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Salzburg-Munich-Amsterdam: where else?

Posted by on

Hello all!

I've used Rick's books and read the forums for years, but this is my first post. My boyfriend and I are planning a trip to Austria, Germany and Amsterdam in late May (first visit to this area for both of us) and I would greatly appreciate some itinerary advice from you expert travelers!

We are flying into AMS and flying straight down to Salzburg to start the trip there. A little about us: we are in our early 30s, happy to move around fairly quickly and love being outside (thus starting the trip near mountains and lakes). My current plan is 3 nights in or around Salzburg, then 2 nights in Munich, 1 night along the way from Munich to AMS (easy access via train), then 3 nights in AMS. I think we'll have a car for bavaria, drop off in Munich and take trains from there. I've listed more specific questions below and would love your thoughts! Thank you!

Questions:
-Should we stay in Salzburg or any suggested smaller villages close by (Hallstatt/Innsbruck look amazing but are they too far away)? I'd like to begin the trip in a relaxing fashion knowing that we're spending a good amount of time in cities later. Goals for this area: berchtesgaden, bike riding, hikes, lakes, maybe a motorcycle rental for him and we will likely have a car
-Munich-2 nights. Goals: castle in Fussen on the way, some time in the city (beirgartens=)) and Dachau
-What should we do between Munich and Amsterdam (1-2 nts)? One night in Cologne? Any other recommended stops close to train?
-Amsterdam-2 or 3 nights? I do want to make one day trip out to the tulips area

Posted by
1933 posts

You are really at the minimum viability for your time in each of the three cities you're visiting. With just 9 nights, three cities should be your max, especially since you've selected three cities that have a lot to see and do, and you also want some time for relaxation and leisure activities, not just sightseeing.

If I were you, I would do three nights each in Salzburg, Munich, and Amsterdam. I wouldn't bother with a rental car, except maybe if you want to do a one-day excursion somewhere you can't easily get to by train or bus. But I think you'll find that you can get to a lot of the places you want to see via public transportation.

And you should know that by late May you will be too late for the tulips. Keukenhof's last day open for the season is May 16th.

Posted by
2487 posts

I would stay in Salzburg itself, if only to get on the train to Munich without too much hassle. The main attractions of Salzburg can be enjoyed in one day.
Opinions on Neuschwanstein vary wildly: for many it's a must-see, others stress the fact that it is a nineteenth-century fake which undeservedly got its fame by being the model for the Disney Cinderella castle. It's good to know that Munich has the beautiful Nymphenburg within its borders, and nearby the palace and gardens of Schleissheim (within walking distance of the suburban S-Bahn station in Oberschleissheim).
Between Munich and Amsterdam, you could do worse than having a night in Fulda: a typical German provincial town dominated by a palace and gardens. Much nicer than Cologne. It's served by fast ICE trains: 3 hrs from Munich and 6 hrs from Amsterdam. Some 30 mins further on you've got Kassel, with the famous and unique »Wasserspiele« (Water works) on Wednesday and Sunday afternoons (www.museum-kassel.de/en/index_navi.php?parent=11392). Great fun!

Posted by
1389 posts

For my tastes Salzburg is good for one day. You can see the old town, castle, get around to some gardens and get a Mittagsessen. A bus ride out to see some sites is possible too for a long day. Maybe you base out of Schönau a. Königssee with a car after arriving and seeing Salzburg? Berchtesgaden itself is good for a few hours to just look around. I fully recommend the boat ride out to St. Bartholomä and beyond on a good weather day out to the Fischunkelalm by Obersee (one day). For me Königssee on a good weather day is one of the most beautiful places on Earth (at least in my experience). I do not recommend the Kielstein Haus (Eagles Nest) other than the view. You can skip it and the lines and the wait for the bus and elevator with a car and drive the Rossfeld Toll Ring Road (1-2 hours). Maybe a holiday apartment in Schönau a. Königssee for 3 overnights? This is a good place for dinner in Schönau am Königssee I can recommend http://www.gruensteinstueberl.de/Home. We stayed here years ago before it was made into apartments only: http://www.unterartenreit.de/ but it is in a good location to walk in to Schönau and to Königssee. Many places to see along the way to Munich with a car too depending how long you want to take. So much to see in so little time. Best to take your time for what you want to see. stop for a coffee and a bier and enjoy your evenings.

Posted by
2 posts

Thank you all for your advice. It's greatly appreciated! Lake Koenigssee looks like heaven so I think we've decided to spend 3 nights most likely in Schoenau am Koenigssee or Berchtesgaden with a car and daytrip to Salzburg. From there, the plan is 2 nights in Munich, 1 night in Bacharach, St Goar or Cologne and then 3 nights in Amsterdam (via train) to end the trip. I realize it's a good deal of moving but we are eager to see a lot and happy to travel in trip.

I'd love your thoughts on Bacharach/Cologne/St Goar (Fulda and Kassel are just taking us a bit too far out of the route we'd like to take). Also, any insight on the car rental situation would be great. Our plan was to pick up the car in Salzburg & return in Munich, but would it be better for us to pick up and return the rental in Munich? It seems like we could get to the area from Munich just as easily.

Thank you again for your help!

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