Austria/Dolomite/Bavaria trip help
 

We are planning a trip for Oct. to Austria/Bavaria/Italy(Dolomites).
My main questions are:
1)nWe've never been to Berchtesgaden, it is worthwhile. Also thinking of Ramsau as an alternative.
2) Is the Grossglockner Road (we love driving over passes) anything more than passes we may drive in Italy?
3) Is the drive from Berchtesgaden to the Val Badia doable in a day ?
4) Anything we should see in the Cortina D'Ampezzo area?
5) Is a day trip to Cortina D'Ampezzo and Lake Misurina from Val Badia realistic?
Itinerary:
Wed. -Arrive Munich, drive to Berchtesgaden
Thurs. - Berchtesgaden - visit Berchtesgaden area, Konigsee, etc.
Fri. - Berchtesgaden - visit Hallstatt.
Sat. Leave Berchtesgaden, drive the Grossglockner Road, end up in Colfosco/Corvara Italy. (Val Badia-Dolomites)
Sun. - Colfosco/Corvara - look around/drive around the Dolomites a bit.
Mon. - Colfosco/Corvara - visit Cortina D Ampezzo, Lake Misurina, etc.
Tues.- Leave Colfosco/Corvara and drive to Mittenwald.
Wed.- Mittenwald -Zugspitze, GP,
Thurs. - Mittenwald-Innsbruck(Hungerburg, Hall)
Fri. - Leave Mittenwald and drive to Freising, by Munich airport.
Sat. - Fly home
We've been to Salzburg (never berchtesgaden) before, so maybe we'll just spend an evening there.
Any advice or suggestions are appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
paul

Hi Paul--

Sounds like a great trip. I've been to Val Badia, but only by public transport, so unfortunately I can't help with driving times or day trips. But I'm curious how you picked Corvara/Colfosco? I love that area, but most people haven't heard of it.

You can sign up to receive their monthly newsletter to get more information about the area:
http://www.altabadia.org/summer/default.asp?L=3&

I hope your trip is earlier than later in Oct.
Berchtesgaden is worth the visit, Include the Königssee and maybe Eagle's Nest. Ice caves and salt mines nearby.
Grossglockner Hochalpenstraße is a must IMHO. I've been on it 3 times.
http://www.grossglockner.com/
http://www.edelweissspitze.at/
And visit the glacier itself.
Berchtesgaden to Val Badia would be about a 6 hour drive going through the mountains and less than 4 using the autobahns.
The map below is one I did at the request of someone else here. Parts of it covers some of the routes you want to take. If you'd like I can post one more specific to you.
http://www.thirdmansystems.com/vacat.../Austria01.htm
The drive from Colfosco to Mittenwald is much more scenic going on the Timmelsjoch and Sölden instead of Innsbruch. Locations 8-4 on the map.

Thanks for the help.
Enzian - We picked Colfosco/Corvara because we loved Val Gardena(stayed in St. Christina)3 years ago but didn't want to be too redundant.
Norrisken - Why earlier than later in Oct.? Will Grossglockner be closed then?

are you sure you want to drive 2 hours after an all-night flight? I've not done it, but have heard from others that it can be difficult.

You might consider taking the train to Berchtesgaden (a Bayern Lander Karte will cost the two of you a total of 25-27 euro to travel on local trains from the airport), then pick up the car the next day. Since you'll be picking it up in Berchtesgaden and not the Munich airport, you should save $60-$80 on your rental. Another savings of $40 should accrue by renting for one less day. The only downside is that the train takes about 3:45 vs. two hours driving if you do not hit a traffic jam.

Thank you JN. Driving 2 or 3 hours is no problem after the flight. I actually enjoy it! I know it would save money your way but we need to rent at the airport for the convenience. Thanks again.
paul

Grossglockner Hochalpenstraße closes at the end of Oct I think. Weather is just a bit of a worry later in Oct. But way less traffic even early in Oct. We did the Dolomites in late Sept and the weather was very nice. Have a great trip and let us know how it all went.
BTW this is a great site for drives in the Alps: http://www.alpineroads.com/

Thanks Norrisken. Great website, alpine roads!

Since you are renting a car in Germany and will be driving in Austria...BE SURE you get a sticker for you car (for Austria and perhaps other countries) WHEN RENTING.....or you will be out around $150 when you enter Austria. (we learned the hard way (:>))
(WE rented in FRankfurt, but also met some travelers who rented in MUnich and the rental agency was nice enough to mention the sticker and issue it for them)
SOMETIMES the rental agencies will mention it, and other times NOT.....so be sure and ask~!!!.