Is this itinerary a slow pace for Germany?

Sounds perfectly wonderful. We like to travel the same way.

I can't comment on Berchstgaden, but the rest of your itinterary seems good. We spent 4 nights in Munich which seemed too much. 2 in Rothenburg is probably perfect. 4 in St. Goar might be a little much, but it's probably OK as there are many things to see in that area!

That looks like a good plan. Being at St. Goar for a minimum of 4 nights is good, because there are plenty of great day trips from St. Goar. (One day :Boat ride on Rhine River from St. Goar to Bingen, ferry across river from Bingen to Rudesheim to ride on the chair lifts (if they still have that) uphill to the Niederwald monument for the view of the Rhine River and valley. Return on train from Bingen to St. Goar, stopping at Bacharach for a quick walk through it.) (Another day : day trip to the castle Marksburg (the best medieval castle in Germany). Ride in a train from St. Goar to Koblenz, and ride in a train or bus from Koblenz to Braubach to visit Marksburg. And, it is possible to go on a day trip to Burg Eltz from St. Goar (but it is a long day).

Yes, the chairlift is still there, still running and most certainly worth riding up and down. Don't spend too much time in Rüdesheim, it's become such a tourist trap...

You can also visit Trier as a day trip from St. Goar. Take the train up to Koblenz, where you'll change trains for Trier.

Your replies are things we'd like to do on the Rhine. Here's our ideas for our trip.

Berchstgaden ideas:
Arrival day from Salzburg hopefully.
Berchstgaden National Park for Jenner Cable Ride & light trail walking; Lake Konnigssee boat ride; horse back riding or bike riding.
Salt Mine Tour & Ice Cave Tour.
Eagle's Nest & Documentation Center.
Watzman's Peak & thermal world relaxation.

Maybe visit Neuschwestein Castle on way to Munich.

Munich: 2 for the city, 1 day for Dachau.

Rothenburg: afternoon arrival, 2 nights & full day.

Rhine ideas:
St Goar & Rhenfels Castle.
Day on Rhine, visit Rudesheim & Bacharach.
Day trip to Cologne.
Another day bike ride, picnic, relax.

Diane,

Do you have Rick's Germany and Austria guidebook? We had a tour with Herr Jung in Bacharrach and it was one of the most memorable parts of our tour. He is available for private tours too.

I also enjoyed Andech's monestery for the beer out side of Munich. Rick has great idea's in his book.

Sounds like a wonderful trip. Enjoy!

This sounds like a nice slow plan. The only thing I would change is that I would stay in Bacharach instead of St. Goar. I have stayed in both, and really loved them, but Bacharach is a little bit more scenic with a great place to do wine tasting at night. I highly recommend Lettie's (in Rick's book). However, if you are wanting to stay in St. Goar and are up for hostel accomodations, the view from the breakfast room at the St. Goar youth hostel is AMAZING!!

I have 2005 copy so I'm looking her for updates, corrections, etc.

Definitely will be sampling & visiting the wine shops in Bacharach.

Do you think a private tour with Herr Jung would be better than one from the local TI office?

Which town is better for day trip to Koln or for a Rhine river day and night?
I've have read here that Bacharach is more touristy and St.Goar would have more local flavor.
But Jennifer you say it offers more scenic views?

We're looking at St.Goar because we want to see Rheinfels & it's right there and we could do it on our arrival day.

Nothing is booked yet. Any suggestions for a nice B & B with a private bathroom or hotel that have a balcony or terrace view of the Rhine?
Price splurge around E100.

I have 2005 copy so I'm looking her for updates, corrections, etc.

Definitely will be sampling & visiting the wine shops in Bacharach.

Do you think a private tour with Herr Jung would be better than one from the local TI office?

Which town is better for day trip to Koln or for a Rhine river day and night?
I've have read here that Bacharach is more touristy and St.Goar would have more local flavor.
But Jennifer you say it offers more scenic views?

We're looking at St.Goar because we want to see Rheinfels & it's right there and we could do it on our arrival day.

Nothing is booked yet. Any suggestions for a nice B & B with a private bathroom or hotel that have a balcony or terrace view of the Rhine?
Price splurge around E100.

I would also stay in Bacharach instead of St.Goar.They are both nice towns but Bacharach is the better of the two.I prefer to rent a car as the drive from St.Goar to Trier along the Rhine is delightful.Also in Rothenberg be sure to take the Watchmans tour.It is great.

5 days in Berchtsgaden is a lot of time unless you are planning to visit Salzburg and Hallstat

Otherwise the days in other places are perfect for each location

Near Berchtesgaden we like to take the boat ride on Koenigsee, with an optional stop at St. Bartholomae, and then the short hike around Obersee. There's a little hut there where they sell fresh cheese with bread and fresh milk.

Near Berchtesgaden we also like to make short stops at two quaint churches--Ramsau and Maria Gern.

I agree with Jack in Wisconsin, stay in Bacharach instead of St. Goar. Bacharach is very quaint and it is a perfect springboard for the Mosel and Rhine River Valley...I can also suggest Beilstein and Cochem for a fun day trip into the Mosel Valley.

Oh- I forgot-
I would also suggest doing 2 days in Munich and 3 days in Rothenberg.

We're thinking 3Munich to allow for a full day for a day trip to Dachau. The first film starts at 1130am and the tours thereafter going well into the afternoon.
So that would give us 1-1.5 days in Munich depending on if we go to Neuschwestein Castle from Berchstgaden.

In Bacharach, any suggestions for a nice room with a balcony or terrace view of the Rhine? We usually spurlge at one base & Bacharach or Berchstgaden appear to have the best appeal to do a splurge in.

Any suggestions around E100?

I added our train travel cost to get from one base to another including our day trip to Koln.
Based on June prices,the total is around $304.00 USD.

This doesn't include the other day trips or travelling within Munich and Koln.

Any comments in regards to purchasing a rail pass?

Does a rail pass give you discounts on the S Bahn?
I know you get a discount if you use the KD Rhine line.

Several posters have said the drive along the Rhine is beautiful. If we bought a rail & drive pass the we could do that one day and the other day use it to drive to the Castle.

I appreciate everyone's feedback. It is helping us review stuff we haven't thought of or didn't know about until I posted. This is very helpful.

Thanks for your imput.

If you like to stay a long time in one spot rather than see lots of different places, then this is fine.

Does anyone have suggesstions for our Bacharach stay?

Any experience with Germany railpasses?

See my above posts, thanks in advance.

yes...I stayed at Pension Lettie 2 weeks ago. She was nice and the accomodations were basic and clean. I would defintely stay there again. I did a Eurail pass for Germany and Austria- it was a saver pass- 2 people travelling at the same time together - and I would totally do that again! It was so easy!

Have you checked on how to get to Rothnburg by train. From what I remember you will need to change to a bus. I like driving in Germany and Austria. Another great place to stay on The Romantic Road is Castle Harburg. It is not far from RBurg and the price is reasonable.
You will have a great time. Take a translator that works both ways.
The day before you leave, print our a currency calculator both ways. High light $10, $25 amounts so you can translate quickly in your mind.
Call all your credit card companies and have them note the dates you will be in Germany. Our friend was cut off for 24 hours because he didn't!