Your suggestion please for itinerary 4 days in Salzburg next first week of December. Perhaps you can tell your own previous itinerary. <BR><BR>Thanks

Bhakti --<BR><BR>I was there about 13 years ago for 3 days. It was great. <BR><BR>Among the highlights:<BR><BR>Sound of Music tour -- not sure if that would be of interest to you -- you go to parts outside the city where the movie was filmed - quite beautiful<BR><BR>Berchtesgaten - a day trip by bus - in Germany but very close to Salzburg; you can go to Eagles Nest where Hitler had his retreat during the war; also, the Salt Mines which I found very interesting.<BR><BR>Walking thru the beautiful city is just great. Take the funicular up to the Fortress for a spectacular view of the city.<BR><BR>Got to see the Marionette Puppets perform at the theater next to Mirabell Gardens.<BR><BR>I'm sure there's much more to do. Just keep searching and have fun.<BR><BR>Bob

I visited Salzburg about the same time of year that you're planning to so if you're interested in music you might want to check out their local concerts. Easy enough to find out at all the events/tourist places. Right before/around Christmas there are a lot of folkmusic concerts that are specific to Austria. I even bought a CD of one concert (at the Fortress which was quite special) because a friend of mine had lived in Salzburg at one time and was quite nostalgic about hearing this music again.<BR><BR>Also at that time of year you should find some Christmas markets (the exact name of these is escaping me for the moment) which are fund to peruse.<BR><BR>I also enjoyed the Sound of Music tour even though it was a bit cheesy. Keep in mind there a couple of different tours with a similar name. However, since I didn't have a car, it was nice to be toodled around the Salzburg environs (particularly the lakes - stunning). Of course, this was done entirely with The Sound of Music soundtrack running in the background.<BR><BR>Don't forget to check out Mozart's homes and as someone else mentioned - just wander those beautiful cobblestone streets.

We have stayed in the Hotel Stein on the river by the Staats Brucke. Part of the hotel dates from the 15th century!!!. Try to get a rom overlooking the river and therefore the HohenSalzburg.

We stayed in Salzburg for 5 nights this past August 5 - 9 (during the rains!!):<BR><BR>Arrival Day: walked through Mirabell Gardens (not so great in December!!). Dinner at Hotel Stadtkrug (v. good).<BR><BR>1st Full Day: took tram up to Hohensalzburg fortress; took tour, saw museums. Toured the cemetery and caves at St. Peter's Church. Dinner at Stiftskeller St. Peter. Marionette theater after dinner.<BR><BR>2nd Full Day: Salzburg Cathedral and museum; toured Residenz. Attended organ concert. Dinner at Restaurant K & K.<BR><BR>3rd full day: picked up rental car and drove to Berchesgaden (quick trip). Took boat on Konigsee. Tried to find Obersalzburg (road construction!!). Hiked around a bit. Dinner at Huberstube in Berchesgaden (v. good).<BR><BR>4th full day: drove to Hallstadt. Stopped by St. Wolfgang. Returned to Salzburg.<BR><BR>5th full day: departed to southern Germany.<BR><BR>If we had to go again, I would try to get tickets to something in the Festivalspielhaus. Wandering the shops in the old town is great if you like to shop (but in August, the crowds were a bit much for us). Have dessert each day in the cafes - - Cafe Bazar, Cafe Glcokenspiel and Cafe Tomaselli. <BR><BR>Salzburg will be beautiful in December!

You may want to consider the following reasonably priced hotels:<BR><BR>1. Hotel Stiglbrau...across from the Mirabella Gadens. Nice rooms, reasonably priced and a nice beer garden on site with a decent restaurant.<BR><BR>2. Zum Hirschen...a few blocks further out and very near the train station.<BR>Similar to Stiglbrau but not as convenient.<BR><BR>US

Bhakti, we stayed at the Trumer Stube Hotel a couple of years ago. Great location and price. Here is their website: http://www.trumer-stube.at/seite2_en.html.

Just returned from Salzburg last week, where I enjoyed the old town, fortress, and its wonderful ambiance. Just absorbing the "feel" of Salzburg, walking thru the streets, meals or desserts in the cafes (Thomaselli was a favorite), but dinner concert at Stiftkellar was a highlight. You should make a day to visit Hallstatt. If you go there, take the furnicular up to Krippenstein and then walk over to the Heilbronn Kreug for a great view. Then, back in Hallstatt, take the furnicular up to Rudolfstrum and hike back down on the trail by the waterfall. Gasthaus Zauner is a great restaurant, and say "hello" to the guy at the umbrella, where you can check your email. If you go to Bertchesgaden, skip Kehlstein and go straight to the Konigsee, a lovely place.

Returned 2 weeks ago and I would definitely second the recommendation to attend the Mozart Dinner Concert at the Stiftskeller. The music was excellent and the food quite delicious, despite the fact that they had to cook for around 200 people at one setting.

To attending Dinner Concert must we dress up formally?

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Bhakti - No need to dress formally. I wore a jacket, but no tie, though I did have a tie in my pocket (just in case). Was shocked when we arrived as the only people we first saw wore tuxedos and red bow ties - turned out to be a touring Swiss choir in their performance garb! They enjoyed the concert also. ENJOY!