Returned from Europe Family Trip

3,112 Views | 31 Replies | Last: 4 days ago by clonebucky
oldag941
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
3:47p, 7/21/26
AG
Open to any questions that may help another family plan / execute a good trip. 2 weeks.

We flew in and out of Munich, Germany. Rented a mini-van. Spent 3 nights in Munich. Did day-trip to Rothenburg. Drove to Grindelwald, Switzerland. Stopped and toured Neuschwanstein Castle en route. Spent 4 nights in Switzerland and regional day trips. Interlaken, Lauterrunnen Valley, Schilthorn, Murren, Gimmelwald, etc. Drove to Lake Como Italy, specifically Menaggio. Spent 2 nights there. Lake boat tour and lake ferry to Varenna for the day. Drove to Florence Italy and spent 4 nights there. Day trip and tour of Lamborghini and Pagani factories / HQ. Then drove from Florence back to Munich to prepare for next morning flight home. Stopped for lunch in Verona. Stopped for a walk in Innsbruck. FInished with a beer garden dinner in Erding (near Munich airport).

Great trip with rented apartments, chalets, etc. Spent a lot on diesel fuel but well worth it. Food and drink were great. Have 2 teenagers so different dynamic than very young kids.

No issues coming or going. Figured out international airports were better than ours and international carriers (partners) were better than ours. Plus customs etc. Cleaner and more high tech.

Let me know if any questions.
Reply Quote
4
aggiedata
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
4:22p, 7/21/26
AG
Who did you rent the mini van from?

Please share what you know about Verona including the restaurants.

For 2027, we are planning to fly into Munich, then head to Salzburg and see the rest of Austria, next heading to the Dolomites then back to Munich for 4 adults.


Last year we saw Switzerland made Grindelwald our home base. We had a blast.
Reply Quote
twk
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to oldag941 • 7:31a, 7/22/26
AG
Quote:
Figured out international airports were better than ours and international carriers (partners) were better than ours.

Try MXP (Milan Malpensa) early on a Sunday morning and British Airways. You might find that you are painting with too broad of a brush.

Glad you enjoyed your trip. I did Switzerland in 2016, but we did it all by rail and found that to be a lot of fun. Was in Florence back in May.
Reply Quote
2
1 edit
EMY92
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to aggiedata • 2:54p, 7/22/26
AG
I did that exact trip in May.

Flew to Munich, then immediately drove to Salzburg. Spent a few days, then onto Innsbruck via the mountainous route. Then into northern Italy for the Dolomites, from Italy to Berchtesgaden, then spent the last few days seeing Munich.
Reply Quote
Featured Video Previews
aggiedata
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to EMY92 • 2:57p, 7/22/26
AG
Any restaurant tips?

We usually rent a house or condo and do a little Euro cooking and grilling. Breaks up the trip. Still deciding where to stay.
Reply Quote
EMY92
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to aggiedata • 3:09p, 7/22/26
AG
I'm the worst person on Texags for restaurant tips. I like very little and am an extremely picky eater.
Reply Quote
aggiedata
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to EMY92 • 3:14p, 7/22/26
AG
Next question then,

did you rent a car or take trains?
Reply Quote
EMY92
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to aggiedata • 3:18p, 7/22/26
AG
I rented a car. I like to do my own thing. I enjoy driving, although the roads in northern Italy got to me after a while, hairpin after hairpin. You can also overtake slower vehicles on the hairpin turns.

I rented a Mercedes C220d. Good fuel economy, but it was still a 100 euro fill-up. I fueled up twice on the trip, the first fill-up in Innsbruck was 70 to 80 euros.
Reply Quote
aggiedata
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to EMY92 • 3:25p, 7/22/26
AG
Thanks!

We usually rent a large suv/station wagon because we need to fit 4 adults and luggage. We only do carry ons and wash half way at the VRBO to make this workable.

We will see if we can pull this off next year.



Reply Quote
Kreg17
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to aggiedata • 3:26p, 7/22/26
AG
Depending where you end up in Austria and the Dolomites I can share some restaurant recs.
Reply Quote
aggiedata
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Kreg17 • 3:33p, 7/22/26
AG
Share away! We might adjust our trip accordingly.

Salzburg, Hallstatt, and Innsbruck for sure

Verona Italy as well.



Reply Quote
1
Kreg17
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to aggiedata • 4:04p, 7/22/26
AG
Salzburg:
  • St. Peter Stiftskulinarium (where Mozart ate and opened in 850 AD)
  • Stiftsbackerei St. Peter (St. Peter's Abbey Bakery) the oldest continuously operating bakery (since 1160AD)
  • Hotel Sacher (original home of the Sacher torte. I ate at the one in Vienna and did not regret it, heard good things about the Salzburg location too),
  • Barenwirt, try the backhendl (Viennese fried chicken) and absolutely must try salzburger nockerl (this became one of my favorite desserts though I've been to afraid to try and make it myself).
Innsbruck: I've only been here for a day trip and what I thought I ordered is not what my plate looked like. But did have one of the best pretzels of my life (from Feinbackerei).

Seefeld: My favorite town in Austria, it's a short drive or train ride from Innsbruck. We spent a week here with my kids two summers ago and it's one of the best vacations we've had. It's like a Vail/Beavercreek vibe...the downtown village with shops and restaurants. My favorites were: Sudtiroler Stube & Restaurant Sabores. We also walked to Reither Brot every morning. We made sandwiches on their pretzel buns and took them to the top of the mountain on the gondola for a picnic...paired with a beer it was an incredible meal.

I don't have personal experience with Verona, but highly suggest Lake Garda (close by).

Ciasa Salares in the Dolomites is an excellent option for a reasonably priced hotel. They have a huge wine cellar on property, everyone I've sent there has loved it. Reach out once you figure out your Dolomites town and I'll see what else I can dig up...I have a lot of friends who have travelled all over that region this summer.
Luxury & Adventure Family Travel Agent
Personal Travel Concierge
Europe • Africa • S. America
www.voce-travel.com
Kyle.regitz@fora.travel
Reply Quote
1
1 edit
aggiedata
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Kreg17 • 4:07p, 7/22/26
AG
Very awesome. I'm logging these suggestions into Google Maps!

Thank you!
Reply Quote
1
kyledr04
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:42p, 7/22/26
AG
We might have seen each other and said howdy or gigem in Florence. We've been home a week. Went to vienna then obb night train to Bologna. Went to Ferrari then to Florence for the weekend before going back to Vienna.
Reply Quote
oldag941
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to kyledr04 • 5:48p, 7/22/26
AG
My son and I drove up to Modena one day and toured Pagani and Lamborghini while the girls shopped in Florence. Great day trip. Traffic sucked getting out of Florence but easy getting back.
Reply Quote
2
1 edit
beerag04
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:02p, 7/22/26
AG
Just got back from Vienna, Salzburg, Bled, and Ljubljana. Great trip.

In Salzburg, Johannes Keller was a fantastic restaurant for dinner. Cafe Bazar was good for breakfast. Stiegl Brewery is down the street from the castle funicular and was solid for lunch around visiting the castle.

We went to Hallstatt for the day, but didn't eat there. I'm not sure there is any really good food there. It's very day trip tourist driven and the options reflect that.
Reply Quote
1
MAROON
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:20a, 7/23/26
AG
For Salzburg the place to go is Augustiner Brau. Best bier hall in the world. People plan their trips just to go there a few nights.



What do you boys want for breakfast BBQ ?.....OK Chili.
Reply Quote
7
oldag941
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to MAROON • 3:49p, 7/23/26
AG
That place is legit. Went in '12 when in Salzburg. This trip, went to one of their satellite beer, gardens, and restaurants near the airport in Munich. A little town 20 minutes from the airport. It was really cool experience and very local.
Reply Quote
af02
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
11:06a, 7/30/26
Thanks for sharing! Thinking about doing something like this next summer.

What's a good cost estimate for something like this? It can be isolated to 1 or 2 countries, but I have no idea what's considered a good deal. How much roughly for airfare, a week or so overseas, and a few expeditions will it cost me?

I don't want to do England or France, prob not Germany...what do y'all recommend or to stay away from?
Reply Quote
GrapevineAg
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
3:08p, 10/17/26
AG
My wife and I are flying to Paris next weekend, spending a couple days there, then taking high-speed rail to Geneva. We'll bounce around Switzerland for 1.5 weeks hitting Zermatt, Interlaken, Lucerne, and Basel. I'd welcome any recommendations for Switzerland - we have our itinerary outlined but with enough gaps to give us some freedom.
Reply Quote
2wealfth Man
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to GrapevineAg • 12:39a, 10/18/26
AG
Be mindful that France is a hot mess right now.
Reply Quote
1
1 edit
Bayou City
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to 2wealfth Man • 5:56a, 10/18/26
Yeah I wouldn't be going to France at the moment. Hot is an understatement.
Reply Quote
2wealfth Man
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Bayou City • 11:04a, 10/18/26
AG
Bayou City said:
Yeah I wouldn't be going to France at the moment. Hot is an understatement.
to reiterate, just be aware before going. Things have deteriorated since this was posted and appear to be spreading to Milan now.

Reply Quote
1 edit
Ducks4brkfast
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
11:54a, 10/18/26
AG
Bought 5 Polaris seats to Paris a couple days ago for Thanksgiving. How quickly can they rebuild?
Reply Quote
Kreg17
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Ducks4brkfast • 12:35p, 10/18/26
AG
Just plan to head straight to Normandy or Reims and you'll be fine

Luxury & Adventure Family Travel Agent
Personal Travel Concierge
Europe • Africa • S. America
www.voce-travel.com
Kyle.regitz@fora.travel
Reply Quote
2
t-rex
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to GrapevineAg • 10:51a, 10/19/26
AG
GrapevineAg said:
My wife and I are flying to Paris next weekend, spending a couple days there, then taking high-speed rail to Geneva. We'll bounce around Switzerland for 1.5 weeks hitting Zermatt, Interlaken, Lucerne, and Basel. I'd welcome any recommendations for Switzerland - we have our itinerary outlined but with enough gaps to give us some freedom.

We did Paris and then train to Switzerland about 4 years ago. The train plan was great, super easy. Stayed in Zermatt and Lucerne. If you are going to Zermatt and like to hike, let me know and I can refer you to a great walk we took (assuming the snow hasn't hit yet). As weird as this sounds, had a great paella in Lucerne at Bolero. Have a wonderful dinner recommendation in Paris as well if interested - local, low key, not touristy (hopefully not in the riot zone).
Reply Quote
1
1 edit
Cinco Ranch Aggie
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
6:41p, 10/23/26
AG
Planning a Germany trip next August through Labor Day weekend. Flying into Munich, where we will stay for 4 days. Day trip to Dachau, and Nuremberg another day. Taking the train to Koln where will stay for a day, then taking a train to Berlin where will stay 4 days. Fly out of Berlin.
Reply Quote
GrapevineAg
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:57p, 10/23/26
AG
Thanks everyone! We are definitely keeping up with the happenings in Paris. We've been there before, and have some things planned there, but we have backup plans if we don't feel safe - we'll get an earlier train to Geneva or Chamonix.

Would love to know what trail/hike y'all did in Zermatt.
Reply Quote
1 edit
t-rex
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to GrapevineAg • 9:38p, 10/23/26
AG
Leaving town (facing the Matterhorn) there are two or three trails that wind around the mountain to the right, keeping the river in the valley on your left. You go up to the trails, they wind through some woods and eventually break out of trees into open fields like you are in The Sound of Music. I don't know the trail names but they show up on Google maps, they head to a 'village' called Zmutt, that's where you want to go. The village has about 10 buildings including a couple places to grab a drink. Go through there, you get to a river crossing and dam. Head across the river, back towards the ski slopes. After about a mile you get to the ski lift station and can walk down to town from there or take the ski lift. That was maybe 3-4 miles but a beautiful hike and not strenuous. Good luck. (I took a screenshot from Google Maps but not sure how to attach it here).
Reply Quote
1
GrapevineAg
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to t-rex • 10:09p, 10/23/26
AG
Thank you!
Reply Quote
GrapevineAg
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
5:11a, 10/26/26
AG
3 days in Paris (4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 15th, and 16th arrondissements) and we haven't seen any problems yet. Hung out in the Latin quarter last night. There was a strong police presence at the National Assembly and around Notre Dame, but that's it.
Reply Quote
1
3 edits
clonebucky
User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
9:35a, 10/26/26
AG
Our first trip to Germany started in Munich for a few days, Berchtesgaden,Werfen and Salzburg for a few days and traveled through Mittenberg and Innsbruck to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Reutte/Fussen, Hohenschwangau for the last few days before we stayed in Freising our last evening before departure.

Second trip was in and out of Frankfurt and we took the zug straight to Munich for a couple days and visited Dachau and then a short stay in Salzburg where we also visited Hallstadt. We took a route that allowed us to visit Chiemsee and stayed a night in Fussen as a base for Hohenschwagau. We then spent a night in Rothenberg ob der Tauber which was worth more than a day trip (take the city tour at night, visit the Christmas store). We spent the next day in Wurzburg before spending the last night in Frankfurt.

Our next trips will integrate Switzerland, Vienna, Budapest, Prague and probably Poland.

We are also planning a cruise that starts in Venice where we plan to stay in Northern Italy before we sail.

Shane '91
Reply Quote
1
Refresh
Page 1 of 1
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.