It's just a quick hop across the border into Italy from East Tyrol or Carinthia, definitely worthwhile.

I'd think you would enjoy the scenery of the Dolomites, especially around Cortina d'Ampezzo, Corvara, St. Ulrich. However, these towns are also quite touristy. A good base would be Sexten. Or one of the villages in Gadertal valley (San Martino e.g.) - less touristy.

Definitely see Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee), Lago di Misurina, the Tre Cime formation.

Yes, Maria Alm is nice, and not as touristy as Zell am See. The scenery is not dramatic enough for me, though.

Finally all booked!

We've settled on the following itinerary arriving into Zurich and departing from Munich:

Samedan - five nights
Scoul - five nights
Lauterbrunnen - four nights
Rothenburg, Germany - three nights
Munich - five nights, including Christmas

Need to now re-read all the wonderful suggestions on this thread and work out what to see/do once there!

melnq8

I just stumbled across this thread and at last I have the chance in a very small way to return some of the kindness you have shown me in helping me plan our NZ trip.

I know that you love walking, and by co-incidence a friend of ours has walked the Engadine many times, and indeed written books about the walks there:

http://www.kevreynolds.co.uk/Walks_I..._Reynolds.html

I'm not sure how relevant the walks will be in the winter, but Kev writes very well and I'm sure it will whet your appetite for the area. the books are available on amazon I think as well as through Kev himself.

hope you have a wonderful trip!

A coincidence indeed annhig - we just received that very book last week, we'd ordered it on Amazon! I have yet to take a good look, but I certainly will. It'll mean even more knowing someone that knows the author - very cool.

Hr

Wow, that's cool that you know the author! Sorry, but hardly 10% of the walks in his book are doable in winter

Kev is one of the least assuming people i know, but he is a great walker and writer - an unsung hero IMO.

Sorry, but hardly 10% of the walks in his book are doable in winter>>

Ingo - i suspected as much.

melnq8 - you'll just have to use your imagination!

We suspected as much as well, but no worries, we'll find plenty to do.

We're back from a wonderful three week trip to Switzerland and Germany.

I've just begun writing my trip report, but I wanted to thank everyone for their help, particularly Ingo, who was an absolute godsend. We took many of your suggestions and they were spot on.

We loved the Engadine, especially the Lower. We barely scratched the surface, but we managed to fit in St Moritz, the Bernina Express to Tirano, Pontresina, Sils Maria, Soglio, Poschiavo, Ardez, Guarda, Sent, Vna & Hof Zuort, Samnaun, Ftan, and Tarasp (castle tour).

Our only regret was that we didn't have more time.

Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip so much (and glad I was able to contribute.) Sounds like you did cover quite a lot of ground in that short time.

Looking forward to your report!

glad you had such a great time, melnq8.

you were a huge help to me in planning our NZ trip - so it's nice to read that you found Ingo so helpful, as have I.