I’m Brian 👋 an American dad living in Kiefersfelden, a small Bavarian village on the Inn River, right on the Austrian border. I live here with my wife Shauna, our boys Noah and Elijah and our pups Scout & Moose. We moved here in June 2024, and the mountains have been the backdrop to almost everything we do since.
Why the Alps?
Because they’re our neighbors. The mountains start right behind the village, and the station is a 5-minute walk from our door. On a free Saturday we can be in Kufstein in minutes, and Innsbruck, Salzburg and Munich are all an easy train ride away. Shauna truly believes we were made for beauty, and living here, it’s hard to argue with her.
We started Vacation in Germany to share what we learned about our new home. The mountains don’t stop at the border, though, so this site is where I share the rest: the alpine trains, the Christmas markets in the mountain towns, winter without skiing, and how to choose between the Austrian, Swiss, Bavarian, Italian and French Alps.
How I write these guides
- Train-first. We’re a train-first family, so every guide tells you how to get there without a car. If a place really needs one, I’ll say so.
- Checked, then dated. Opening dates, hours, ticket prices and timetables come from the official websites. Each post has an “Updated” line and a list of sources at the bottom.
- Family-friendly. I plan with two boys in mind: short walks, warm drinks, a playground or a sled run nearby. It works just as well if you’re traveling as a couple.
- Kind about every place. The famous spots are famous for a reason. When somewhere is very popular, I’ll give you the quieter time to go instead of telling you to skip it.
- Honest about what we’ve done. If I write about a place we know well, I’ll say so. If I’m sharing research, I’ll say that too.
Shauna’s corner
Shauna is the better writer in our house, and you’ll hear her warmth all over this site. She’s the one who stops for a cappuccino with her German homework on Sunday mornings, and she’s the reason our plans always leave room for what she calls a perfect kleine Pause (a little break) ☕.
A note on links
Some links on this site are affiliate links, for example to hotels or tours. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what I recommend.
Say hello
Questions about your Alps trip? Write to contact@vacationinthealps.com. I answer as many as I can, and the best questions become posts.
Pfiat di (take care),
Brian