Hello Forum Hive Mind!
We are spending about two weeks in Germany spanning end of May/early June with a 4-5 night rented car road trip around Bavaria/Southern Germany at the beginning of our stay (~5/20-5/25). Our plan HAD been to spend 1 night in Bamberg, 1 night in Munich, 2 nights in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and 2 nights somewhere in the Dolomites (Italy).
We are now re-evaluating plans after realizing that GP and/or Dolomites are at least partly shut for off-season at this time. For both GP and Dolomites, we were really looking forward to being out in nature (I had a gorgeous hike along Partnachklamm a few years ago), doing extended (easy) day hikes, and stopping at beer gardens/refugios along the way. Eating and drinking well, but not fancy, are key for us, and we normally avoid the touristy thoroughfares wherever possible.
Based on Internet research, it seems the refugios and funiculars of the Dolomites will be mostly closed, and we suspect restaurants and other places we want to go might be accordingly in off-season mode. I don't know if it's a similar situation with GP, so would be keen to get anyone's insight/experience there. We are likely canceling the Dolomite portion of the trip (open to any advice there) and may scale back Garmisch to a day hike instead of 2 night stay based on the feedback provided here.
If we do cancel or reduce the mountain portion of our roadtrip, there is a question of how best to redistribute the time: we were thinking possibly 1) to stay a second night in Bamberg (had been arriving afternoon and leaving next morning) but could get more time to visit local breweries there 2) to spend a second night in Munich, and get a chance to go to the Staatsoper 3) to go spend time out in nature somewhere else--perhaps Tegernsee, Constance, Fussen? and/or 4) visit some other city that would be a distinct and worthwhile experience given we are already going to Bamberg and Munich--Würzberg or Rothenburg ob der Tauber maybe? We're especially fond of light hiking, picnicking, beer gardens, bicycling, and boating/kayaking.
We are also open to bold ideas--traveling East, West, or South from Munich, crossing country lines, etc.--but half of our party will be coming from Heidelberg/Frankfurt while the other will be heading North to Berlin after the road trip, so those areas are out. Otherwise, anything is possible!
Your thoughts, experiences, and advice would be much appreciated!
Sincerely,
Rick James' Europe
