The Alps or Vienna in Early November?

You will find a variety of weather in the Alps, depending on how high you go. Some snow and some sun in other areas. The Alps encompass several thousand square miles; get a map and study it before you decide where you want to go.

If you choose between Vienna and the Alps, take the Alps every time. More scenery and open spaces. Vienna is a typical crowded European city. If you are interested in history and museums go there.

The main reason not to go to the Swiss Alps in early November is not so much the weather (although that's iffy as well), but rather it's the fact that early November is smack dab in the middle of the Zwischenzeit, the between time when the alpine villages tend to be shutdown with most hotels and restaurants closed. Here's what Rick says about this:"When To Go: During the Zwischenzeit (April, early May, late October, and November) resort towns like Mürren and Zermatt are completely dead with most hotels and restaurants closed."

Thank you! That helps alot

Hi Elizabeth,

As Carl mentioned, first decide where in the Alps you'd like to go. We have traveled to the Alps mid to late Oct many times. Last year we went the last week of Oct. and the first week of November. During these trips we went to Mittenwald, Fuessen, Salzburg, Innsbruck area, Italian Dolomites, etc. Last year (during the first week of Nov.) we stayed in Ramsau (Berchtesgaden area). We had a great time. Only place we had a "problem" (or ever had a "problem") was a day trip to Zell am See. The town had pretty much closed down on Oct. 31, according to signs in most windows. A couple of cafes were open and we still enjoyed a beautiful day there. I agree that places in the Berner Oberland in Switzerland may be pretty much "closed up". We did stay in Wengen (BO) many years ago in mid Oct. and while it was pretty quiet, we loved our stay.

Here's a link to our pic's from last year in Ramsau, Berchtesgaden, etc.

www.worldisround.com/home/pja1/travel1.html

www.worldisround.com/home/pja1/travel11.html

Paul

If you want to see the Alps at this time, realize that the Berner Oberland and Switzerland in general, although popular with travelers on this site, are not the only places to get a good Alpine experience. November is a lull in the tourist season of the Bavarian Alps as well, but few towns there shut down to the extent that their counterparts in Switzerland do. I've been to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Mittenwald in November, and most businesses remained open at this time.

Yeah, the Bavarian Alps are worth a hit for sure. I've seen the Alps from many angles and agree w/PP that they are a must see. I was in Vienna for a day once, and honestly, that was enough. I did the self-tour that Rick had in his book where you ride a tram around the ring. We saw the cool tour of the Vienna Opera House, and saw the Schonbrunn Palace and the cathedral and a local opera at night. Then I was done. There are many other things in Vienna to see and do, flip through a guide book and see what you think is worth it. (ie-if one of you is a big opera buff it's worth it).

The Alps are just so cool though. Tons of traditional mountain-people garb and darling little towns! The pictures you'll take will be amazing.

I also spent a day in Vienna,and took that half day tour. I was very frustrated because I wanted to see so much more. Lovely city, and you would have fun there. If you don't want to take chances to go to the Alps in November, and have a city trip instead, Vienna would be the place! I was there in November 2006, and I was so lucky with the weather. Clear blue sky. Postcard perfect!