Where to go after Munich?

Well, you can see the Alps from Munich. Enormous hiking opportunities. Famous castles: Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau, Lindenhof. Last August when I was in Munich I also went to Passau (2 hours by train), stayed overnight in Passau (nice town on confluence of Inn and Danube, right on Austrian border). From there by bus (about 1.5 hour) to Haidmuehle, walk about 1 mile to the border with the Czech R. and from Nove Udoli in C.R. by train to Cesky Krumlov (about two hours of scenic ride by slow train). C.K. is very picturesque town worth seeing. Or you can go from Munich to Salzburg. Or many other options which you can find in Rick Steves book: Germany (under chapter Munich).

Garmisch-Partenkirchen offers some fantastic hiking, including some interesting gorges and an easy Klettersteig across the face of the Alpspitze. I would suggest 3 days there for starters.

Two itineraries come to mind from there-- 1-Head over to Strasbourg, down through the wine route towns. Castles and hiking opportunities there. Down to Beaune, Chamonix, up back to Ravensburg. 2-Head through the fern pass (if you have an iron stomach for wind-y roads) to Innsbruck, Dolomites, Venice, up through Milan, Chur, to Ravensburg.
Both plans are easily do-able in 8 days if you pick 3-4 towns.

Salzburg and the lakes.

What city are you flying out of?

I visited Bertchesgaden and loved every minute. The Konigsee and surrounding trails are terrific for hiking. About 2 hours to the south of Munchen.

May can be really nice. I'd probably add Salzburg for sure and some of the Rhine, Neuschwanstein, and/or Romantic Road stop or two (Wurzburg is my favorite).

Hi Mark, A few important questions that will help: 1) How will you be traveling, by rental car or train/bus? 2) Do you have 8 days (7 nights) or is it 8 nights (9 days)? 3) Where are you leaving from, Munich? Is it an early am or afternoon flight?
4) Is Ravensburg at the beginning or end of your trip? Paul

You have all of the Bodensee area plus the Swabian Alp up to Tübingen and also Stuttgart (Porsche and Mercedes museums among other attractions). Those would be the close regions. Everything in the Munich/Salzburg area would also be prime. Ravensburg is home of Ravensburger Games - the 'Milton Bradley' of Europe (although I like Ravensburger games better - especially The Amazing Labyrinth - the best board game ever!)

Oddly, no one has mentioned seeing the sights in Munich itself one of the most underrated, and most liveable cities (by several Euro studies) on the continent. Munich easily merits several days, and has a great airport to fly in and out off. Also, I really like the best preserved medieval city in Germany, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, an easy train trip from Munich. Ross in Denver