Trying to narrow it down... mid-July, family of 4, 2 middle schoolers, don't like crowds, like the outdoors, will have car... kids are very adventurous - want to luge, short hikes, see mountains, and bike as well as see a few castles and great villages/towns.... don't need luxury accomodations but not hostels either.

I forgot to ask... but if we stay somewhere in Austria where they take "only cash", I am assuming that is Euros as well. Just call me a 'dumb American'

Hi dumb american,

Yes. They use Euros in Germany and Austria.

We stayed in Reutte when we were in that area - at the Hotel Moserhof. The hotel was great, I think our rate was around 90 euros for a double room, buffet breakfast included. Our room was a nice size with a double-sized bed and a pull out couch, also had a nice balcony with some chairs. We ate dinner at the hotel as well while we were there - they have a nice patio that was great for relaxing in the evenings. They have good food - the menu isn't large, but the quality is good. The staff is really great - family run hotel, very welcoming.

There isn't a lot to Reutte itself - just a cozy, small town. There are a couple castle ruins on hills overlooking the town. We didn't get a chance to wander around up there, but it looked cool.

Just outside of town - maybe a 10-15 minute drive is the Plansee (lake), which is great. Very pretty, low key place with nice swimming beaches. I think you can rent paddlewheel boats and things too.

Hohenschwangau is sort of sandwiched between the Ludwig castles - not really much of a town there, just some hotels and restaurants. It is really pretty there though, with great views of the castles and there is also a small lake there. During the day it will be overrun with day trippers, but I imagine that in the evening, after people have gone home, it would be magical.

When I was doing my research for our trip, we ultimately decided on Reutte to be a bit out of the way and also because the hotel rates were lower than in Hohenschwangau.

stayed in Fussen with 2 middle school boys. They liked climbing the Ehrenburg ruins. Remember none of these small town hotels have a.c. We were hot!

We like the Gutshof von Schluxen in Unter Pinswang, just on the Austrian side of the border (between Hohenschwangau and Reutte) is is a working farm gasthaus with rabbits cows and pet deer. Great areas for hiking and I am told it is not too far to actually hike to Neuschwanstein from there.