Greetings. I'm looking input on a 14 day itinerary. My current plan is to arrive in Frankfurt and depart from Munich. Leaning towards renting a car which will facilitate flexibility. We are open to public transportation but I expect to rent a car at least part of the time (to make getting to/from Großarl, AT easier).
Obviously, I have time to tweak the activities, but am trying to firm up the dates in each location so I can look for lodging. Any input is welcome and appreciated.
I could really use some recommendations for lodging within an hour of Stuttgart as well as lodging near Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Munich.
About the travelers: Family of four, two in their late 50's and two college students (19M and 23F). One adult and one student are pretty adventurous; the others are less so. This is a return trip after 50 years for me; first time in Europe for the others, but not first international travel. Previous trips have been to the Caribbean. Typically 1/2 day exploring and 1/2 day on the beach or in the pool.
There are places/activities I want to revisit (Stuttgart, Hohenzollern, Hausen im Tal, Zugspitze, Großarl, AT). All of us enjoy unique, "off-the-beaten path" adventures and less crowded sites (Hohenzollern over Neuschwanstein).
Travel dates: June 13 - 26, 2026 (this is pretty firm)
My concerns are balancing the walking/exploring the towns, castles, etc. with relaxing. On other vacations we would hang out on the beach for half a day; but that's not really an option for this trip. So, I am looking for ideas on how to fill the rest of the day without overdoing it and without getting bored. I expect most items listed below to be about 1/2 day, so there is some time to fill. I'd like to keep the commute to any activity to around an hour.
Base 1 - near Stuttgart/Simaringen/Tübingen
6/13: Arrive Frankfurt, drive to/near Stuttgart area (looking for lodging recommendations). Relax and recoup from the flight - explore Stuttgart, maybe grab a few photos near the base.
6/14: Hohenzollern and Schloss Liechtenstein
6/15: Black Forest? Mercedes factory tour? Explore Stuttgart/elsewhere?
6/16: Kayak/Canoe on the Danube 1/2 day (starts in Hausen im Tal)
Base 2 - Garmisch-Partenkirchen area (lodging recommendations for the area?)
6/17: Travel to Garmisch-Partenkirchen; visit Linderhof
6/18: Zugspitze
6/19: Partnachklamm or Höllentalklamm, and then ???
Base 3 - Großarl, Austria (Four nights in Großarl is firm, though we can move these nights earlier in the itinerary)
6/20: To Großarl, Austria. Berchtesgaden/Salt mine on the way?
6/21: Unscheduled - explore, maybe a mountain picnic. Maybe a canyoning tour for the adventurous student and Liechtensteinklamm for the rest of us.
6/22: Liechtensteinklamm? (all would enjoy); Kleiner Jenner via Ferrata - Berchtesgaden (I'm very interested in doing this but would need an activity for the less adventurous).
6/23: Salzburg; Hellbrun
Base 4 - Munich area
6/24: To Munich; return car; explore.
6/25: Dachau
6/26: Fly home