Bavaria
Start in Munich
When you think of Germany, you probably think beer, pretzels, and lederhosen, right? Fine, that's the equivalent of think all Americans wear cowboy hats. Germany is wide and varied…but still: the beer, pretzel, and lederhosen part of Germany is a whole lot of fun. You get a great mix of stunning nature, cute small towns, and vibrant big cities.
Speaking of Beer
Did you know they let kids into the Hofbrauhaus in Munich? It's fun: there's a band belting out oom-pah-pah versions of German beer hall songs and American standards. Yeah…locals don't go there, but that's OK -- it's a nice family version of the real thing.
Winter Season
If you're really lucky, you'll get to Regensburg (Re'nsburg if you're a local) in the Christmas season, and visit their famous Christmas market. You'll get roasted chestnuts and hot chocolate, and lots and lots of toys that even a jaded tween will love.
Connects With:
You can sometimes find a bargain flight direct to Munich from the US, but often you'll fly into Zurich or Frankfurt. So pair this trip with the Romantic Road or Switzerland.