We lived about 45 minutes east of Cologne in 2013, but I actually don't know much of the itinerary you are describing. How old are your kids? If it matters, we flew in and out of Dusseldorf due to better fares, so that might potentially be a cheaper airport.
Cologne is a big city, but it didn't seem like a tourist destination. The cathedral is huge and the most famous attraction in town, and super convenient to the train station. Driving and parking in the city center for you might be a little more irritating. We liked walking over the bridge from the train station/Cathedral to see the thousands of locks and love messages locked to it - we added one that I will love to check out again someday. There is a chocolate museum that we were going to explore, but never did. We went on a cable car ride from the Zoo over the Rhine which was fun, but not a priority given your limited time.
We went to Rothenburg ob der Tauber about 12 years ago when we were living in Belgium and traveling in Germany. DD1 was a toddler. We loved it - walking the city wall, Night Watchman Tour, climbing the small city hall to the VERY windy and somewhat dangerous upper "balcony" circling the top. We went in the off season and it was not overrun with tourists. I might not like the city if it was overrun.
I have been in and around Munich and Neuschwanstein as a teen. I loved Neuschwanstein and, even all these decades later, when I see images of it I am happy remembering that I visited there. I think it's a Must Do. I went to Linderhof as well - I remember a grotto and think the castle is modeled on Versailles, but the memories are pretty faded. I went to Nymphenburg Palace in Munich, which I remember as being dull, massive, and ugly. Not sure about Hohenschwangau.
There are long day trips with tour companies to the Eagle's Nest from Munich, so you wouldn't have to disrupt your home base, but it is much more cost effective for a family to rent a car and go. Not sure if a train would work since you would have arrange transport from station to castle/Eagle's Nest. But for city-to-city travel, Deutsche Bahn is fun, convenient and affordable. Our three kids were aged 11 and under and we paid nothing or heavily discounted fares for them.
You mentioned an alpine slide (Rodelbahn). We went on two in Germany, neither in big tourist destinations, and just loved them. Highly recommend, and you might not have to go out of your way to find one, especially if you are not picky about how big or special the slide is. This is the first one we went to in the tiny town of Monschau and we thoroughly enjoyed it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHIUUW-2igk
It is very modest compared to the youtube of the one you are considering, but if you don't start with that expectation, I think you'll be happy at many of them.
Here is a list of them by bundesland/province of Germany: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_...en#Deutschland
Note that Bavaria is divided into its seven subregions described and mapped here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bavari...tive_divisions
Lastly, we loved the town of Bamberg and Playmobil Fun Park, which are 1.5 and 1 hour, respectively, from Rothernburg ob der Tauber. I wouldn't put Bamberg over Rotherburg, although it does feel much more like a real, living small city rather than a tourist town. But if your kids are the right age, Playmobil Fun Park would be an awesome addition to your trip. It is not expensive, highly interactive and imaginative. Stuff like climbing a life-size pirate ship, poling across a simulated lake Hucklberry Finn style, life size Playmobil sets with identical mini playmobil sets inside that kids could play with it, some outdoor zoo area and Wild West area that we had to forego due to rain. Everyone from the 11 year old down loved it - it helped that they were all really loving Playmobil at the time.
As for restaurants, I have to say that we have never made a reservation at a German restaurant and never had a problem. My impression is the same as the US - you might need or want a reservation at a fancier or more popular place, but you could still try your luck without one. And most ordinary restaurants don't need a reservation. That has been my experience in Germany.
In re-reading, it does seem like southern Germany is where you most want to be, and it's just castle ruins that are leading you to look elsewhere. Your itinerary is very castle heavy, both ruined or historical, and you may want to eliminate some to add something else in.... a hike, the Olympic Center in Munich, etc. I have been to Germany many times and have never been interested in Rhine castles, so to me at least, it's not a must do despite the heavy marketing of it.
Have a wonderful trip!
Last edited by american_mama; 02-03-2018 at 02:08 AM.
Advice and commentary on living overseas
DD1 15, DD2 12, and DS 9