Planning trip for next summer... possible destinations?

Hi Jen,
... these are all Austrian destinations we have enjoyed (several times) and would do them all again: Zell am See, Hallstatt, Bad Ischl, Melk, Vienna (including Grinzing), Baden bei Wien, Lienz, Heiligenblut, Kals am Grossglockner (hiking from there to Matrei).
... we've seen some recent travel pictures of Tom and Luann in Bavaria, which could make us change our minds, perhaps. The photos are in Picasa and you may access via the link below (if you copy the link with your mouse and paste it into your Internet search box - then touch ENTER on your computer keyboard, you may enjoy a slideshow on your full screen - which is marvy). http://picasaweb.google.com/Tom.Luann.Fitzpatrick/Germany_2006

... Happy travels! ... P

Perry,

Thanks so much! We will definitly take a look at the towns you mentioned! I'll also take a look at Bavaria... the pictures look great!

Jen

My wife and I went on the following trip in 2005 and loved every minute of it.

Paris 2 nights
Beune 2 nights
Annecy 2 nights
Arles 2 nights
Nice 2 nights
Cinque Terra (Italy) 4 nights
Venice 2 nights

Did the entire thing by train and had a great time. Nice was the only place that didn't live up to our expectations.

-Matt

We did this last year and covers a lot of the places you want to see.

Flew into Zurich, train to Murren for 3 days, train to Innsbruck for overnight (to break up train trips otherwise would skip). Train to Hallstatt 2 days, train to Vienna 3 days, train to Salzburg 2 days, train to Munich 3 days(plus Oktoberfest). Train to Rothenburg for over night, train to Bachrach on the Rhine for overnight, then short train trip for fight out of Frankfurt.

My 2 cents.

Reg... Thanks so much. That's the area we've been thinking about so we will be sure to take a look at the places you mentioned! Jen

Matt... Thanks so much for your reply. We had thought about the Cinque Terra also... we saw Rick Steves' TV show on it and it looks fabulous! We had considered Nice last summer and then cut it from our itnerary when we decided to stay farther north... anything in particular you didn't like about it?
Jen

I second the recommendation for Hallstatt. The Bavarian/Austrian Alps region is a can't miss!

You must go to Bavaria and Austria. My family spent 2 fantastic weeks exploring that special area. Driving throught the German and Austrian Alps stopping where we wanted was fantastic. We started along the Rhine drove south (Romantic Road) to Rothenburg then to Reutte Austria to see the castles. We then went to Munich (I would skip this next time) and Salzburg to the Obersalzburg and the Eagles nest..on to Hallstat. We visited Oberamangu (sp)in a beautiful mountain valley in Germany, stopped and ate at many "no-name" German and Austrian villages along the way and made lots of new friends. On the way to Vienna we stopped at Mauthausen concentration camp..a must. Then stopped at a lovely Austrian village along the Danube (Dinkelbuhl ? sp). We stayed 2 nights in most places. The best trip I have ever been on. The scenery is beyond description. We are going back some time

Of your list, we've been to Austria and Munich recently. Austria was sort of an after thought and we loved it. Don't miss Innsbruck especially if you love the mountains. Take the bike ride RS suggests to Hall. Also, loved Munich. Have fun!

Here's a swath that may work well.

Fly into Amsterdam. Visit Bruges and/or Antwerp, Belgium. Visit Koln, Mosel Valley, Rhine Valley, Romantic road and Munich, Germany. Visit Salzburg and Vienna, Austria. Add Brastislava and Budapest if you have time. Fly home from Vienna.

It's too much for 16 days. I would do it in 21 to 28 days. You can edit it down to a comfortable plan.

When you look at the map, you will see a ton of places to stop along the route based on your interests and schedule.

Jen- I love Chamonix as well (in fact, we are going there in September for our third time.) We are hikers, so we always try to fit in some time on our trips to be in the mountains and do what we love best. If you end up doing Bavaria and Austria (both awesome and many here have recommended them to you) you could consider adding a few days in the Dolomites of Italy. They are beautiful in a completely different way than the alps in Austria and Switzerland. You could maybe fly open jaws (into Munich and out of Venice) and enjoy your last few nights in Venice.
Having said that, then number one country I wanted to see on my first trip was Switzerland. It continues to be my favorite European country. You will find a lot of information on the Berner Oberland on this site and it is probably one of the few things in life that lives up to its press. Overall, Austria and Switzerland are both beautiful and would make a great destination. I am returning to both this fall and my husband and we are planning our first hut to hut hiking trip. Have a great time planning. (it is half the fun.)