AngelaS

We'll be spending a few days in the Salzburg area staying near Lake Fuschl. We'll spend one day touring Salzburg & one day we want to explore the lakes region. Since we'll have our 16 mo old with us, we want to be flexible with our itinerary & not cram in too much. We're thinking of heading to either Berchtesgaden or Halstatt (since they're on opposite sides of Salzburg I don't think it's doable to do both in a day). Which is preferable? From the pics Halstatt looks gorgeous. Lake Konigsee also looks nice though..

As another option, we could head to Berchtesgaden the day we drive from Munich - then head onward to Salzburg.. and do Halstatt another day.

Also what else is recommended close to either area?

bobthenavigator

I would not miss Hallstatt--take your camera.

AngelaS

so Halstatt definitely over Berchtesgaden????

treplow

Do Hallstatt from Salzburg (if the weather is decent and the mountains are clear), and Berchtesgaden on the way to Munich.

From B'gdn take the B-305 (Deutsche Alpenstrasse/German Alpine highway) to past Weissbach, and then the B-306 to Inzell, Siegsdorf, where you pick up the A-8, the Salzburg - Munich Autobahn.

The B-305 and B-306 split, where the B-305 makes a sharp left turn to Ruhpolding - Reit im Winkl. You go straight on the B-306 to Inzell. All clearly marked. .

AngelaS

treplow - thanks! I think you also responded to my post on tripadvisor

I'm not sure if we will be able to do both - which would you recommend?

eluckhardt

We recently came back from the Sheraton at Fuschlsee with a 7 y.o. and a 2 y.o (24 months). I mentioned this on a different posting, but, we took day trips to Hallstatt and St. Gilgen/Wolfgansee. On the way home (Munich), we stopped off at the Berchtesgaden (salzbergwerk) salt mine as, I think, this is the only one in the area (salzburg, hallstatt, berchtesgaden) that allows kids under 4 y.o..

We went to the Berchtesgaden region a previous time, and went up the Jenner bahn and went to Koenigsee, but did not have the energy (with the 2y.o. especially) to take the boat trip. We also did not have time to do the salt mine then, hence, we did it this time around.

There is still a ton in both regions that we have not seen/visited, and I am not sure when we will go back. So, obviously, you cannot do it all, esp. with a little one. But, I think your option 2 is doable if you are willing to do just see one sight in the Berchtesgaden region before heading to Fuschl, and then taking a daytrip to Hallstatt.

During our recent trip to Fuschl, we took an electric boat out on the Wolfgansee and did a sommerrodelbahn as well. I saw other parents taking their little ones out on the boat and also saw a child younger than my 2 y.o. on the rodelbahn, but not sure how old he/she was. My 2 y.o. did fine on the r-bahn, but I went pretty slow with her. I personally did not find the salt mine to be very interesting, neither did my husband, but my 7 y.o. loved the slides. We did not go to Salzburg on either of these aforementioned trips.

AngelaS

eluck - great suggestions - thanks!!

We are also staying at the Sheraton at Fuschlsee - how are the accomodations there?

How was it going up the Jenner bahn w/ a 2 yr old? I'm a bit nervous going up high with a toddler but if we can keep him strapped in the stroller it should be ok...

I'm a little hesitant to try to do both Halstatt & Berch. We will have to see how it goes - but so far this is our itinerary:

Day 1 - arrive in Munich in afternoon - explore a little, eat at beer hall. -->Any recommendation on a good one? I was thinking the Hofbrauhaus but is this too touristy? we want some good German food.. =)

day 2 - get up early - drive to Salzburg; tour Salzburg for the day

day 3 - Halstatt & surrounding lake area

day 4 - return to Munich - we could stop at Berchtesgaden this day unless we want to see more of Munich

So it really depends on if we want to spend more time in Munich or the countryside (I'm leaning towards the countryside). We are not going to any salt mines - I've been to one in Poland before, and like you said, it doesn't sound that interesting to me.

eluckhardt

@ the Sheraton, cash and points was a good value. Breakfast was too expensive for us so we drove to a bakery the first morning, and then bought stuff at the grocery store for the following two mornings (cheerios, yogurt, milk, etc). The shelf stable milk is your friend in situations like this. We wound up doing room service for dinner twice (not inexpensive), and then went to a nearby steakhouse (we are very red meat deprived here) for dinner the third night. Thursday night is jazz night in the lobby area, and on that night, they have a little buffet of schnitzel, chicken nuggets, potato salad that you can snack on (no cost). We used their indoor pool each day, but did not venture into the wellness area.

Going up the J bahn was fine, though it did seem a tad long (we went up to the higher station). The gondolas can fit 2 adults and one 1 child, maximum, I believe. They put our stroller, folded up, in its own gondola. So you will have to carry your child and not put him in the stroller. There are windows in the gondola that you can pull up, so it's not unsafe. We were not able to see Koenigsee from the Jenner mountain because of a recent snow storm, so I was a little bummed about that.

Regarding beer halls in Munich, and I know I'm in the minority, but I like going to the Hofbrauhaus. We get to hear Engish speakers! Yes, it is touristy. The food is not great, but it's fine, and it's festive and casual, so your kid running around will not be a problem.

AngelaS

Just got back this week - had a great but too short visit in Munich & Salzburg. We will definitely return to this area to explore more - it was a bit difficult with our little one sitting in the stroller for so long. It was very warm there last weekend so we spent a lot of time in the pool at the Sheraton. I should also note that regular rooms DO NOT have air conditioning!!! Although they give you a fan, it was quite warm & we kept the windows closed b/c there were huge spiders outside at night... Otherwise we loved the place. We drove to Konigssee but were a bit disappointed w/ the lake since we didn't want to take a boat ride (too hot) & there isn't a very good view of the entire lake from the town. We also didn't end up going on the Jenner since it was very hot & headed back to Munich instead. Very beautiful area - will definitely return there one day!

AngelaS

Also - we did visit the Hofbrauhaus - & yes, the food wasn't the best - but we loved the atmosphere! The band was playing, Germany was playing in the Euro cup that night & everyone was loud & alive with excitement. Great for the little one to run around & be loud too! =)