My wife and I, both early 70s, had a great trip to Switzerland last year. We stayed three nights in gimmelwald and seven nights in Mürren. We loved the local, laid-back feel , and of course, because of the great cable car, bus, and train service in Switzerland we had access to anywhere we wanted to go. Our question is what areas or towns would give us a similar vibe as the small quaint towns we experienced in Switzerland? We absolutely do not like big cities and we’re not looking for museums and things like that. More geared towards nature. Some light hikes and just really enjoying beautiful peaceful views . Thanks for any advice.
Posted by
313 posts
Austria can definately do that, and at much cheaper rates than Switzerland. But where depends on how you would get to Austria, the western end of the country is often easier via Munich or even Zurich airports, whilst Vienna airport is more convenient for Slovakia than most of Austria! Salzburg airport doesn't have a huge range of summer flights and connections to reach there are not usually worth it given Munich is so close. So first thing is to work out the best option for getting to Austria and then we can nail down locations.
Posted by
Green Bay
23645 posts
Offhand, I cannot think of any car-free villages in Austria like Muerren or Gimmelwald.
I have not been there, but the Brandnertal looks interesting.
https://www.vorarlberg-alpenregion.at/brandnertal/de/unsere-bergbahnen/bergbahnen-brandnertal#sommer-start
Zurich is the closest airport.
Posted by
NYC area
3143 posts
I’d recommend Finkenberg (or Mayrhofen) in the Zillertal or Soelden in the Oetztal.
https://www.tux.at/en/finkenberg/
https://www.tux.at/en/zillertal-activcard/
https://www.oetztal.com/en/oetztal-inside-guest-cards/summer-card
Posted by
2808 posts
I recommend the Salzkammergut region which provides a variety of different options.
https://www.salzkammergut.at/en/
Posted by
Oberpfalz, Germany
1653 posts
Mid to late June through October.? Well if you can drive I recommend Hinterhornbachtal. Going to spend a week in Gramis end of June. Krimml and Gerlos area is nice. Oetz/Sölden away from tourists is nice Gries. Großarltal, Hüttschlag. Virgen and Defereggen in Osttirol. You are not going to find the Swiss experience in Austria, but there are so many perfect valleys and mountain tops. Quiet and great local folks too. Look at the valleys. If you have a particular area in mind?
Posted by
Iowa
13 posts
Go to Graz.
I'm surprised that this city with its lovely medieval town is not more prominently featured in the RS universe.
It is an easy 2 1/2 hours train ride from the Vienna Hauptbahnhof.
You will be leaving behind the tourist throngs to sample real Austria.
Posted by
Nashville, TN
1416 posts
We spend our summers living in Murren and have traveled extensively throughout the Alps in Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Italy & Slovenia. The only other 2 places that come close to how much we love Murren are the Logar Valley in Slovenia and Bad Gastein in Austria. We always go to Bad Gastein to start our summer every year for a few weeks and love everything about it - great natural thermal spas, great food, great hiking, tons of cable cars, quaint town, local music every week in the town park, local farmer's markets, a waterfall going through the middle of the town, gentle walking through Sportgastein, tons of bike paths, etc. etc. etc. It's a hidden gem in every way!
You can reach there by train and there is local bus service, but we prefer to have a car in the area to explore on our own schedule and buy a pass that includes all the cable cars and thermal spas. We fly into Munich, rent a car, return it to Munich and then train to Murren for the summer. However, if you were doing just an Austria trip and wanted to only use public transportation it's certainly possible and many do it.