mmt@dciem.UUCP (Martin Taylor) (07/07/84)
In April, I requested suggestions on a proposed trip with the
general idea of walking a bit in the foothills of the Alps. Now
I'm back, and here's a short report.
First, let me thank those of you who sent suggestions, especially
inuxd!linda, who recommended renting a camper from a tailor in
Copenhagen mentioned in "Europe on $25 a day". It turns out that
this organization is now quite big, and is known a "Share-a-Car".
Studiestrade 61, Copenhagen. They prefer to be paid in $US, not
Danish Kronor, and they prefer to have an American Express card
reference rather than cash, because any final adjustment of cost
is much easier that way.
We did not rent a camper van. As ut-ngp!werner said, they are very
expensive, and Share-a-car gives only 100km free per day, as opposed
to unlimited mileage on their cars. We got a car with a tent that
mounts on top of the car. When you want to use the tent, you flip
its carrier over the passenger side of the car, where the carrier
now becomes the tent roof. Then you peg down the corners, and there
you are: 5 minute setup and breakdown. They supply (at exorbitant
rental cost) air mattresses and pumps, and sleeping bags. I think
on balance I would not get the tent again, although it was very handy
one night. In general, farmhouses, pensions and hotels are a good
bargain and relatively easy to find in most towns. Campsites are
much more jammed than in Canada, and can cost $10 a night, as compared
to usually around $20 (for two) in a pension. Since the tent and
sleeping bag rental adds nearly $200 to the car cost, it takes
about 20 camping days to amortize the cost difference with little
or no compensating gain in pleasure.
Several people helped with suggestions about walking. Thanks, but
the weather was not conducive to much walking, unfortunately. I can
definitely second the suggestions about Wengen (mhuxd!dthk) and
Murren/Lauterbrunnen (inuxd!linda), both reachable by a short
train ride from Interlaken. To their suggestions I would add
that the country in the Southeast part of Austria (around Graz)
is unspectacularly beautiful, and probably better for walking
than around the Alps. Austria seems very like a cheaper version
of Switzerland, and probably friendlier in general. Of the 7
countries we visited, I liked Austria best. One can get a nice
room in a farmhouse in lovely country, including a good breakfast,
for as little as $6 (US), although $15-$20 is more common.
--
Martin Taylor
{allegra,linus,ihnp4,uw-beaver,floyd,ubc-vision}!utzoo!dciem!mmt