Help with "home bases" in Germany

Ah, the "Romantic Road". If you want my opinion (shared by others on this website), seeing the Romantic Road as a destination in itself isn't worth it. There is some nice scenery, but other than the last several kilometers at the southern terminus, the view is no better any other country road in Germany. The only difference is that during peak times of the year, this particular road can become jammed with traffic, while similar routes remain uncluttered. So, if there's something in particular you want to see along the road, drive it. Otherwise, find a route that fits your itinerary.

And as for using Rothenburg as a base... it's a little too far to the north, whereas many of Bavaria's true delights sit in the south in and around the Alps.

We went to Germany in 2007, and rented a FEWO (vacation apartment) for 1 week in Garmisch-partenkirchen for 46 euros a day. Perfect, at the foot of the alps, short ride to all castles (also make the drive to Chimsee (beautiful).They have a city web-site most in English- very easy town to navigate, will send you tons of brochures,etc, but you can book FEWO almost instantly. Well worth it.

Also, meant to agree with other poster, we rented a car and DROVE the Romantic road. We stayed 1 night in Rothenburg, then drove the road south until we had to break off to Garmisch.

Romantic Road. Where to locate depends on what you most want to see. The Alps are great but living in the mountains in the US, I prefer to visit German towns, especially in Franconia. This is my favorite part of Germany. In this case I would say that Rothenburg is a very good location. It has ample restaurants, hotels, etc. to give good tourist support. You will spend your days on the road.

All the places that you mentioned in the Rhine/Mosel area have plenty of tourist services and would work as a base for this small, attractive geographical area.

Regards, Gary

In October, 2007, I spent a week on the Romantic Road. Well, in reality it was five days because I spent the first two nights in Oberammergau, visiting Linderhof, and that is not actually on the romantic road. Then I spent four night on the actual road (Landsberg, Nördlingen, Feuchtwangen, Weikersheim) before ending up on day 7 in Würzburg. You can read about my trip here.

On this trip I actually only spent a few hours per day traveling and most of my time visiting 2-3 towns/day.

I did it all by train or bus.

Based on my own experience I would say do this: start with the Rhein/Mosel, then take the train to Frankfurt and on to Würzburg, then to Rothenburg. From Rothenburg go to Munich and spend a few days there, taking a day or overnight trip to Füssen.

For the Romantic Road part of my trip, I spend $126 on rail and bus travel compared to a quote for a very small car at $275 plus $75 for fuel.

I think Cochem, St. Goar/Bacharach and Rhotenburg work as bases.

If you are packing light and can walk a few blocks (sometimes up a steep hill), you can function easily with a train on the Rhine and Mosel. If you use local trains (after morning rush hour), your whole family can travel at a great price.

On the Romantic Road, you can reach a lot by train but it's not as easy. Are there any places you want to see that can't be reached by train?

Grape harvest begins about 1 Oct if you have an interst in wine it could be fun

Hello Kathryn. For your week in the Rhine and Mossel River area : I think being at Cochen two nights is a good idea (but not necessary) for visiting the castle Burg Eltz. I think renting a car is not important. And at the Rhine River (between Bacharach and Koblenz) riding in trains is more scenic than driving a car. The walk from the Mosel Kern train station to the castle Burg Eltz is three miles, half of it is up hill through a forest. People having overnight accomodation at Cochem have the option of riding in a Bus from Cochem to an other town (to the west) and riding in Taxi car from that town to Burg Eltz. When you leave Berg Eltz, you could go the same route in reverse to Cochem, or walk down hill to Mossel Kern and go on a quick train ride to Cochem. (That is what I would do). You might be able to fit in a visit to Beilstein. The other nights in that region : being at either St. Goar or Bacharach is good. For your second week, if you want to visit Rothenburg : I agree with Lee's suggestion. Visit Wurzburg (palace and Baroque chapel and town) and Rothenburg. Be at Rothenburg one or two nights, and have overnight accomodation at Munich the remaining nights in Germany.

Hello, My wife and I have stayed in Cochem, Bacharach and Koblenz in November. All are excellent places to stay. However, we found that Koblenz is excellent for visiting all parts of the Mosel and Rhine. Travel by train and the fares are very cheap. You are less than 2 hours from all destination. Have a good time.

Thanks for the suggestions and opinions. I have now decided to stay the first week in St. Goar. We will only spend 1-2 nights in Rothenburg - then the remaining time in the Bavarian alps.

As with our other European trips - narrowing down the places to go is very difficult!!

I agree that the Romantic Road is somewhat over-hyped, tho you definitely want to see Rothenburg; however, it is not particularly a good base as it is somewhat removed. I spent a week last summer with Cochem as home base, and it worked beautifully. There is lots to do in and around town and it is a good base for Rick's favorite castle, Burg Eltz. The Mosel River boats are great for seeing the little villages, and combining biking and boating is great fun too, on both the Rhine and the Mosel.