Twenty five years ago I was working on my German major. Next month, for the very first time in my life, I will be going to a German speaking country, 4 actually. (I’ve travelled around the world, but for some reason, kept missing going to Germany.)
Going there in December for about 8 days. My husband, a buddy, and I have come up with the following itinerary and it is indeed ambitious.
December 3-Arrive in Frankfurt and stay over night there.
4th-Drive down to Zurich (overnight)
5th-Drive through Liechtenstein and the city of Lech, Austria (husband’s ancestral place), and see Neuschwanstein. Arrive in Oberammergau (overnight)
6-Drive to Salzburg. Do the Sound of Music tour (not my choice-really not my choice) (overnight)
7-Drive up to Munich (overnight)
8 Drive to Nuremberg (overnight)
9-Stay in Nuremberg (Overnight twice in the same hotel)
10-Drive to Rothenburg ob der Tauber and then back to Frankfurt (overnight)
We did much of this trip very recently: Munich -> Oberammergau (Ettal, actually) -> Rothenburg odT (via Dinkelsbuehl) -> Nuremberg -> Wurzburg -> Rhine Valley -> Frankfurt.
We had 14 days, so could take it a bit slower.
Highlights for me included: Linderhof Palace (very near Oberammergau), Dinkelsbuehl (we also so Nordlingen but found it a bit underwhelming, maybe just the bad weather that day), Ettal Abbey, Andechs Monestary near Munich (mainly for the view and food/beer, climb the church tower if you’re up for that sort of thing). The Rhine River cruise was very nice too, and the castles there (Marksburg was my favorite I think).
We did a nice walking tour of Munich that was narrated by Rick Steves where you could just download the audio and walk at your own pace - we found that preferable to a guided tour. Not sure how much you want to be outside during December. We also did the Oktoberfest, but that was just a nice side-effect of when we were there.
In general your itinerary feels very rushed to me. You don’t have enough time in Munich or Rothenburg for me. Have you considered flying in to Zurich and out of Munich? That would save a lot of driving and 2 “dead days”. You could also probably leave the car in Salzburg - you won’t really want it in Munich or Nuremberg, and don’t need it to get to RodT and Frankfurt really.
ETA: Neuschwanstein is definitely worth seeing, and we enjoyed seeing it’s sister Hohenschwangau. You may not have time for both. Either way book tickets ahead of time via the website and you’ll save some waiting around time.
ETA2: There was a really nice microbrewery nearby with a great view of the castle. Schlossbrauhaus Schwangau it was called.
Unfortunately, most of the hotels are pre-paid so the schedule is locked in. Which makes me a little concerned about the Alpine driving in December as while I’m used to snow but more when it’s on a flat street.
We’re all from Minnesota so we are comfortable with the outdoors. A big part of going in December is to hit the Christmas Markets.
Thanks for the tips re: booking tickets online and the brewery!