Germany Itinerary suggestions please

I think the younger members of your party will definately appreciate adding more nights to Munich. Nürnburg's a nice enough city, but you can see most of it in one day. For a daytrip from Munich... geez, that's a tough one, because it seems like you'll have already hit a lot of the obvious choices. If you've been to Munich before, can I assume you've already seen Neuschwanstein? Linderhof, perhaps, although you can see that more easily from GaP. Dachau? I like Oberstdorf, but there's not much reason to go there in December if you're not skiing.

Yes we have visited Neuschwanstein and Linderhof. This trip is more for my kids so you have confirmed my thoughts about changing to staying 3 nights in Munich and have now adjusted our hotel accommodations. We are not skiers so that eliminates Oberstdorf. Would love some further ideas, but otherwise I guess we'll head up to Nurnburg one of the days. Tom - When we had planned on going to Nurnburg from Strasbourg you gave some great driving routes to visit some interesting smaller towns and a good place to stop for lunch. Would you have any suggestions now that we are heading to Munich instead? I'd like to make a day of it.

Remind me what I wrote previously. I know most of the territory between Strasbourg and Nürnburg pretty well. But once I hit Ulm on A8, I usually turn onto A7 south towards the Alps, so I'm less familiar with what lies further on A8 heading towards Munich. It seems like you've previously seen or have already planned to see just about everything of interest that I know of in southern Bavaria, so I'll let someone else weigh in.

Previously you suggested going towards Heidelberg and along Neckar river valley (b37/45) & stopping at Bad Wimpfen. Sounded wonderful but I guess a bit out of the way now. This is our first time to Strasbourg & have never been anywhere along the way to Munich including Ulm so if you have suggestions within that area and anyone else has some suggestions along there or from Ulm to Munich that would be helpful.

Munich is on most A-lists of cities in Germany for a reason. Even if you have been there before, it has so much to see and do that three days is hardly enough. Except for WWII buffs, Nuremberg is a B-list city, also for a reason. I have spent about two weeks there (Munich) over the years -- not nearly as much as a lot of folks, but it is a good start. I may get around to Nuremberg one of these days, but only for one-night to break up a long trip. Nothing against the city, but I am not interested in revisiting the Nazi era; books are sufficient in that regard. Besides, Munich, Regensburg and other cities just have more to offer. Adding: I have not been to these two places but they may be along your route and are on my bucket list. They are Schwäbisch Hall and a castle stay at Colmberg.

Yeah, the Neckar valley's out of your way now. And I can assume that if I recommended the Neckar previously that you'll have a car, so your direct route would take you via Karlsruhe and Stuttgart. Karlsruhe hasn't struck me as particularly interesting, but there's a huge Schloss complex there. I haven't visited the Schloss yet, so I don't know if it's worth your time. Moving further east, the abbey at Maulbronn is a world heritage site. I was a little disappointed by it, but perhaps it might be worth a quick visit. This particular region of Baden-Württemberg (between the Odenwald and Black Forest) is actually pretty dull, so I wouldn't waste much time in transit through here. Moving further east, both Esslingen and Tübingen are worth short visits. And if you visit Tübingen, you may as well continue a little further south to Hechingent to see Burg Hohenzollern. Nearby is the famous Kornbuhl, but I found this less impressive in person than it looks on all the postcards. It's pretty much a small white chapel on top of a hill and not much more. If you've never seen Dinkelsbuhl, I think it merits a visit. It's one of the most unique towns I've yet seen in Germany. I have not seen another town where all the houses are painted in a similar style. And now we've gone beyond the territory I know.

Nuremberg is a B-list city Maybe. Maybe not. There is a whole lot more to the city than WWII. Loads more. If you have never been you don't know what you are missing. Yes the others mentioned are on my list (I have visited them and love all the ...bergs and ...burgs) are special, but I just wanted to chip in that Nuremberg is well worth a couple of days; as is the sausage next to Rathaus.

Finding it hard to believe that Nuremberg is a B-list city. Claiming it deserves this rating by someone who hasn't even been there is sad. This was an important city all through the Middle Ages, much more important than Munich ever was. Forget WW2, and find out the other reasons to enjoy visiting a town or city. That is certainly not something I would base my priorities for an A-list or B-list city. Frankly, I dislike such ratings anyway. They are meaningless, and are only one persons opinion, nothing else.

The only remnants of the Nazi era in Nürnburg are the ruins of the rally grounds, and these lie well outside of the city center. You could drive past it and not even notice the significance if you're not actively looking for the location. The Altstadt is an absolute treasure, even if it was heavily rebuilt.

The question was, should it be 3 nights in Munich vs 2 in Nuremberg and 1 in Munich. I would go with either 3 in Munich or 2 in Munich and 1 in Nuremberg, preferably the former. Munich, to me, is a destination; Nuremberg is one of about a dozen or more places in Germany, not counting 50 or so in other countries, I hope to visit one day, but I would not fly to Europe just to do so. That is my definition of an A-list city.

Wherever you take days from other places to Munich, I would endorse it. Nothing to do with WWII; it's just a nice city to visit. 3 days in Munich would be warranted. I wouldn't spend more than 1 day in Strasbourg, 1 day in Nürnberg, or 1 day in Salzburg. And that means Munich, not Regensburg, Chiemsee or Garmisch.

I thought Nurnburg was more attractive at night with the castle all lit up. I love the beer halls in Munich but I liked the sights in Nurnbueg more. How about a day trip to Bamberg too?