please advise: Garmisch or Reutte?

The answer depends on what you plan to do, and if you have a car.

I can't quite understand why, of all the similar Tyrolian and Bavarian villages, Rick Steves focuses on Reutte. There's nothing wrong with it, just nothing that special either. Perhaps because of the proximity to Ludwig's castles and less touristy than Fuessen, I don't know.

I find Garmisch-Partenkirchen the ideal Alpine base (especially in winter) because of it's central location, scenery, and variety of activities available (hiking, mountain climbing, boating, cycling, equestrian, camping, all winter sports, etc.). The two sections of town have a different feel. Partenkirchen has an older, gemutlichkeit Bavarian character, whereas Garmisch caters to a more jet-set crowd. The areas outside of town are also dotted by many holiday chalets for yet another sort of Alpine experience.

I have to agree with Tom on Reutte...good location for visiting the castles, but not my favorite Bavarian town. I haven't been to Garmicsh (yet) so I cannot comment on that, but I'm not sure Reutte was all that quaint. We actually stayed in Pingswang (which I enjoyed) but went into Reutte for groceries, etc. We were going to eat in the town, but ended going back to Fussen, which we actually liked better-even though it is thronged with tourists. JMHO

Garmisch is a much larger town, and, in my opinion, too touristy.

Reutte does have the castle ruins you can hike to.

If I were going to stay in that area, I think I would prefer Pfronten (www.pfronten.de). Both Reutte and Pfronten are a short distance apart on the rail line (Ausserfernbahn) between Kempten and Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Pfronten also has a castle ruins (Falkenstein) to which you can hike. Ludwig planned on building his last castle at Falkenstein. I think the bus service from Pfronten to Füssen is a little better.

I should have said -we will have a car. I don't mind paying extra for a more desireable area-who knows when we'll get back! I did spend one night with a school group at the Atlas Post Hotel in Garmisch? Parten. I was thinking about Reutte because of Rick's writing . Please any great hotel recomm. in the area for-mid June

Hi Joanne,

We stayed twice in Fuessen at the Hotel zum Hechten.

www.hotel-hechten.com

If you're not interested in Fuessen, I'd suggest Mittenwald. The picture postcard perfect Bavarian village.

Paul

thanks so much.... I am leaning toward Fuessen now -hotel Kurcafe , but not positive yet, again, thanks for your help

Reutte - I don't get it either. Garmisch is fairly big but has some definite assets - including the Fraundorfer Inn, a great place for traditional food and music. For "adorable alpine mountain village", Mittenwald would be my pick!

I am hearing alot of votes for mittennwald. I plan on going to the castle- but dont need to be as close as Fuessen I guess. I also think I am making this to difficult - on my quest for the perfect hotel in the perfect town!

Hi Joanne,

With a car, you do not need to be as close as Reutte or Fuessen to see Neuschwanstein. On our first visit to Neuschwanstein, etc. we did it easily based in Hungerburg (Innsbruck area). If your looking for the perfect town/village... I still have to say Mittenwald.

Paul

Ok in Mittenwald- any hotel suggestions? I contacted Post Hotel Mittenwald and they have availabilty- anyone been there? or a diff recommendation? thanks

Joanne, I stayed in Mittenwald this past fall and loved it. We stayed at the Gastehaus Edlhuber and I recommend it highly. We had an apartment with large living/dining room, bedroom, small kitchen and new bathroom plus a balcony overlooking the mountains for $105 per night. The breakfast was delicious and the owner was great.

Hi,

We stayed twice ('05 and '06) in Mittenwald at the Pension Schwalbennestl. Small but nice place with fantastic views! Good buffet breakfast and also free parking.

www.schwalbennestl.de

Note the website is in German only, yet you can correspond via email in English.

We have some photo's at:

www.worldisround.com/articles/324763/index.html

www.worldisround.com/articles/343800/index2.html

Paul

I'm no expert, but an old friend of mine from Bavaria recommended Mittenwald to me as a base for exploring the area.

Even if you don't stay in Garmisch, at least try to see the Partnachtklamm while in the area. If I recall correctly (mind you I am stretching back about 23 years), as you face the Olympic ski jump stadium at Garmisch-Partenkirschen, there is a road that runs down to the right. Follow it to get to the trailhead for the Partnachtklamm. This is a gorgeous slot canyon gorge and hiking through it is like hiking through a bit of rainforest especially on a drizzly day which by no means dampens the beauty of the place).

well, travel info just came in todays mail about Garmisch-Partenkirchen. It sure has alot to offer- I will go there (while staying in Mittenwald) that hiking area sounds great! I am beginning to wish we were staying in the area at least a week. So much to see and do- or even to sit and soak it all in Bottom line, I made reservations in Mitt. at Post Hotel Mittenwald. But, I have to say, severaladditional nights in other villages would make me happy.

I've stayed in Reutte and wouldn't recommend it. Nothing horrible but it wasn't cheap or particularly charming.

We stayed at the Gasthof zum Schluxen. It was a very nice hotel but one of our most expensive stops. I picked it specifically so the kids could enjoy the animals. They were able to feed the reindeer through the fence accross the street but the managers got upset if they tried to touch any of the few other animals on the property. I would go elsewhere for a "working farm" experience.

I took Rick's advise and stayed in Reutte. It's a bit of a dive: heavy traffic and lacking charm. If you're stuck there, one of the best meals to be had in Bavaria is at the Mohren Gasthaus. Garmisch, Mittenwald, and many of the surrounding villages are pristine and oozing with charm. The distances are relatively short in this area, so in my mind this is not a problem.

Joanne, Thank you so much for asking this question. I was waiting to book reservation in Reutte when I came across your question. Now I am staying in Mittenwald.

ok everybody- lots of hits on Reutte but maybe it depends on who you are traveling with... my family of 8 stayed for 2 nights at the Maximillian in Reutte in late June. We had an absolute riot!! We had a magnificent day touring Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, the Tegelberg mt. and luge ride, and a most magical climb up the Ehrenberg ruins in misty- rainbow filled skies. Gabi , the proprietor of the hotel, offered us fabulous advice, directions, extra supplies to borrow. The dinners at the hotel were out of this world, and the younger children enjoyed a spacious hotel with pool table, trampoline, lots of music. We left as an early morning goatherder urged his flock down the mountain and crossed the street--- we all agreed we'd stay there again in a heartbeat!!