Two Week Germany Itinerary

Some comments.

• Salzburg is day-trip distance from Munich. I would investigate time to do Königssee (spelling!) and Eagle’s Nest (I guess you mean "Berghof", Eagle's nest is in Hesse) from Munich. They are both in Germany.
• I never think 1 night stops are a good idea.
• Alsace is a French/German hybrid. Strasbourg was captured by France in 1681, and has been changing countries ever since. The best part of Alsace is the villages along the Route des Vins (see here: https://www.alsace-wine-route.com/ ), but that needs a car. Second choice Strasbourg. Or you could hire a car for 1-2 days. Possibly hire in Heidelbourg, do Alsace, also Black Forest, then Rothenburg ob der Tauber, and return car in Bamberg/Nurembourg, then go on to Munich.
• If you have a car in Alsace and you want a castle, see this one: http://www.haut-koenigsbourg.fr/en/
• Yes, flying out of Munich would have been a good idea.
• How old are your sons? I guess at least one is 18. Then you must buy them a beer in a bierkeller in Munich. Legally adults.

Since you are leaving Frankfurt right away after arrival, do plan on spending the day here before you leave. There is so much history here and great sites to explore.

When will you be here? Perhaps we can suggest some fun events that would suit the whole family.

I haven't been to Strasbourg in a very long time, but I remember that the historic district is lovely. It is a large city. Colmar, where I spent several nights in 2017 (making a day-trip to non-touristy Selestat), is a much smaller place and also gorgeous. Both are definitely on the tourist road-map. (Haven't been to Rothenburg odT recently enough to compare.) It think one night in Colmar would give you enough time to feel you've seen the place fairly well; I suspect that amount of time in Strasbourg would feel rushed. Colmar does have at least one "sight" to be visited; the Unterlinden Museum is a good museum to begin with, but the Isenheim Altarpiece is a "wow".

I don't think a one-night trip to Alsace is going to feel particularly satisfying, because it will probably have you in a tourist throng the entire time. I like to spend more time so I can go to some less-touristy places (like Selestat).

There is bus service to Riquewihr, which I believe is usually the #1 wine town on people's itineraries, but it's only about 9 or 10 miles from Colmar, so I'd consider a taxi a reasonable option if I were moving four people from place to place. So it wouldn't be impossible to see one of the wine towns without a car--at least from Colmar. But either Colmar or Strasbourg would certain be enough.

Overall, the itinerary has too many 1- and 2-night stops for me, especially given that you will not be traveling by car. I always depend solely on trains and buses, and between hotel procedures, traveling back and forth from hotel to station (especially with luggage) and time waiting around for the bus or train to depart, each hotel change really eats up quite a bit of time.

During our trip to Salzburg a few years ago, we did one tour that included The Eagles Nest (Kehlsteinhaus) as well as a salt mine tour. We loved both and the salt mine was very interesting as they described the salt extraction method and we slid down 2 slides to get underground to start the tour. Just offering additional information on what might be interesting to you and your family.

I appreciate the replies so far. I am not 100% convinced of staying in Munich as we are not necessarily "big city" people, and it is more expensive to sleep and eat, but chose that as a Bavarian base. I definitely want to spend a long day there and walk the Aldstadt to include the English Garden area. I'm wondering if it might be smarter (and less expensive) to perhaps stay in Prien and day trips to Munich, Salzburg/Bertchesgaden, and perhaps other locations with the flexibility of the Bayern rail ticket.

Any experience/thoughts with Prien or other towns to use as a 'base' outside of Munich?

Strasbourg over Colmar. Take the boat ride
It is not worth the effort to visit Hohenzollern. Hard enough to do it from Tuebingen by public transpirt ( i’ve visited twice - once by bicycle, once by train/bus)
For a real castle visit Hohenwerfen in Werfen, south of Salzburg. Also visit the Ice cave. Take a day from Munich and add to Salzburg

In my opinion it is best to plan in terms of how many nights you will be there. It is a more accurate depiction of how long you actually have in each place. For example, 2 nights = 1 full day, 3 nights = 2 days, etc. Don't underestimate how long it takes to move around so much. Every time you change locations you will lose about a half a day to pack, check out, get to the train station, train to next place, get to your next hotel, check in... It is understandable that you want to see so many things, but I think it's too much. While it is best to avoid one nighters, I think it works for Rothenburg.

When I plan a trip I start out with a lot of places I want to go. I end up cutting things out until it becomes a more reasonable itinerary.

Have a great trip!!

If you cut two nights in Munich then you could overnight in the Füssen, then to Garmisch-Partenkirchen overnight (Wieskirche and/or Linderhof on the way?). Maybe swing by the Tegernsee or Achensee, AT on the way to Salzburg (lots of other destination choices between)? I think you would have time to unwind in the evenings then without packed days too.

You aren't sure about staying in Munich and doing day trips. Me neither. Garmisch isn't far but you can't expect to do the Zugspitze and the Partnach gorge and Mittenwald and all the other stuff in this area without staying there. A Munich base shortchanges a day trip to Salzburg. No way to do both Salzburg and B'gaden on one day trip.

"I'm wondering if it might be smarter (and less expensive) to perhaps stay in Prien...

Prien is a better base town for the area, but a day trip to Garmisch is undoable from there.

But then you have some pretty definitive statements about your plans for other places...

"Got a flight deal into and out of Frankfurt." (NOT very close to Berchtesgaden!)
"Heidelberg is non-negotiable as we are meeting people on Day 1 for the afternoon."
"I know, but the wife and kids really want to do this (Rothenburg.)"
"..wife wants to see Alsace region and “go to France.”

(I tend to take wife wishes VERY seriously.)

You have other wants as well... Nuremberg/Bamberg... and isolated Hohenzollern Castle...?

So... with just 13 nights you really are kinda "all over the place" and making constant moves... you should impose some discipline on this messiness, IMHO.

My suggestion... Stay longer in fewer places that are not so distant from each other - and from your AIRPORT.

1.) Heidelberg. 4 nights.

One day trip from there to Strasbourg, and France is covered. Heh. Day or half-day trip up Neckar Valley if time permits: Bad Wimpfen Another day trip to fabulous Ludwigsburg Palace if time permits.

2.) Nuremberg. 4-5 nights. There's a castle there, you know, as well as WW II history and some interesting museums. Great pubs too.

Day trip to Bamberg. Day trip to Munich if you want. Day trip to the excellent Franconian Open Air Museum in Bad Windsheim, if time permits.

3.) Rothenburg. 1 night. Because you have to.

4.) Rhine Valley + Mosel. 3 nights. This is all just too close to FRA and too wonderful for you to pass up. You'll see lots of old-world architecture (half-timbered buildings) that might convince your wife that you are still in the Alsace. Boppard or St. Goar work well as base towns for train users.

Day trip to Bacharach and Oberwesel + Rhine Cruise. Another day trip of your choice... Marksburg Castle + Rüdesheim, or Marksburg + Remagen Bridge WW II site, or Burg Eltz Castle + Cochem.

Take the train to FRA on your day of departure. If your flight is too early for that, then just 2 nights in the Rhine Valley and one final night in Mainz or at FRA airport.

This plan reduces the long trips, requires much less packing and unpacking, and will still be packed with fun. You will have fewer room bookings and probably save $ since many places provide discounts for 3+ nights.

I too am planning my trip to Germany this summer so can't comment on the itinerary.

But, we went to France 2 years ago and spent 3 nights in Strasbourg with a day trip to Colmar. We were there at Christmas and found both cities magical. We spent Christmas Eve in Colmar and I can honestly say it was actually one of the best days I've spent in my 53 years - just because the town was so charming. Again, it was Christmas when we went so the markets won't be there during your time frame.

I don't think you can go wrong with either choice. Colmar has more charm but is smaller so unless you have a particular sight you want to see you may run out of streets to wander. Strasbourg is bigger and if you are just "wandering the streets" to get the feel of the region there is greater area to cover. The cathedral there is beautiful.

We went as an "add on" because we wanted to see Paris and airfare was cheaper flying into Zurich. For us it was a memorable stopover. I think one of the reasons I liked the cities so much is because it was different than what we saw in Paris. Strasbourg used to be a German town so the architecture is probably similar to what you will see in Germany. Not sure if that makes a difference or not but thought I'd throw that in there.

I little background: I was stationed in northern Germany in the late 80's/early 90's and traipsed all around Europe. In trying to plan for this I yearn for the days of simply going from town to town on a whim. If you liked it you stayed, if not you moved on. But with the need to find accommodations ahead of time for a family the itinerary is a must.

I really appreciate the replies. Agreed that I need to limit the 1 or 2 night stays and consolidate a bit more. We will travel light, but settling in for a couple of days minimum is definitely how we like to travel. You get a sense of the rhythm of a place when you linger and it allows you to explore a bit beyond all the "must -sees".

Thanks for the comments on Strasbourg and Colmar - both look wonderful and I'm glad that sentiment is echoed here. That area is not one I've been to.

Stephen - thanks for the insight on Hohenzollern and the suggestion of Hohenwerfen. Teenage boys want castles and I've been to the Mad King's "fake" palaces already (they haven't) and was underwhelmed - especially knowing the (lack of) history.

Russ - I really like your suggestions. Means I'll have to see if the family is willing to pass on Bavaria. That might be a tough sell.

If I do stick to Bavaria I will look for a base outside of Munich and/or extend the stay in Salzburg without trying to do both Garmisch and Bertchesgaden.

Ms Jo- I arrive June 4 and leave June 17th. I know that month isn't the best for fests, etc. but we are bound to find something entertaining.

Again - thanks to all who chimed in. Time for some family discussions and adjustments!

June is a GREAT time for festivals, not sure why you think it would be a bad time. It is summer time. This is what is happening just in Frankfurt and the surrounding towns.

• 1 June Castle Illumination, Heidelberg, 22:15
• 1-2 June Lower Berger Strasse Fest, Frankfurt
• 1-2 June Rose Days, Eltville
• 1-2 June Jousting Tournament, Königstein
• 6-9 June Rose & Tealight Fest, Frankfurt Palmengarten
• 7-9 June World Club Dome, Frankfurt Commerzbank Arena
• 8-10 June Knights Tournament, Ronneburg Castle
• 8-12 June Wäldchestag, Frankfurt City Forest
• 9 June Bahnhofs Fest, Königstein, Steam Train Rides to Frankfurt Höchst
• 14-15 June Theatrium, Wiesbaden Marktplatz
• 15-16 June Wilhelmstr. Fest, Wiesbaden
• 15-16 June Wine Fest, Büdingen
• 15-16 June Medieval Fest, Boppard
• 16 June Strawberry Fest, Kronberg, 12-16:00
• 20-23 June Magic Bike Harley Fest, Rüdesheim
• 21-24 June Johannis Nacht Fest, Mainz
• 26 June-5 July Opera Square Fest, Frankfurt Alte Oper
• 29 June SaTOURday, Frankfurt Free Museum Day
• 30 June European Ironman Championship, Frankfurt
• 30 June Tal Total, Rhine Valley Car-free Day Tal Total

Thanks Ms Jo for all that information!

Hmm Medieval Fest in Boppard sounds like that could be a lot of fun. I'll have to look into it for sure.

Hi,

I would suggest the Hohenzollern castle in Hechingen for historic purposes. It is doable from Munich by train but you need to transfer in Ulm. Take the early train from Munich.