I have 6 nights open in my upcoming trip itinerary, and I'm looking for advice on how to fill it, ideally with 3 nights in 2 different places.
I'm an active traveler who would like some really nice half-day hikes, preferably in forested areas, or by water (river, lakes), but also with a bit of a walkable/ bikeable city thrown in (e.g., Munich) for a few days. A charming UNESCO-type town nearby would be a plus.
My ideal travel day would include a 3-4 hr morning hike on a mostly forested trail with hillside overlooks, or along a shady canal; a scenic yet affordable eatery/ beergarden along the way for lunch; and a charming historic town/small city to return to for an evening city walk/ bike, again along a river, lake or canal.
I've done--and thoroughly enjoyed--the Rhine and Mosel river valleys.
All travel will be via public transportation, as I'll not be renting a car.
I'll have already visited the Black Forest region of Germany, along with Zermat and the Gimmelwald/Shilthorn areas of Switzerland.
My thoughts currently include the following possibilities:
- Munich and its environs
- Plitvice Park in Croatia
- Istrian coastal town
- Hall area/ Salzburg in Austria
- Alsace region of France
I'm not opposed to traveling by rail overnight (up to 10 hrs), or during the day (up to 4 hrs) to reach these places. I think I'll need to keep Switzerland out of the picture, as the days I'll already be there will be pricey enough, though I do need to end up in Zurich, from which my return flight departs.
I'm looking forward to receiving recommendations. Many thanks in advance.