Clearifying the question regarding Salzburg/Munich Trip

Seeing the castles: It's true that the castles are a bit of a letdown. I liked Hohenschwangau better because it is an actual castle, Neuschwanstein is a fantasy castle built well past the glory days of castles. They are iconic, however, and worth visiting once. After a first visit, most of us wouldn't recommend a second trip. Beer: One of the surprises for me in my first trip to Germany was the types of beer and the way they are served. Every region has it's brand(s) of locally produced beer, ranging from pilsner to hefeweisen to kolsch. Every local swears their beer is the best. Experiencing the local culture includes trying the beer made fresh in the area. I went to Germany expecting everyone to serve beer by the Mass (the giant mugs you see at Oktoberfest). I was surprised that most beers are served in .2 to .25 liter servings in tall skinny glasses or stemware. There are a couple of monastery breweries in the area you are visiting that might be interesting for you. On most of the Rhine, wine is the local pride and joy. I like the dry (troecken) white wines, they are hard to find in the U.S. (most whites sold here are sweet). I haven't been to the festival of flames. If I were there at the right time of year, I would try to visit - everyone I know says great things about it. The local lodging probably gets crowded then. May is a really great time to go. Things are warming up and blooming. Have fun.

I would suggest that instead of making a daytrip to Rothenburg from Munich, you overnight there, then proceed to the Rhine the following morning. But do see my comments on the other post - there's a good reason you might want to start this thing by flying into FRA first and head straight to Bacharach, then stop overnight in Rothenburg on the way to Munich and Salzburg. Use a Bayern Ticket for train outings from Munich and to reach Salzburg. Then return home via Munich Airport by train (again, only 29 Euros on a Bayern Ticket.) http://www.munich-touristinfo.de/Bavaria-Ticket.htm

"I want to go to Fussen to see the Cinderella Castle. I would like to experience the beer." In my experience (seen it twice) Neuschwanstein castle is stunning from outside but the tour is a real let-down. There are reasons to visit Füssen, but it is not worth the 4 hours of travel to get there and back from Munich just to see this faux, 130-year-old "castle" alone. I'd recommend instead a visit to Marksburg and/or Eltz Castle when you are in Bacharach - both are never-destroyed, authentic medieval knights castles, each with 800+ years of history, and both are reachable from Bacharach. www.burg-eltz.de www.marksburg.de German beer is everywhere in Germany, by the way. You can get the big Munich brewery beer anywhere, even here in California. But you might be interested in small private breweries, like the ones that lie on the German "Beer Road" north of Munich near Rothenburg: http://t3-kundenserver.de.dedi661.your-server.de/typo3/tourismusserver/cms/index.php?id=832

"I want to go to Fussen to see the Cinderella Castle." You are aware its not actually a fairy tale castle, right? It actually is a real Romantic era fantasy of the King.

I'll repeat my usual comment on Neuschwanstein... it's a fascinating, if extreme, relic of German Romanticism. It makes more sense if you pre-arm yourself with some knowledge of Wagner's operas and the life of the very odd Kind Ludwig. Very much worth a day trip from Munich.

Agree with Tom. Prior to our visit, I had heard all the negatives about "Crazy Ludwick's" fantasy. It was suggested by one poster that there are only 4 rooms open. All the above is bunk. It is fascinating and well worth the tour. There are tons of "authentic" castles and ruins. This is unique. If there was anything that was a let down, I found it to be the exterior. Having said the above, I do agree that one visit is sufficient.

@Nigel... what do you mean its not a Fairy Tale Castle?
I must have had on my rose-colored glasses:)