3 weeks with Kids - Austria Itinerary help
 

Hello,
We are flying into Munich in late June and are around for three weeks. We have 2 kids (6 yo and 2 yo) and will be renting a car to go around. As we have kids, am looking for a slow paced itinerary and we love nature scenery (mountains, lakes and villages) as much as beautiful buildings (castles, palaces etc) and city streets, and would like a good mix. We are not so much into museums but don't mind seeing a few highly recommended ones and I am leaving Vienna out because of this.

We were thinking of

Day 1 - arrive in Munich - stay over night
Day 2 - Bavaria and castles - over night Munich or somewhere on the way to Innsbruck
Day 3/4/5 - Innsbruck
Day 5/6/7 - Zell Am See
Day 8/9/10 - Graz
Day 11/12 - Krems
Day 13/14 - Cesky Krumlov (Czech Republic)
Day 15/16 - St Wolfgang
Day 17/18/19 - Salzburg
Day 20 - Drive back to Munich
Day 21 - Fly out of Munich

Can you please advise, if this sounds good ? is there any place that I can swap with the ones I have listed ?

Thanks,

Salt mine with the wooden slide near Salzburg.
Recreated village/museum of Oetzi the Iceman in Ulmhauusen. Summer coasters and concrete track luge rides.

Day 2 - Bavaria and castles - over night Munich or somewhere on the way to Innsbruck>

Fuessen and its two Mad Ludwig castles are a treat - Neuschwanstein being the most famous and fanciful - to see from afar a child's dream - stay there perhaps on way to Innsbruck-drive thru gap in hills to Austria and over to Innsbruck that way.

Day 15/16 St Wolfgang, this is a beautiful ride and your children would enjoy it

http://wolfgangsee.salzkammergut.at/...way.html?exp=5

Have been to St Wolfgang many times and love it, especially in the evenings when the crowds are gone.

Have a wonderful time.

is there any place that I can swap with the ones I have listed ?>

Hallstatt near the Austrian Lake District is the high Alps at all their majesty

what are you doing in Krems for 2 days? If not taking a boat ride thru the fabulous Wachau Valley be sure to drive thru its best part just west of Krems.

For your stay in Tirol, you may want to look at the varieties of "Tirol Cards" on offer. http://www.tyrol.com/things-to-do/sp...cards-in-tirol.

Ditto for Bavaria: http://www.schloesser.bayern.de/engl...ts/jahresk.htm

Why Krems? Absent a specific reason (Melk Abbey comes to mind, but I don't think young children will appreciate it), I might add more time to Zell am See and drive the Großglockner. The road will still be open; and there are many places to stop along the way for everyone to enjoy the scenery and a meal.

Why Graz? We like the city for its markets and culinary treats, but our then-Tween and Teen couldn't find much love. There are children-centric museums and some parks, but nothing "unique."

It being that you like nature and the outdoors, I wouldn't necessarily discount Vienna. Many hiking paths through the vineyards are more than suitable for your youngest, the benefit for Mom and Dad being a stop at a heuriger (wine tavern). Lanzier Tiergarten is a popular reserve for walking, and in autumn you're likely to spot the wild boar (and other animals) that live there. Riding the trams and a visit to Prater could round out a visit.

We have used the official Austrian Tourism website numerous times for itinerary suggestions and have not been disappointed. There is an entire section devoted to Family holidays, with farm stays, hiking paths suitable for children, and so forth. http://www.austria.info/at/aktivitaten/familie

I hope this is helpful. Happy Planning!

Consider taking a night from Innsbruck and adding it to wherever you plan to stay on the Bavaria/Castles day. If your goal was to see the 3 castles in the Fuessen area -- Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, and Hohenschwangau -- one day/night might be a bit tight.

Innsbruck is nice but fairly compact, so, unless you have other things planned in the area, you wouldn't need 3 nights there.

If you are interested in viewing Herrenchiemsee (involves a boat ride and a fairly easy walk across the island) you can do that on the way from Salzburg to Munich if you leave early enough to plan for the waiting times.

I agree with Pal about Hallstatt as well as visiting other lakes in the area if you can. They are lovely... lots of possibilities for nature walk.

The salt mines near Salzburg, afaik, are actually located closer to Berchtesgaden if you're driving there. Also there are salt mines you can visit in Hallstatt.

Have a great trip!