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My next 2 trips that I would like to do would be my snorkeling trip to Maui with my father (I usually go on a snorkeling trip to Hawaii every 1-2 years for 5 nights) and a return trip to somewhere in Europe (I say somewhere because it depends on the time of year and my length of time).
What mountain town in the Alps or a town with great mountain views would you say is beautiful, is not super touristy, and is reasonable in terms of price?
To me it seems like any of the Swiss or French Alps are expensive and overran with tourists. I would guess that the Bosnian Alps, Austrian Alps,and Slovenian Alps would give you the best experience and more bang for your $? Maybe Berchtesgaden in Germany?
Depends enormously on how you plan to tour. If you are going for walking/ hiking the people thin out a few hundred yards down the trail so the only question is whether you can get lodging at a reasonable price. There are numerous smaller towns way up in the mountains consisting of only a few hotels. There are also the larger car-free resorts like Zermatt and Saas Fee in Switzerland and many places in between. The experience is entirely different from US national parks.
I have found the best balance between price, mountain experience, and facilities in Austria. Switzerland costs the most but in some ways is worth it. You haven't mentioned Italy, another option.
Early summer, although not off-season, is significantly cheaper. But there will be more snow on the higher trails.
Depends enormously on how you plan to tour. If you are going for walking/ hiking the people thin out a few hundred yards down the trail so the only question is whether you can get lodging at a reasonable price. There are numerous smaller towns way up in the mountains consisting of only a few hotels. There are also the larger car-free resorts like Zermatt and Saas Fee in Switzerland and many places in between. The experience is entirely different from US national parks.
I have found the best balance between price, mountain experience, and facilities in Austria. Switzerland costs the most but in some ways is worth it. You haven't mentioned Italy, another option.
Early summer, although not off-season, is significantly cheaper. But there will be more snow on the higher trails.
Yeah my grandmother who is Austrian said the Austrian Alps are the nicest (but she's biased).
I guess what sounds nice to me is a place that you can walk everywhere or just take a city bus to get you to all the sites and everything, plenty of restaurants, nice walks, relaxing. Would only do this probably in the early summer.
But have your ever been to Chamonix?
Yes, it's a touristic area, But the place in really magnificent!!
Chamonix is not a favorite of mine. It is not car-free and it has a relatively low elevation. On the other hand, it is a good place to base if you plan to climb Mont Blanc.
> I guess what sounds nice to me is a place that you can walk everywhere or just take a city bus to get you to all the sites and everything, plenty of restaurants, nice walks, relaxing. Would only do this probably in the early summer.
I'm not sure what you are expecting. There are not cities as such, there are mountain towns, connected by postbus or train. For me the only "sites" are trailheads and mountain lifts.
By the way, last time I was in Saas Fee hotels included a pass for the postbus in the entire valley and all the cable railways. As these tend to be pricey that was quite an advantage.
Lake Bled in Slovenia and Salzburg in Austria are both very interesting areas that I have visited. However, I am not sure how these areas are for real mountain related activities.
Innsbruck might be a bit more mountain oriented, but seemed pricey and touristy.
That is it from my personal experience. However, I think my personal choice might be Andorra in the Pyrenees! It is off the tourist trail, high up in the mountains and just seems very, very cool!
Lake Bled in Slovenia and Salzburg in Austria are both very interesting areas that I have visited. However, I am not sure how these areas are for real mountain related activities.
Innsbruck might be a bit more mountain oriented, but seemed pricey and touristy.
That is it from my personal experience. However, I think my personal choice might be Andorra in the Pyrenees! It is off the tourist trail, high up in the mountains and just seems very, very cool!
Ironically you mention that the Swiss and French alps are too expensive and all that anyone is giving you is suggestions for expensive Swiss and French locations. Yes they are very expensive.
Head to Eastern Europe for good mountain bargains although not technically the alps - Bosnia and Macedonia are your best bets. These are ski resorts during the winter but I am sure it has scenic and hiking oppurtunities in the summer - Popova Sapka. Romania maybe - Retezat Mountains or Bucegi Mountains. Slovakia has the Lower Tatras mountains. Good hiking and probably resorts around the area.
Ironically you mention that the Swiss and French alps are too expensive and all that anyone is giving you is suggestions for expensive Swiss and French locations. Yes they are very expensive.
Head to Eastern Europe for good mountain bargains although not technically the alps - Bosnia and Macedonia are your best bets. These are ski resorts during the winter but I am sure it has scenic and hiking oppurtunities in the summer - Popova Sapka. Romania maybe - Retezat Mountains or Bucegi Mountains. Slovakia has the Lower Tatras mountains. Good hiking and probably resorts around the area.
I looked into the Julien Mountains in Slovenia. I thought it would have been cheaper than what it was when looking at hotels online. I just want a centrally located hotel with a private bathroom. I'm not into bed and breakfasts.
When I was looking into different places online, it seems like many (while beautiful) aren't really villages where everything you want to see and do is within say 2 miles. I guess I'm trying to see places that are like Bavarian villages with cute little cafes and restaurants with views of mountains, good transportation to do day trips from (or maybe the mountains would be a day trip), and some nice walks, but at a fraction of the price. May not exist lol...
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