10/11 day driving trip in and around Munich

[chungasarnies]

Hi folks,

Not sure whether to stick this here or in travel & holidays

We're planning on driving down to Munich next March. Have already found some great advice on here about route choice etc (particularly here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=1&a... ), but would appreciate some opinions on what's achievable/doable/worth doing

Very rough itinerary I'm working on at the minute, probably leaving on the 10th March (could be a few days earlier if necessary):

1. Leave Newcastle early, to the Chunnel by mid afternoon, through into France/Belgium with a stop somewhere around Bruges to be well placed for the next day of driving

2. Spend the day getting to Munich, via the Cologne - Frankfurt - Nuremburg - Ingolstadt - Munich route. Also willing to split this trip into two days as its a fair old hike, but I have no idea where a good stopping point would be?

3. Three or four nights in Munich, do the touristy bits/BMW World

4. Head south out of Munich to pick up the Alpenstrasse at some point - missus would like to see Neuschwanstein Castle which is along the route. Also led to believe there are some good driving roads along this route. Would need a suitable overnight stop around here. Would be up to 6-7 days at this point I think.

5. Start heading back home - open to any route suggestions/good overnight stops for this. Would like to see the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, is there a good route to take that encompasses this? Would like to get home on the 19th/20th.

Two concerns at the minute:

Am I wanting to get too much in?

Weather: We will be taking a 130i - will I need to run on winter tyres?

[PTT]

http://www.romanticroadgermany.com/
http://www.highline179.com/en/
http://www.freebase.com/m/026zp6p
Try driving through the Blach Forest to Stuttgart (B500)
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasserschloss_Glatt Visit this castle and particularly the restaurant behind the castle, you be surprised.
http://www.motorworld.de/index.php/standorte/stutt... ( stay at the V8 hotel )

[dcb]

chungasarnies said:

Weather: We will be taking a 130i - will I need to run on winter tyres?

Usually tyres are changed when the clocks change, end March, so yes.

Mid March is a bit of an iffy time - it can snow and be cold,
but this is unlikely.

More trouble if you go up into Austria. I've seen snow in June
if you go high enough.

I'd play safe and get them on. They only need to save your
life once and they have paid for themselves.

Remember to check the high speed limit of winter tyres.

[chungasarnies]

Thanks chaps, all great stuff

The winters are already on so that's actually saved a job when the time comes...

[kwk]

There are no particular dates for winter tyres in Germany. It now states that the tyres should be changed whenever the weather dictates so not particularly clear. The rules do mention, that if you are involved in an accident and are on the wrong tyres, you could have problems with insurance.
I would check with your own insurers before you go.

[mon the fish]

Fussen is a decent small town to stay in near the castles

[chungasarnies]

Bumping this slightly old one... now booked up but dates flexible/ hotels cancellable:

10th: Newcastle > Folkestone > outside Bruges for the night
11th: Bruges > Munich
12th, 13th: Munich
14th: Munich > Fussen
15th: Fussen > Stuttgart
16th: Stuttgart
17th> head towards home with an extra stop

Still concerned that it's too much to fit in, especially seeing it written like that. Also debating whether to chop the Bruges > Munich leg in two? Any thoughts appreciated.

[tgr]

I like the Hotel Alte Post in Holzkirchen - great beer and a very generous breakfast.

HTH

[dcb]

chungasarnies said:

Still concerned that it's too much to fit in, especially seeing it written like that. Also debating whether to chop the Bruges > Munich leg in two? Any thoughts appreciated.

It's about 550 miles from Bruges to Munich. Further than Newcastle
to Penzance (480 miles). On my own in a day trip, that's a *long* way.
Even further with her indoors.

OK you've got the 130, so you'll be able to get your toe down to
a certain extent, but what's the longest time she's been in the
car before she's started whinging about shopping for shoes / handbags etc ?

Maybe a romantic overnighter by the side of Rhine someplace between
Koeln & Frankfurt might change the trip from an endurance event into
a holiday for her ?

I've been to Limburg and Koblenz before now.