Small Town like WENGEN..but in Austria?

Posted by t.thkkr on 10/13/22 06:59 AM

Hi All - Planning a family trip (age from 3 yrs to 75 yrs) around Christmas to Austria and Prague.

I'm looking to recreate the epic 3 nights we stayed in Wengen, Switzerland a couple of years back. What we liked: 1) Just enjoying the gorgeous, gorgeous scenery and the mountains, 2) the quiet town away from tourists 3) quick hop on the train to multiple towns and peaks. Could someone help?

Currently our plan is to fly in and stay in Vienna then to Salzburg and Prague (fly out) about 3 nights each. Looking to fit in a fourth quieter non-touristy option. Hallstatt will be a day trip.

Any help, much appreciated. Cheers!

Posted by Kenko

Citizen of the World

10/13/22 08:08 AM

2121 posts

Berchtesgaden and the spa town of Bad Reichenhall with its hot thermal pools and saunas in the Bavarian Alps—the hot waters and saunas at the spas are perfect for Christmas, and you’ll already be in the neighborhood ( they’re 30 minutes away) when you’re in Salzburg.
Cheers!

Posted by Emily

Vienna, Austria

10/13/22 01:23 PM

5513 posts

How about a German town right on the Austrian border? I think Mittenwald is about perfect.

Posted by Hank

City of Seattle

10/17/22 03:30 AM

1959 posts

How much do you want to look at massive glaciated mountains? That's a tougher assignment in Austria than Switzerland.

My advice would be to not seek to reproduce Switzerland in Austria. Rather seek in the Austrian Alps what Austria is famous for: beautiful small baroque churches, post ard villages, cozy clean warm cute interiors, landscapes so green they hurt your eyes. And also pretty mountains :)

Posted by mm

California

10/17/22 12:07 PM

150 posts

Following this thread as we're looking for a similar little town in Austria - not necessarily the "recreating Swiss mountains" part, but sweet non touristy villages where we might find cozy accommodations and bucolic scenes :) Thanks in advance!

Posted by mchpp

Oberpfalz, Germany

10/17/22 02:57 PM

1400 posts

There are places in the Austrian Alps. Unfortunately, you really need a car as there is no train access. You can get to most places with local bus, but it could be a long trip with several transfers. When there though, many places offer Guest cards that include free local bus. Think "valleys" instead of an individual town. I like Osttirol (not so touristic). Many nice hotels and holiday apartments available. https://www.osttirol.com/en/

Christmas is high season in the Alps. Many are there for skiing and having a good time to include families. Top prices in many cases for places to stay. Some have minimum stay requirements.

You might take a look at the Zillertal in Tirol as a start. You can take a train all the way to Mayrhofen. Might be too far out of your way. https://www.zillertal.at/en.html You can stay in the mountains, examples: https://www.enzianhof.eu/ https://www.gerlosstein.at/

There are many nice 3–4-star Hotels in the Alps that offer half board and wellness. Some are pricey, but really worth it. Good dinners, fireplace going, sauna, indoor outdoor pool, bar etc. Example in Ehrwald Tiroler Zugspitz Arena : https://www.hotel-spielmann.com/en/

Posted by Paul

NYC area

10/18/22 10:24 AM

3003 posts

We’ve searched for a Wengen substitute yet there’s only one Wengen. With your itinerary Berchtesgaden area makes sense. We LOVED all our stays (5 so far) in Ramsau bei Berchtesgaden.

mm… if you’ll have a car then I’d highly recommend Finkenberg, in the Zillertal. Well, it sits on a ledge above and overlooking the valley of the Zillertal! The most amazing place we’ve stayed in Austria in terms of serenity and scenery. We have pics here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pjbassplyr/albums/72157646600331977

Paul