Hello! My boyfriend and I are taking a trip to Germany in mid-November. Here is our draft itinerary: 9-12 November Munich (with day trip to Salzburg) 12-14 November Garmisch/Oberammergau/Meersburg (still a but fuzzy on this part) 14-16 November Rothenburg 16-17 November Munich (departing 17 Nov) We are having a tough time deciding where to stay in the southern region, from Garmisch to Lake Constance. As we will have a car, ideally we'd like to only stay in one place and make day trips to other areas. We are hoping to do the Zugspitze and see the castles, also stop in Oberammergau, and see Meersburg and Lindau. We are not making trips into Austria or Switzerland. Please provide any recommendations on where to stay (and why) and what to do as day trips. Also please tell me if you think the weather is going to cause any issues with regard to driving in this area.
Thanks!
Posted by
Green Bay
21153 posts
In Rothenburg, we stayed at the Gerberhaus, which is one of the RS rec's. Very pleasant, quiet, and comfortable. Nice little garden in the back, and space for parking vehicles. They have free wifi on the house public computer, but when I asked the landlady for in room wifi, she said it was a nominal 3 Euro per day. Then she asked "Are you with Rick Steves?" and I said yes. "Then for you it is free!" and handed me a login code.
Posted by
Atlanta
5196 posts
We have also stayed at Gerberhaus and will probably do so again. Since you will have a car, consider a day trip to Heidelberg. It is close to R'burg, has a neat old town and a really cool castle. TC
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33838 posts
Regarding the weather - nobody knows these days. Weather has and can and will do anything. But you can look at history for a guide as to what it may do. If you look at Weather Underground you can see what has happened for the past many years. http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/LOWI/2012/11/15/DailyHistory.html?req_city=NA&req_state=NA&req_statename=NA In Oberammergau the 15th of November has a max of 4C (39F) and a minimum of -3C(26F). Snow, sleet, or rain can happen at any time. You will be between the seasons in a ski resort.
Posted by
Stuttgart, Germany
3050 posts
I haven't been to Garmisch, but it's a popular resort for U.S. military families. So...be prepared to be surrounded by U.S. military families if you decide to stay there. I really like Lindau, the Hotel Gasthof Sift was a great deal there. That said, I don't know if I'd stay there in November, Lake Constance tends to be kinda hazy and foggy when it's not summer. It's not as appealing when all you can see is grey water and grey sky, no mountains in sight. And it's not as close to the zugspitze and castles as other locations. It could snow, particularly at higher elevations at that time. There's none of your destinations that scream to me "you must have a car!" All the locations you want to go to are easily served by train, although some only by slower regional lines so a car may be a bit faster. A day trip to Dachau from Munich is an interesting, sobering experience. It's more of a half-day trip. Salzberg is a good choice as a day trip from Munich. It's easy to reach by train, but if you want to combine it with another sight like Berschesgaden, Eagle's Nest, or the salt mine it might make more sense to drive from Munich. I personally don't think two nights are neccessary for Rothenburg but it would give you the opportunity to check out another town on the Romantic Road. Were I you I'd stay one night in Rothenburg and then head to Nurnberg, spend one night there, before heading back to Munich. More diversity of sites that way, and the driving times aren't bad.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
" So...be prepared to be surrounded by U.S. military families if you decide to stay there." Not really. The Edeleweis resort where most military people stay is on the outside of town and has controlled access. More than likely, you'll be surrounded by Germans (it is a popular holiday resort, after all) with a smattering of Americans here and there. If you have any interest in skiing, the snow field on the upper slopese of the Zugspitze usually opens by early to mid November.