Reutte

Visit nearby Pflach, Pinswang, Musau and Vils to the south. You can drive to these villages via the Bundestrasse running north through the center of Reutte or via the Schnellstrasse that skirts Pinswang.

Pinswang is a quiet, lovely village sitting in a lush verdant Alpine valley about 5 miles to the south of Reutte and Füssen lying about the same distance to the northeast in Germany. Pinswang is one of the most ancient settlements of the Ausserfern, a main stopping point for those with an interest in Austrian culture and tradition, historic architecture and natural beauty. It is but a short walk through beautiful wooded trails to the famous castles of King Ludwig Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau - see below in nearby Germany.

Head south from Reutte along the Schnellstraße highway to the Fernpaß Fernpass, a gorgeous mountainous route between the northern Ausserfern and the lush verdant Tirolean countryside northwest of Innsbruck. See Schloß Fernstein, an imposing castle with hotel at one of the highest points along the Fernpaß (http://www.allgaeu-ausflu...). A short walk from the castle and you will find the romantic Schloßruine Siegmundsburg.

Take the Schnellstraße north from Reutte to the German border. Just over the border, visit the ancient marketing town of Füssen.

Konigschlösser/King's Castles

(http://www.neuschwanstein...) The famous castles Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau are the must-see major tourist attractions in this region. They are closer to Füssen, so many tourists stay there or in nearby Pinswang. Take either the bus or drive to Füssen, then turn right North, following the signs to the "Königschlösser". By bike the castles are approximately 1-2 hours from Reutte by the shortest path via Gasthof Schluxen in Pinswang, not via Füssen, but the route is scenic. Ensure that you have enough time to make it back before dark, otherwise, it will become completely dark in the countryside, and you will have to call for a ride. Tickets are required in order to enter the castles. The cost is approximately €9 for one and €17 for a "Königsticket" which includes both castles. Be sure to get there early, as tickets may sell out and you will have to wait a long time for your tour. Also you may not be able to tour both castles if it is too late, in which case you should choose Neuschwanstein. Neuschwanstein is a steep 30 minute hike up a wide paved-dirt trail bus rides are available for an extra charge. On your way up or down make sure that you visit Mariensbrucke. You will see signs pointing the way. This is a very high bridge which provides the idyllic, postcard view of Neuschwanstein. A picture is mandatory.

From Reutte, it is a short drive to the major cities of Innsbruck, Munich and Augsburg.

Take a day trip to the beautiful Bavarian towns of Füssen, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Ettal, Oberammergau. Also, don't miss a trip to Lindau - a jewel located on Lake Constance.

See Schloß Linderhof, the lesser-known but one of the most elegant of King Ludwig's Bavarian castles. It is in Graswangtal, near the town of Ettal where you will find a beautiful Benedictine Abbey.

If Departing Reutte by Train, very important note

the Reutte train station Bahnhof ticket counter is only open from 8-12 Monday through Friday. If you need assistance in buying your next ticket or wish to pay by credit card, make certain that you are at the station within these hours, or purchase a return ticket in advance at you point of origin. There is no automatic ticket machine at the Reutte Bahnhof. If you do not have a ticket, it is also permissable to purchase a ticket from the conductor on the train. You can buy a ticket to anywhere from the conductor, but this transaction is to be done using cash only. You should know the necessary transfers beforehand, as they can be only a few minutes away and trains run hours apart. Ask your hotel to look up an itinerary for you, or use the Austrian Rail Service site: (http://www.oebb.at). With itinerary in hand, it should be easy to buy the correct ticket, "Ich mochte das" point to paper, even if your conductor only speaks German and you do not.