I will be leaving in mid november to work in Innsbruck, Austria for 6 months. I have never been to Austria and would love some advice on what to see/do. I tend to be more of a city person and am very interested in history. I was hoping to get some ideas for weekend (2-3 day) trips from Innsbruck to Italy, Germany, Switzerland, France etc. Also I'm a recently graduated college student so I'm not on a five star budget. Also any suggestions for a one or two week european holiday when I finish work in May would be great. I've been to europe before but never in the winter. I've mostly visited France, Ireland, London, and Adelboden in Switzerland. Thanks for your help and happy traveling !

Hi Laura,<BR>Great opportunity! I am sure that many will be/are envious. Anyway, for weekend trips, check these out: Munich, Salzburg, Venice, Engadine (CH) (not so city but so beautiful), Zurich, Lucerne, Ljubljana. A bit farther out: Venice,Verona, Bern and the Berner Oberland, Vienna and Prague. Ok...those are my suggestions off the top of my head. Anyone else?<BR><BR>As far as accomodations, you could do the hostel route. That would be a fun way to travel and you will meet many others in your age range. I think for a recent graduate traveling alone that it is the BEST way to travel!<BR>Cheers,<BR>Jan

Thanks for the advice those are all good ideas. If anyone has favorite spots in some of the places Jan suggested please let me know. Two or three days is not a lot of time, any &quot;must see&quot; places? I'm open to all suggestions, thanks again

just topping myself, ANY info/tips would really help, thanks

What kind of work will you be doing? Inquiring minds want to know?

Hey Laura:<BR><BR>I am so jealous!! My wife's cousins live in a lovely town just north of Innsbruck, called Hall im Tirol. That would be a nice town to visit!<BR>You are so well located! You are about 1 hr from Munich and right near the Brenner Pass into Italy! My favorite drive was to take the mountain pass road up to Garmish. You will pass the towns of Seefeld (ski resort), Mittenwald(beautiful, quaint town) and Garmish! One of the larger bavarian towns. So much to offer! What are you doing in Innsbruck, and better yet..can I join you!!<BR>JOHN

thanks for the tips, I'll be working as a research/teaching assistant at University of Innsbruck, it's a Cdn gov't sponosored position

topping

Through the Brenner Pass (by train?) to Bolzano, Merano, Trento, Verona, Bologna---you could go on and on.