We went to Murren last August and adored it. Going back to Europe and wanted a similar experience in a different location (charming, stunning views, good weather in August). Any ideas? Anywhere in Austria or Northern Italy? We can go anywhere. I'd love Provence but am not willing to deal with August crowds. We have a week.
Thanks in advance!
We stayed in Murren last year and absolutely loved it. On that same trip we went to the Dolomites and stayed in Castelrotto. We hiked in the Alpe di Siusi. It was beautiful, with different levels of hiking to please persons with different abilities. Reflecting on that trip traveling through Switzerland on our own and then the RS My Way Alpine Tour, Murren and the Alpe di Siusi were the highlights for me. Fresh air, awe-inspiring scenery, nice people.
You could consider Obertauern or Lech am Alberg in Austria. Like Mürren, both sit at a relatively high altitude. Lech is in a high valley, Obertauern sits in a saddle at the summit of a mountain pass, higher than both Lech and Mürren.
Obertauern doesn't have the cozy feeling of Mürren, because it was purposefully built as a ski resort. It is quite pleasant, though, and the town advertises a mountain view in every hotel room. Many of the hotels close during parts of the summer, but those that remain open offer exceptional value for their quality, including outstanding full and half board meals. The town can feel kind of empty in the summer, but I found it refreshing to share the mountainsides with more livestock than people. Don't expect any nightlife. Also, if a heat wave strikes during your visit, you can all but guarantee that temperatures will remain comfortable here. Conversely, on a cooler than normal summer day, temperatures can drop pretty low. You would need a rental car to reach the town.
Although not as compact as Mürren, Lech has a much more traditional Alpine feel than Obertauern. This being Austria, expect some excellent full and half board meal options. It's not completely dead in the summer, but this lovely little town seems to have escaped the notice of most of the tour bus and Ricknik crowds. It's also easier to reach via public transportation than Obertauern. Lech also has a satellite village called Zürs further up the mountain pass, although I think the hotels may only open for the ski season.
I spent a few hours in Passo del Tonale in the Ortler Alps of northern Italy. Once again, a modern ski resort, amazing view of the peaks if not that much charm in the town itself, and high enough of an elevation to escape even the sweltering heat of Italy in August. One of the more interesting war memorial I have ever seen sits high above the town on a ski field. You can see remains of what was the front lines between Italy and Austria-Hungary in WWI. A tunnel that served as a bunker during the war now houses a rather terrifying little museum highlighting some of the typical sounds of the war.
The adjacent Val di Sole has several nice little towns, the most Mürren-like of which is probably Peio.
Wow, I was just in Paso Tonale 2 months ago. I skipped the little museum to take a couple of runs off the glacier. But I would hardly call it a charming town. We were staying in Madonna di Campiglio, which is a medium size resort town with a lot of hotels. Summer is hiking, biking, and rock climbing in the Brenta Dolomites above the town.
I was going to suggest Bettmeralp. Like Muerren, it can only be accessed by cable car from the valley floor.
If other locations in Switzerland are a consideration, then look at Flumserberg. It isn't a destinct village, like Mürren, but a series of interconnected hamlets on the lower slopes of a mountain. The peaks aren't as high here, but still impressive.
Is France totally out of the question?
Charmonix with a side trip to Annecy would be a nice. The day and a half I had in Charmonix was mostly overcast. On the morning of departure it was sunny and the view of the mountains was pretty spectacular. I also had a wonderful dinner consisting of fondue, raclette and a charcuterie plate there. Add in some nice red wine and it's perfect.
Chamonix/Mont Blanc was my first thought also. When you come out of the mountains you will be in a completely different culture than Murren.
We also did the RS My Way Alpine Tour last season. All the locations were wonderful and when the tour ended we went back and spend 4 nights in Murren. Of the three locations mentioned here that we have visited (Chamonix, Castelrotto, and Murren), it is Castelrotto and the hiking in the Dolomites that was my favorite!
Along with Sam, I would recommend Bettmeralp in the Valais region of Switzerland. It is a car-free village reached by cablecar, with views south into Italy and west to the Matterhorn. From the ridge behind town you have amazing views of the Aletschgletscher, Europe's longest glacier, lots of hiking opportunities, as well as mountain biking and other activities.
