suesworld

We are going to be spending time in Europe this summer. We will spend the first part of our journey in the Berner Oberland and other parts of central/western Switzerland.
After leaving this area we have 4 days to get to the Munnich area. Can't decide whether to go south to Lugano/ Lake Como area & then head north, or East in Switzerland and on thru western Austria. Either way we will end up in Austria. Just not sure where to spend our time (Italy or Austria) We are not city types and prefer to be outside enjoying the scenery, hiking (easy to moderate) etc. After being in the Berner Oberland is going east in Switzerland going to be just more of the same (or less). The Lake Como area sounds great. Any suggestions???(Oh yeah, we'll be traveling by car.)

Wayne

I don't quite understand -- you are going to Munich but you say you will "end up in Austria" as if that is a final destination. If I assume you really are heading toward Munich as a destination, I would suggest you spend time around the Italian lakes, but that is out of the way for a drive to Munich. If you head toward western Austria you will be in country similar to the B.O.

You would probably enjoy instead the environs of Bodensee, where there are many charming villages around the lake, and you will be more or less on your way more directly toward Munich. This gives you the lake experience -- different from Como or Lugano, but nonetheless very nice.

Steve_James

Hi Sue - Of the two, my preference would be the Lugano/Lake Como option.

But if scenery/ hiking are the deciding factors, my suggestion would be to head for the Italian Dolomites! Spectacularly beautiful ...

Steve

bobthenavigator

I vote for the Lugano/Como option and then drive up the Engadine valley toward the Bavaria castle country. I see 2 nites on Lago Como, and then either 2 nites in Fussen or near Salzburg--both are great.

besozem

I second the Dolomites suggestion - we stopped in Bolzano on the way to Salzburg and I dream of going back to explore more of that area.

suesworld

thanks so much for the input. In answer to Wayne's question, I put that we were headed to Munnich but maybe I should have been clearer. We're actually headed up through the Romantic road area and I want to at least see a little of Austria on the way. Originally we planned on just cutting over from Berner Oberland and stopping in either the Alpenzell or St Moritz area and spending some time in Western Austria. But then I kept seeing refences to the Como/ Lugano area so we thought we might change our plan. From everyone's input I'd say we're now planning on traveling down towards Lugano and are presently trying to fiure out where to spend the 4 days? At the lakes or in the Dolomites (or both?) Is there enough time in four days? Will we be be traveling through the Dolomites to get to Austia anyways? Guess I better get a map out! We do tend to cram a lot in a little time,but don't don't want to spend all our time driving.Any further suggestions would be appreciated...thanks

Steve_James

Hi Sue - 4 days isn't enough to do justice to both Como/Lugano and the Dolomites. If I were you I'd choose one area or the other, not both.

'Will we be be traveling through the Dolomites to get to Austia anyways?'

No.

Steve

treplow

I assume you have a car? If so, I recommend the following route:

From Interlaken, take the A-8/Route 4 to Luzern. Spend the night in Luzern. After Luzern, take the northern route along Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstaetter See) to Schwyz. There decide, do you want to take the Klausenpass from Altdorf to the Autobahn A-3, or the easier Route 8 to the A-3. Both routes take about the same time, although the Pass is more fun, but also more exhausting driving. Where the A-3 meets the A-13, head north on the A-13 to the Buchs, Lichtenstein exit. From there head to Feldkirch in Austria, where you pick up the Austrian autobahn to Bregenz and Lindau(Germany). The latter is a nice old island town. Spend the night there.

From Lindau, either take the A-96 to Munich, although that would be going out of your way if you want to travel the Romantic Road. Otherwise, from Lindau take the German A-96 to exit 4, and take the B-308 (Deutsche Alpenstrasse - German Alpine Highway) all the way to Hindelang (past Oberstaufen- Immenstadt- Sonthofen) . At Hindelang drive the short Oberjoch Pass to the Austrian border. Take the B-199 to Weissenbach and the B-198 to Reutte and Fuessen. Visit the castles there, and then take the A-7 north to Rothenburg o.T., along the Romantic Road.

Now a comment about the Romantic Road: There is really not much romance about the road itself. It's a plain highway, but some of the towns along the way gave the marketeers the idea for the name of the road. Places to see from Rothenburg north: Creglingen (famous altar in the Herrgottskirche),Weikersheim (small palace),Bad Mergentheim and, although not along the Romantic Road, Wuerzburg.

Finally, where do you pick up your car? In Switzerland? If so, be aware that there usually is a high drop off charge in Europe if you pick up your car in one country, and drop it off in another. There is no drop-off charge if you pick-up and drop-off are in the same country, even if the two locations are in different cities.

If you don't have a car, of the above itinerary these places are also accessible by train: Luzern, Lindau, Munich, Fuessen (from Munich), Rothenburg, Wuerzburg. Not all are on the main line and may involve long trtavels and quite a number of train changes or detours. For details, check www.bahn.de

SAnParis2

I agree w/treplow. Maybe have a stopover in Bregenz ? But, don't sell Munich short, I would also allow for some time there + it is a great locale to daytrip from.

suesworld

thanks so much for the input. I had decided on the lakes but now I'm reconsidering. Another question....anyone have any input on Bruges?? Later in our trip we are going from the Rhine to Amsterdam. Was considering a very, very quick detour through Belgium to Bruges and then head up to Amsterdam. Not sure if a quick detour would be worth it, or just spend another couple days in the previous countries. So many places...so little time!