March 18-19 - Opinions about Salzburg, Neuschwanstein, Oberammergau, Mittenwald

[chrischeung]

Folks,

I wanted to get some opinions on our ED Mar 17-20. My wife and I are picking up our 530i SMG on 3/17 and running up to Dingolfing that day for the tour. My questions relate to what to do on the weekend. We will be staying at the Rennaissance Munich each night, and departing back to the US on Monday Mar 20. We will have visited Paris, Brugge and Amsterdam prior to arriving in Munich.

My questions are:

1. We are planning on Saturday to go to Salzburg, then on Sunday to go to Neuschwanstein, Oberammergau and Mittenwald. Are there any preferences to switching the days between the 2? ie. is traffic any better/worse to these places in particular on Saturdays or Sundays?

2. Is the itinerary of Neuschwanstein, Oberammergau and Mittenwald in the same March weekend day doable?

3. Any particular order that they should be visited in - based on time of day, driving route (driving the Ultimate Driving Machine)?

4. Is Neuschwanstein worth seeing ON THE INSIDE? I've read that Beewang wouldn't do it again, but I am wondering if it is worth the time for just a 35 minute tour to park, go up, come down, etc. We will be visiting Versailles on this trip, and this is not our first time in Europe. Perhaps a review of the photos from the website (http://www.neuschwanstein.de/english/castle/rooms/index.htm) are sufficient?

5. Are there any other day trips from Munich that others would recommend?

TIA,

Chris.

[chrischeung]

Just clarifying Question 4:

- We plan to view the castle from the exterior, no matter what, but am seeking opinions about stoping and taking the interior 35 minute tour.

TIA,

Chris.

[JSpira]

Totally ignoring (for a moment) what you originally posted, let me make a few suggestions of different and equally worthwhile destinations.

You might want to consider staying in Berchtesgaden, 173 km from Munich.

I stayed at the InterContinental and the views from 1000 m were incredible. It's a brand new hotel and I'd go there again.

The whole area of Berchtesgadener Land is quite beautiful and there is much history (good and bad) as well.

Another day trip you might consider near Munich is visiting Dachau.

I did a number of day trips while I was staying in Berchtesgaden (anyway from 370km to 570 km round trip). If you want to try something off the beaten path, let me know and I can give you some of my itinerary.

[b-y]

This is a lot of driving. I'd modify B's comment to "I wouldn't visit the inside of Neuschwanstein more than once." Given that, I'd spend the day going to, through, and from Neuschwanstein and cut down on the rushed driving.

There are also other options to those listed in your original post and in J's reply. Among these are Bad Tolz, the Starnbergersee, Chiemsee (although the castle on Herrenchiemsee has reduced hours until April). Personally, I found Herrenchiemsee to be more interesting to visit than either Neuschwanstein or Hohenschwangau, but less of a fun drive.

Details for all at: http://www.schloesser.bayern.de/englisch/palace/index.htm
and: http://www.schloesser.bayern.de/englisch/palace/objects/preise.pdf

[Me530]

I thought Oberammergau was quite boring. Personally I'd say to skip it.

[e36M3r]

You might want to check out my ED log and picture gallery. We went last year March 18th... and went to Salzburg, Berchtesgaden, Neuschwanstein and many other places...

This is the long version as it has the itinerary and dates, etc....
Euro delivery, full version (http://www.chamberware.com/europe/)

[L Seca]

My questions are:

1. We are planning on Saturday to go to Salzburg, then on Sunday to go to Neuschwanstein, Oberammergau and Mittenwald. Are there any preferences to switching the days between the 2? ie. is traffic any better/worse to these places in particular on Saturdays or Sundays?
2. Is the itinerary of Neuschwanstein, Oberammergau and Mittenwald in the same March weekend day doable?
3. Any particular order that they should be visited in - based on time of day, driving route (driving the Ultimate Driving Machine)?
4. Is Neuschwanstein worth seeing ON THE INSIDE? I've read that Beewang wouldn't do it again, but I am wondering if it is worth the time for just a 35 minute tour to park, go up, come down, etc. We will be visiting Versailles on this trip, and this is not our first time in Europe. Perhaps a review of the photos from the website (http://www.neuschwanstein.de/english/castle/rooms/index.htm) are sufficient?
5. Are there any other day trips from Munich that others would recommend?

TIA,

Chris.
Here's my $.02:
1. Not sure, but I'd vote for Salzburg on Sat, to avoid the Sunday traffic on the Munich-Salzburg Autobahn. It may not matter.
2. That's quite a bit of driving - I calculate about 4.5 hours round trip. You must decide whether that gives you enough time at each destination. I'd do it in a heartbeat!
3. I would leave early and go to Neuschwanstein first - make an advance reservation for the first English tour of the day (if you decide to take the tour). You can speed up your visit by taking the shuttle bus up to Marienbrucke (Mary's Bridge) to see the best view of the castle, then walk down 10 minutes to the castle itself. The walk back down to the parking area is much faster than the hike up. To avoid backtracking completely, a scenic route from there to Oberammergau would be to continue into Austria to Reutte, then take the road that goes along the Plansee (L255 in Austria and St 2060 in Germany on my maps) and past the entrance to Linderhof Castle. It will add a few minutes driving time, but it's a lovely, fun drive. It takes you over the Ammersattel pass, elevation 1,118 meters. (Don't take this route if it's been snowing!) Another alternate route would be to go through Garmisch. If you get to Mittenwald before sunset, you can see the town, maybe have dinner and return to Munich after dark.
4. I had visited the castle locale once before without taking the tour. This year my son and I did take the tour and we enjoyed it. Very touristy, however. I'm glad we did it, but I wouldn't do it a second time.
5. The Andechs monastery and brewery (southwest of Munich) is a great place to visit-world famous beer! :beerchug: Also, if you like churches, there is a famous and huge church in Ettal.

Watch the weather forecast, and be prepared to adjust your plans as necessary. Enjoy! :thumbup: