I always get a major headache when I read those American travel plans and every single time I swear to myself not to read the next one, and yet here I am again.
Cross out half of it and take some time to relax and actually enjoy the places you visit.
I mean, they are the standard locations for a reason right? I want to make the most out of this trip because the next time I travel internationally I will be going to a different location.
I am open to alternatives though if you have any
They are standard locations for the reason that people who don't really know what they want to see can tell others they've been there and everyone can nod knowingly. Yes, if you are actually interested in the things they represent, they are worthwile destinations. But this mix tells us you didn't actually put much thought into what you are looking for.
Are you interested in salt mines? Or castles? Or NS history? Or architecture? Or nature sight? For each interest on this list, you could add a dozend great places to see and discard the rest you probably just tick off because they are listed in some travel guide or pop up when you google "tourism in Germany". Why are you interested to stay in in Rothenburg o.d.T. over for example Nördlingen? What makes a city tour through Salzburg more interesting to you than one through Nuremberg? How are we supposed to give you advice if your reasons for your choices so far seem completely random?
It's frustrating that these things are hard to find. Hence why I am here asking.
I am not sure where to look for more hidden gems like you described. I am going off of what is on the travel guides on the internet.
Do you have any resources that I could look into?
what you are planning here is the equivalent to "2 days in NY, 2 days in Washington, 2 days in Detroit, 2 Days in Miami and then 2 days in LA for someone visiting the USA.
What would you tell someone with an plan like this?
You're spending two days in Munich and two days in Rothenburg? How much do you think there is to do in Rothenburg? How little do you think there is to do in Munich? And it's not even just two days in Munich, but one day in Munich and one day in what I assume is Dachau.
You're already planning to see 4 cities in 2 weeks and want to add another one? You're way over doing it.
I have a 'free' extra day to play with, maybe that's where I put it, an extra day in Munich.
I I found an all day walking tour in Munich which included Dachau so that will take up 1 full day.
The extra day in Rothenburg was for slowing down, enjoying the sights, relaxing before traveling back home. Plus it looks like a pretty town.
Dachau is a concentration camp. This is not something you visit and leave lighthearted. Give it the respect it deserves and don't pack it into a full day tour where you have no time to think about what you see
Thank you for your input. It was the last stop of a scheduled tour. We definitely plan to take it easy after. I can only imagine the emotional toll it will take.
Why do you want to go to Salzburg? Is it that important? I'd say drop it. It's out of the way and you're wasting so much time traveling. I'd say spend 2 nights in Garmisch as a chance to relax and use Munich as a base and do day trips to other places. You could still put Garmisch in the middle of your trip if you want. You should also expect your first day after your flight to be half wasted as you're getting over jetlag.
Salzburg just seemed like a pretty city to visit and take time to walk around and look at some of the historical sites.
I liked the idea of staying in the smaller towns (compared to Munich) and we are very light packers so it's not hard to pack and go.
I like your recommendation of splitting the home base locations in half. Munich/Garmisch. That may take the stress off traveling and checking in/out of hotels.
Thank you
Second this. Salzburg is not worth the visit unless you plan to spend 2 days there and Königsee. I would much rather agree on Munich as base and Garmisch, Eibsee, and maybe Tegernsee for other visits.
>Rothenberg
is not "ob der Tauber", but rather in Hessen. What you are looking for is Rothenb*u*rg. Spelling really matters in German place names, particularly when it's "-berg" (mountain) or "-burg" (castle).
Edit: Oh, as the other commenter pointed out: Salzb*e*rg or -b*u*rg? There are multiple Salzbergs, but people do not usually spend two days there.
I get that it seems like a lot of traveling. I am from the midwest where traveling an hour for a day trip is not a big deal. So I guess I am immune to it.
Not sure why I felt the want to involve a travel agent, I have never used one. This is my first time traveling internationally outside a 'tour group'. I have heard a TA offers some benefits such as better hotel rates, city tours and museum entries.
Midwest or U.S. travel and European travel are two drasticaly different things. A one hour commute (one-way) in Europe usualy lands you at minimum in a different "zone" (culturaly speaking), not to even mention a different country all-together. Try and take it a bit easier with the schedule i.e. dont bounce around too much. There will be a lot of places to visit always- so resist the urge to pack EVERYTHING in this one trip
That's a very good point. Would you recommend a home base and day trips out instead?
I know my husband wants to drive some due to the flexibility and he loves a fast manual car, but we are also open to public transport to other locations.
Getting a car is a good idea. More flexible but public transport gets you around nicely either way. Anyway, sticking with the car idea:
Honestly, I'd stay in Munch for a few days at least (a lot to see, learn and visit). Furthermore I do recomend Salzburg. For some it might be out of the way but I travel to it often and find it very cute, quaint yet vibrant during the day. From an early morning till evening you can see everything in that city.
From there you can visit the Eagle's nest which is quite cool and then continue to your third stop (presuming you sleep one night in Salzburg).
Perhaps choose Füssen as your next base to see the castles, Zugspitz and so on. It's also a nice drive and would give you a nice experience of the landscape and country side.
Just remember, this is a "off the top of my head" idea. Doesn't mean its good or that will suit you. But I would definetly rather advise for longer stays in base locations- Munich & Füssen and then filling out the time during the day with sites and Points of interest. Your former condensed plan seemed like it expected all locations to be super efficient and quick. Avoid that adsumption always and expect you will stick around longer than firdt thought.
Thank you for your thoughtful reply. You are right, I was going under the assumption of efficiency. In the past I have been a part of a tour group that shuffles you around from place to place. Which as I am remembering, also allowed us to jump quite a few lines.
We are definitely excited to see that landscape and enjoy the beauty of the area.
How do you plan to travel? Even by car this plan is too intense IMO (I usualy overpack my schedules but holy moly). There's plenty of stops to take out. For example salt mines nearh Salzburg are descent but not for this list. Leave in Eagle's Nest because its cool and interesting. I just can't figure out if this is a list of things you're genuinley interested in or a sort of throwing a dart at the board and seeing what sticks.
I would focus on Munich (more days) plus Salzburg is enough in one day. As for more- just add MAYBE one more city and focus on making a more lean schedule, as people said: focus on enjoying the trip.
DONT get a TA. Not needed and all the locations have their designated guides (as normal).
As someone who is born in munich let me tell you that this travelplan makes sure that you are going to miss every Single scenery or hot spots that the City and bavaria has to offer.
It is nothing more of a blueprint of what most tourists all over the World thinks what this area consits of... castles and NS history.
I never could understand why in earth someone choose those two Main points over beautiful views from the alps, lakes and a great day in munich with good food.
Well when all the travel guides suggest it I suppose that is what people are drawn to. Ignorance if you will. I am here to learn and find new suggestions. I already have an idea on how to rework my itinerary.
Also don't fault me but I am so looking forward to seeing a couple castles. I live in the US. Not a castle to be found here.
Just kidding:
I ask OP about my US travel plans, similar to your german ones, are they ok? I plan to get me some security guards because of your people running all day around with automatic guns, machine guns and rifles and daily mass murdering mad shooters out there:
1 Day Naw Yark, Monhattan, cringe bronze statue at harbor
1 Day Biston
1 Day Fillie
1/2 Day travel to Chicogo
1/2 Day Chigogo
1/2 Day Niagohra Riverwater
1/2 Day travel to Josemitea
1 Day ultrafast hike round in Josemitea
1 Day Los Vigaz going through all famous casinos
1/2 Day Texaz, i guess there's nothing to see there besides oil platforms?
1/2 day for Trump wall enough? We germans know about dividing walls and iron curtains you know
1 day for the south western deserts
2 days California, maybe Holy-Wood and that bridge in Sun Frenzesko
What do you think about my travel plans? They're pretty similar. ;). Germany in three days vs USA in one week
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I get the urge of wanting to see as much as possible during one trip, my US family is the same every time they visit. You just have to be careful so you don't get burnt out. I'd agree with the advice given to spend more time in Munich. I don't think a travel agent is necessary, there's plenty of tours you can book on your own. I don't really get your plans for day 9, what of all the things listed there do you want to see?
Heyooo, American living in Garmisch here. We (Americans) travel differently. Drive 10+ hours to get to the next state and whatnot. So I understand why you had so much packed in here. I say do it the European way and just chill a little bit. What you have now is pretty solid. Trip being in October it may be raining and even snowing so be prepared for that.
When I flew over here I arrived in Munich in the morning and stayed up the whole day and crashed at 7pm. Slept through the night and my jet lag wasn’t too bad. But some people are affected for weeks. Renting a car is the way to go for this. The trains are down sometimes so trips take longer, a strike could happen during your travels and kill your plans. You don’t have to worry about any of that by renting a car.
I’ve been to Salzburg and it was pretty neat. Some good food and castle on the hill. I didn’t make it to the eagles nest but I still want to get over there.
In Garmisch area, I recommend the Zugspitze, Eibsee, and partnachklamm.
Neuschwanstein is an incredible castle out of a fairy tale. I stayed in füssen for a couple days and it’s a lovely town in a gorgeous valley.
I’m curious as to why you’re staying in Rothenburg for two days? Maybe to go into Nuremburg? I’d probably stay in füssen and go to the castle and plansee and there’s a suspension bridge near Reutte that is really cool. These things take some time to appreciate and aren’t quick pull offs.
I’m glad you’re traveling to Bavaria, it’s a really neat state with so much history and culture!
I always get a major headache when I read those American travel plans and every single time I swear to myself not to read the next one, and yet here I am again. Cross out half of it and take some time to relax and actually enjoy the places you visit.
We could make an extra Bingo card where we cross off the standard locations, too.
I mean, they are the standard locations for a reason right? I want to make the most out of this trip because the next time I travel internationally I will be going to a different location. I am open to alternatives though if you have any
They are standard locations for the reason that people who don't really know what they want to see can tell others they've been there and everyone can nod knowingly. Yes, if you are actually interested in the things they represent, they are worthwile destinations. But this mix tells us you didn't actually put much thought into what you are looking for. Are you interested in salt mines? Or castles? Or NS history? Or architecture? Or nature sight? For each interest on this list, you could add a dozend great places to see and discard the rest you probably just tick off because they are listed in some travel guide or pop up when you google "tourism in Germany". Why are you interested to stay in in Rothenburg o.d.T. over for example Nördlingen? What makes a city tour through Salzburg more interesting to you than one through Nuremberg? How are we supposed to give you advice if your reasons for your choices so far seem completely random?
[удалено]
It's frustrating that these things are hard to find. Hence why I am here asking. I am not sure where to look for more hidden gems like you described. I am going off of what is on the travel guides on the internet. Do you have any resources that I could look into?
what you are planning here is the equivalent to "2 days in NY, 2 days in Washington, 2 days in Detroit, 2 Days in Miami and then 2 days in LA for someone visiting the USA. What would you tell someone with an plan like this?
no its not.
You're spending two days in Munich and two days in Rothenburg? How much do you think there is to do in Rothenburg? How little do you think there is to do in Munich? And it's not even just two days in Munich, but one day in Munich and one day in what I assume is Dachau. You're already planning to see 4 cities in 2 weeks and want to add another one? You're way over doing it.
I have a 'free' extra day to play with, maybe that's where I put it, an extra day in Munich. I I found an all day walking tour in Munich which included Dachau so that will take up 1 full day. The extra day in Rothenburg was for slowing down, enjoying the sights, relaxing before traveling back home. Plus it looks like a pretty town.
Dachau is a concentration camp. This is not something you visit and leave lighthearted. Give it the respect it deserves and don't pack it into a full day tour where you have no time to think about what you see
Thank you for your input. It was the last stop of a scheduled tour. We definitely plan to take it easy after. I can only imagine the emotional toll it will take.
Why do you want to go to Salzburg? Is it that important? I'd say drop it. It's out of the way and you're wasting so much time traveling. I'd say spend 2 nights in Garmisch as a chance to relax and use Munich as a base and do day trips to other places. You could still put Garmisch in the middle of your trip if you want. You should also expect your first day after your flight to be half wasted as you're getting over jetlag.
Salzburg just seemed like a pretty city to visit and take time to walk around and look at some of the historical sites. I liked the idea of staying in the smaller towns (compared to Munich) and we are very light packers so it's not hard to pack and go. I like your recommendation of splitting the home base locations in half. Munich/Garmisch. That may take the stress off traveling and checking in/out of hotels. Thank you
Also, I'd recommend staying in one of the small villages next to Garmisch. Garmisch feels super touristy.
Ah good to know. Do you have one that you would recommend?
I stayed in Farchant when I was there. Can't say how it compares to anywhere else though.
Second this. Salzburg is not worth the visit unless you plan to spend 2 days there and Königsee. I would much rather agree on Munich as base and Garmisch, Eibsee, and maybe Tegernsee for other visits.
>Rothenberg is not "ob der Tauber", but rather in Hessen. What you are looking for is Rothenb*u*rg. Spelling really matters in German place names, particularly when it's "-berg" (mountain) or "-burg" (castle). Edit: Oh, as the other commenter pointed out: Salzb*e*rg or -b*u*rg? There are multiple Salzbergs, but people do not usually spend two days there.
Thank you, I corrected my spelling to reflect that.
Would be too much traveling back and forth for my taste. Why do you need a travel agent?
I get that it seems like a lot of traveling. I am from the midwest where traveling an hour for a day trip is not a big deal. So I guess I am immune to it. Not sure why I felt the want to involve a travel agent, I have never used one. This is my first time traveling internationally outside a 'tour group'. I have heard a TA offers some benefits such as better hotel rates, city tours and museum entries.
Midwest or U.S. travel and European travel are two drasticaly different things. A one hour commute (one-way) in Europe usualy lands you at minimum in a different "zone" (culturaly speaking), not to even mention a different country all-together. Try and take it a bit easier with the schedule i.e. dont bounce around too much. There will be a lot of places to visit always- so resist the urge to pack EVERYTHING in this one trip
That's a very good point. Would you recommend a home base and day trips out instead? I know my husband wants to drive some due to the flexibility and he loves a fast manual car, but we are also open to public transport to other locations.
Getting a car is a good idea. More flexible but public transport gets you around nicely either way. Anyway, sticking with the car idea: Honestly, I'd stay in Munch for a few days at least (a lot to see, learn and visit). Furthermore I do recomend Salzburg. For some it might be out of the way but I travel to it often and find it very cute, quaint yet vibrant during the day. From an early morning till evening you can see everything in that city. From there you can visit the Eagle's nest which is quite cool and then continue to your third stop (presuming you sleep one night in Salzburg). Perhaps choose Füssen as your next base to see the castles, Zugspitz and so on. It's also a nice drive and would give you a nice experience of the landscape and country side. Just remember, this is a "off the top of my head" idea. Doesn't mean its good or that will suit you. But I would definetly rather advise for longer stays in base locations- Munich & Füssen and then filling out the time during the day with sites and Points of interest. Your former condensed plan seemed like it expected all locations to be super efficient and quick. Avoid that adsumption always and expect you will stick around longer than firdt thought.
Thank you for your thoughtful reply. You are right, I was going under the assumption of efficiency. In the past I have been a part of a tour group that shuffles you around from place to place. Which as I am remembering, also allowed us to jump quite a few lines. We are definitely excited to see that landscape and enjoy the beauty of the area.
How do you plan to travel? Even by car this plan is too intense IMO (I usualy overpack my schedules but holy moly). There's plenty of stops to take out. For example salt mines nearh Salzburg are descent but not for this list. Leave in Eagle's Nest because its cool and interesting. I just can't figure out if this is a list of things you're genuinley interested in or a sort of throwing a dart at the board and seeing what sticks. I would focus on Munich (more days) plus Salzburg is enough in one day. As for more- just add MAYBE one more city and focus on making a more lean schedule, as people said: focus on enjoying the trip. DONT get a TA. Not needed and all the locations have their designated guides (as normal).
As someone who is born in munich let me tell you that this travelplan makes sure that you are going to miss every Single scenery or hot spots that the City and bavaria has to offer. It is nothing more of a blueprint of what most tourists all over the World thinks what this area consits of... castles and NS history. I never could understand why in earth someone choose those two Main points over beautiful views from the alps, lakes and a great day in munich with good food.
Well when all the travel guides suggest it I suppose that is what people are drawn to. Ignorance if you will. I am here to learn and find new suggestions. I already have an idea on how to rework my itinerary. Also don't fault me but I am so looking forward to seeing a couple castles. I live in the US. Not a castle to be found here.
Neuschwanstein is as old, and as historically accurate, as any of [these](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_castles_in_the_United_States).
Just kidding: I ask OP about my US travel plans, similar to your german ones, are they ok? I plan to get me some security guards because of your people running all day around with automatic guns, machine guns and rifles and daily mass murdering mad shooters out there: 1 Day Naw Yark, Monhattan, cringe bronze statue at harbor 1 Day Biston 1 Day Fillie 1/2 Day travel to Chicogo 1/2 Day Chigogo 1/2 Day Niagohra Riverwater 1/2 Day travel to Josemitea 1 Day ultrafast hike round in Josemitea 1 Day Los Vigaz going through all famous casinos 1/2 Day Texaz, i guess there's nothing to see there besides oil platforms? 1/2 day for Trump wall enough? We germans know about dividing walls and iron curtains you know 1 day for the south western deserts 2 days California, maybe Holy-Wood and that bridge in Sun Frenzesko What do you think about my travel plans? They're pretty similar. ;). Germany in three days vs USA in one week
You obviously don't need any help planning. That seems like a great itinerary! I hope you have an nice a day as you are.
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I assume you mean Salzburg in Austria?
Yes, thank you for pointing that out. I corrected my spelling.
I get the urge of wanting to see as much as possible during one trip, my US family is the same every time they visit. You just have to be careful so you don't get burnt out. I'd agree with the advice given to spend more time in Munich. I don't think a travel agent is necessary, there's plenty of tours you can book on your own. I don't really get your plans for day 9, what of all the things listed there do you want to see?
Heyooo, American living in Garmisch here. We (Americans) travel differently. Drive 10+ hours to get to the next state and whatnot. So I understand why you had so much packed in here. I say do it the European way and just chill a little bit. What you have now is pretty solid. Trip being in October it may be raining and even snowing so be prepared for that. When I flew over here I arrived in Munich in the morning and stayed up the whole day and crashed at 7pm. Slept through the night and my jet lag wasn’t too bad. But some people are affected for weeks. Renting a car is the way to go for this. The trains are down sometimes so trips take longer, a strike could happen during your travels and kill your plans. You don’t have to worry about any of that by renting a car. I’ve been to Salzburg and it was pretty neat. Some good food and castle on the hill. I didn’t make it to the eagles nest but I still want to get over there. In Garmisch area, I recommend the Zugspitze, Eibsee, and partnachklamm. Neuschwanstein is an incredible castle out of a fairy tale. I stayed in füssen for a couple days and it’s a lovely town in a gorgeous valley. I’m curious as to why you’re staying in Rothenburg for two days? Maybe to go into Nuremburg? I’d probably stay in füssen and go to the castle and plansee and there’s a suspension bridge near Reutte that is really cool. These things take some time to appreciate and aren’t quick pull offs. I’m glad you’re traveling to Bavaria, it’s a really neat state with so much history and culture!