France and Germany

"We have 7 days to get from Feussen to Frankfurt" The RR won't require that much time. You should design your own route based on the places you want to see, not just follow the RR with the other tourists, as there are many great destinations that don't happen to be on the "RR" and many on it that aren't that great. Nuremberg might be one of your choices. Salzburg is surely worthwhile, and nearby Berchtesgaden and Königssee are very close. What about Regensburg? Bamberg is very special as well, and then there's this place too: http://www.stripes.com/military-life/travel/bad-windsheim-time-travel-at-franconian-open-air-museum-1.102354 You will incur excessive fees if you pick up your car in France and drop it in Germany. I'd consider using the train after Colmar. You are doing an awful log of driving. But if driving is your thing, pick the car up in Germany before you do Alsace.

Thanks that is very helpful. I will search the places you have suggested. Would 1x day in Nuremberg or Salzburg be enough time? Ive heard the route from Fuessen to Salzburg through Innsbruck is faster but boring. We are flying out of Frankfurt so need to work out the best route without doubling up and backtracking through the same places. We will have a car because we like to go at our own pace and be able to stop if we want to.
Lisa

I would definitely say Salzburg is worth the effort. The first few times I went I was only there for a short time and saw the highlights. Fun strolling the town and great shopping. There are so many wonderful towns in the south of Germany and many of them would be great. I love the Lake of Constance and would suggest at least enough time to enjoy a sunrise or sunset at that beautiful location. Much more romantic than the romantic road! However, I love that drive as well. One of my favorite little towns is Dinkelsbuhl. Definitely get your car in Germany and there if the fee from France is huge. Check it out, because you will incur the cost of getting to Germany to pick up a cheaper car. There may be a few places you will backtrack, but I try to make a large loop when I am driving, or just leave a town unexplored that I can see on my way back. I always make a CD for the car of appropriate music (my favorites as well as new songs from the region) You can surprise your travel partner with it. Of course, if you do this you will have to include a Sound of Music tune! That whole area is so easy to drive and a beautiful way to see on your own timetable. I am a photographer so I need the freedom to stop when and where I want to and for me this is my favorite way to travel. Get a picnic of wonderful German bread, meats, cheeses and pickles and stop along the side of the road with the wonderful mountains in the background...Heaven!

Thanks Terry, it sounds as though we like to travel the same way. I love the little quaint towns and have marked Dinkelbuhl in. Thank goodness for google. I shall do some more research on the car rental. I thought it didn't matter where you dropped it if you were with Eurocar or similar. Could be costly by the sound of it. I dont like going by train in case I see wonderful things go by that I cant stop to admire.
Lisa

Reference your rental car, check the websites for AutoEurope and Kemwel. These auto brokers arrange for a rental car from companies such as Hertz, Avis, and Europcar. As other posters noted, it is best to rent and drop off a car in the same country, if possible. Across the river from Strasbourg and only 11 minutes away by train, is the town of Kehl, Germany. AutoEurope can arrange for a car in this town. I would get your car there and return it at the Frankfurt airport. You can then go into France and Austria at no extra cost. Purchase a Michelin, or similar, map before your trip. Study the routes and the road signs. If possible, you might want to get a GPS with your rental. France has toll roads and Austria requires a sticker. The sticker can be purchased at a small store at the border. For me, when I want to see a city such as Salzburg or Munich, and I am driving, I like to stay on the outskirts of the city and take public transportation into the city. It's just easier and less complicated. Salzburg is a beautiful, small city and is definitely worth a visit. We stayed at Haus Ballwein on Moostrasse. In Rick's tour book, he lists several other B&B's on this street. It's a 15 minute ride into the city. We have driven two different routes from the Fuessen area to Salzburg. Which one to take depends on how fast you want to get to Salzburg. Personal message me for the routes and an alternative place to stay (other than Fuessen).

Well Salzburg seems to have won a lot of people over so It seems this is worth a day to enjoy. Thanks everyone for your comments I appreciate your time and comments. Just cant wait. The driving sticker from Austria...... Expensive?
Lisa

No, the Austrian Vignette is only €7.90 for 10 days.

I am also a big Dinkelsbuhl fan. Not a town for a lengthy stay but a wonderful stop for an overnight as you wind along the Romantic Road.
I loved the wine route north/south of Colmar and want to go back there, as we only spent one day. Colmar is a lovely, picturesque town and certainly a photographer's paradise. If I were in your shoes my choice would be to find a small place outside of Colmar to stay overnight, visit the town for a day and then enjoy the small villages. I can't help with places to stay except to mention the hotel where we stayed 2 years ago - La Verger Des Chateaux in Dieffenthal (north of Colmar along the wine route). We would certainly return there.