Austria-Germany-Switzerland itinerary

Hallo. I am also from Oregon, near Portland. I was in Salzurg last year and stayed at http://www.christkoenig-kolleg.at/home.html It is a pension in mozart square but outside of the noisy shop area. It is very basic but some rooms have private bathrooms (waterclosets) and showers. The person who runs it speaks next to no english. The breakfast is very basic, but I ate pastries nearly every day at other bakeries. It's EUrope! I see on travel advisor there is a negative comment, but the person may have expected hotel type service. I notice this pension is not in Rick Steeves 2011 book, however. Maybe he rotates who he recommends. Again, it is very basic. We are going back again at the end of this year. I took a overnight train from Italy to Salzburg on my last trip. It was nice to sleep through the long ride and it was private but it can be tough to get your turn in the bathroom in the morning. :) Sounds like you are going to some of the same places we are going. Tina

Salzburg is great, we spent last Thanksgiving there. Eat at the Goldene Ente (golden duck), they have a cozy atmosphere and a regionally famous dessert. From Salzburg you can rent a car or take a tour to Berchtesgaden area. Panorama tours has a variety to choose from, we did their sound of music tour. The trip is doable in a day. Obviously, in Salzburg see the castle and the other touristy places. It's a lovely town. Regarding Neuschwastein, get advance tickets or arrive EARLY. We wasted an entire day waiting in line for tickets for the crap-tacular tour. There are better castles in the area to go to in my opinion. In the Berner Oberland, go to the next valley over to Kandersteg or Adelboden, cute towns and not as touristy as the rick steves recommended ones.

"...like to stay & eat in moderately priced, intimate pensions & cafes and get to meet as many local residents as possible." When you travel to Lauterbrunnen continue on up into the Alps to Mürren to the Chalet Fontana which is exactly as you describe above. It's a great little place and extremely cheap. Mürren has some absolute killer views. While staying in Salzburg drop by the Berchtesgaden Salt Mines. We took the public bus from near the train station all the way to the Salt Mines for a ridiculously cheap bus fare...as opposed to the expensive private tours you can hook up with. When traveling from Lauterbrunnen Area to Munich...instead of renting a car to drive BACK to Neuschwanstein just stop in Füssen on your way to Munich and spend the night. We've never stayed in downtown Füssen - although it looks very nice. We always stay in the little village of Horn just below the castle and next to the lake. There are lots of nice walking paths and lots of bike paths. You'll see bikes everywhere. At the train station you can either take a taxi into Horn (about 5 minutes) or just stay in Füssen. There is a dedicated public bus to the castles that leaves from the train station. It's definitely worth at least one night. Next day take the train on into Munich. Reserve your timed-entry castle tickets here: http://www.neuschwanstein.de/englisch/tourist/admiss.htm In Munich I've stayed near the train station once, but I won't do that again because it's MUCH MUCH nicer near the Marienplatz or near the Viktualienmarkt. The train station area is rather seedy with lots of bars, lots of beggars, a few sex shops...

You do know that you are planning on being in Munich during the Oktoberfest, which means that those handy, cheap rooms anywhere in Munich are long gone?