what to do in Ruette

In my experience, we got in late the first afternoon (Dachau, biergarten, Wieskirke) so just had less than an hour until dinner, then the full day we were there included going to Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau and weather permitting the luge ride/hike around the lake which also took most of that day. We had rain that full day so the luge ride and hike were cancelled. A couple of people opted to get off the bus in the center of Reutte and walk back to the hotel but the parts I saw did not seem to have much charm. That is not to say there isn't charm there, I just didn't see it from the bus! If you are staying in the same hotel our tour stayed in there is some hiking up behind it but again, did not explore due to limited time one day and rain the next. The reason you have both meals provided there is that there is no where close by to eat.

Pam I see you said after Dachau you stopped at biergarten, what was that?

i like Biergartens

I assume you will be staying in Zum Schluxen, in Pinswang, 7½ km from Reutte. That's fortunate, because downtown Reutte is nothing to write home about. Have dinner, get to know other tour members at Zum Schluxen, get a good night's sleep. If you really want to get out, hike about a km over the ridge and visit the gravel quarry on the Lech.

Actually the hotel in/near Reutte the RS tour used was Hotel Maximilian. It is actually in the small community of Ehenbichl. We did have language lessons on the bus as one of the owners (??) of the hotel is so very happy if people can pronounce the town and greet her properly. Dimitri wanted us prepared! We also had a short slide show and presentation from her regarding Austria. It was very interesting! There was actually a bar in the hotel off the lobby and so many did gather there for a glass of wine or a beer before dinner. If I recall correctly, the internet coverage may have been better in the lobby as the picture I have in my mind is everyone sitting around with their smartphones, lolol!!

Yes, we stopped for a late lunch at a Biergarten in a Monastery, Kloster Andechs. Many tour members got pig's knuckles which were the size of their heads. Immense. The tough thing was that this was about 2PM and then we had a huge dinner about 7, so I advise eating lightly if you can. No problem for me as this was one of the few places that it was not easy being a vegan. I think I wound up with sauerkraut and a huge pretzel. There was also time to go into the church.

http://www.andechs.de/nc/en.html

After the biergarten we then made another short stop at Wieskirche before we drove in to Austria and the hotel.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wieskirche

Reutte is also where you can get laundry done, so it is good to sort things you want washed as you pack up from Rothenburg.

Oh, it doesn't matter if there isn't exciting things to do in Reutte......the link was very interesting and I'm sure I will find joy in that place :) Heck, I find joy in a glass of wine or in a beer, lol!

Kathy, you have a wonderful attitude. I just bet you will also find joy in spending time with your tour members and the host family. I also have stayed there on a RS tour. It's a pretty setting. We were there during a World Cup so the tv/bar area was very busy.

In 2015, the 21-day Europe tour does not stay at the Schluxen hotel in Pinswang (which changed owners last year). Most departures will alternate between staying at the Hotel Maximilian and the Alpenhotel Ernberg. The tour itinerary indicates that these days will be pretty full of sightseeing and you have a group diner together both evenings.

Kathy,

We found Day 7 of our 21 day tour to be one of the most memorable of the entire trip. We started the day with an optional 3 mile hike through the Austrian/German woods to arrive at Mad King Ludwig's castles. The woods were pristine and the weather was beautiful. After the castles we went on the luge ride which was exciting and lots of fun. Then we had one of our best experiences of the trip, we visited the Ehrenberg Castle ruins and got to tour them without the crowds and vendors that you see at Ludwig's castles. We essentially had the place all to ourselves. While this is not a standard stop on the BOE in 21 Days tour, perhaps your tour leader could arrange a visit. It's well worth it if you can get there.
You can see pictures and videos on our website entry on the Rick Steves 2014 Scrapbook Contest.

https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/scrapbooks

I stayed overnight in Reutte on the RS Alpine tour last year and although there may not be specific things to see, it is a charming town to walk around in. Our hotel was in "downtown" Reutte (the zum Mohren) and had brochures and maps for local walks. Walking toward the Ehrenberg Castle from central Reutte takes you through some delightful residential neighborhoods in the town. If you continue so far as the edge of town, and choose to walk farther toward Ehrenberg (after leaving Reutte) that is also a nice walk (through woods & fields) but longer so you might not have time to go all the way to the castle. The maps also indicated a walk along the river in Reutte, but I didn't do that one.