Need suggestions for four day trip to southern Germany

Munich, at least 2 full days.Day trip to the Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau Castles (both at the same location.4th day - either add more time in Munich (lots to do there) or add another day trip, possibly to Dachau just north of Munich (won't take a full day) or a day trip to Salzburg, Austria by train 1-1/2 hrs each way station to station time (a day trip to Salzburg will take a full day).

Dan,

There's LOTS to see right in the Munich area. Some of the "usual" highlights for most travellers:

• Neuschwanstein & Hohenschwangau Castles (the homes of "mad" King Ludwig, located in Fussen - easily done as a day trip from Munich, with or without a tour group)

• Dachau (one of the first Concentration Camps. It's not as "intense" as some of the other camps such as Auschwitz or Matthausen but still a somewhat interesting historical site. Again, this can be done as a day trip, on your own or with an organized tour such as those provided by Radius Tours).

• Walking tours in Munich

• Of course the Beer Halls such as the Hofbrauhaus (I believe that your 19 & 16 year olds may be able to go there as well). Not sure whether the banquet hall on the top floor would be available for the younger children?

There are lots of really interesting sites in Munch (ie: the "onion dome" Church and especially the Deutsches Museum (16 kM of exhibits - your children would probably have a great time there!). You should have NO trouble finding sightseeing ideas to fill four days. Keep in mind that you'll lose the first day in flight times, so you might want to add a day at the beginning so that you have four full days in Munich.

I was in Munich in May, and stayed at the Hotel Uhland and would most certainly recommend them (awesome breakfasts!!!). Easy walk from the train station once you know the way.

Cheers!

*** KENT, once again we were both typing replies at almost the same time! ***

If you and your family like outdoor activities, consider spending some time in one of the Bavarian Alpine towns, like Bechesgaden, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Oberamergau or Mittenwald.

It sounds like you'll probably be hitting the big Italian destinations. Munich is nice but in many ways just another large city, so to add some variety, I think I will side with tom here - stay in one of the smaller mountain towns, enjoy the scenery and local flavor, and daytrip into Munich for a day to see the sights there.

Mittenwald is a precious little village. You're close to the Karwendel, Kranzberg, and Zugspitze peaks, and the cable-car rides here are pretty spectacular. You're also close to the Partnach Gorge hike and to Garmisch's window on traditional Bavaria, the Fraundorfer Inn, where a meal includes traditional Lederhosen dancing and music - a lot of fun.

It would also be possible to daytrip to Neuschwanstein from here, but the castle tour is pretty pathetic compared with so many others; some will disagree, but IMO the place is an overhyped tourist trap and a big waste of time.

Rentals for 6 are scarce but you should be able to find one in the smaller villages if you start looking soon for around 100 euros/night. Munich will be far more costly.

Transport to Garmisch and Mittenwald from Munich or the airport is easy by train - use the regional trains and travel on a Bayern Ticket (good for 5 people, maybe 6 if they're all your own kids) which is a daypass good for all Bavaria that sells for 27 Euros/day.

I too say get out of Munich pretty fast. It's your first trip to Germany, so grab a couple of tour books and highlight things that you think are must-sees, then figure out how to fit them in.

I'd say arrive in Munich and do a Mike's Bike tour with the whole family. Gets you out and moving, works off the jetlag, and gives you a feel for where things are in town. Spend the rest of the day re-visiting the things you thought were esp. interesting. Mike's Bikes does a number of interesting tours, see their website, that could easily fill two days.

Dachau is a good day trip b/c I think seeing a concentration camp/museum is an important thing to do at least once in life. I think it's a good learning experience. Not sure about a 6yr old there tho...old enough to know what's up, not old enough to process it...?

If you must do Neuschwanstein, allow a day trip for it (unless you come from the Garmisch area, where Neuschwantstein and Reutte's Ehrenburg ruins could be a full day trip). I highly recommend the Garmisch-Partenkirchen area. See the alps, the flowers are blooming in the summer, good to just get OUT and run around. Hit the bakeries in the early morning, do a hike or cable car ride, then see local sights in the late afternoon/evenings.

Grainau is a lovely village between G-Partenkirchen and the Zugspitze. We're taking my parents back down there this fall for a week. Don't pay the big $$ for the Zugspitze, take a trio of cable cars up the Kreuzeck, across a ridge to the top of the Alpspitze, and then back down again. Cheaper and prettier than the Zugsp's concrete platform and restaurant. You can do little hikes between the Kreuzeck and Alpspitze which are family friendly and GORGEOUS!

The train is functional, but a car is a special treat to have with all the scenic tours you can do. Only 4 days in Germany can be tight!

With a 6 year old, I would not go on a bike tour. Perhaps a walking tour might be better for kids. I do not think I would take small children to a concentration camp either, as much as the adults may want to go. There should be plenty to see in Munich and surrounding areas like Garmisch, etc., if you follow the other posters suggestions.

I think for most bike tours, Jo is right about the 6 year old, but Mike's has kid seats and is supposed to go at a kid-friendly speed for children who choose to ride their own bike. They are SUPER fast at responding if you send them emails, so if it's something you actually are interested in, I would contact them first to verify.

We were in Munich last year with my then 14 year old son. I'd recommend:

-Dachau concentration camp
-Hofbrauhaus - go for dinner but not too late
-Neuschanstein - tour the castle and walk to the bridge
-Viktualien Market - for a fun and easy lunch in a beer garden (children very welcome)
-Marienplatz and the Glockenspiel
-Residenz - see the paintings that were cut out before the WWII bombings and the jewels

Krista

As others have suggested no ques go to King Ludwigs birth home and Neuschwanstein castles side by side. Down the road from there are the luge areas which your kids and you prob will love. Great site in gen. for fun and picnic. also another few miles away is a great outdoor lunch spot where you can view the paragliders soaring. It is a good idea to stay at least 2 nights in this area and with a car so you can visit Linderhof also. Ludwigs fantasy grotto.

Hi,
We were in Bavaria in June. Our family really enjoyed going to Herrenchiemsee. There is a very nice castle there that is a replica of Versailles, also it is on an island so there is the added benefit of riding a ferry in some of the most gorgeous scenery. Take the train from Munich toward Salzburg and get off in Prien. The train ride is about 45 minutes. Once you are there you can easily walk to the boat dock or take another train.

The Palace referred to above is another one of Ludwig's construction projects, along with Neuschwanstein, etc.

Thanks for all the suggestions! I know four days is short, but we have to be in Italy for my in-laws anniversary otherwise we would do more. Has anybody been to Kehlsteinhaus? I heard that might be worth the trip. Also, would you recommend train travel or renting a car? I kind of like the idea of staying in a smaller town and venturing out from there. Any recs on where to stay?

Kehlsteinhaus - aka Berchtesgaden on the boards, is about 2.5 hrs east of Garmisch-Partenkirchen (GAP). Neuschwanstein is just under 1hr west of GAP. Tons of info about Berchtesgaden/Eagle's Nest on the boards, just do a search.

Personally I'd say with the 6 yr old, skip the concentration camp, and, after your first day in Munich, head on down to GAP and find some lodging the spend the rest of your German nights in. GAP is a good home base. My husband and I are taking my parents down there for the first part of our trip this fall for that very reason.

You will find both die hard car/train people on this board. I'm more of a car person b/c you can go explore off the train tracks. Also, getting to the Bavarian sites listed so far on this thread is simpler with your own car.

I love Grainau, next to GAP, as in RIGHT next to it, but removed. It's almost solid B&Bs and holiday apts in a pretty way. Google them and they have a great tour site in english to help find lodging. I would do this early b/c you have 6 people.

From Grainau/GAP to Neuschwanstein it's under an hour and you have to pass through Ruette where the Ehrenburg Ruins are, that's a good day trip. Another day trip is to see little Mittenwald's violin building museum and hike it's decent gorge. Of course, also stay put in the GAP area and do a cable car trio starting on the Kreuzeck. =)

We're doing Berchtesgaden at the end of our GAP time as a mid-point en route to the Upper Austria region. I think it's a bit far for a GAP day trip.