jsblan00

My wife and I will be traveling to europe from June 15-30. We have 15 nights, and really want to fit in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. I have been looking over things for a couple days and this is what I have so far. Pelase let me know what you think, and add any suggestions or tips you might have.

June 16- Fly into Berlin... Stay for 4 nights
June 20- Pick up rental car. Drive to Dresden for 1 night stay.
June 21- Leave Dresden and drive to Munich for 4 nights.
-Day trip to Dachau
-Day trip to Neuschwanstein, rest of area
June 25- leave Munich and drive to Salzburg for 2 nights
June 27- Travel through austrian alps and stay near Innsbruck.
June 28- Drive to Zurich and stay two nights
June 30-Drop off rental car at Zurich airport and leave for US.

So there it is. My main question right now is whether to try and fit Salzburg in. Is it worth the drive to go see it? If not, we could drive south from Munich and spend more time near Neuschwanstein and the austrian alps. Also, I would love to see Vienna, I just don't see how it is possible this trip.

Please let me know what you think.

TuckH

>My main question right now is whether to try and fit Salzburg in. Is it worth the drive to go see it?<

IMO, the area around Berchtesgaden is the most scenic in the entire region (that would include Salzburg of course).

nycgirl1

I would cut out Dresden if you feel you can make the drive to Munich in one day. I personally wasn't impresed with Dresden, and would rather have more time in Bavaria.

Salzburg is definitely worth it.

ira

Hi J,

Considering the rest of your trip, I'd cut out Dresden.

You could also go from Dresden to Prague to Vienna to Salzburg and skip Switzerland.

Jean

I'd drop off the rental car in Zurich when you arrive, not just before your flight home. You have one full day and presumably a couple of hours the arrival and departure days. Just the amount of time needed to see Zurich on foot and perhaps take a boat ride. No need for a car there. Frequent and very convenient train service between the main station and the airport.

jsblan00

Ok, guys... thanks a lot for the responses, they definately helped my planning.

So, I thought to save on expenses we could ditch the car idea until we get ready to leave Mnuich, and just use the rails. I would like to explore the austrian alps area on my own via car. But, by dropping the car off in Lindau, Germany instead of taking it to Switzerland, we will avoid a bunch of charges. THen we can just take the train from there to Zurich.

Do you think a regional europass (Germany-Swiss) for 5 days would be the best buy? Or just buy the tickets individually since we won't be on the rails that much?

Also, Since the good hotel rates we want in Munich begin on 6/21, would you stay five nights in Berlin, or use that extra night somewhere on the way to Munich? I am ok with ditching Dresden, I just wonder if there is anywhere between Berlin and Munich worth a night.

Mimar

My first thought on your itinerary was why are they driving between Berlin and Munich. From Munich, Dachau is easy to get to and there are day tours to Neuschwanstein. I'd add any extra days to Switzerland and/or Austria. Though I personally like Zurich, it's not very close to the Alps. Maybe drive to Lucerne, spend 2 days there, then train to Zurich for one night on your way home. Just spending a couple days in Zurich is cheating yourself of the Switzerland experience.

ira

Hi js,

Have you looked at train fares on www.bahn.de and airfares on www.whichbudget.com?

May I ask why you are starting in Berlin if you want to see Bavaria, Austria and Switzerland?