Summer in South Tirol and Zurich!

May 14, 2023 2:42 PM

This summer I'll be spending a few weeks in Germany, my second home, and visiting South Tirol and Zurich for the first time for a few days each + spending two nights in Innsbruck. I'd love your tips!

It'll be my first time in Italy, and I'm excited to start with South Tyrol. I have been thinking about using the Jugendherberge in Bolzano as my base and doing day trip hikes by train to nearby villages and towns like Merano. I love hikes of a few miles, wading in streams, and relaxing in the grass; I like good food from corner shops to Michelin-starred cuisine. I love fine art and kitschy local museums. I don't care about fancy accommodations but I'm happy to hear all recs! I am generally a budget traveler but am willing to splurge on a special experience or item. I'm bilingual in German, albeit Hochdeutsch, so I don't anticipate any (many?) language barriers. (Love the local dialect/accents so I can't wait!) I also speak Spanish (not Italian but maybe useful for reading some signs?) and some French (maybe fun in Zurich?)

All my train tickets have been booked, and I'm thrilled to be passing through Liechtenstein en route to Zurich. I've been to Geneva and Basel but it'll be my first time in this city. I have heard it's nice, comparatively small and chill, but very expensive. I hope to see some museums and go windowshopping in design stores.

I have two nights in Innsbruck: I've been to Salzburg and Vienna but it'll be my first time there as well.

I'd also appreciate packing advice: the rest of the trip will be spent in German cities so I'd like to be prepared for both sweltering city and chilly Alpine climates. I plan to bring my hiking boots and Tevas even if they add to my luggage.

So, whether you're from there, have been there or simply dream of visiting one day, I'd love any and all tips or links! Klar, I have read older threads that are related but wanted to ask now. Thank you!

posted by smorgasbord to Travel & Transportation (1 answer total)

Best answer: Hiya, I live in Zurich. High German will go a lot further here than French. Not sure how long a few days are but if you had planned more than two days I’d personally do a day trip to Lucerne. In ZH know that the city is pretty compact. When you’ve run out of museums and windows people enjoy bathing in the river and the lake and getting out of the city e.g. Uetliberg. In fact the city tourism page I linked includes that as part of its two day itinerary. You could do a lot worse than hitting whatever appeals from that list.
posted by koahiatamadl at 2:57 PM on May 14, 2023 [2 favorites]