I am planning to visit the Alps (Jungfrau, Bavaria, western Austria) the first two weeks of May. My primary question is in regards to the season. If I go in May to avoid the crowds in June, will I miss all of the new Spring foliage? I'll be searching for lush green meadows and snow-capped mountains, and I don't want to be disappointed. Do I need to modify my schedule?

Spring will not have reached the higher elevations in mid May, but the valleys should be quite green by then. <BR> <BR>However, don't let the absence of green deter you from the Jungfraujoch trip. <BR>You don't see much green up there in the land of ice and snow anyhow. The mountain sides immediately below the snow line in mid September were quite barren. Further down, they were beautifully green. Around Lauterbrunnen you should see plenty of grazing cows and hear the famous clanging bells. side road to Stechelberg and saw <BR> <BR>I rate the Jungfraujoch trip as worth it, even though it takes a while and is a little expensive. But we had a great time.

<BR>Gene, we have visited Switzerland, Austria and Germany several times in the month of May. It'll be green enough for you in the valleys, and really quite beautiful. It may be chilly or little rainy so be prepared for that.

Thanks Bob and Cheryl. It appears I'll be sticking with the first two weeks of May. Now, I have a few questions regarding the itenerary. <BR> <BR>First of all, the plan is to not really make any plans. Unlike all of my other trips to Europe, this trip's primary focus is to experience the people and scenary ... not the big cities, museums, and cathedrals (been there, done that). <BR> <BR>So far, I know I will want to spend a considerable amount of time in the Interlocken area (perhaps up to a full week, depending on how we like it). I know I will spend a fair amount of time up and down the romantic road and the Rhine in Southern Germany. <BR> <BR>Since I don't want to go all the way to Vienna on this trip, I'm debating whether or not to leave Austria out of the picture, all together. If we went, we'd just explore the western part of the country, and I'm starting to think we would be better off just spending more time in Switzerland and Germany. <BR> <BR>What do you think? <BR>

<BR>With two weeks, you could squeeze the western part of Austria in, but believe me, you'll find plenty to keep you well occupied and well traveled just in Switzerland and Germany. If you do decide to go to Austria, and visit Salsburg, we loved it but found it to be more expensive than many other places, it was also colder.

<BR>sorry - I meant Salzburg!

<BR>sorry - I meant Salzburg!

Your ideas are great. I think you could find plenty to see if you limited the territory. My wife and I spent two weeks in Switzerland only and we want to go back to see the sights we missed the first time. It all depends on what you like to do. We figure we will be back several more times to see Paris, Salzburg, etc. But we had such a great time in Switzerland why screw up a good thing? Life is too short to chance pain over pleasure. <BR> <BR>Our decision was NOT to run all over the place seeing a little superficially. <BR>So we rented an apartment in Lauterbrunnen, 7 K south of Interlaken, and did our roaming around central Switzerland from there. Then we moved our base to Saas Grund, about an hour's drive from Zermatt. The first week we used the trains; the second week we had a car. (Saas Grund and environs are not served by train.) <BR>I think it entirely depends on what you like to do and what you want to do. <BR>I really think that if you based in Interlaken and had a car, you could see a lot. You could even visit Zermatt and return in one day. You can drive to Kandersteg easily from Interlaken, then use the train car ferry through the tunnel from Kandersteg to Goppenstein. From there, drive down the hill to Visp and head south to Taesch where you park for the shuttle train to Zermatt. <BR>But you have to like mountains to do what we did! Some of our friends thought we were a little nutty. (You mean you spent two weeks in Europe and did not go to Paris???) But we did what we like to do. (As one crusty old friend said when questioned about something she purchased: "Well, its my money!")

We are currently planning our 10th annual trip to Europe. We always travel to Europe the 2nd week in May, partly because we get good rates, but mostly because it is a good time to take some time off from our busy schedules and the crowds seem to be fewer. The weather has always been pleasant, this past year it was in the low 80's in Belgium. We have been to Switzerland on 3 ocassions and enjoyed our visit very much. Traveling in May, I don't think you will be disappointed. We spent a week in Interlaken. While we had a very nice apartment with living room, kitchen and bedroom loft with large balcony patio that overlooked the Alps, it was not our most favorite Swiss town. There were so many others that we have fond memories of. The Jungfrau trip was very nice,like others have mentioned, it was expensive and required a bit of time. The fog was very dense when we visited so we were not able to see much, but we are glad we did it. Our favorite town near Interlaken was Thun. Traveling by train from Zurich to Interlaken, Thun was in full view from our train window just outside of Interlaken, and even by train was breathtaking. We spent quite a bit of time there; my husband even bought a guitar while there. Other places we have really enjoyed in Switzerland was Zermatt. Many people think this is too commercial but we thoroughly enjoyed it and took hikes away from the crowds. We also took the Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz. A very enjoyable journey. As for Bavaria, we did very much enjoy Fussen, where we visited Neuschwanstein Castle. From Fussen you can get on the Romantic Road bus (we used our Eurailpass) and it was a lovely trip up through Germany. Salzburg was a stop on another trip and again we enjoyed it very much. I did not find it any more expensive than other European cities. This year we will be staying in Brugge, Belgium for a week, then moving on to Melk, Austria and finishing up in Vienna for 3 days. If you are interested in any specific details, I will be glad to provide. Diane Moll

Visit that part of the world in May and not go to Austria? Heck, go to Krimml, go to Reutte (spend a night at the Gutschoff Schluxen), go to Hallstatt. <BR>but GO. These are small, bucolic towns that are still steeped in the old world <BR>spirit. <BR>Happy Trails. <BR>Peace <BR>Kris

Okay, I have reduced the vacation to the Alps, only. The castles along the Rhine and the quaint Romantic Road towns will just have to wait for another trip. <BR>I received a great tip from Wes on accomodations in Hohenfurch near Fussen. I'm thinking 5 nights there as home base for visiting Munich and the areas South. <BR> <BR>Here's where I need help. <BR> <BR>Does anyone have suggestions on places to stay as home base for visiting Western Austria? We are wanting a quiet, small gasthof with great mountain peak views in a small town with great dining and beer drinking options. <BR> <BR>Does anyone have suggestions on places to stay in Murren? Or Wengen? Or Gimmelwald? Which is best? Views of the Eiger, etc. are a requirement. And not too expensive, either. <BR>

The Hotel Edelweiss in Murren has beautiful views of the surrounding mountains(ask for a room with a balcony), was very clean and reasonably priced...heaven! <BR>

A little rainy? Bavaria, as I understand it, is having the worst flooding in years this spring. Get updated on the weather conditions around the time you are leaving. Just like at home, weather can act differently than the "average" suggests.

If you want a base near Lake Constance, why not the Sporthotel Bezau in Bezau, the largest (2,500 people) village in the Bregenzerwald. The staff are friendly, the family that runs the place are solidly "A" hotelkeepers, and the chef (in 1996, when i was last there) knows his stuff (nothing fancy, just GOOD FOOD!). Austria's Bregenzerwald is as green as anywhere in Europe, Ireland not excepted.