Hello all, My family of 5 (parents, 2 college age kids, and one teen) are spending about 2.5 weeks this summer in Bavaria, Slovenia, and Prague. We fly into Munich and out of Prague and will spend 4 nights each in Berchtesgaden and Lake Bled using those as our bases for day trips (we have a rental car.) We have found over the years that we prefer smaller cities/towns with lots of access to nature/hiking/lakes, etc. I have several days and a couple of nights to fill when we leave Lake Bled and journey towards Prague. I would love suggestions that aren't too far out of the way for small beautiful places along the journey. I'll be honest--we aren't interested in Vienna for this trip and probably plan to stop as we get close to Prague in Cesky Krumlov and possibly Budovice, and/or Pilsen. Would love other ideas of places to stop along the way from Lake Bled north to Prague. Many thanks!
Posted by
1905 posts
One of the most lovely parts of Austria is the south of Styria, also called the "Styrian Tuscany". You can pass this area when heading north, coming from Lake Bled, after crossing the Austrian border.
There are eight "wine roads" for visiting wineries and vineyards offering a range of different wines. Most notably the Schilcher which is unique to that wine growing zone, having an unusual taste.
These Wikipedia articles are in German, only. You have to use Google Translate.
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%BCdsteiermark
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steirische_Weinstra%C3%9Fen
Posted by
OP
4 posts
thanks so much for that suggestion! This is just the type of info I was hoping to get!
Posted by
Bay Area, California
1431 posts
There is a lot that Austria offers. Are you interested in things like farm stays? Are you more into rustic villages or glitzy ski towns?
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thanks for the feedback--we've decided to drive from Lake Bled to the Wachau Valley, stopping for a tour of the Zotter Chocolate factory along the way. We'll get to do quite a bit of hiking, biking etc. in both Bled and the Wachau Valley, which is just what we enjoy most.
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10221 posts
Are you picking your car up in Munich and returning it in Prague? If yes you should know there will be a hefty drop off fee for returning the car in another country. Also you should confirm that you will be allowed to take a German rental into “Eastern Europe.” Not all companies allow that.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Andrea, Yes, thank you! We were able to find a pretty good deal on a one way rental and were able to confirm our particular vehicle is allowed in all the countries we will visit.
Posted by
197 posts
Hey Caroline where did you stay in Wachau Valley as we are thinking of stopping there for 2 nights on our way to Mirabor in Slovenia ;)