Innsbruck or Graz in Austria?

[Danielle]

Hi!

I was just wondering what 3rd city you all would recomend for me to see in Austria, Innsbruck or Graz? I will already be stopping at Vienna and Salzburg and would like to see some more of Austria before heading off for Switzerland. I know Innsbruck is mainly known for it's winter skiing, since I will be going in the summer would it still be worth 2-3 days? I heard that you can tour the Swavarski (sp?) crystal place, has anyone here done that, & if so is it worth it? Or, should I just leave it Salzburg & Vienna and add some more time to one of my other destinations (like Ireland, Britain, or Germany)?

Thanks! Danielle

[Kim]

Hi Danielle,

What are your other destinations and how many days are you planning for them? That will give us a better idea of which is a better plan.

Kim

[Kim]

Oh forget it, I remember from the other post! ;D

Let me go refresh my memory..

[Danielle]

Well my current thinking is as follows (It changes everyday, but I'll probably follow something similar to this at least, it hits all of my *must visits* anyway ;D):

Fly into Dublin
4 Nights Dublin (Wicklow/Gendalough day tour)
4 Nights Cork (Cobh, Kinsale day trips)
4 Nights Galway (Burren/Cliffs of Moher day tour)
2 Nights Belfast
2 Nights Glasgow
2 Nights Fort William
2 Nights Isle of Skye
2 Nights Inverness
4 Nights Edinburgh (St. Andrew's, Britania, Stirling day trips)
6 Nights London (DEF. Windsor & Eton day trip, possibly Stonehenge too, but 5 days isn't much to see such a big city)
2 Nights Brussels
5 Nights Amsterdam (Leiden day trip)
4 Nights Brugge (Antwerp day trip)
2 Nights Luxembourg
2 Nights Cologne
2 Nights Koblenz/Mainz (for Rhine River Tour)
4 Nights Berlin (Potsdam day trip)
4 Nights Prague (possibly Kunta Hora day trip, only if tourists in Prague are too bad)
4 Nights Vienna
4 Nights Salzburg
5 Nights Munich (Castles, Dachau day trips)
3 Nights Innsbruck (or Graz, probably before Vienna?)
Liechtenstein 1/2 day stopover (to get the obligatory stamps! lol)
4 Nights Lucerne (Bern day trip)
3 Nights Interlaken
3 Nights Gimmelwald
1 Night Zurich
Fly Home

The other cities I was thinking I could substitue (besides Innsbruck and Graz) are Heidelberg or Bamburg in Germany, Dingle in Ireland, Conwy in Wales, or York, Oxford, or Cambridge in England. Alternately I could take those 2 days (3 if you count traveling from Munich) and add some time to my other cities.

I would really like to cover as much ground in Europe as possible though. More just the way the cities "look" and "feel." I'm not really into art museums, coming from NYC I've been to so many, I'd rather spend my time in Europe looking at the "distinctive" architecture (and environment) that makes Germany different from Belgium from the Netherlands from England, etc... That & just absorbing the culture. I really like "pretty" buildings, churches, castles, etc... "Culture" museums are really interesting though. I love the Smithsonian museums in DC (if anyone has been there). The Air & Space one, the US History one (esp. the first lady exhibit, and Dorothy's ruby slippers of course!), the Natural History one, etc... So, I guess that gives you guys a pretty good idea of what I hope to see & experience.

Thanks!

Danielle ;D

P.S. The main reason I'm leaning toward Innsbruck is b/c it's the only main city in that part of Austria, in the Tirol & such. Graz is only really famous for being named a "culture city," and it kind of seems like a mini-Vienna from what I've read. Innsbruck would be something different, but if I'm going to spend 2 1/2 days in Gimmelwald would it be worth seeing the Austrian Alps as well?

[BigRay]

Hi Danielle,

I don't think you can go wrong with Innsbruck. I was there in the summer and absolutely loved it. I took a cable car up a mountain and spen a day hiking along the peaks. There were beautiful views everywhere and it was a lot of fun. Innsbruck can be a lot of fun at night, too.

That said, I have yet to visit Graz, but I have heard many great things about it, especially recently now that it has been named a Cultural Capital of Europe. But I don't think you can go wrong with Innsbruck, and it it much closer to the other places on your itinerary.

Cheers,
Ray

Also glad to see you are giving Prague the time it deserves! Let me know when you are here. I'd love to meet and share stories.

[Nicpak]

Just came from Innsbruck two days ago. Really a nice little town, very relaxed. I´d definitely recommend it. If you go, make sure to ask about the Club Innsbruck. You can become a member for free just by staying there, and that gets you access to free alpine hikes with a trained guide, which i took advantage of.

When i met, we met at 9am (they go every day) at the Innsbruck Congress, where they give you hiking boots. Then we loaded up into the van, drove for about 20 minutes to a town not accessible by rail, and hiked all day, returning around 5pm. Stopped in a Gasthof on the mountain for lunch. Gorgeous scencery, and really not a strenuous hike. People of all ages go, they determine which hike based on the fitness of the group.

My roommates did the cable car route, and really loved it. If, no WHEN, i return to Innsbruck, I´m going to check that out. Another friend rented a bike and biked along the river. Just some thoughts.

Must say though, Austrian Alps don´t quite compare to the Swiss Alps, in my opinion. They´re still quite amazing though, especially for a flatlander from Illinois... Another idea - if you have extra days, go to Gryon, this tiny AWESOME hostel up in the Swiss Alps (French Switz). No question - my favorite hostel EVER. Absolutely fantastic, can´t say enough good things about it. www.gryon.com

Hope this helps
Nicole

PS In Innsbruck I stayed at the Jugendherberge Fritz Prior-Schwedenhaus. Nice place - clean, cheap, bathroom in each 4-bed dorm, but really quiet. The friendly guy at the desk let me practice my halting/ recovering German on him.