Garmisch-Partenkirchen/Ettal (stop at the monestary)/Oberammergau/Wieskirche
Lake Constance (Bodensee)/Isle Minau (a botanical island)/The Rheinfalls
That gets you to Switzerland :)
Posted by
OP
2 posts
We had a suggestion to fly out of Nice but are flexible based on ease and price of tickets.
Posted by
Oberpfalz, Germany
1387 posts
End of May... You might consider a trip to northern Bavaria in Franken. Main River Region Wine and Spargel (white asparagus) and Strawberry season. For example Iphofen is one famous town in the region. Old walled cities with some tmberframe houses, vineyards, fruits and vegetables. Good food and Franken Wine. Pleasent late Spring days.
Posted by
Irving
3226 posts
If you fly into Munich (or out of Munich) spend three nights there. Good day trips are the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial and Salzburg by direct train: https://int.bahn.de/en/.
Munich is a great jumping off point to visit the Bavarian Alps. If you decide to go, buy Rick Steves Germany guidebook: https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/germany-guidebook. It doesn’t hurt to add a night when visiting mountains due to visibility. If you fly into Munich and visit the Bavarian Alps, work your way to where you’re sleeping on arrival day. You could easily spend a week in Germany (DE).
The best place to visit in Switzerland (CH) is the Lauterbrunnen Valley: https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/switzerland-guidebook. You could easily spend five nights there because there is so much to do. Personally, I think you should slow down and visit DE and CH only. Make sure you check flights in both directions to see if it’s cheaper to fly into Zurich and out of Munich, etc.
If you still want to add a third spot to your itinerary, don't visit the riviera, go to Annecy or Chamonix instead. You can then fly home from (or into) Geneva. This will be a lot easier than going to the south of France.
Posted by
Southeast US
4043 posts
(Take the boat trip on the Koenigsee and do the 20 min hike to the
Obersee)
If you like to hike, don't stop! Keep going to Röthbach Wasserfall via a lovely alpine meadow surrounded by mountains.
Posted by
Alsenborn, Germany
1474 posts
I guided some family on their first trip over this past June on the same basic itinerary.
Munich, Garmisch, Lake Konstanz, Strasbourg, Trier, and then up the Mosel to fly out of FRA. They really had a good time, and I expect them back in 2 years for a different tour.
The issue I see with your trip is, where do you fly out of? Southern France offers few options.