Planning for My Way Alpine Europe

The only place I remember lots of trail options was the full day in the Dolomites. The tour leader knew the trails well and helped each of us plan what was most suitable. She also had up-to-date info on the available transportation options - it was early in the year and one or two weren't operating on the day we were there.

The only thing I found a little confusing was the menu of options/passes for the time in Lauterbrunnen. In the end, it didn't matter since visibility was so bad no one went up to the mountain tops.

Speaking of visibility, the main attraction of Eagles Nest is the view. I went mostly to visit the Documentation Center, and opted not to go up to Eagles Nest because visibility was close to zero. The most impressive part of the visit was walking through Hitler's bunkers (under the museum).

Thanks. I have been reviewing the scrapbooks for Alpine Europe seeking recommendations and tips. There are many. It's a lot of work to go through this valuable material along with other reviews (e.g. of the tour providers to the Eagles Nest..) and I was just wondering if it was worth the effort and how other may have done it more efficiently. For example, Robin Deacle, who shared a scrapbook for 2019 on the Rick Steves page. She seemed to have known what she wanted to do.

Hello Dino! I just booked our flights for the July 11th My Way Alpine Tour today!! I too have been searching through all the past scrapbooks for tips. I am arriving 5 days early in Salzburg, and staying an extra 4 days in Chamonix. I have purchased “Walking Chamonix Mont Blanc”, and earmarked particularly helpful YouTube videos featuring different walks. So far I am leaning towards an Eagles Nest Airbnb experience tour which includes a pre-hike, and booking multiple concerts, in Salzburg. I spotted a link (a “classic” link) of a Rick Steves forum member that has assembled an amazing summary of the Lauterbrunnen Valley hikes. I will be researching intensely prior to the tour. I remember being on an earlier My Way Europe Tour, and trying to scramble to understand the options available in Lauterbrunnen. You have the right idea to get a feel for the different hiking options!

After Neuschwanstein, we took the path over to Reith-Alpe Schwangau for lunch. From there we caught the bus at Tegelberg back to Fussen. It was a wonderful day!

Following is an update on my planning for Alpine Europe.

First, it is time consuming, useful and fulfilling. The review, including options and recommendations from others will support making necessary advance reservations, as well saving decision time while on the road. The review was the first full experience of the trip, the second being the trip itself, and the third being compiling a “scrapbook” of the actual experience. It was uplifting to see what lay ahead.

The scrapbooks on the Rick Steves web pages were my favoured source. Thanks to all contributors, especially Marielle Burchett and Doug Croft. The following web page was also instrumental in increasing understanding of hiking in the Lauterbrunnen: lauterbrunnenhiking.wordpress.co.

The Rick Steves “My Way Alpine Europe” guide book is excellent and drew all the other observations together. It will be a handy, condensed reference while traveling.
Next steps: review our preferences and make necessary reservations, remembering that some decisions are weather dependent. The challenge will be to determine preferred special tickets and passes so that we will be ready to purchase them.
Thanks to all for the valued input.

We just booked our flights today for My Way Alpine in August. We are staying two days extra in Chamonix then thought we would go to Geneva on third day and fly out the next day.. but, I am very stressed about Geneva..whereto stay ..how to get to Geneva.
For those who have done it or have plans made what are you planning?
Our flight is about 2:50pm..

We are going to Annecy after our Alpine Europe tour. Trains run from there to Geneva on an hourly basis and take about 1 hr 15 min. The Chamonix - Geneva connection is likely similar. Check out the European railway web pages or the Rome2rio app. We will fly home from Geneva the next morning after staying downtown at the Ibis Geneva Centre. Accommodation in the outskirts of town, or even across the border in France (which is very close) would be less expensive.
Our extensive initial planning, nicely supplemented by Pat at Rick Steves, has been completed. We are tempted to take a larger bag for hiking poles and boots, but are revisiting that after watching last night's Monday Night Travels. Moderate hikes may not require the poles.
Enjoy your trip.

Dino, Thanks for the tip on hotel. I was half thinking of going to Annecy also. We originally planned to go to Annecy after Alpine tour in 2020. Where are you staying in Anncey? I may consider that.. my sister and her husband went to Annecy for two nights then took a taxi to airport.
Enjoy your trip.. I am excited to travel again.

Annecy? Hotel du Palais or Hotel Splendide are recommended