nicksgirl88

We are considering another trip to Bavaria, and are trying to decide on where to visit. In the past, we've been to Mittenwald, Fuessen, Berchtesgaden, and Munich. Some places that look interesting are Marktoberdorf, Oberstdorf, and Hopfen am See. We prefer smaller towns to cities - although we would need good transportation connections since we would be travelling by train. Beautiful scenery, good hiking, quaint villages, small local restaurants - that is what we are looking for.

Does anyone have any info on the towns mentioned above? I've done a little research, but would be interested to know of your personal experiences there.

Or if you have other recommendations, please feel free to share!

Betsy

Here's a well-trusted resource:

http://www.bensbauernhof.com/

Enjoy Bavaria!

nicksgirl88

Thanks! I'll check it out.

Anyone else?

pja1

Hi nicksgirl,

While we haven't been to any of these places, just thought I'd say if you're considering Austria at all, I'd recommend the Zillertal. Maybe 3 hours from Munich.

www.zillertal.at/en/summer/home/

http://www.mayrhofen.at/en/101006/su...on-family.html

www.zell.at/de/zell/sommer/start_sommer.html

www.worldisround.com/articles/355538/index.html

Paul

Russ

"We are considering another trip to Bavaria... we've been to Mittenwald, Fuessen, Berchtesgaden, and Munich. Some places that look interesting are Marktoberdorf, Oberstdorf, and Hopfen am See. We prefer smaller towns to cities - although we would need good transportation connections since we would be travelling by train. Beautiful scenery, good hiking, quaint villages, small local restaurants - that is what we are looking for.

Does anyone have any info on the towns mentioned above?"

Oberstdorf is a pleasant place. A ski resort that's a little touristy but with nice scenery. It's not particularly unique or special, IMO. But you'll probably find some good walking there and near Hopfen.

You seem very focused on a very small part of Bavaria. You might broaden your search and look into some smaller places in the other 90% of Bavaria. To the north of Munich lies one interesting area - the Altmühl River Valley, a scenic place to hike and bike with lots of small, attractive towns and several castles and palaces. Eichstätt (baroque buildings, palace and castle) and Pappenheim (18 train minutes away, castle) are both very attractive towns on the rail line that winds through the river valley. Nearby Weissenburg is an old walled town reached easily by direct train from Pappenheim in 18 minutes.

http://www.pappenheim.de/Town-of-Pap...7b1e38d.0.html
http://www.pappenheim.de/Burg-Pappen...7b1e38d.0.html

http://www.frankentourismus.com/cities/eichstaett/
http://www.frankentourismus.de/tn_im...marktplatz.jpg
http://www.eichstaett.info/tn_img/30118_paradeis.jpg

http://www.tripwolf.com/en/guide/sho...burg-in-Bayern

The Altmühl Panorama Trail (Panoramaweg) cuts through the Altmühl Nature Park:

http://www.naturpark-altmuehltal.de/en/
http://www.naturpark-altmuehltal.de/....php?nav_id=66

Besides this one area, there are dozens of others in Bavaria where you'll find similarly interesting landscapes and experiences.

Here's a schematic of the rail lines in Bavaria:

http://www.bahnland-bayern.de/conten...ennetzplan-pdf

Tourism site for all of Bavaria:
http://www.bavaria.by/index.html

nicksgirl88

Wow - thanks Russ! I definitely have more research to do. We tend to stick to the southern part of Bavaria, because my German husband has lived in other parts of Germany and we really just love the mountains and environment down there. But I will look into these other places you have mentioned.

And thanks to you too, Paul. I've seen photos of the Zillertal before and it looks stunning. Not sure we'll make it to Austria this time though.

pja1

No problem. Just thought I'd throw the suggestion out there.

JJtraveler

2 nice towns complete with medieval walls are Shongau http://www.romanticroadgermany.com/schongau.php and Dinkelsbühl http://www.romanticroadgermany.com/dinkelsbuhl.php.
Both have train stations and are nice.

If you were to drive, here is an itinerary with a few other options along that line. http://www.funtravelandfood.com/2011...n-germany.html

logos999

>Zillertal
The Zillertal is 120km south of Munich, easy driving via Tölz, takes about 90min.

pja1

logos999,

I thought the drive from Munich to the Zillertal would be under/around 2 hours. We've only done the drive starting at Munich airport.

logos999

pja1, the autobahn is a detour, acceptable if you come from the airport, don't have a GPS and are willing to pay for the Austrian toll sticker. But in fact, from Munich it's a short, easy and rather scenic drive via Bad Tölz and the Sylvenstein reservoir on federal roads. You'll be there sooner and will enjoy the scenery.

pja1

Yes, I know that. The day we drove from the airport to the Zillertal we had planned on taking our time and driving liesurely. Instead, our flight was delayed over 4 hours and we arrived at Muncih airport at 3pm instead of 10:30am., so our driving plan changed. We had had a long enough day coming from NY and then sitting on the plane over 4 hours in Dublin, which was due to a medical emergency.

annhig

not sure of quite counts as Bavaria, but what about the Bodensee?

Russ

Lindau on Bodensee (Lake Constance) is in Bavaria. Also a lovely place.

bettyk

Many lovely small towns on Bodensee (Lindau, Überlingen, Meersburg). On the Swiss side, Stein am Rhein is very charming with it's many painted buildings.

We were also extremely fond of Bad Wimpfen, Dinkelsbuehl, Nördlingen and Schwäbisch Hall as well as Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

nicksgirl88

Thank you to all who have responded. I have been through Lindau once but didn't have time to explore. Looks like my husband and I have some more research to do.

So much Germany, not enough time!