Carol

Traveling to Salzburg for a day & 3 days in Vienna & onto Munich for 2 1/2 days. Friend mentioned we should extend day in Salzburg to take a side trip to Berchtesgaden/Eagle's nest and stay in Vienna for 2 days. This is our first trip to Europe. Using train. Suggestions/comments appreciated.

Art

Berchtesgaden is in a beautiful area, well worth the trip. Close by are some saltmines that were very iteresting. <BR>Have a great trip. <BR>

nickie

I like Berchtesgarten a lot.There's a marvelous tour of the Eagle's Nest and other historic sites from the tourist office. The saltmines are a lot of fun - taking a fast little train down into the earth, dressed in miner's overalls. There's a good chair lift to Mount Jenner, with great views and good hiking, if you so wish. I very much liked the Hotel VierJahrzeiten - good location, good food, nice rooms, interesting antiques. <BR>As you look out on the town, there are many chalet style houses, backed by mountains - very picturesque.

the turnip

Yes, by all means go to the area BUT skip the Eagles Nest. Its a major snooze. Go on a salt mine tour and please do yourself a favor and take the boat tour of the Konigsee. It's spectacular. At the end of the lake get out and take the short hike to the next lake. If you still have the energy take the next short hike to the back of the second lake. The views are to die for. The pictures I took here elicited the most "oooh's" and "aaah's" of any I took on the whole trip. <BR> <BR>Have a great time!

lola

if you are a history buff, Berchtesgarten is a must, plus the scenery is exquisite. When I first went there, in the 1960s there was no mention of Hitler at all, and practically all of the tourists were German. We asked an English couple on the tour--is this really where Hitler lived? We were the only ones who alluded to him. I'm sure today the Germans can deal with this.

betsy

Ditto the Turnip's recommendation that you do the boat trip on the Konigsee. We also loved the salt mines. <BR> <BR>

Beth Anderson

Hi, <BR> <BR>Yes I agree re: history buff. If you are at all interested in WWII, by all means get thee up that mountain! <BR> <BR>Also, while in Munich - visit Dachau - it is a 20 minute or so train trip outside of town. <BR> <BR>Beth

lynn

We found Eagle's Nest (Kehlsteinhaus) a very interesting site, especially from an engineering standpoint. Did you know Hitler visited only a handful of times, because he was afraid of heights? The view from atop the mountain is fantastic, too. I disagree with the "snooze" characterization - if you have any interest in WWII, take a tour (we took one from Salzburg, which returned in plenty of time for a nice dinner). Go to American Express or one of the other tour operators on Mozartplatz in Salzburg.

julie

We were very glad we went to the Eagle's nest when we went to Berchtesgaden--for the sheer history. It helps one remember the sheer horror of the war, and the ONE man who was at the center of it. If the Germans didn't mind going there, and didn't think of Hitler and what he did, then that is too bad. Reminds me of going to Auswitz the same trip. We had a difficult time finding it..only one little sign, hidden and rusting in the grass near the intersection to direct us to the "museum". All of the signs and explanations were in German (this was in the late 80's..it may be different now) But I think going there (these two places) are very meaningful experiences, and should happen to all who can get the opportunity...to learn a little about the WAR that changed the world.

Ken Horn

Carol- Berchtesgaden is not especially easy to get to or around in without a car. And unless you are really into outdoor and mountain scenery, you would be better off focusing on the sights in Vienna and Salzburg. Since you are traveling by train, the bus tour from Salzburg as described by Lynn would be the most efficient timewise if you decide to take a quick tour of Berchtesgaden. Have a good time!

Lee

Carol: You will love Berchtesgaden, it is a lovely town. <BR> <BR>I thought that the salt mine was a snoozer, myself, but the Eagles' Nest is very interesting with a spectacular view of the valley. We had lunch outside at the General Walker Hotel which was taken over by the Americans after the war. That was pretty neat. <BR> <BR>We stayed at the Hotel Vier Jahrzeiten (Four Seasons)as Nickie did, which is beautiful and was a favorite of my co-workers in Frankfurt, where several couples went down there every year. I can't remember the name, but there is a BBQ restaurant that is at the valley "floor" along a stream. You can eat outside and the food and atmosphere were fantastic. <BR> <BR>Have fun!

Bob

Go to Berchtesgaden. Great area. The Salt Mines are a good tour to save in case of rain, as you are underground. We found them to be fun and they do not take that long. Don't miss the wooden slides in the mine. A lot of fun. I also disagree on the Eagles Nest. On a clear summer day you have great views of the mountains and lakes in the area and you can enjoy some good German beer in the outdoor restaurant. The General Walker Hotel also has the entry to Hitler's underground bunker. That was interesting to see and hear the story.Ask if you can take the tour. You will be amazed at what they had down there and the US could never locate it to bomb it during WWII. You can also still find the ruins of Hitlers Berghof in the woods not far from the main road. Ask around and people can tell you where they are located. The foundation is left and is easliy found. He made the population believe he was in a simple cabin by only showing a simple cabin room in photos while the rest of the home was very large. The Koingsee Lake tour is also great. Very peaceful, and they play the trumpet on one stop in the middle of the lake to listen to the echos in the hills nearby. If you do go to Berchtesgaden, notice the train station. It is very large for such a small town. Hitler had it built that way to handle all the traffic he had coming into the area. There is one area with three columns that was his private loading area. Frankly, I prefer this area over Salzburg, but being so close together you can easily see both.

bo_jack

I am certainly in the minority on this opinion. However, in consideration of 1) your limited total time, 2) the fact that this is your first time in Europe, and 3) you are traveling by train -- your original schedule sounds fine to me. Yes, Berchtesgaden is very lovely, and I have been there twice by car. However, I feel it would be somewhat difficult via train or bus; and the coming and going -- although scenic -- is somewhat time consuming. Vienna is a lovely (albeit expensive) city with lots to see and do. It should not be short-changed on a first visit. The Cultural History Museum is one of the world's great museums and could easily occupy a day or more -- depending on your interest. The Imperial Palaces will take most of another. Sitting in a cafe on the Karterstrasser on a sunny day and just absorbing the pedestrian activity has been a trip highlight for me. The little shops and cafes away from the city center are filled with "treasures" and surprises. Don't let "friends" (or total strangers) talk you into trying to do too much. Pace yourself and give yourself time to enjoy the moments.

Marje

If you go to Berchtesgaden take the afternoon minibus tour from the Tourist Office. David is American, will give you all the historical info about the Eagles Nest and will take you into the underground tunnels to see the bomb shelters. You could spend 3 or 4 days in Berchtesgaden and still not see everything - it's a great base for exploring that part of Germany and Austria to Salzburg.

Roger & Amy

Carol, <BR> <BR> You must see this beautiful area. If at all possible, do the salt mine tour or just stroll through town. The Eagles Nest is not worth missing the rest of the town. The Konigsee tour is a good trip but it will take all day. Don't miss this area.

Patrick

The "turnip" called the Eagle's Nest a snooze. I'd be willing to bet that he went there on his own. The German government was always against it being opened and didn't want some sort of shrine or memory of Hitler, so there is very little there for historic background. But through the tourist office in town there is a wonderful English tour by a husband and wife limited to very small groups. They are the only authorized tour guides of the Eagle's Nest and they also will include some trips to other sites on the mountain including going through some of the underground tunnels. If anybody did that tour and still thought it was a snooze, God help them. By all means go to Berchtesgaden. We stayed four nights, planning to do some day trips from there, but never left.

Fred s.

We're going to take a guided tour of the Bavaria area next summer. (2001) Does anyone know of a good tour company to go with for two weeks or so?And wht to visit in the Germany, Austria, Switzerland area. Please write to my e-mail address. Thanks

Barbara

We recently visited Germany and made a point of going to Bertchesgaden because they have opened a new museum about the third Reich in Obersalzburg. Incedently the Walker Hotel was demolished last summer. We were traveling by train and it wasn't difficult. There is a bus in town that takes you right up to where you would catch the bus to Kelstein. The day we were there it was raining and the Eagles Nest was closed due to four feet of new snow. This was last month. While there we had a great appartment for only 120 DM

mikemo

ttt

robbydee

I'd pass on Berchtesgaden ... way too touristy for me. Go the Salzkammergut instead ... Wolfgangsee, Hallstatt, Bad Ischl, Traunsee, etc. The area is 45 minutes from Salzburg through some great meadows and mountains.