Our family of 4 (kids ages 7 and 8) will be flying into Zurich for 2 weeks mid September. We will, for the most part, be avoiding large cities and also will be renting a car. We would like to concentrate on experiencing the local culture as much as possible as well as a goodly amount of hiking. I have 2 questions. 1. Are there any quaint, not to miss towns we must see.
2. Is it worth it to try to make it down to Cinque Terra? Or should we try to stay within Austria, Southern Germany, and Switzerland?
Posted by
Paradise
6632 posts
There are dozens and dozens of quaint, not-to-miss towns in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. No need to add a 4th country with just 2 weeks. I've used Zürich's airport often for exploring southern Germany - very convenient to reach Lake Constance and the Black Forest (good for hiking) from there. To experience local culture, don't drive from place to place every night. Pick a base town in an area that looks interesting and stay for 4-5 days, doing daytrips with your car. Renting a vacation apartment in a small town is a good way to get some extra room for your family to relax AND to become a familiar face; you end up knowing a town and the way of life a little better when you stop in at the local butcher shop or bakery and rub elbows with the real folks. Hotels and restaurants mean you're with visitors most of the time. Apartments are generally very cheap too. Local tourist websites are great for finding apartments. Black Forest: http://www.blackforest-tourism.com/uebernachten Garmisch and Mittenwald comprise a lovely area; Mittenwald is the quaintest of quaint. http://www.gapa.de/Garmisch_Partenkirchen_Home_en http://www.mittenwald.de/index.shtml?en_mittenwald