Where will I like if I like the Austrian Alps?

[HerbertVonDoodlebug]

Just had a lovely break in Austria. Stunning scenery - cable cars and peaceful panoramic walks - and apart from a couple of hotspots, not too overtouristed. Where else in Europe is like this? I know Swiss Alps are gorgeous but really concerned about it being too crowded.

I have been to Austria many times and keep returning albeit to different areas sometimes. I recently did a long holiday in Switzerland and whilst some of the scenery was arguably even more dramatic, it was extremely expensive in comparison. Switzerland is not particularly crowded outside the main skiing season. The summer tourism is very much secondary.

The Dolomites.

Or, try Madeira for some great mountain hiking.

The Dolomites are lovely. Could be combined with a trip to one of the lakes - Garda is beautiful.

Parts of Bavaria are also stunning, around Mittenwald and Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

You might like northern Italy, which has the southern part of the Alps.

Following! Literally just returned from a lovely break in Austria myself. We enjoyed south of France last year near Beziers - not crowded and the week we were there we missed high temperatures so it was mostly mid 20s. I've heard good things about Annecy too. I'd love to go to Switzerland but agree it seems a lot more expensive than Austria, which is great value.

Garmisch in Bavaria is very nice, a proper resort with the alpine backdrop - you may like Are in Sweden - lots of fab snow activities, upmarket , lovely scenery, not full of everyone and his mother, Transylvania in Romania - beautiful scenery , standards will likely be a bit down from Austrian standards- again not over touristed and cheap - The Tatras just outside krakow in Poland - again same situation as Transylvania - zakopane was great for walks and wild mountain streams etc

I was in Annecy many years ago and it was gorgeous!

I’m a bit worried about the heat in high summer in southern/central Europe. We were lucky in Austria and just missed the heatwave, we had some very exciting thunderstorms and since then it’s been lovely.

Switzerland is my favourite - I've been lots of times skiing and more recently twice sightseeing (Summer and Winter). It has an amazing integrated transport network, beautiful scenery and lovely towns and villages. The famous tourist spots can get crowded (Jungfrau, Matterhorn, etc.) but even these are part of a network of mountains and villages where there are lots of quieter areas. Yes, its expensive but worth it.

Slightly different landscape but southern Germany is lovely. We have been a few times to the south-west corner near Freiburg which is on the edge of the Black Forest region. There are lots of vineyards, rivers and sunflower fields, and some beautiful historic towns and villages. Really not very touristy either (would become more so the further you go into the Black Forest I imagine).

Not sure if you’re travelling with youngsters but there’s also an excellent theme park called Europa not too far from there- it’s near the French border close to Strasbourg. Thermal baths are also a big thing around that whole area if that’s of interest. When we were there a few years ago, we were given travel passes for all four members of the family to use on trains, buses and trams completely free of charge for the duration of our stay! Presumably an attempt to attract more tourists. I believe that scheme is still in place so it’s a great way to keep the holiday costs down.

Where would you recommend in Switzerland that’s not too crowded in summer?

Chamonix was lovely, there is a free train that trundles up and down the valley so we stayed slightly away from the centre of Chamonix but near a train stop. Buses also surprisingly excellent. Switzerland eye wateringly expensive in comparison. May I ask where you stayed in Austria? Also in need of inspo!

Switzerland - just don’t choose the very touristy parts. Eg not Jungfrau, lauterbrunnen, Grindelwalds.
Choose smaller quieter resorts.

Slovenia? Lake Bled or Lake Bohinj.

Was looking at Mürren but I fear that’s slap in the middle of the tourist zone!

@escapefortheday we stayed on Wolfgangsee. Absolutely beautiful, great public transport connections (free bus use for tourists), loads to do.

Thank you!

We really like Morzine area in French Alps. Wouldn’t say crowded or busy even but lots going on and buzzy atmosphere. Beautiful and loads to do.

We had a great walking holiday in the Spanish Pyrenees in June,

Switzerland, Dolomites and Chamonix. I absolutely love all 3. Last year we went to Switzerland and the Dolomites in May/June and it was bliss - we went back to the Dolomites in July this year and the difference in availability and crowds was very noticeable. I’m thinking of taking the kids out in June next year to go back to Switzerland a little more off peak!

@WhereDoBrokenHeartsGo where in Switzerland did you go? We can go early July next year after exams, so perhaps not quite the summer peak. But even in Austria we have come across large crowds, Salzburg centre was ridiculous

Seconding Slovenia.

We holiday in the French alps every year. Love it. This year first 2 weeks of August were hot but not unbearable. AC was not needed. It’s never that busy and the scenery is stunning. It’s also a lot cheaper than Switzerland although probably slightly more than Italy. We go to the durance valley… between Gap and Briançon. Totally recommend.

Another one for Slovenia. Like the Swiss alps, but easier to find somewhere quieter and significantly less expensive

Slovenia. Slovenia. Slovenia.

We stayed in Tasch for Zermatt and then split our stay between Jungfrau/Lauterbrunnen and Interlakken for that area. We also went to Lausanne but that was more of a stopover. It was still really busy in May now that I think about it (much more so the Dolomites) so maybe the summer is much the same. The playgrounds are incredible if you have under 10s or so (I’m not sure what age children grow out of playgrounds, mine are younger!)