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Hi All
Have mentioned before that we are doing an 8-day trip to Austria the end of November. Flying to Zurich and arriving about 8AM. Originally thought about taking a train down through Switzerland and then going across to Innsbruck. After having discovered a friend who lives in Garmisch, Germany (sp), we have decided to spend one nite there before going to Innsbruck. Will go on to Salzberg and Vienna later in the week and leave from Vienna back to USA. After all that -- here's my question(s). Can we hang a left at Zurich through Germany for a couple of days winding up in Garmisch? What would be visitable going that way? (We are interested in virtually everything from mountains, to Castles, to Concentration camps). Never have been on a hi-speed train -- any available in that area? Would appreciate any help and any advice, caveats, dont misses, etc. You guys have been so helpful in the past. I really appreciate it.
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rex

There are no high-speed trains linking Zurich, Austria and southern Germany, to the best of my knowledge.

Given your overall travel objectives - - I think your first destination should be the closest point in Austria: Bregenz. It's less than 90 minutes by highway (two train changes by rail) - - so I'd bet that your best bet is a Swiss Postbus. I don't know where is the best website to get schedule info on the Postbus system (can't figure out www.psotbus.ch - - I must be dense).

From Bregenz, you should be able to rent an Austrian car, and from there go wherever you want.

Best wishes,

Rex

TopMan

Actually, there's a train that leaves Zurich for Bregenz around 9:33 AM that requires no changes; otherwise several changes may be involved.

You could easily accomplish your objectives by taking the direct service from Zurich to Munich which would take about four and 1/2 hours (no changes).

Munich to Salzburg is 1 1/2 hours; Munich-Innsbruck around three hours.

Munich would position you nicely for a visit to nearby Dachau concentration camp or to the Ludwig castles Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Herrenchiemsee, etc., as well as the Nymphenburg and Residenz (the latter two within Munich itself).

You might want to consult a map to give you an idea of the geography involved.

You can check rail schedules at
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en

Enjoy your trip

ben_haines_london

Using the Thomas Cook European Timetable I find these connections. Zurich airport 0800 to 0913, Zurich 0923 to 0935, restaurant car train with panorama car in first class, Innsbruck 1318 to 1438, Garmisch Parteikirchen 1545.
Garmisch Parteikirchen 0804 and every two hours, Innsbruck 0921 to 0930, restaurant car train, Jenbach 0950, Salzburg 1133, Linz 1249, Vienna 1435.
I do not think I would go as far north as Munich.

The site www.travelwriter.at/about/ castles/in_austria/tyrol/index.shtml lists castles in Tyrol. I have selected those on the main railway line, reading from west to east
Innsbruck, Palais Taxis-Fugger
The first owner of this palace was the famous family Fugger. The lived there about 1679. From 1784 - 1905 it belonged to another famous family, Thurn and Taxis. Today it is the seat of the Tyrolian state government.
Innsbruck, Schloß Ambras
This palace was the residence of an Austrian emperor long times ago. Nowadays it includes a large collection of art, arms and paintings of the Austrian emperor dynasty.
Innsbruck, Hofburg
Former seat of the provincial sovereigns. Adapted to baroque style under Maria Theresa. Ceiling frescos by F.A. Maulpertsch (1776)
Fügen, Schloß Fügen. 11 kilometers south of Jenbach
A castle from the end of the 17th century with a tower from middle ages.
Jenbach, Schloss Tratzberg
The castle was build in the 16th century and was a hunting lodge for emperor Maximilian and the famous Fugger family. Today the owner offers rooms for weddings and wine tastings.
Kirchberg, one hour west of Innsbruck by train, Ruine Löwenburg
There are only some remains of this medieval fortress.
Kitzbühel, 35 minutes west of Innsbruck by train, Kapsburg
Another Tyrolian seat which was build in the beginning 17th century. Like many other Tyrolian castles it is large rectangular building with several decorative oriels.
Kitzbühel, Schloß Lebenberg
This castle from the 16th century is a hotel now. Perhaps you want to stay there during winter season. Every year Kitzbühel is the scene of important ski races. The very fast downhill run is world known as the "Streif".
I have these notes on Nazi sites

Hitler had his chief country house in Berchtesgaden, in Bavaria 39 kilometers south of Salzburg. Please see http://thirdreichruins.com/miscbldgs2.htm/. The railway station was large, to impress important guests. The pizza hut below the river Ach was a guard house, to keep admirers away from the big house, the Berghof, now destroyed. From that time you can see the entry to the underground shelter, a school, a youth hostel and a hospital, now closed, and now the exhibition Dokumentation Obersalzberg: www.obersalzberg.de/, then English

There are other nazi sites near Linz.
Hitler's birthplace in Branau Am Inn, see http://www.gedenkdienst.org/english/...001/1301.php4/ and, in German, http://www.braunau.at
Mauthausen concentration camp, half an hour from Linz by bus
Ebensee concentration camp, 75 kilometers SW of Linz, two hours by local trains, see http://thirdreichruins.com/ebensee.htm

[email protected]

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Thanks folks. This really helps.
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