My week in Germany and Austria

Old Jan 18th, 2016, 05:58 AM
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My week in Germany and Austria

We spent a week in Germany and Austria in September and flew into Munich. After a couple of days in Munich, we picked up our rental car at the train station and headed to Salzburg, Austria for two nights. We went to Berchtesgaden and Hallstatt from Salzburg before going to Garmisch and spending a few nights. We dropped off our car in Garmisch and took the train to Switzerland where we spent a week. I would highly recommend renting a car to explore as it gives you the freedom of seeing more and not waiting around for the train.

You can read about my trip at my blog. http://winenchocolate.com/downtown-munich-attractions/

I also did a post on choosing the best Swiss Travel Pass for our week. It saved us a lot of money. Hope you enjoy.
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Old Jan 18th, 2016, 06:55 AM
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Hi vacationlady,

Glad you enjoyed your visit to my corner of the world (I live in Garmisch).

But contrary to your note about cars, I recommend travellers take the train. For one thing, it is an adventure for most north Americans and unique; for another it is just more fun and relaxing. I don't really want to get into that debate here, but just wanted to give an alternate opinion about using the train.

Btw, I find even "waiting around for the train" to be fun -- it's a great time to people-watch over a cup of coffee. Of course, being able to download train schedules eliminates waiting around much --

Thanks for your input!

s
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Old Jan 18th, 2016, 07:44 AM
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I love how you did your trip report. Pics and review. We love Germany and the train system. We didn't rent a car last trip. Stuttgart, Munich, Nuremberg and Àugsburg were easy with the trains and buses. Are you adding more? I want to read how you like our fav spot, Garmisch.
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Old Jan 18th, 2016, 10:29 AM
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swandav2000 - We used the train in Munich and Switzerland and enjoyed, but for us having a car to go to other places made it much easier. It was easier visiting Ludwig castles, and going to Hallstatt as we could beat the crowds by leaving early. We could change our mind depending on the weather. We ended up going to Berchtesgaden on the way to Salzburg when we ran into rain. We loved Germany and would like to go back as there is more to see. The train system in Europe is wonderful.

flpab - We loved Garmisch and spent several days there. We missed out on visiting the Zugspitze as it was not good weather on the mountains while we were there. Another reason to return.
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Old Jan 21st, 2016, 09:26 AM
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. I would highly recommend renting a car to explore as it gives you the freedom of seeing more and not waiting around for the train.>

Germany yes but are you also talking about Switzerland where cars are even banned from several key Alpine areas.

Anyway glad you had a sweet trip as it sounds anyway - trains in Switzerland are great!
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Old Mar 20th, 2016, 09:34 AM
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We dropped off our car in Garmisch and used the train for our week in Switzerland. Even though I thought it was expensive for the Swiss Pass when we purchased it we found in the end it was the right decision. We used the pass more than we had planned as everything we did involved taking the train from Wengen where we stayed to visit other places.
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Old Mar 20th, 2016, 12:47 PM
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I too always end up using my Swiss Pass more than I think I would and I think I would use it a lot but often use it much more - say on a whim on a gorgeous day in the Interlaken area just taking a boat trip to nowhere on say Lake Thun - lazing back on deck and letting the scenery glide by is great and with a pass I don't think about possible costs that could deter me.
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Old Mar 20th, 2016, 01:45 PM
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<We had the pleasure of having dinner at Gasthof Fraundorfer and found it quite entertaining and fun. When we went to the dining room that evening, the place was packed. Even though we did not have a reservations, they found room for us. They placed us at a table with other guests where the conversation with the locals was very interesting. You find out what other people do in the area, make small talk such as the weather and find out which is the best beer to drink and what was good on the menu. They served traditional German food which we enjoyed.>

My husband bought the other guy at our table a shot and he bought my husband one and it went on like that for a looong time. They were from Hamburg and spoke very good English. We love doing that because you do have a good time.
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Old Mar 20th, 2016, 01:59 PM
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Like you, I love traveling by car and exploring Europe as well. My husband and I always traveled by car. I took my 16 year old granddaughter in June 2014. We traveled Germany, Italy, and Austria for 12 days and then took train to Paris then to London, We both loved the adventures by car. Stopping by lakes and sides of mountains for pictures and to enjoy the views, meandering a village you think is charming as driving by, changing your mind the night before on where you want to go the next day--we just liked the freedom. Plus the funny stories of us getting there!!
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Old Mar 20th, 2016, 02:03 PM
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Forgot to say that my husband and I did drive Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Austria, France, Spain, and Belgium. Loved it all.
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