I'm hoping Ingo sees this since (he/she?) has given men a lot of good advice so far.<BR>I thought my vacation plans were set, but now Ingo peaked my interest when mentioning alpbach austria. I'm planning on going to Kandersteg and chateau d'oex this June. I'm staying at the Ruedihus and Bon Accueill. I'm looking for rustic chalet accommidations and towns not over-run with tourists. However Alpbach looks great too. A chalet called Innerhof has got my attention. I'd appreciate any feedback about alpbach or the Innerhof. If anyone could compare alpbach and chateau d'oex and kandersteg I'd appreciate it. The two places I chose in Switzerland look perfect, but it seems like Switzerland is a lot more $$$ than surrounding alps countries. I won't repeat my boring story again, but going to the alps with my wife. Wildflowers are a huge deal, sound of cowbells etc. Basically the Sound of music thing, ya know?

Hi Dan,<BR><BR>It is me („he“). Ingo is an old German (male) name.<BR><BR>Alpbach is definitely a very beautiful, small village. If you consider only the villages I would maybe prefer Alpbach. But…<BR><BR>The surrounding scenery is completely different. The Lake Oeschinen above Kandersteg with the huge mountains and glaciers above …, lots of gondolas and cable cars take you higher to the mountains, where you find the most beautiful wildflowers …<BR><BR>Not to forget the perfect public transport system in Switzerland. It is a short train ride to Montreux (incomparable view of Lake Geneva) or Interlaken/Grindelwald with the splendid panorama of Mt. Eiger/Monch/Jungfrau.<BR><BR>To my mind the $$$ difference for the same quality is not much between Switzerland and Austria. Don’t forget we have the Euro since New Year, and I felt the prices got very much higher in Germany, it will be the same in Austria, too.<BR><BR>Bye Ingo<BR>

Ingo,<BR><BR>How would the scenery of Alpbach compare with Chateau d'oex?<BR><BR>Thanks again for your help.<BR><BR>Dan<BR><BR>

Hi Dan,<BR><BR>the scenery of Alpbach is similar to the scenery of Chateau d'Oex. You will see cows, green meadows etc.<BR><BR>I checked the website of alpbach, but could not find the Chalet Innerhof???<BR>Are you sure there is one in Alpbach?<BR><BR>Ingo

Ingo<BR><BR>Maybe the word "chalet" threw off your search. I found it located in one of Karen Brown's guides. It doesn't look as old as the other inn's I'm looking into, but the scenery looks nice. Here is the link. There is also the inn's official link at the bottom of the page.<BR><BR>http://www.karenbrown.com/austria/innerhof.html<BR><BR>I am a big fan of the Karen Brown guides. Through her book on Switzerland I found the Ruedihus and Bon Accueil.<BR><BR>As always,thanks<BR><BR>Dan<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><B R><BR>

Dan,<BR><BR>I checked the websites. Seems to be quite good. Of course it is not a hotel, more a former farm house or so. It is definitely not as old-style as the Ruedihuus, but no problem.<BR><BR>Considering it is not a hotel, the prices seem to be not very low.<BR><BR>However, you will have a great vacation, I am sure.<BR><BR>Ingo

Dan--<BR>For a small, really quaint village, I prefer Rattenberg, which is just a few km from Alpbach. For a larger place not far away, I think Kufstein is very nice. You might want to look into one of these. Good travels.