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From Fieburg to Romantic Road--Rothenburg od first or Fussen/Ludwigs Castl

We will be taking the train to Frieburg from Wengen and intend to pick up a car, one hotel source says we can drive to Rothenburg od (3hrs). We would like to see the Romantic Road and spend 2 days in Rothenburg. Does it make sense to go to Rothenburg od directly--or to Fussen directly, Ludwigs Castle--spend night , go to Munich and then back to RR- to Rothenburg od? 5 days from Frieburg we fly out from Frankfurt.we would like to go to Rhine area also. Thanks

Posted by
7072 posts

How you spend your time really depends on your interests.

If you have some particular interest in King Ludwig of Bavaria, or Maximilian, you might be interested in seeing the 19th century castles in Füssen. I will say that the Neuschwanstein was pretty dull, the tour conducted in marginally intelligible English, the castle itself in a spectacular setting but not terribly interesting from within or serving of some historical purpose. It was inhabited only a few years but became a gigantic international tourist attraction, thanks principally to Walt Disney.

Rothenburg, though touristy, really is a medieval village, very well preserved, and I wouldn't miss it.

The Rhine (and Mosel) valleys have a solid concentration of castles that are 800-1,000 years old that really do a good job of resurrecting medieval times. A few, including Rheinfels (St. Goar), Marksburg (Braubach), Reichsburg (Cochem) and Eltz (near Cochem) can be toured. I find these places a good bit more interesting.

There are a few nice towns and cities on the Romantic Road, but it generally isn't so romantic or scenic. You don't need to drive the whole distance. to Füssen, IMO. And there's a lot to see that's off the RR too. I'd check out Nuremberg and Bamberg before RR cities like Augsburg.

If you want a peek at the gilded Rokoko stuff that adorns Ludwig's castles without traveling that distance, you can check out the Residenz in Würzburg, near Rothenburg. It's pretty spectacular. Weikersheim (RR town) Palace is good - and very near Rothenburg.

From Freiburg, I'd advise you to head for Rothenburg. Check out nearby Weikersheim, Nördlingen, Würzburg, Bamberg, and Nuremberg. Then head to the Rhine.

Posted by
11 posts

Thank you very much, this is helpful. We plan to stay in Rothenburg od 2 nights so we will check out what you suggested,It turns out we have 5 nights, , so maybe 2 in Rothenburg od, 2 Rhine-Mosel, i1- Heidelburg and flyout out day 6. Your suggestions point me in the right direction and I appreciate it.

Posted by
591 posts

Everyone's opinion is different, so I'll suggest my preference: Drive from Freiburg through the Black Forest to Lake Constance (Bodensee) and then along the northern shore to Lindau - about 2.5 hrs. The view across the lake of the Swiss Alps is spectacular, as is the city of Lindau. Continue on to the Fussen/Schwangau area - about 1.5 hrs - spend 2 nights. Day 2 visit Neuschwanstein Castle & nearby Wies Kirche. Day 3 up the RR to Rothenburg ot, stopping at Nordlingen and/or Dinklesbuhl - 2 nights in Rothenburg. Day 4, Am in Rothenburg, afternoon visit the Residence in Wurzburg. Day 5 to Heidelberg - enjoy the city. Day 6 to airport; if it's a weekday allow extra time because morning traffic is like being in L.A. - have fun.....

Posted by
11 posts

Tim Thank you, your info is helpful also.