This coming summer I’m going to Alps hiking from Oberstdorf in Germany to Merano in Italy, in one week. After hiking I want to visit beautiful places in Europe for one more week. I’m not interested in large and famous cities. I’d like to see small towns, people and nature. Do you recommend north of Italy where we complete our hike and Switzerland? or south of Germany around area where we started? Or somewhere else? Please give me names of places that you recommend. Thank you.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17344 posts
The Dolomites are very close to Merano and are stunningly beautiful. Them you could head to the Engadine area of Switzerland, which is also close. That connection would be by Postbus to Guarda as trans do not run east-west in that area.
I would choose either or both over Southern Germany, which I also like but it is not quite as beautiful and interesting to me.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11745 posts
The Italian Dolomites are beautiful and Italy is much more affordable than Switzerland. (We love both areas.) Merano itself is worth some time, as is Bolzano and the Val Gardena.
Also a short train ride south is Tuscany with myriad small towns, although that is best enjoyed with a car.
Posted by
OP
CA, USA
2 posts
Thank you Lola and Laurel for your helpful advice. What do you recommend for accommodation in those areas? Any particular hotel? Airbnb? Or what?
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17344 posts
In the Dolomites there are so many excellent, small family hotels younwill be spoiled for choice. I agree with Laurel's suggestion of Val Gardena, easily reached by bus from Bolzano. There are several villages strung out along the valley floor, with lifts and hiking trails taking you to the higher areas on either side---the gorgeous high plateau of Alpe di Siusi to the south, and the Puez--Odle group on the north side.
We stayed in Santa Christina at Hotel Villa Martha:
http://www.villamartha.it/en/welcome.html
Do not be put off by the "adults only." There is nothing risqué about it. I think it is because the style of their cooking is not suited to children. We stayed there three nights late in the season in 2015 and were treated to a gourmet four-course dinner every night, and an amazing breakfast buffet each morning. Not inexpensive, but it was worth it to us.
I believe Laurelmstays in Ortesei, the next village down-valley, and has a place there she can recommend. We went there from Santa Christina on the bike path several times. It is a larger village, with more choices for shops and restaurants.
We have also stayed up on Alpe di Siusi, which is a great base for dayhikes. We stayed at Hotel Seelaus but did not take half-board there.