We are taking our kids on their first trip to Germany this summer! We have 2 very active kiddos ages 5 & 7. We have 8 days to fill and I’ve found prior forum posts so helpful in planning the bulk of our trip. I have a few specific questions and then I’ll outline the whole trip below. I lived in Germany for several years as a child, so this is a nostalgic trip for me. And I speak enough German with a good enough accent that natives don’t usually default to English with me :) I’d love your thoughts and suggestions!
Questions:
1. Where would be a good spot to overnight on the drive between Füssen and Berchtesgaden? I was thinking somewhere around the Tegernsee based on forum recs, but would love suggestions about specific mid-price hotels near the water.
2. We are thinking it’s best to rent a car. Would it be best to get and return at the Munich airport? We won’t need it for our Munich city days, but our other stops seem to lend themselves to a drive through the Alps.
Itinerary:
Day 1 (Saturday): Redeye flight into Munich, acclimate. Englischer Gardens, Vickualienmarkt etc. Staying in Schwabing.
Day 2: Munich, Marienplatz & city center sites
Day 3: Munich, Deutsches Museum (flex. with Day 2 for weather
Day 4 (Tuesday): Drive to Füssen/Neuschwanstein, hike across bridge. Possible stop for sommerrodelbahn near castles. Drive to Tegernsee or similar for night (3 hour drive after all that seems like too much for our family). Where to stay? I found great posts with activities if we want to linger there the next morning.
Day 5: Drive to Berchtesgaden, explore town or Königssee + hike. (Plan for these days flexible based on weather.)
Day 6: Salzburg & Hellbrunn
Day 7 (Friday): Salt mine in Berchtesgaden….or Hallein? Preference? Eaglesnest etc. explore town
Day 8: Travel back to Munich. Choice here to take some stops along the way (Königssee?) or head straight back and spend the bulk of the day at Therma Erding. Stay near Munich airport for Sunday morning flight home.
I’ve debated doing the whole trip by train, but with littles, I like the flexibility of having a car and being able to pivot with their moods and the weather. Is there anything I’m missing? I look forward to your collective thoughts and input!