My Husband, our friend and I are doing an excursion through a bit of Europe. We're going to be staying in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany) which is just accross the border from Italy.
We've been waitlisted on a tour that goes to Bolzano and Vipiteno on a long day trip. I'm trying to figure out alternative locations to see if that doesn't work out and I was hoping someone might have some ideas or have been there before?
Steve,
I guess I should have been more specific with our plans.
We already have plans to hit Neuschwanstein/Hohenschwangau with a visit to the Marien bridge and a hike up to have a pinic on the cliff I understand has wonderful views there.
We're also going to Zugspitze, Linderhof, Innsbruck, Wattens (come on, gotta shop at the factory), and Jenbach for the Cogwheel train to Achensee.
I have considered wandering through Garmisch and going to a brewery for an evening meal...
We just really wanted to make it to Italy this time since we've been to Bavaria several times. We weren't a fan of Munich, so I have no desire to return there.
I know you're a super guru at travel ideas, so lets hear 'em!
Why not just hop on a train to Bolzano and visit on your own? You can see the train schedules at www.bahn.de. The Bolzano station is very close to the main downtown area and it's an easy walk to the Ice Man museum.
A bakery just off Piazza del'Erbe there has the best poppyseed strudel you can imagine. And the wine bar just up the street offered great crostini, served under a nice cool grape arbor.
Hi Rachel,
Garmisch is closer to being about 1:30 minutes from the Italian border.
Just my opinion, but Bolzano and Innsbruck may be a bit redundant, but we did like seeing the "Ice Man" exhibit.
While we really like Sterzing/Vipiteno, I don't know if I'd make a special trip just to see it. It's a pretty small old town. We've been twice, but both times we were passing by and stopped for a couple of hours. Just a "heads up", both times we were there, the shops (not cafes) closed from 12 noon untill 3pm. It is a charming old town though.
Have you been to Mittenwald? It's less than 30 minutes from Garmisch and is one of our favorite places in Bavaria. IMO, it's the quintessential Bavarian village surrounded by mountains.
Perhaps there's a tour to the Italian Dolomites. The Val Gardena is less than 2:30 from Garmisch. The Alps (Dolomites) here are unlike anything you'll see in Bavaria or Austria.
Another option could be the charming old town of Brixen/Bressanone, our favorite in the Sud Tirol.
Hope this helps.
Paul
If you can get to Castelrotto (we bussed in from Bolzano) it is really worth it. Our surprise favorite on a 15 day trip through southern Germany, Austria and Italy - we found it charming and a fabulous departure from the touristy norm.
We arrived late, stayed the night, took two gondolas to Alps du Suise (?sp) and hiked for three hours (wished we had days). Breathtaking, relaxing and a great break from the museums, churches, and standard fare.
