Anyone ever been to Southern Germany?

 That's funny!  I will going in August, is there anything cool in Zurich?? 

How was Nurnberg? 

I wish I can go to Oktoberfest but we are leaving in August.  Things that I am interested in is there culture (food, etc.), hang-out with towns people, I dont think just doing the tours stuff.  My wife and I need to work-out?  So if you know of any places to ride or run? 

Not that I liked, but get on a train and go to the Berner Oberland, little towns, Gimmelwald, Grindewald.  It's GORGEOUS!!!! Sleep with a view of the masive Eiger, go up to the Schilthorn... I love that place.

It's been 10 years since I've been there, but the Bodensee (Lake Constance) was awesome! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Constance)  They have ferry's that can take you to various cities and Meersburg was fun.

The trains were fun and a great way to see the country side.  I flew into Frankfurt, took a train down to Konstanz, a ferry over the Meersburg, spent a few nights with some friends and took a day trip train ride to Munich from there.  All of it was great!

WaterDog66 - 2007-05-29 2:33 PM Yup Took a Train from Paris to Munich and then rented a car and drove from Munich to Cologne Germany. (We stayed in a Castle just outside of Cologne to celebrate my birthday) Beautiful country and driving through the Black Forest and the Rhine Valley was definitely a highlight of the trip. Bavaria in the late Summer, Early fall was an absolute blast. Be sure to get off of the Autobahn and drive through this part of Germany of you get the chance. (The Autobahn is cool but not very scenic)

 Thanks man,  that is a huge help!  WE were looking at all of those place you just menton! 

Highlight of my last trip there was a lap around the old Nurburgring race track, pretty much flat out in my VW Rabbit rental car.

The salt mine tours in Salzburg are fun, especially for the kids.

If/when I go back again I'd like to do a cruise up the Rhine through the wine country.

Mark

We were thing about that "Cruise up the RHINE RIVER"?    How was Salzburg?  Is it worth staying a couple of night??

I lived in Northern Germany for 3 years but spent a couple of vacations in Southern Germany and Austria.  There are a lot of things to see in Southern Germany.  It depends on how touristy you want to be.   Neuschwanstein Castle http://www.neuschwanstein.de/english/index.htm is within driving distance of Munich.  This is the castle they used as the basis for the Disneyland Castle.  It's touristy but worth the trip.  Near Garmisch is Lake Eibsee at the foot of the Zugspitz.  The Zugspitz is the tallest mountain in Germany, on the Austrian border and they have a tram that takes you to the top.  It's a beautiful area and not a lot of tourists.  Also within driving distance of Munich is Berchtesgarden, The Eagles Nest, Hitlers home and worth seeing if you are a WWII buff.  Finally, I would make time to visit one of the concentration camps.  It sounds creepy but one of the most moving and solemn places you'll ever visit.  I won't go into Munich as there is so much to see there.

If you head north, one of my favorite places to go was Rotenberg on der Tober.  This is about an hour south of Heidleberg.  It's a walled city and it gives you a feel for how city's were laid out in the middle ages.   Be sure to climb the tower above city hall.  Great view.

Let me know if you want more suggestions.

Ernie

Ernie thanks so much!  Sweet Castle!  How did you like North Germany???

We lived on the Rhine river in Wesel, a town at the north end of the Ruhr valley.  Although, the Ruhr is an industrialized area we lived in a rural town of 30,000.  We had a great time and learned a lot about Germany.  There isn't a lot to do or see there.  Dusseldorf is pretty cool and worth a day.  When we had guests we usually took them to Amsterdam and other places in Holland.  I don't think it would be worth the drive for you, when there is so much to see in Bavaria, Austria and Switzerland.

Reading some of the other posts, I would skip the Rhine river cruise.  It was ok but got real boring after the first hour.  If you want to see the best areas around there do a tour of the winery's in the Mosel river area. 

Ernie

Great info!  Thanks Mark..

Yes we are finishing in Paris.  But we are flying from Munich to PAris!   Please tell me about the Black Forest, looking online it looks like somewhere we want to go??  Is it worth a couple of days?

Check out Roth, Germany , especially on 24 June (not sure of when you are traveling).

That is the day the Quelle Roth Challenge occurs.

Check out Nurnberg, Germany.  Great Old City.