and I must go see Austria and the Bavarian Alps. Wow I am super excited. I have been digging through these forums looking for suggestions. I am planning 10 days in September with a car and a 2 year old... where shall I go??? My wife likes roaming around picturesque little towns & checking out castles, while I like photographing landscapes. First time in that part of Europe. Been to Rome, Paris, Amsterdam... but on this trip we prefer to stay away from the big cities! How much ground shall we cover in 10 days?

Hallstadt is very picturesque, but can be full of tourists in the summer. Sept should be nice. Take camera for sure

We stayed in the Salzkammergut region in Hallstatt several years ago and it was the highlight of our trip. The mountain scenery blending into the lakes is simply awesome. On that trip we stayed in Vienna for several days, then the Wachau valley for a few days, at a "wine farm" just outside of Krems, before we headed to the Salzkammergut region. We stayed at a private B&B while there, our hostess was Helga Lenz. Highly recommend. Austria is beautiful, especially in September! For us we would probably only do 2 stops on a 10 day trip, but we are slow-travelers and happy to be that way! Our vacation is to get us away from the daily rat-race. We try to "statigically" stay for easy distance to what we want to see. We rent a car so are free to go later, stay later, etc. as opposed to only using the public transportation. Have a super trip and do heed the take your camera advice!!

Agree that the Salzkammergut region of Austria is one of my favorites also. Hallstatt, St. Gilgen, and St. Wolfgang are just a few of the lovely little lakeside towns/villages in the area.

You may also want to visit Berchtesgaden to see Hitler's Eagle's Nest which was shown in Band of Brothers' last episode. Soldiers took most of the contents as souvenirs but you can still see the huge fireplace that was given to Hitler by Mussolini and get a feel for the period.

While in Berchtesgaden, you should take a boat ride on the beautiful nearby Koenigssee.

If you fly into Munich, I would base in St. Gilgen on Wolfgangsee and take day trips to Berchtesgaden and Salzburg as well as visits to Hallstatt and a boat trip to St. Wolfgang. Many lovely views of the surrounding mountains and lakes from Schafberg Mtn which can be reached by an old steam train from St. Wolfgang.

After 3 or 4 days in the Salzkammergut, you could drive over to Garmisch-Partenkirchen with maybe a day trip to Mittenwald before returning to Munich for a day or two before returning home.

GREAT miniseries, I just watched it for the first time a month ago.

Have a look at a Michelin Green Guide for the areas. Their maps and rating of places (and also suggestions for driving routes) by star levels, 1 to 3, is really excellent. With a car, you can let your imagination roam to find small, out of the way places to visit and to stay. Pretty chapels in the middle of nowhere, tiny towns with the rare stellar attraction (and tiny towns can have some great value accomodations). The Green Guide (and particularly the maps with top attractions clearly highlighted) are a great way to structure a tour.

Re Koenigssee, I spent a memorable night there on the shores. The lake and mountains were indeed beautiful.

Amazing TV series. The man who was the focus of the story died quite recently (the man who was interviewed as part of the "special" features" at end of the series).

Over the years our little island has stood in for quite a few more exotic locations, and producers often don't shoot much - if anything at all - in the places where the story is supposed to be happening.

These may or may not be complete, but you might want to check before making too many plans...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0185906/locations

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/...production.htm

Peter

This is just awesome thanks! Ive been reading tour guides of both austria and the bavarian alps... its frusterating because it doesnt give recommendations that cross over country lines, so I cant really compare two things from different contries... anyway,awesome,ill check out the green guide for sure! Hallstatt will be on top of our list!

would you recommend the alpine road in germany to go from fussen towards salzburg? or take the austrian road through innbruck? so it sounds like most of you prefer austria over the bavarian alps... any must sees over there besides the ludwig castles? anyone check out the liechtenstienklamm? wondering if a 2 year old could accompany us.

thanks again in advance! and yes the band of brothers was incredible

I like bettyk's idea. So much to see and do. G-P is a neat town. You can go up the Zugspitze from there.

The Alps are awesome. Have a wonderful trip.

I like bettyk's idea. So much to see and do. G-P is a neat town. You can go up the Zugspitze from there.

The Alps are awesome. Have a wonderful trip. Garmisch is my favorite. Very easy to navigate and so much to see if you use it as a base. There is a US military base there and 90% of the people speak english if your German is not that great. We do public transportation and the train and bus system are fab. I have been to Eagles nest, you can go into the bunkers there which were creepy but interesting. Short bus ride to Saltzburg from there. I would stay overnight if you do that. G-P is very close to Omerammergau, the village that does the Passion play every ten years. It is well worth a visit. The Zugspitze is a must see. Take the cog train up to the top.