Three week trip to Germany, Austria, and Czech Republic

Posted by babennetts on 01/21/15 04:54 AM

I am in the middle of planning a three week trip to Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. The trip will likely happen in September 2015 and will be my second trip to Europe after spending two weeks in the UK in May 2014. I am more interested in historical places and scenery - not so keen on museums. I would really be interested in the WWII and Nazi sites, but my girlfriend has no interest.

To give you an idea about my pace of travel, I found that 3 days was sufficient to cover London, 1 day would have been sufficient in Edinburgh, and 1.5 days was way too much for York

So far, I am thinking of the following:
Day Activity

Fly into Frankfurt, Train to Rhine 2.Rhine - sleep in Bacharach
1. Rhine - sleep in Bacharach
2. Mosel (Burg Eltz) - sleep in Bacharach
3. Early Train to Rothenberg - sleep in Rothenberg
4. Day trip to Nurenburg on way to Munich - Sleep in Munich
5. Munich - Munich
6. Munich - Possible day trip to Dachau (by myself) - Munich
7. King Ludwig's Castles - Feussen
8. Zugspitze and more Alps - Feussen
9. Berchtesgarten on way to Salzburg - Salzburg
10. Salzburg - Salzburg
11. Salzburg - Salzburg
12. Hallstadt - Hallstadt
13. Hallstadt - Hallstadt
14. Czesky Krumlov - Czesky Krumlov
15. Czesky Krumlov - Czesky Krumlov
16. Prague - Prague
17. Prague - Prague 20 - Kutna Hora - Prague 21 - Prague - Prague 22 - Fly Home.

I am a little worried that given my relatively quick travel pace, that I may be spending too much time in Salzburg (2.25 days), Hallstadt (1.75 days) and Czesky Krumlov (1.75 days). Any thoughts?

I would like to rent a car in order to maximize flexibility for days 9 through 15, but I understand the fees for dropping a car off in a second country are significant. Would it make sense to drive back to Germany near Salzburg and then ride public transportation to Czesky Krumlov?

Brian

Posted by Mollie

Seattle, WA

01/21/15 05:30 AM

66 posts

My husband and I traveled to Munich (3 nights), Salzburg (2), and Cesky Krumlov (2). We felt we needed at least 1 (if not 2) more night in each Munich and Salzburg. The two nights in Cesky Krumlov was perfect. The city became our vacation away from our vacation. We took the train from Munich to Salzburg and used CK Shuttle to travel from Salzburg to CK, and then again from CK to Prague. We took the private shuttle, instead of a group shuttle, which was great because our drivers would stop at scenic areas along the way.

Posted by stephen

Greeley, co, usa

01/21/15 01:19 PM

2588 posts

I haven't been to day 14 on. I think 1 day in Hallstatt would be enough. You have items 1 and 2 twice. I would stay 3 nights on the Rhine - 1 the day you arrive, 1 for the Rhine and 1 for the Mosel

Posted by Russ

Paradise

01/21/15 02:38 PM

7072 posts

I am more interested in historical places and scenery... WWII and Nazi
sites.

Hi, Brian. I see Germany is half your trip. I sense you have a genuine interest in the country.

On the Rhine I suggest you visit the "Bridge at Remagen" site - a small museum in the old bridge supports documents the battle. The GF could enjoy a walk along the nearby riverfront promenade and maybe a book in one of the outdoor cafes there.
Remagen Bridge Peace Museum
Remagen's riverfront walk

Many visitors short-change their Rhine experience. If you want good scenery, besides the well-known Rhine cruise, you should enjoy the views from the area's cliff sides. Below are views around St. Goar and Oberwesel, just north of Boppard; you can reach these spots on foot:

Loreley bend near St. Goar
Oberwesel's town wall walk
View from the Günderodehaus terrace above Oberwesel
View from vineyards north of Oberwesel

Chairlifts can get you up quickly and are awesome too. Near the top of the lift is this view above Boppard:
Gedeonseck outdoor terrace
Cochem and Rüdesheim also have chairlifts. The one in Cochem takes you nearly 260 meters up for a stunning view of the river, town and castle:
View over Cochem

Cochem itself is a VERY scenic and fun town.
Cochem's market square
Cochem
Falconry @ Cochem's castle

If history is your thing you ought to enjoy Trier (not too far from Cochem and Burg Eltz) where there's a heavy dose of ancient Rome and more recent history too.
TRIER

I would make a point of visiting the Nazi bunker in Irrel, just outside Trier, called "Panzerwerk Katzenkopf," on a Sunday afternoon.
Panzerwerk K.

I would agree with Stephen that your time in the Rhine/Mosel region is underfunded. IMO you should borrow some time away from - or axe completely - the supertouristy destinations of Rothenburg, the "King's Castles" (they're not castles) and maybe a day from your Austrian destinations.