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Questions about Salzburg and Salzkammergut area

Questions about Salzburg and Salzkammergut area

Old Jul 28th, 2010, 04:43 PM
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blh
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Questions about Salzburg and Salzkammergut area

We will be in Salzburg for three nights and Hallstatt for two nights in early October. I have been researching all the activities that we may want to do in the area. There are so many similar type activities that I don't know which to choose. I realize we can't do them all, so want to narrow down to a few. In my research, I have found many cable-cars, boat rides, mountain railway rides, etc.

While in Salzburg, there is the Salzach Cruise that we could do. Then we may take a day trip to Berchtegaden. On the way, there is the cable-car Untersberg which is a possibility. There is a boat tour on the Konigsee. We may or may not do Hitler's Eagle's Nest.

Leaving Salzburg, we had thought we might do the boat trip from either St. Gilgen or Strobl to St. Wolfgang and take the Schafberg Mountain Railway up the mountain. This sounds the most appealing to me from trip reports I have read.

There is also the Salt Mine Railway in Hallstatt and the cable-car in Dachstein. I don't think we are interested in the Salt Mines or the Ice Caves, but we may change our minds.

I know there are many others, but think I have found enough to choose from unless I have missed something wonderful! I would like to hear from those who have done some of these things as to what you recommend.

Thanks for any and all help. We are mainly interested in seeing the beautiful scenery and views from different places in the area..
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Old Jul 28th, 2010, 06:28 PM
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Hi blh - I thought you might like to read my trip report of our trip to Salzburg, Hallstat and soe of the surrounding areas. We did some really fun things. Go to :

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...m#last-comment

And scroll down to July 29 through the beginning of Aug 4

We loved the salt mine tour if you happen to be in the area anyway. You sound like you have some great ideas - I certainly would have liked to include some of them in my trip. Oh well, might just have to go back!
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Old Jul 29th, 2010, 04:23 AM
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I'd also highly recommend the salt mine tour. I'm a bit claustrophobic and so went along with my tour mates with a bit of trepidation, but the whole thing was so fascinating I quickly forgot about being several hundred feet underground.

We were there this past March, so the Eagle's Nest was closed, but we did visit Obersalzburg, which was where most of the activity was - the Eagle's Nest was a single building perched on the mountain above, and apparently Hitler didn't particularly like going there. There's a very well done but chilling museum called Dokumentation Obersalzburg (www.obersalzburg.de) that tells the horrific story of the rise and fall of the Nazi party and also allows entrance to a portion of the remaining underground bunkers. Also highly recommended.
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Old Jul 29th, 2010, 03:41 PM
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Thanks, Kwren and Flyfish!

Kwren, I really enjoyed your trip report. I have it bookmarked for reference. Your family had a really great trip - in spite of the rain. I'm worried that we will have a lot of rain in October - but you just have to go on and have fun anyway!

Thanks for the recommendation on the salt mine tour, FlyFish. It does sound interesting. And for the recommendation for the museum.

I'm still working on which cable cars/railways, etc. will give the best views. Would like to hear some more recommendations as there are so many to choose from. Does anyone have a favorite?
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Old Jul 29th, 2010, 05:08 PM
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The paddleboat ride from St. Gilgen to St. Wolfgang and the steam train to Schafberg Mtn. is very enjoyable if the weather is good. Both SG and SW are lovely little lakeside villages.

If you get off in St. Wolfgang, you can walk around the town and make your way to the Schafberg Bahnhof for the steam train. The views from the top of the mountain on a clear day are awesome. I would highly recommend it. Just be sure you pay attention to the timetable so you can coordinate the return train and boat back to St. Gilgen.

http://www.schafbergbahn.at/media/sc...rt_2010_en.pdf

I would highly recommend it.

The Hallstatt Salt Mine is lots of fun. I would also recommend the Hallstatt Heritage Museum (request an English translation sheet).

http://www.hallstatt.net/publisher/a...mArticleID/16/
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Old Jul 29th, 2010, 05:42 PM
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The cable cars at Dachstein going up to Five Fingers offer fantastic views of Hallstatt and the lake. Be sure walk on up to Five Fingers and walk out onto the fingers. It's funny to watch some people who are afraid of heights trying to walk out, especially on the finger with a glass bottom. My son is one of those people.
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Old Jul 29th, 2010, 06:51 PM
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Betty K -thanks for your help. I've read your trip reports, and they are very interesting and helpful as well. One question - do you recommend doing both the Zwolferhorn cable-car and the Schafberg Mountain Railway? If we only have time for one - which one? We want to do the boat trip as well and may not have enough time to do everything. What do you suggest?

Thanks, scatcat. I had been wondering about the Dachstein cable car as well. Sounds a little scary if you're afraid of heights - (and we are!). But I think we would just watch others walk out on the fingers - don't think we'd be up for that! Just doing the cable cars will be thrill enough for us!
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Old Jul 29th, 2010, 07:11 PM
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The Salt Mine tour is worth doing. We have done the one in Berchtesgaden in 1970, 1993 and 1997...enjoyed it all times over the years. It is good to save it for a rainy day as it is all underground.

Ask for Herr Ricky at the Bristol Hotel across from the Mozart museum in Salzburg. Just kidding. We stayed at this hotel in 2007 and he was the great bar tender. The hotel was used by the cast of Sound of Music in 1963. Great place.

The Sound of Music bus tour sounds corny but it is fun. You see a lot of great sights. Watch the movie again prior to departure and you will really enjoy the tour.

Koingsee Lake is magnificent. Do the electric boat tour.

The Eagles Nest is very scenic....Hitler or no Hitler.

Salzburg and the surrounding area is one of our favorite spots in Europe. Have fun.
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Old Jul 29th, 2010, 07:17 PM
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My vote would be for Schafberg train. I've done it twice and I loved it even more the second time. Of course it did help being lots warmer the second time.

I agree with traveldawg with all of her recommendations. Done all of them 2-3 times each.
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Old Jul 29th, 2010, 08:16 PM
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OK, I'll provide the comic relief in this thread....

I went on the Schafberg Mountain Railway, I am afraid of heights. We went about half way up... the train stopped. I was on the end of the car by the door, everyone in my row wanted to get off... I didn't. But, being the generous tourist that I am, I opened the door and got out.

While the train was doing it's 'thing', I walked around a bit close to the train and took some photos, I turned around and everyone was on the train except me! I was only steps away from the car that I was in... the door was locked. Off they went without me to the top of the mountain!

I walked around for a 1/2 hour or so taking photos waiting for the next train to come down the mountain... I was already high enough!
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Old Jul 29th, 2010, 09:09 PM
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blh, if you had time, I'd recommend both. But if you could only do one, my recommendation would be the boat ride and Schafberg Mtn. Railway. The 1890's paddlewheeler and the old steam train are a unique experience.

We did it in an afternoon but we had to be sure to make our return train reservation in time to get the last boat from St. Wolfgang back to St. Gilgen which at that time was 5:30 PM. As soon as you get to the top of Schafberg, get your return scheduled so you'll be sure of getting back in time.

You don't have to remain on top of Schafberg that long to be able to take in the beautiful vistas.
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Old Jul 30th, 2010, 02:22 AM
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I noticed I had a typo in my earlier post about Dokumentation Salzburg - the correct URL is www.obersalzberg.de
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Old Jul 30th, 2010, 02:40 AM
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Hi blh,

My trip report is Ira Visits Europe – May, 2007 (Salzburg, Fuessen, Bodensee, Burgundy, Alsace)
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...2&tid=35014078


Get the Salzburg card.
http://www.salzburg.info/de/sehenswe...card/index.htm

Enjoy your visit.

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Old Jul 30th, 2010, 01:28 PM
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Thanks everyone for all the advice, URL's, and trip reports. I think I am narrowing it down a bit. Here's the tentative itinerary:

Friday afternoon & Saturday: Arrive Salzburg - do as many of the activities as we can work in - including the Fortress, Mozart's Residence and Birthplace, Mirabell Gardens, maybe Hellbrunn Castle, etc.

Sunday: Day trip to Berchtesgaden, Hitler's Eagle's Nest, and the boat trip on the Konigsee.

Monday: Leave Salzburg for the Salzkammergut - from St. Gilgen, take the steamer to St. Wolfgang. Do the Schafberg Mountain Railway. See some of St. Wolfgang, return to St. Gilgen and continue on to Hallstatt.

Tuesday: See some of the lakes in the area and do the cable car in Dachstein. Leave some time for enjoying Hallstatt.

Of course, this is all dependent on the weather. Hoping it will be good.

Am I leaving anything out - or should I make adjustments?

I enjoyed your funny story, Joannyc. We will be very careful if we depart the train enroute!
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