Train travel through Germany

I would fly into Vienna and spend a minimum of 4 days there. Then take the train to Salzburg and spend 2-3 days there. From there, it's just a couple of hours by train in to Munich--again worthy of 4 days.

From there, I would go south of Munich and/or go into Tirol around Innsbruck. The mountain scenery there is incredible.

You would still have time to go to Rothenburg or whatever towns in Germany you would like to see.

The last time we were in Germany, we visited Berlin. But we absolutely loved spending a long weekend in Dresden--the real Germany.

Hi David. Thanks for your thoughtful response. I appreciate it! A few years ago my husband and I spent a month in Austria (actually landed in Budapest then took train to Austria). On that trip we spent several nights in Vienna, Innsbruck and Salzburg with side trips to Hallstatt and Bolzano so we really aren’t particularly interested in spending more time in Austria. Our traveling buddies have been to Austria as well but had very limited time in Vienna. That’s why we were thinking of including it.

2 areas in Germany - middle Rhine, somewhere between Mainz and Koblenz. Although I have stayed in both, I prefer to stay in one of the villages. Bacharach is my choice. 2 nd area is Franconia, the area around Nuremberg. Again there are smaller towns that can be good choices. Bamberg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber are two. I also enjoyed staying in the smaller Lichtenfels

Two other areas I like are Stuttgart/Tuebingen and the Black Forest ( Gengenbach )

"We love the thought of exploring small charming towns but obviously we realize we will be restricted by where the trains go. . ."

PT, the thing is, trains go to almost everywhere in Germany, so it's really more of what captures your interest, and an efficient routing. I would second the idea of spending some days in the Middle Rhine area (Bacharach is in there) where there are vineyards and castles to explore and the scenic Rhine Gorge, which is what they show in those Viking river cruise commercials. I'd start in Frankfurt, head for the Rhine (northwest) and then back southeast to Bavaria, time in Munich, the Bavarian Alps, Salzburg, and either head east for Vienna, or southwest for Luzern (Switzerland). Or circle back from Munich via Lindau on the Bodensee to the Black Forest region and up via Heidelberg to Frankfurt.

Thanks so much, Stephen and Stan. These are some great suggestions and are very useful in helping us start to formulate some semblance of a route! I really appreciate you taking the time to offer advice

Peg.

Another enjoyable base is Dresden. In December I stayed in the Neustadt area. Easy access to trams to visit the Altstadt south of the river, a train station for day trip transportation, good assortment of restaurants. Some towns within day trip distance include Meissen, Bautzen, and Görlitz. The Saxon Switzerland area is nearby; I found Dresden's Tourist Information center very helpful and they would likely have suggestions for organized day tours to this area.

Thanks Den. We will definitely check this out. Sounds beautiful!!

Peg

Thanks, History Traveler. You too have recommended some wonderful ideas to us! I am so grateful to all of you. Your input has been so beneficial in helping us start to formulate a plan.

Peg