Six people are planning a 2-week holiday in late July. <BR>Does anyone have a route covering all these places (Munchen, Garmisch, Mittenwald, Salzburg)?<BR>What about Innsbruck? Is it worth visiting? <BR>We are looking forward for suggestions for the best B&B's, places worth visiting and a biking route. We would love to see castles, Alpine lakes, Mirabell Gardens in Salzburg and some gorgeous towns.<BR>We'll be grateful for all the advice!<BR>Thank you!<BR>Elina&Inese

Arrive Munich and drive to Berchtesgaden. Stay at Watzmann Hotel in Berchtesgaden. We have used this place 3 times and have always been pleased with the staff and the rooms.<BR><BR>Use this as a base to see both Berchtesgaden area and Salzburg. The Koingsee Lake is what you expect an Alpine lake to be. Do the electric boat tour on Koingsee to Bartholomew (sp) and back. Also Salt Mine tour in Berchtesgaden is fun, especially if you have a rainy day and trip to Eagles Nest. <BR><BR>Sound of Music tour in Salzburg is corny but you see some beautiful areas. Go to the castle on top of the city and take that tour. Visit Mozart's birthplace and have a beer for me at the tiny restaurant that faces the front of Mozart's home. You cannot miss it because the building is so small.<BR><BR>Drive the Alpine road out of Berchtesgaden through Ramsau and Reit im Winkl to Garmisch. Stop along the way and enjoy the scenery. <BR><BR>In Garmisch stay at the Hilleprandt Hotel. Nice, clean and rooms #1 or #2 have patios on the outside yard. Includes breakfast. If you enjoy hiking do the walk along the Partenach Gorge in Garmisch. I spelled that wrong, but the tour info will know what I mean. Fun walk along the rushing river.<BR><BR>Mittenwald is close to Garmisch and Innsbruck is an easy drive over the mountain. We did Innsbruck in the winter from Garmisch and made it back in early afternoon. Innsbruck old town in fun, but rest of this city does not do much for me and I have been there about 4 times now.

Just returned from Austria...also went to Berchtesgaden. Lovely.<BR><BR>Salzburg is amazing, don't miss the fortress. Do a search on here for restaurants...there's tons. Berchtesgaden is beautiful but don't go on a Sunday. there is nothing to do but sit on a bench. The Sound of Music tour is really good in Salzburg, keep an open mind about it and you will enjoy it.

Sounds like a fun trip! If you search for "Mittenwald", you'll find my trip report (posted 6/2001) that includes Mittenwald and Salzburg. It lists a few restaurants, where I stayed, sidetrips, sights, concert info, etc.<BR><BR>In 1999, I took a trip that included (among other stops) Munich, Salzburg, and a great hotel near Reutte (Austria). I'll look and see if I have trip notes or I can "wing it" with any specific questions ... just repost.

Don't forget to check w/ the tourist boards in each town about hiking trails, which are not necessarily strenuous, and afford a wonderful way to escape the occasional ennui of tarvel in urban areas. They are usually w/ in walking or bussing or training distance from city center. Terriffic ones above Innsbruck; and when I got lost, an eighty y/o woman who clearly trekked this route often helped me find my way.

Take the elaborate elevator to the Eagle's Nest--it's a view in and of itself and the view from the now restaurant is spectacular (Berchtsgaden).