My husband, two college age sons and I are travelling to southern Germany on New Years day. We can't decide between Garmische (Hotel Mercure) or Reutte. We are not skiers but plan to go to the top of the Zugspitze while we are there as well as visit a castle or two. We will be in the area two nights. Which town do you think is more interesting or convenient to sites?
Posted by
OP
Louisville, Kentucky, United States
3 posts
Thank you for all the helpful information and candid replies!Sometimes there are simply too many decisions to make when planning a trip,so I put this one out there for "the wall" to decide!Garmische it is!
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19290 posts
Garmisch-Partenkirchen is definitely closer to the Zugspitze. One thing to check on before considering the Zugspitze is whether they sell one ride tickets during the ski season or just unlimited use all day passes. I know they sell single rides in the summer, but I haven't noticed them for winter. You can get to Füssen to see the castles by bus from Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Reutte is closer, but my impression of Reutte, having stopped there for lunch in 2009, is that it is rather run down and unattractive. A better place to stay, in my opinion, is just over the border in Pfronten, Germany. Another place to stay, nice but farther from the castles, is Mittenwald.
Posted by
NYC area
3003 posts
Hi Gail, I'd go with Garmisch, because after visitng Reutte, I don't see the allure of it. From Garmisch the Zugspitze is right there and "Mad" King Ludwig's Linderhof palace is nearby.
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12315 posts
We stayed at Gasthof zum Schluxen in Reutte. It's more in the country than a town and very nice. I chose it as a splurge for my daughter because it was supposed to be a working farm. There are some reindeer in a fence across a street but not really a farm. The rooms, service, breakfast, restaurant, etc. are all top notch, however, so if that's what you're looking for, it's worth considering.
Posted by
Lake Forest, CA, USA
1633 posts
Having been in the area many times (like Lee), I prefer Lermoos or Ehrwald, Austria. These two towns are just south of Garmisch and are in the Zugspitze Area. In Ehrwald, you can take the cable car up to the Zugspitze. Because Lermoos is a ski town, there are many accommodations available. Check out their website at www.lermoos.at Hope you can find some lodging--it's a popular area for skiing. If you need recommendations for lodging, send me a personal message. Have a great trip making lifetime memories with your family.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
If you won't have a car, then Garmisch-Partenkirchen would be the most convenient. It's also the biggest town in the region, so it has the most options for dining and lodging. Forget you even heard about Reutte, it's just about the most plain-looking town in the area. Erhwald and Lermoos are fine, but I personally prefer GaP. However, getting a room for only two nights might not be all that easy over New Years. Most (if not all) of the hotels in the region cater to skiers, and require a minimum of 3 nights during the winter break.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34025 posts
Sorry to sound so blunt but - - anywhere but Reutte. Been there, saw the town, was anything but impressed. Fuessen is SO much nicer and just over the border. If I never get back to Reutte it will be too soon. For the life of me I don't see what our fearless leader RS sees in it.