Alpine Adventures From Bavaria: Exploring Austria, Italy And Switzerland By Road
Planning An Alpine Road Trip From Germany
Central Europe is ideal for multi-country adventures, where Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy converge among the dramatic landscapes of the Alps. In previous blogs, I've shared memorable journeys that my wife, Glenda, and I experienced throughout this region, from Germany's historic castles to popular destinations in Austria and Switzerland, all while staying at Hilton Grand Vacations (HGV) partner resort MONDI Oberstaufen in scenic Bavaria, Germany.
In this two-part series, I'll focus on venturing beyond the well-known tourist destinations to discover remote Alpine regions, spectacular mountain passes and breathtaking scenery, all from the same convenient home base.
Our weeklong stay in a 1-bedroom chalet at MONDI Oberstaufen was booked through the HGV Max website using our DEX membership. The chalet-style resort feels perfectly positioned for exploring the Alps, with many major attractions within a two-hour drive. Popular destinations such as Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, Bregenz in Austria and St. Gallen in Switzerland are all easily accessible. The resort also serves as an excellent launch point for reaching some of Europe's most spectacular mountain roads, including Stelvio Pass in Italy and the Bernina district connecting Switzerland and Italy.
Arriving At HGV Partner Resort MONDI Oberstaufen
There are several convenient ways to reach Oberstaufen:
Fly into Munich Airport (MUC). Direct flights are available from many major European cities and select destinations on the East Coast of the United States. From Munich Airport, it's approximately a two-hour scenic drive to the resort.
Travel By rail. International and regional train connections make Munich easily accessible from much of Europe. From Munich, you can pick up a rental car and continue to Oberstaufen.
Travel Tip: A rental car is strongly recommended for this itinerary since many of the destinations featured in this trip are difficult to reach using public transportation alone. Hilton Honors American Express cardholders may also find discounted rental car options at major European airports and train stations, including Munich.
Our 1-bedroom chalet was spacious and offered beautiful mountain views from both the balcony and bedroom window. The fully equipped kitchen made it easy to prepare meals, while the in-room televisions offered numerous English-language channels. We especially enjoyed the breakfast buffet, which featured local specialties and an impressive assortment of freshly baked German pastries.
Planning A Two-Day Route Through The Alps
After researching the region, we realized that some of the most iconic Alpine destinations in Austria, Italy and Switzerland were all within driving distance of MONDI Oberstaufen. We designed a two-day itinerary that balanced scenic drives with unique cultural experiences.
Day 1: Explore Tirol, Austria, continue into Italy's South Tyrol region and drive the famous Stelvio Pass before spending the night in Davos, Switzerland.
Day 2: Visit St. Moritz and experience the spectacular Bernina region of the Swiss Alps.
Road Trip Considerations
Rental Car Tips
When renting a vehicle in Central Europe, Germany often offers a good balance of pricing and convenience compared to neighboring countries. Rental fleets commonly include reliable European models such as Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. If you plan to cross international borders, always verify cross-border travel policies with your rental provider before departure.
Border Crossings
American and Canadian travelers can generally move freely between Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland thanks to agreements that facilitate travel throughout much of the region. Although border inspections are often minimal, travelers should always carry passports and required travel documents.
Exploring Landeck, Austria
Our first stop after crossing from Germany into Austria was the historic town of Landeck in Tirol. Surrounded by rugged Alpine peaks, Landeck once served as an important regional center during the Middle Ages and today offers a quieter glimpse into Austrian history and culture.
One of the town's highlights is Landeck Castle, a medieval fortress that now houses a museum showcasing regional history. We also visited a World War I memorial located near the town's striking Gothic-style church.
The area has another unique historical connection. Physicist Erwin Schrödinger, best known for the famous Schrödinger's Cat thought experiment in quantum mechanics, is buried nearby.
Discovering The Submerged Bell Tower Of Lake Resia
From Landeck, we continued south through stunning Alpine valleys before crossing into Italy's South Tyrol region. Here, the landscape opened into broad valleys filled with sparkling lakes, rolling meadows and dramatic mountain scenery.
One of the most memorable sights of the entire trip appeared at Lake Resia (Reschensee) — the famous submerged bell tower of Curon Venosta rising from the water.
The tower is all that remains of the original village after the creation of an artificial lake decades ago. Its haunting appearance attracted international attention after being featured in the Netflix series Curon.
We parked nearby and walked along the shoreline to admire the tower up close. Seeing the solitary structure standing in the middle of the lake against a backdrop of mountain peaks created one of the most unique photo opportunities of the trip.
Driving Umbrail Pass And Stelvio Pass
After leaving Curon Venosta, our goal was to experience two of the Alps' most celebrated mountain roads before reaching Davos for the evening.
The route led us back into Switzerland, where we passed through the picturesque village of Val Müstair and began the ascent of Umbrail Pass, Switzerland's highest paved mountain pass. As the road climbed higher, panoramic views unfolded around every bend.
At more than 7,900 feet above sea level, Umbrail Pass offered spectacular scenery before connecting with nearby Stelvio Pass in Italy. For many driving enthusiasts, Stelvio Pass is considered one of the world's most thrilling roads. As the highest paved mountain pass in Italy and one of the highest in the Alps, it is famous for its seemingly endless series of hairpin turns and breathtaking mountain views.
Our first stop was near the summit of Stelvio Pass, where panoramic views revealed the winding roadway below and the surrounding peaks. After taking in the scenery, we sampled local specialties, including venison bratwurst.
The drive down Stelvio Pass was every very exciting as expected. While Glenda documented the experience on her iPhone, I carefully navigated the steep switchbacks in our rented Volkswagen wagon. We stopped frequently at scenic pullouts to take photographs and appreciate the remarkable Alpine scenery.
By the end of the descent, we had dropped from more than 9,000 feet in elevation to below 4,000 feet in just a relatively short distance. Crossing back into Switzerland, we continued toward Davos and arrived at the Hilton Garden Inn just before sunset.
Final Thoughts
MONDI Oberstaufen provided an excellent combination of traditional Bavarian charm and easy access to some of Central Europe's most spectacular destinations. With comfortable accommodations, onsite amenities and a location near the borders of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the resort serves as an ideal base for travelers who want to experience multiple countries in a single vacation.
For more ambitious Alpine adventures such as this itinerary, consider adding an overnight stay in a destination like Davos. Breaking up the journey allows more time to enjoy the scenery while making long days on the road more comfortable and enjoyable.
Key Takeaways
A Multi-Country Alpine Base: Bavaria's location near several international borders makes it an ideal starting point for exploring Austria, Italy and Switzerland.
Iconic Alpine Passes: Some of Europe's most scenic roads connect dramatic landscapes, historic regions and high-elevation viewpoints.
Historic Towns & Villages: Small communities, medieval landmarks and cultural attractions offer insight into the heritage of the Alpine region.
Diverse Mountain Landscapes: Alpine lakes, valleys and mountain communities contribute as much to the scenery as the surrounding summits.
Strategic Route Planning: Thoughtful itinerary planning can combine multiple countries and diverse experiences into a single vacation.
FAQs
Q: What is Stelvio Pass known for?
A: Stelvio Pass is famous for its high elevation, dramatic scenery and series of sharp hairpin turns that attract driving enthusiasts from around the world.
Q: Where is the submerged bell tower of Lake Resia located?
A: The landmark is located in South Tyrol, Italy, where a historic church bell tower rises from the waters of Lake Resia.
Q: What is Umbrail Pass?
A: Umbrail Pass is Switzerland's highest paved mountain pass and serves as a connection between Switzerland and Italy in the Alpine region.
Q: What can visitors see in Landeck, Austria?
A: Landeck is home to a medieval castle, historic architecture and cultural attractions that highlight the history of Austria's Tirol region.
Q: Why are Alpine mountain passes popular attractions?
A: Many mountain passes combine dramatic landscapes, panoramic viewpoints and winding roads that showcase the region's natural beauty.
