8 days in Switzerland, Austria, & German - suggestions please

The Bernese Oberland is spectacular. After a few days there, I'd head north into Germany via Basel and Freiburg for a visit to the Black Forest region. Hinterzarten and Titisee are popular destinations where you can hike and bike some of the most popular routes in Germany and enjoy some of its best scenery. To the north in the high Black Forest are attractive half-timbered villages like Schiltach. Many villages in the BF participate in the Konus program, which offers guests free rail and bus travel throughout the region: www.blackforest-tourism.com/konus From this part of Germany, it's easy to reach Zurich by train, which lies just to the south.

You get off the boat in Venice and you have 8 days (7 nights)? Then it's a no-brainer: 1. Spend at least 2 nights in Venice 2. Train from Venice to Interlaken Ost, change trains and head to the Lauterbrunnen Valley 3. Spend 3 nights in the Lauterbrunnen Valley area (Lauterbrunnen, Mürren, Wengen, Gimmelwald) 4. Train to Lucerne 5. Spend your last 2 nights in Lucerne
6. Train from Luzerne directly into the Zurich Airport ~ 1 hour ride That about wraps up your 8 days of sightseeing.

If all you want to see are the Alps, then you may as well concentrate on Switzerland, especially because you're flying out of there. Otherwise... well, tell us, what else did you want to see?

At this point, our intineary is open to suggestions from other people's travels. We don't know if taking eastern Austria or southern Germany would be too much. Still trying to figure out the trains but we are working on that piece. Eurorail pass or just go station to station? Strasburg - is that too commercialized because of the Sound of Music? Fussen? Love beautiful scenery, my husband loves castles. We just want a mix - don't know when we will ever be back to Europe so want to make the most of the trip. Any little side trips to take along the way? Thanks

I think you mean Salzburg. Salzburg, to me, is one of those places that is absolutely touristy but still wonderful. However, I haven't been in summer--I've been in May and June. July will be significantly more crowded, so be (mentally) prepared. Make sure that's not when the Mozart Festival is. If you want Alps I'd stick to the Berner Oberland in Switzerland and the Salzkammergut Lake District in Austria (near Salzburg). These are both stunning areas but different enough. You could have a very nice 8 days in these areas. Rick's books do a good job with these places.

With only 8 days, I suggest you visit either Switzerland OR western Austria (I believe you mean Salzburg?) and Bavaria (Füssen for castles, Garmisch-Partenkirchen for wonderful hiking). To choose, you will have to weigh the snowy peaks, green pastures, lakes and glaciers of the Swiss Alps against the Sound of Music country around Salzburg, the famous castles, and the unique granite and gorge hiking available at G-P. Switzerland does offer a few castles; the Chateau de Chillon is one of our favorites anywhere. But it is nothing like the fantasy castle of Newschwanstein. Which is better? That is up to you and your idea of a castle. As for hiking, we have spent many days hiking in Switzerland, and 4 or 5 hiking at Garmisch-Partenkirchen. We love both and have wonderful memories (and photos) of both. On several trips we have visited both, but it does involve a long train transfer between the two. Since you are already flying out of Zurich, you'll be makin gpart of that journey in any case. Another beautiful area you might consider for hiking is the Dolomites. You could include a visit to Reifenstein Castle on your way to Austria.

8 days really doesnt allow time to see much. I like Tim's suggested route, you dont do any backtracking and get to see the most scenic part of the Alps (for me). Lucerne is a nice little town with a compact center and lots to see. Also try and see the Jungfraujoch (from Interlaken?). Zurich is not as interesting, more a business City- so no need to spend any time there. The train from Lucerne to Zurich is efficient and goes through pleasant scenery On your next trip you can see Germany

I absolutely agree with Tim and Brain. We have been to the Lauterbrunnen valley a number of times. We have met peole who live in the Colorado Rockies and refer to Lauterbrunnen as just a little piece of heaven. Lauterbrunnen is a handy spot to catch the train up to Wengen and the Jungfraujoch. The hotel Oberland is nice and the front porch is a great place to have dinner. The hotel Crystal is also a nice place to stay. Don't miss the aerial tram to the Schilthorn, It is not cheap but more than worth every penny. Try to take it at a low traffic time so the gondolas are not crowded because you want to be by a window especially when you come out of the base station and the whole valley unfolds before your eyes. You will forget you are hanging by a cable. Likewise the view from the Schilthorn is magnificent. And don't forget that even in July it will only be about 40 degrees on top of teh mountains. Murren great place to spend some time and there are plenty of hiking opportunitites.

Another nearby mountain ascent that often gets overlooked on these forums is the steam powered Brienz Rothhorn Bahn. It doesn't ascend as high as the Jungfrau Bahn, but the view is less likely to be obstructed by cloud cover. Another worthwhile railroad is the one that ascends Mount Pilatus.