Suggestions for Germany Trip with Parents

Before:

1. Did you rent winter tires with the car? If not - do this immediately.
2. Do you have driving permission for Germany, not a driving license only?

Feedback:

D1: which airport?

In my opinion this reads a little bit like a destination name dropping list which is OK if you with parents want that.

You might want to think about how much time you’ll actually have in each spot.

I fully miss depth in that list of days. This feels very much like a "Schaufensterbummel" (window shopping). But in my experience the memories of a great journey will come with activities you have done at a place. So, add activities, experiences, special interest things ...

Your plan is doable, but you will be driving quite a bit, going from Rothenburg to the Black Forest than to Munich.
What airport do you arrive?
If you arrive at Frankfurt, your could do the Black Forest and Strassbourg first than move to Rothenburg, then take the Romantic Road to Augsburg, then Munich.

https://www.romanticroadgermany.com
It's not too hard to see the reason for the popularity - despite the modern roots of the idea, the tour combines the historic cities of Würzburg and Augsburg with the three medieval walled towns of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Dinkelsbühl and Nördlingen, and then finishes off with the tourist highlights of Neuschwanstein Castle and the Alps.

The day you arrive you're going to RodT? And you want to stop on the way? Don't. Go straight there. You will want the best part of a day to see that town.

You have a 3 hour (minimum) drive set going to Gengenbach. You want to start NLT 10am. You can see that in a day or less, but there are a lot of nice towns nearby. Personally I prefer Freiburg to Strasbourg; it's cheaper and at least as attractive. Colmar is also quite touristy. Baden-Baden may be a better choice.

You don't have time to visit Constance if you plan to stop and see Neuschwanstein en route to Munich. First because traffic around the lake is slow, and second because you're taking the long way to Munich. And in doing so you'll pass going to Mainau, and that should be an entire days destination in April. Much better than going to Fussen. It's a 4 hour+ drive to Fussen, and another 2+ hours to Munich. Add 2-3 hours for the castle and the days done. And if you want to see the mountains from Fussen you need to take 179 into Austria to Garmisch, and then to Munich, which is a 4 hour+ drive (but very pretty).

Coffee Girl, first, don't worry about the rental car and the "driving permission." If you have a valid driver's license, then you'll be fine.

With regards to Rothenburg, I don't think a quick stop in Wurzburg would inhibit your time in Rothenburg too much. It's a small town and while there is lots to see, Wurzburg is worth a visit, too (especially if you enjoy the works of Tilman Riemenschneider, who came from there). In fact, while you are in Rothenburg, definitely visit Sankt Jakob church to see the magnificent Holy Blood Altar he carved.

With regards to Strasbourg or Colmar, I have not been to Colmar but have heard mixed things about it. Both its quaintness and charm, but also the crowds and tourism there. Strasbourg is much larger but the cathedral is incredible and it's an easily walkable city. I also really enjoyed the Alsatian Folk Museum there. But there can also be a lot of crowds there as well. I really don't think you could go wrong seeing either place. One thing: if you visit Strasbourg, it's easily done by train from Gengenbach, and you would only have to pay for the French portion of the trip as the KONUS card gives you free public transportation in the Black Forest.

I'm so glad you are getting to Gengenbach. It really is one of my favorite places, and very easy to get around in. I think your parents will enjoy it.

With regards to after that, if you have the time, Lake Constance (Bodensee) is a beautiful lake year round, and if you are driving from Gengenbach to Munich, you could stop in Konstanz and/or Lindau and on to Munich. It certainly makes for a much longer drive, but it's doable. I would skip Neuschwanstein Castle. It's not historic, it's difficult to get to and very expensive. And from everything I've heard, the inside is not that great (I have opted to skip it). I think they might enjoy the lake, although as I mentioned, It will take longer to get there.

Actually in hindsight, I would probably skip Lake Constance and just head on to Munich. You will get to see some beautiful and similar sights when you visit Salzburg, which is such an incredible place.

I hope you have a fabulous trip with your parents, and I'm sure they are very excited about this!

For a very scenic route from FRA. to RodT, drive south to Bensheim then turn east and drive via Michelstadt and Amorbach to Miltenberg. Drive along the Main River to Wertheim. Then south along the Romantic Road via Tauberbischofsheim, Bad Mergentheim, and Creglingen to RodT.

From Gengenbach to Munich, try to include the section of the Danube between Tuttlingen and Sigmaringen