Masterphil

Still working on my intinerary....

My wife and I doing Prague, Vienna, Hallstatt, Breschtesgaden(maybe?), down to Dolomites.

What is there to do in Hallstatt? Trying to figure out if it is deserving of 2 nights out of 9 nights allocated for Vienna to Zurich (via Dolomites) portion of trip.

We are not museum people. We like an occasional hike, great food/beer/wine, admiring this wonderful planet.

elberko

There isn't much to "do" in Hallstatt, it's a place to "be"! It makes a perfect, beautiful break in a packed schedule, but you'll have to decide how much down-time you like in one location.

~Liz

bettyk

We've been to Hallstatt about 5 or 6 times. It is a very small town but we usually stay at least 2 or 3 nights.

There is the Salt Mine and a wonderful Museum showing the history of Hallstatt (ask for their English guide).

http://tinyurl.com/kq3unm

There is another "museum" of sorts inside the Sports store. When they were excavating for a renovation, they discovered the remains of a roman settlement.

http://www.hallstatt.net/publisher/a...mArticleID/21/

There is the "bone house" where the bones of those buried in the cemetery were moved over many years.

http://www.hallstatt.net/publisher/a...mArticleID/17/

You can rent one of the electric boats for a cruise on the lake.

Most people don't know that Hallstatt is the oldest continually inhabited settlement in Europe, probably due to the salt mine. Their history dates back to 12,000 BC. Besides having amazing scenery, their history is also very interesting.

You can always take a side trip to one of the many other beautiful lakes in the area or take the panoramic toll road up to the Loser mountain for some more gorgeous views.

bettyk

The website for the Loser Bergbahnen (German only):

http://www.loser.at/

Masterphil

Looks beautiful (Loser B)...

I'm thinking about staying one night in Hallstatt and than one night in Berchtesgaden, before heading down to Dolomites.

Not sure what to expect in Berch... Pictures of it look pretty nice.

Thanks, bettyk and elberko

I'm back to no plans, just making reservations on the fly, seeing where the road takes me... (even though this goes against my wife and I's norm. We usually have reservations months in advance)

FACS

MasterPhil, I'm a months in advance reserver who is going to do "on the fly" also. We usually also do not travel with cell phones, GPS, or internet access. How do you plan on finding rooms?

LLindaC

The Ice Caves are across the way as well. Very interesting.

bdjtbenson

Although it's not a place with a lot to do, you're generally better off keeping the one night stops to a minimum. That helps you feel a little more relaxed and less like you're living out of your suitcase.

ira

Hi MP,

>What is there to do in Hallstatt? <

Very little, really.

The scenery of Hallstatt and the surrounding area is terrific.

We very much enjoyed two nights in Hallstatt.

Masterphil

Last year, we were in Provence and heard some horror stories about a couple getting robbed in Barcelona. I carry my notebook computer with me on vacation. I cancelled my reservation at casa camper hotel in Barcelona and looked up "Provence accommodations" on fodors.com. After reading great reviews about the Hotel Esplanade in Domme, I booked it via email. Having internet access on vacation is invaluable in my opinion.

I'm going to check on "Ice Caves" now (that raises some interest!)

I agree bdjtbenson. I try to keep the one night stops to a minimum. Bouncing around to a new hotel every night winds up not feeling like much of a vacation after all.

3 nights at Hotel Gardena Grodnerhof in Dolomites will serve as kick back and relax time. (Actually our kick back and relax involves hiking, some spa time (where we stand out like true Americans with me in long bathing trunks with Hawaiian flowers and wife in one piece swim suit, as Europeans wear their birthday suits ), than some great food and some wonderful wine or beer, hopefully some pool time in the sun.

I think I am going to keep Hallstatt at one night and maybe Wolfgangsee or Berchtesgaden for one. Couple of days to figure out in between before reaching the Dolomites.

Always open to new suggestions!

Thanks as usual! You guys are the BEST!

Masterphil

esplanade-perigord.com/

Masterphil

Think I'm going to stay in Hallstatt for two nights. I think a little "quaint" might be in order.

bettyk

I hope you fall in love with it like we did. It can certainly be magical, especially after the day trippers leave. There are several little walks you can take up to the road above where the parking lot is. You'll see some steps leading up. Can't remember exactly where. I do remember from the cemetery, there's a nice walk you can take too.

Anyway, enjoy exploring Hallstatt. I highly recommend the Cultural Museum. It really is interesting and very well laid out. Just ask for the English guide.

Have you made hotel reservations yet? Three places we have stayed:

1) Seehotel Gruner Baum: The most expensive hotel in Hallstatt right on the lake. Lovely rooms with balcony or terrace overlooking the lake.

2) Zauner: More rustic than the above, but not on the lake. Some rooms have a lake view though. Great restaurant.

3) Gasthof Simony: Very old, shabby chic guesthouse next to the Gruner Baum so it is also on the lake. Very reasonably priced.

LLindaC

bettyk, can you help me? There is an old hotel way up on the hill by the salt mines (I'm looking at it on Google Earth right now) I have a pic sitting on their large terrace having lunch. It had GREAT food. Also, the Dachstein Ice Caves are cold (duh) and I saw one guy in there in flip flops (duh). It's slippery, wear your hikers. Also, research the Ice caves before you go, as the tour was given only in German. Still, it was really amazing. The salt mines were a HOOT- I didn't tell my husband about the giant slides and he was like a little kid. He even bought his "tourist picture" going down the slide in his prison jumpsuit. Here's our pics from Austria btw:
http://llindac.myphotoalbum.com/view...umName=album02

Masterphil

Staying at the Gruner Baum!

Went to Salt Mines in Hallein twice. I think they are awesome and recommend to friends.

Masterphil

Great pics, Linda!! Augustiner beer garden just got me real thirsty!! I've been there on two separate occasions. One of my most favorite beers!!

bettyk

LLindaC, having a senior moment. Can't recall the name of that hotel! Sorry.

Masterphil, here are some of our Hallstatt photos from DH's "Featured" album on Webshots:

http://travel.webshots.com/album/354...MkPVQ?start=60

It's almost impossible to take a bad photo in Hallstatt!

InMiami

I also vote for two nights. We travel alot in Europe and Hallstatt is our all-over favorite spot. Don't forget the boat ride that leaves several times daily.

Masterphil

Great pictures, betty!! Really beautiful!!! I should say "2-night worthy" pictures!!

Thanks