Overwhelmed! Travel starting in Munich

How did you decide on the length of the trip without knowing what you wanted to see, or in what order you wanted to see the places? Keep in mind that two of your nine days will be travel days to and from Europe. That leaves about two days each for the three cities you listed, plus travel time between them, so I'm not sure you'll have time for "several places in between".

Let me give you an example: From Munich to Lucerne it takes you one full day to travel. You're passing one of the most scenic and stunning areas which is Lake of Constance. There is so much to see and do, people spend a full one- or two- weeks vacation there. And even though in theory you could do Lucerne to Milan over night there are so many beautiful lakes and villages in between the two it would be a shame missing them. From Milan back to Munich you should at least spend a day at Meran and another one in Innsbruck. There's also Garmisch-Patenkirchen and Mt. Zugspitze in between Garmisch and Munich... And talking about history where would you fit in Neuschwanstein castle? Personally I'd focus on Southern Bavaria and Austria only which would allow you much more time to actually experience the sights you're visiting...

I'll assume you're just taking a 9 day trip due to budget and/or employment limitations. (Nine days is not a lot of time to visit Germany, Italy & Switzerland.) I would suggest leaving Switzerland out--unless you have to go there for a particular reason. Consider including the lake district around Salzburg or the area around Innsbruck for gorgeous scenery. Verona is a wonderful city that might give you more a taste of the Italy than Milan. Verona would be somewhat on the way to Italy's Lake Como area and Milan. Munich has plenty of history and nightlife....You'll have a good time--don't expect to see it all. Plan to come back.

Hi Jaclynn,
Andreas stated..."I'd focus on Southern Bavaria and Austria only". I agree. So much to see and do in Bavaria and Austria alone. Why spend a good part of your trip either in a car or a train. My recommendation (and this is not knowing if this is your first trip or if you've seen any of these places before) would be...
Munich
Salzburg
Innsbruck area (Hall in Tirol is our favorite here)
Either Mittenwald, Fuessen or Garmisch-Partenkirchen
So many things to see and do based from these places and you won't spend your trip either driving or seeing Europe through a window on a train.
Just my humble opinion.

Paul

I'd agree with the previous posters that Bavaria and Austria would be a good choice. I lived in Salzburg during a semester of college and have been all around that area. There is SO much to see.

Iwould avoid Milan, Italy and try for Torino, or somewhere else.

I have been living in Torino for the past 6 weeks and love it. We took a day trip to Milan and all thats there is shopping... $$$$$$$. And, Leo's last supper but you have to have reservations.

I would skip milan!

Thanks everyone! I'm really trying to get some focus for my trip. I know I'm not going to be able to see everything I'd like to, so now I'm just trying to narrow it down and figure out the best places in these areas. My trip is short, but I'd like to make the most of it! Thanks for all the helpful suggestions!

Jaclynn

You are in luck!! Munich is a great base for exploring Bavaria and Austria and, we think, parts of Switzerland. The Bayern Ticket (on Die Bahn, the German Railway) is about €30. It allows travel for up to 5 during one day to Salzburg,Innsbruck and so many other places. Stay at Gasthof Hubman in Giesing, It is a great spot in a private home. Munich itself has much to offer, especially the municipal park, called the English Garden.

You should take Rick's advice and fly "Open Jaw", you are wasting precious time returning to Munich to fly home. Fly in to Munich travel to Italy and fly home from there.

You could also spend a few days around Munich and take the overnight train to Venice, it takes about 8 hours.

Most of all enjoy your trip!

I also agree with several others. Skip Milan. I was fortunate enough to get a scalpers ticket to La Scala Opera while there but I wouldn't go out of my way to see the city again.
Italy, for a short trip, is Florence, Rome, and/or Venice. They each have such beauty, wonderful places to see, great museums, and - you can stand where Ceasar stood!
I think beautiful Venice is the most "different" from the rest of the world and also has great nightlife, as does all of Italy. For the best museums and history, it's Florence and Rome for sure.
You can fly directly home from either Rome or Venice.

Have a great time where ever you decide!

Virginia

9 days is not enought time. Plan on going back later. Why Munich? It nice, but unless you are going for Octoberfest, I would skip it especially with only 9 days. I would chose to fly into Salzburg (Beautiful) Take trips to Berchtesgaden (sp), the Obersalzberg (Hitler's Eagle nest..and great mountains. The mountains of Austria are breathtaking. The lake regions are well worth the time (Halstatt). Bavaria is simply outstanding. I would ent a car with GPS..that way you can take your time, get out in an Austrian mountain village..walk around and talk to the locals... If you want to see Italy and the rest I strongly suggest you plan on returning in the future. If you try to do all you want in 9 days all you will be doing in riding in trains

Travelling without plans is the key to Europe! 9 days is plenty of time to see a lot. You guys will have a blast. Make sure you raise up a glass at the Hoffbrau House in honor of my positive attitude!

Jaclynn, I have to agree with the others that a trip of only 9 days is not going to be enough to see as much as you planned.

Dropping Milan is a good idea, but it should be possible to include at least one destination in northern Italy. Choosing places that are fairly close geographically will minimize travel times and using open-jaw flights would be great (as someone else suggested).

For beautiful scenery have a look at Hallstatt & the Salzkammergut area of Austria. Also a visit to Fussen and the Castles would be nice. A quiet and beautiful part of Italy is Lago di Como (Varenna & Bellagio)-it's a fairly easy travel time from Munich. I can't offer to much advice on "nightlife" as I usually travel on my own.

With only 9 days to work with the trip will need to be WELL planned or they will waste time or money (the spontaneous approach is good if you lots of both to work with).

Good luck!

My husband and I went on a tour with our church choir a few years ago and we started in Interlochen, Switzerland. We took a day trip on our own (based in part on a Rick Steve's PBS program) that was fantastic. We went up into the mountains and then walked back. It was beautiful, peaceful and a once in a lifetime experience. We also spent time in the Lake Como area which is also wonderful. If possible I would add these two areas into your trip.

Jaclynn, 9 days is plenty of time with a rental car. You're getting many opinions on this from this post. Limit yourself to those 3 cities and you should be ok. Know that your depth of experience is going to be light.

You can see the highlights of Munich in 2 days provided that you stay near the city center, leave your hotel no later than 8:30 AM every morning, and don't be shy about breezing through something that doesn't interest you. I know this sounds like fast food travel, but you have to weigh depth vs. time.

I haven't been to Lucerne, but it seems like you can do Lucerne staying there 2 nights. It takes a day to get there so spend the first night, the next day and the next night. Leave for Milan in the morning.

People forget that Milan is extremely close to Switzerland! But travel through Switzerland can be slow going in some areas. Plan on another day to get to Milan from Lucerne. You can see the highlights of Milan in 1-2 days. By my count, that's only 6-7 days!