Hello, My husband and I are going to Germany for about 7-8 days in mid September. We have a few "must see" and a couple "would like to see" items. I have downloaded Rick Steve's guidebook on my ipad but I'd like a general idea of a recommended itinerary based on our preferences. We prefer quaint, charming locations (and castles) and will be traveling by car. I'd really appreciate any input you have! We fly into Frankfurt because I have to show my husband the town of Budingen, where I lived as a child. We will spend one night there. So, Budingen is a must. The others are at least a little bit of time on the Rhine and Neuschwanstein Castle to the South. (How much time in each city is also a question I have) I am confused about whether the Romantic Road is the way to go. Some say it's over rated and others like it. I searched previous topics on this website and the below posts caught my attention, although they are a few years old. Could you please let me know your thoughts? Rothenburg and Bacharach are appealing to me. I will post these next, as this has become too long now!
Posted by
OP
Flower Mound, Texas
4 posts
And here are the posts, from 2010. Obviously I would travel the opposite way, from Frankfurt to Munich. "I'd recommend flying into Munich, couple days there, then some combination of the following, as time allows: Fussen (Neuschwanstein Castle), Rothenburg, Wurzburg (Residenz, Marionburg Fortress), Heidelberg, Bacharach (take a Rhine River cruise), Frankfurt (see the city, then fly home from there)." "If I could recommend to a friend I would say fly into Munich and stay for 3 or so nites/days. definitely stop and see Nymphemberg castle. take day trips to Neuschwanstein castle and Salzburg Austria and see some of the old city and its fortress and back to Munich. Then Garmisch Patenkirchen town. Next day -if weather is clear- take the cable car to the top of Zugspitz. You can also go to the Linderhof castle not too far away and see why he was called crazy Ludwig! That castle is the one I would recommend you see if you only see one. And next drive up to Rothensburg for one or two nites. Then I would leave from Frankfurt.
Posted by
OP
Flower Mound, Texas
4 posts
Or perhaps Frankfurt (trip to Budingen) St. Goar Rothenburg Augsburg Fussen
Munich
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
"I am confused about whether the Romantic Road is the way to go. Some say it's over rated and others like it." It's overrated for driving. It's not that it isn't scenic (it is), but no more scenic than just about any other secondary rural route in Germany. The point (like all Ferienstraßen, of which the Romantische Straße is just one of about a hundred in Germany) isn't the drive itself, but the sites or towns that they link together. If some of the towns along the route interest you, go visit them. But the actual experience of driving the road is nothing special. BTW, Büdingen lies along the Deutsche Fachtwerkstraße (German Half-timbered House Road). Hit some of the towns along this road and you may see why a visit to Rothenburg ob der Tauber doesn't have to be mandatory.
Posted by
OP
Flower Mound, Texas
4 posts
That is a very good point, perhaps I should enjoy Budingen (and surrounding areas) more and spend less time rushing to equally as nice places.