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Looking for ideas for a trip to Germany with older parents and 2 early 20's kids

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I am looking for ideas for our trip to Germany the first 2 weeks of June. We will fly into Frankfurt June 5th and will plan to stay 8 to 10 nights. My group includes my parents who are in their early 80's, mobility is a little limited, and my college aged daughter and boyfriend. I am probably only going to staying 2 or 3 places to make the trip easier on all. I am looking for places to base out of and activities in each of the locations.

Right now I am considering Rudesheim for 4 nights with the idea of seeing the Rhein valley and taking a cruise on the river I am then planning on heading to southern Germany to see Bavaria. Visiting Berchtesgaden and Salzburg are probably priorities on this part of the trip. Looking for 1 or 2 other places to base out of that gives us access to southern Germany. I am planning on renting a van so travel mobility will not be a problem. Recommendations renting a vehicle?

Posted by
4870 posts

Although Rudesheim is not a really great distance from Frankfurt, are you sure you'll be ok to drive immediately upon arrival? Jet lag, lack of sleep, and not being familiar with the local road system around Frankfurt might be a problem. Some people are not bothered by any of those things. Others think they are fine but are really driving somewhat impaired. And others are complete zombies and should never drive or use sharp instruments on arrival day. Perhaps you could take the train to Rudesheim and rent a vehicle there. Not sure you can, but just offering food for thought.

Posted by
6663 posts

I'm kinda vague on your parameters... Big difference between 8 and 10 days... And after Berchtesgaden and Salzburg, will you be needing to transport yourselves all the way back to Frankfurt to get home? A two-base Rhine/Bavaria trip as outlined might be doable if flying home out of Munich - do that if possible.

Your Day 1 likely won't involve much sightseeing - it's mostly a day to get over jet-lag and get settled, maybe see a few things.

"...planning on heading to southern Germany to see Bavaria. Visiting Berchtesgaden and Salzburg are probably priorities on this part of the trip."

Checking out of R'heim, driving to Berchtesgaden, and settling in there will likely require most of one day, 6+ hours of driving time alone. Note that after about an hour's drive from R'heim - once you reach Aschaffenburg - you will have crossed into Bavaria; without a stop in northern Bavaria somewhere, you'll be passing up a lot of great Bavarian destinations, and your car rides will be unnecessarily long. Map of Bavaria

If you must return to FRA for a final night before flying out, that's a 3rd largely unproductive day. I'd advise you to stay closer to FRA throughout your trip. A Rhine base + a northern Bavaria base would work well. Or possibly a northern Bavaria base + your B'gaden/Salzburg base would work - but probably not 3 bases + the final night at FRA. The shorter your travel distances, and the fewer your base towns, the more you will see.

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