Need help from any Dutch or German Linkers

**Aristotle** · 01.18.07, 03:29 AM

Hi

I am planning a drive from Holland to Italy in mid April. The route that I am plannig will take the Deutsche Alpenstrasse and go through places like Berchtesgaden, Lake Chiemsee, Mittenwald, Oberammergau. I also want to see Werfen in Austria.

I have two questions:

1. Are there any other places I should see (Austrian or Swiss routes). I can take my time and backtrack if I have to. The only limitation is that it I have to fininsh it in two weeks (Amsterdam to Turin and back).

2. I want to enjoy the drive itself so I am looking to rent a decent car. But the quotes I got off the net said that for a 3 series BMW or C Class Benz I have to pay at least 1200 Euros for the two weeks (I was hoping to get a convertible for around 1000 Euros). Is there anywhere I can go to for better rates?

Would appreciate any help. Thanks.

**tease** · 01.18.07, 07:48 AM

Well, it depends what you are interested in, but I would highly recommend going to Salzburg (Austria). If you are at Lake Chiemsee it is only about 20 (if you rent a BMW M3 maybe even faster ;-) ) to 30 minutes away, and is really beautiful. Also its Wolfgang Amadeus Mozarts birthplace.

There are plenty of places I can think of right now, so just tell me what kind of things you're interested in and I will get back to you with some more infos, alright?

**Aristotle** · 01.18.07, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by tease

Well, it depends what you are interested in, but I would highly recommend going to Salzburg (Austria). If you are at Lake Chiemsee it is only about 20 (if you rent a BMW M3 maybe even faster ;-) ) to 30 minutes away, and is really beautiful. Also its Wolfgang Amadeus Mozarts birthplace.

There are plenty of places I can think of right now, so just tell me what kind of things you're interested in and I will get back to you with some more infos, alright?

Thanks for the offer to help.

Photography is in my blood, so one of the reasons would always be to take some shots of the grand scenary. I try to do this once a year, but since the Alpine route has been photographed extensively, I'm not sure how much satisfaction I'll get out of taking pictures that have already been taken.

The main reason is to breath in fresh mountain air, do some light hiking and enjoy the drive from village to village. Castles, monestaries, local food, beer and wine. Getting to understand the lifestyles, the culture and try to learn something from the people I meet. These all figure into my trips.

But if I had to give this trip a theme it would be "the ultimate scenic drive". I want to drive by all those lakes with the wind blowing in my face. If I could I would do all of it on a motorbike, but for now I will go for a convertible with a decent engine and good handling.

I was already thinking of Salzburg but I really don't want to stay in any cities on this trip. I would rather go for the smaller towns and villages. In any case, cities like Koln, Munich, Salzburg or Vienna require exclusive trips of their own if you want to get a proper sense of having been there.

**TheresOnlyOneWay** · 01.18.07, 09:36 AM

I can't for the life of me remember the name of this (upper and lower) lake in Germany, but it was one of the most beautiful I've ever seen - and I lived in Alaska! Maybe you natives know the name, I've got it at home, but I'm not there to look it up. (They use electric boats and there is a church on the shoreline-?). This is a pic I took of the upper part of the lake.

**Aristotle** · 01.18.07, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by TheresOnlyOneWay

I can't for the life of me remember the name of this (upper and lower) lake in Germany, but it was one of the most beautiful I've ever seen - and I lived in Alaska! Maybe you natives know the name, I've got it at home, but I'm not there to look it up. (They use electric boats and there is a church on the shoreline-?). This is a pic I took of the upper part of the lake.

THAT looks very interesting. Thanks. I will try to find it on the net.

BTW Alaska is on the list for one of the more serious photographic trips. I have been through a lot of national parks in mainland US, but I understand that Alaska is something else.

Thanks again for the pic.

**TheresOnlyOneWay** · 01.18.07, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by Aristotle

but I understand that Alaska is something else.

It's paradise.

**WinterlessIceness** · 01.18.07, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by TheresOnlyOneWay

Whoa that's just stunning, a drowning lake house and all that environment - LOTR-worth scenery!

**tease** · 01.18.07, 10:28 PM

Originally Posted by TheresOnlyOneWay

I can't for the life of me remember the name of this (upper and lower) lake in Germany, but it was one of the most beautiful I've ever seen - and I lived in Alaska! Maybe you natives know the name, I've got it at home, but I'm not there to look it up. (They use electric boats and there is a church on the shoreline-?). This is a pic I took of the upper part of the lake.

This sounds like it could've been Lake "Königssee". I'm sure there are plenty of lakes in the alpine area of Germany where a church is at the shoreline, but thats the most famous one.
Here is how the church looks like, so maybe you remember that:

**TheresOnlyOneWay** · 01.18.07, 11:03 PM

That's it! Thanks! I'd live in Germany or Austria if I could...I've got more beautiful pictures from there. I'll post 'em when I get a chance. Luckily, I got to see more than just tourist spots thanks to family there, specifically in Cologne.

**Aristotle** · 01.19.07, 02:54 AM

Originally Posted by tease

This sounds like it could've been Lake "Königssee". I'm sure there are plenty of lakes in the alpine area of Germany where a church is at the shoreline, but thats the most famous one.

Thanks for clearing that up. Konigsee is already on the list, I will check about accomodation in the area. Looks like some serious hiking and photography is in order.

**TheresOnlyOneWay** · 01.19.07, 12:12 PM

One more pic from the window of our bed and breakfast in Austria...

**Aristotle** · 01.23.07, 01:44 AM

Originally Posted by TheresOnlyOneWay

One more pic from the window of our bed and breakfast in Austria...

Beautiful light for photography. Are those colours real or did you make any of them more vivid with software?

Sadly I will not be able to stay in any one location long enough to scout for sights or check different light situations.

Still you never know what comes up. Also this is the first time I am using a digital SLR so I'm anxious to see how it compares to my film shots.

**TheresOnlyOneWay** · 01.23.07, 09:11 AM

I adjusted the brightness a tad but that's about all.

**tease** · 05.28.07, 08:35 PM

Hey Aristotle,

have you already made the trip?

Hope you had a good time!

Tell us all about it!

**muffdiver** · 05.28.07, 11:34 PM

Originally Posted by TheresOnlyOneWay

I can't for the life of me remember the name of this (upper and lower) lake in Germany, but it was one of the most beautiful I've ever seen - and I lived in Alaska! Maybe you natives know the name, I've got it at home, but I'm not there to look it up. (They use electric boats and there is a church on the shoreline-?). This is a pic I took of the upper part of the lake.

Yes, that is an awesome photo....