My question may be too vague but I'll give it a try. We are trying to go to mountains during the last 2 weeks in August with 2 kids (8 and 10), plus grandmom and 3 other adults. I've been searching by airfare and can get to Zurich, Cologne, Munich for (sort of) reasonable prices. In the past, we have done 3 days in two towns with a week rental more off the beaten path in between to satisfy the need to see new places, experience some history/culture (towns) plus the ease of week long rental with kids (plus hiking, gondolas,etc). I can't seem to narrow where to go this time though. Of all of Europe, we've spent the most time in Italy (and love it) but have never been in the mountains there. Our initial intent was to go to Italy (either Dolomites or Aosta area) but airfare into Italy itself was so high. One other concern was - would mountain areas close down in late August, early Sept? A couple of years ago, we were in the French Alps. Chamonix was certainly open but the smaller lifts near where we stayed closed during the last week of August. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks for your thoughts.

I've been in the Eastern Italian Dolomites the first two week in September and everything was open still. Most of the lifts and rifugios close around Sept 15th. I've heard that the Dolomites are really busy late in August since it is the traditional Italian vacation time. The weather into September can be changable. We had a couple of days of overcast and rain and a couple of days of brilliant sun.

From Munich, you can reach the most of the areas including Italy. We flew into Innsbruck and it was about 1 1/2 hours to the Dolomite towns. Some people in our group flew into Munich and it was a 3 hour train ride.

I suspect Italian Dolomites will be too far. You'll probably be able to find something closer - maybe in Switzerland. We have some notes on Slow Travel on Switzerland. We have several members who have visited Switzerland and they will be able to give you more information on that region.

Italian Alps, French Alps, Swiss Alps, etc......all so wonderful. We've enjoyed all of them. We have found Switzerland to be more expensive, and have spent more time in the French, Austrian and Italian Alps. It seems to me that whatever Alpine weather comes your way will be prevalent throughout, so that isn't really a factor in your choice.
I can't comment on the end of August, as we've never been in the Alps at that time of year - just early summer or fall.

Here's a choice to strongly consider:

Innsbruck- Here are it's merits:

It is very near Munich, so airport access is convenient.
There are a zillion lifts and other ways of getting into the mountains - for instance
the Stubai Valley tram. And the cog railway up to Igls.
The city itself if vibrant and interesting. Many beautiful old buildings.
From there, you could daytrip easily to the Garmisch area and other places, by train
or by car
We stayed above the city in Igls last Oct.- I have some reviews posted on SlowTrav- and it was a great location. Took the cog railway down into the city. The hiking
around there is so great.

About the Italian Alps -
We stayed for a few days once in the South Tyrol Val Gardena -near Ortisei/St. Ulrich. It is so very beautiful around there. It would be fun to base there. AND its very close to Innsbruck. You could easily day trip in either direction. You'll see that it's also not too far from Munich for airport access. We do believe that the Dolomites are the most strikingly beautiful mountains in Europe.

SO I recommend a stay in Innsbruck AND Italy's South Tyrol area - Sud Tirol, Alto Aldige, whatever language you choose (they use both)

Linda

We stayed in Brienz for five weeks in 2007 - two weeks in June and three weeks in Nov/Dec. We loved it. Brienz is really close to JungFrau & Shilthorn, on Lake Brienz and on it's the train line - swiss alps, lake and convenient.

We did buy Swiss passes and found it convenient and worth it. We used it for the trains, boat, some busses, 50% off the special mountain trains, free museums including Ballanberg.

Thank you for your responses. We booked tickets into Munich and I am working out the details of the trip now. I think we will aim for Salzburg to Dolomites to Innsbruck area (to depart from Munich). I appreciate the help!