I'll be too broke to travel for at least 15 months, but I'm daydreaming about a destination that has great mountain scenery for a trip in fall of 2014, perhaps.

I no longer ski--come to think of it, what I did on skis in the 60's couldn't really be classified as genuine skiing. Mostly it was just standing up briefly and then falling on skis. That's not germane to this post, though. I just want to say that this won't be a skiing destination per se. Perhaps a place like Berchtesgaden.

What I want is suggestions for pretty towns in mountainous areas--the Alps, the Dolomites, even the Carpathians--where I can hang around and explore. I don't do serious hiking, but I do like to walk in non-challenging towns or countryside.

Any suggestions?

Can't beat the fabulous Jungfrau Region in the Interlaken, Switzerland region for what you want!

I spent 4 days in Ehrwald at the foot of the Zugspitze in Austria and I loved the location. There was a small town close by (Lermoos) that you could walk to. A great base for seeing all of Ludwigs castles also.

Chamonix in France has everything Switzerland has to offer Alp-wise and at a lower price - a primo area for several days - day trip into Switzerland or France - Geneva, etc.

Pal: Good suggestion for the Jungfrau. I stayed at Hotel Bellvue des Alpes á couple of times in the 60, and then I saw it again in a Clint Eastwood movie--"The Eiger Sanction." I think I'd like to visit there again.

Martha: I'll check out the areas you mention.

We thought the Bavarian Alps were gorgeous - the area around Berchtesgaden.

Peg, I loved Lucerne and surrounding area including the lake.

Villars, Zermatt, Saas Fee, Crans-Montana, Courmayeur, Gressoney, Riederalp/Bettmeralp, Grindelwald, Engelberg, Arosa, Davos, Segl Maria, Pontresina, Scuol-Tarasp, Sulden, Soelden/Hoschsoelden, Fulpmes, Mayrhofen/Hintertux, Madonna di Campiglio, Ortisei, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Lienz........

Zakopane Poland in the Carpathian Mtns. Much much cheaper than Switzerland and a fun place to spend a few days in the village or out hiking.

I've been to Zakopane. It was an interesting cultural experience, but it can't compare to the Alps in Switzerland or the Tyrol in terms of dramatic scenery.

My favorites are Murren and Mittenwald.

You have to be more specific with your definition of "fall" --if you mean September and October, you have plenty of choices. If you mean late October into November, many of the small towns/villages may feel abandoned. Hotels/restaurants closed (owners taking vacations or sprucing their places up for the winter season); in that case think more of a small city like Thun in Switzerland. Or even Salzburg (beautiful in mid October). I like the towns/smaller cities that don't depend too deeply on tourism -- hence my fondness for places like Thun, Chur, Zug, Graz, etc.

Interlaken does not appeal to me. Before Pal starts howling in outrage, YES, I have explored its nooks and crannies, but NO, it just doesn't do it for me. To each his own.

If Salzburg is too big, maybe one of the nearby small towns like St. Wolfgang or even Bad Reichenhall.

Bavaria,love the Zugspitze. So much to do even if you don't ski. The train takes you from Munich to so many lovely places into Austria. Mittenwald is not to be missed.

<I've been to Zakopane. It was an interesting cultural experience, but it can't compare to the Alps in Switzerland or the Tyrol in terms of dramatic scenery>

Agreed, I absolutely love the Swiss Alps above all others. But if budget is a concern as alluded in the OP's comments, Zakopane is a good, and much less costly, alternative along with possibly some places in the Dolomites.

I just visited the Zugspitze and Garmish area and it was a lovely very worthwhile trip but I found myself yearning to be further south in the heart of the Alps!

<I've been to Zakopane. It was an interesting cultural experience, but it can't compare to the Alps in Switzerland or the Tyrol in terms of dramatic scenery>

Agreed, I absolutely love the Swiss Alps above all others. But if budget is a concern as alluded in the OP's comments, Zakopane is a good, and much less costly, alternative along with possibly some places in the Dolomites.

I just visited the Zugspitze and Garmish area and it was a lovely very worthwhile trip but I found myself yearning to be further south in the heart of the Alps!

I don't think budget will be a concern by the fall of next year. If all else fails I will draw money from my mutual funds. By September/October I will be edging closer to 79 years old, really running out of time for travel.

I know nothing about the Carpathians but mentioned them in case someone else did.

I've visited Salzburg, Garmisch, etc., but you all have mentioned places I haven't seen. So much to see, so little time.

Once again, thanks for the suggestions. I will print this list and tuck it into my "to go" file.

Loved Wengen in Switzerland...actually, we loved all places we visited in Switzerland, but Wengen was #1

Lauterbrunnen is my choice - great place to base yourself and wander around that part of Switzerland.

Some of the most beautiful fall color I've ever seen was around Hallstatt and St. Gilgen in late October 2010. Absolutely stunning.

http://dkubiak.smugmug.com/Travel/Au...6628&k=vS5VRL3

But nothing beats Switzerland for it's rugged beauty.