Austrian vs. Swiss Alps from Stuttgart

Erica, it was me who said alps were alps ;-)... and as other people agreed I'm right. BUT: Of course villages like Hallstadt are much more pretty and worthwhile than others. Have you done Neuschwanstein castle, Berchtesgaden etc. before??

Hi Erica,
If you want an "Alpine fix" and want to see Salzburg and Hallstatt... stay in Ramsau, Germany by Berchtesgaden! Surrounded by beautiful mountains and Salzburg is 30 minutes away, Konigsee is 15 minutes away and Hallstatt is an easy 1:30 minutes away. King Ludwig's amazing palace on Herrenchiemsee is also just an hour away. Maybe add Zell am See for a fantastic Alp fix with a stunning lake-side setting.

Paul

ps - Andreas... Alps are Alps unless they're the Dolomites!

Listen to Paul! Look at his pictures and you know that he's just right, he's the man!!! I mean it! Andreas :-)

Hey Andreas,

Wow! Thanks for the compliment again!

Erica, our recent photos are at:

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

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

Paul

Looking at Paul's pictures I've been realizing that he really is exactly what this website should be all about. That's why I keep endorsing his pictures!!!!

Sorry to "hijack" you're thread Erica.

Andreas, you are too kind. I'm not sure what you mean "he really is exactly what this website should be all about" but thank you. I just give my opinions and myself and my wife really just love the Alps and above all the people we meet on our trips. That's what makes them so memeorable.

Paul

Haha, no problem. I enjoyed reading the dialogue :)
Andreas, I have not done Neuschwanstein, but it's on my to do list for while I'm in Germany.
Paul, I second Andreas's comment about your photos. They're fantastic! I especially enjoyed the ones of Ramsau. It looks like such a beautiful place to stay. How was the pension you stayed at?
Do you guys think that 3 nights/4 days, including travel time from Stuttgart is a good amount of time to do Salzburg, Hallstat, and some time in the Alps if staying in Ramsau?
Also, this would be March 19-22, right before Easter. Will that be a problem?

Erica, 4 days is pretty good to see the highlights and get an impression of the area. Traffic on the way to the alps is pretty heavy during Easter as it's also spring break in schools and since Easter is very early this year and it's still skiing season you might have to be prepared for some traffic jams. Keep listening to the traffic advises on AFN radio.

Erica, Paul and Andreas are giving you lots of great advice here. I'd listen to them with one exception. If you decide to go Switzerland rather than Austria then make sure you go through Lake Constance and the area around it ending up eventually in Lucerne and Gimmelwald.

One thing to keep in mind, Austria is much less expensive than Switzerland. With the dollar being the red-headed stepchild of global economics these days, Austria is more affordable.

Hi Erica,
The pension we stayed at in Ramsau, Mayringerlehen, was wonderful! We liked everything about it and the area so much in Oct. 2006 that we went back to stay 4 nights in Oct. 2007. The owners (Sabine and Johann) are just the nicest people we've met. Great location, very good buffet breakfast and terrific views of the Alps from the balconies. There is a great bakery right across the street (I get hungry alot in Germany). It's a short and very pleasant walk to Ramsau and it's church from here also.

www.mayringerlehen.de

Paul

Paul and others, I took your advice and booked 3 nights at the Mayringerlehen in Ramsau. I leave in just over a week. From Ramsau we plan to probably spend 1 day in Salzburg and the other day maybe in Hallstat. Would also like to see Berchtesgaden, but can probably do that on our arrival day. Zell am See and/or Herrenchiemsee would be nice to work in too, though.

Anyone have any thoughts on how long is enough in Hallstat? Is it doable to visit Hallstat and Zell am See in 1 day from Ramsau? Some of our choices may also be determined by the fact that one of our 2 full sightseeing days is Good Friday, so I'm not sure if things will be closed or not. We will be returning to Stuttgart, so if anyone has tips on what to see along the way, those would be appreciated too!

Thanks for the help!

Hi Erica,

Hallstatt... we spent an afternoon (about 4 hours) here and that was good enough for us. Very small town/village, but extremely picturesque. I think it took us about 15 or 20 minutes to walk end to end. The town is also vertical, though, so there are plenty of stairs. We did this from Ramsau as well.

I wouldn't try to see Zell am See and Hallstatt in one day. I'd pick one or the other. Travel times to each one are about the same. I might be in the minority here, but we liked Zell am See better overall. The sceney from Ramsau to Zell am See is much more "Alpine". Much higher mountains as opposed to more of a "countryside with some mountains" scenery on the way to Hallstatt.

Berchtesgaden is easy from Ramsau as it's just 10 minutes drive away.

Mayringerlehen... the south facing rooms are bigger and have better views for only a couple of Euros more than the other rooms.

If you would, tell Sabine and Johann that Paul and Diane from NJ said Hello.

Paul

Hi again Erica,

I wanted to say that the drive to Ramsau from the highway is gorgeous also. From the A8 take the Inzell exit (112) towards Inzeel/Lofer, then follow signs towards Ramsau/Berchtesgaden. Absolutely beautiful area!

Paul

I hope you don't mind me intruding, but Paul I "hate" you! After looking at your beautiful, crisp, & clear photos, you have now forced me to add Ramsau & Zell am See on my already large list of Places to Visit. And I'm not getting any younger! You wouldn't by any chance have pictures of the Regensburg area to share?

Hey JC,
If I had a nickel every time I heard "Paul I "hate" you!"... well you know. Thanks for the kind words. Unfortunately we've never been to Regensberg.

Paul

Thanks for the tips, Paul! I'll be sure to tell them you say hi.

The price Sabine quoted me for a double room was 25.50 E/night/PP, so I wonder if that's a south facing room?? Maybe I'll send her an email requesting that. A room with a view is always a bonus!

Sorry, the quoted price for a double was actually 24.50 E/night.

Erica,
They also have an "honor bar" on the ground floor. Beer, lemonade, soda, etc. You write your room # on a slip of paper and keep track of what you are taking. Upon check out, hand them the slip. The prices are as cheap or cheaper than we found in most stores! Just a recommendation, the Radler beer is great!

Paul

Erica,
All the rooms have a balcony and a view. We've stayed in both rooms and were ok with them.It's just that after this past Oct. when we got the south facing room, we now prefer it.

Hi Erica,

... Just recently someone corrected me on my usage of the word "Alps". An "Alp", they say, is just a mountain meadow, not the mountain. So, if you refer to meadows when you say "Alps", they do seem quite a lot alike, don't they.
... Pardon the academics ...
Gute Reise! P.

Hmm, that's new knowledge to me, Perry. Thanks for cluing me in :)