I'm planning (and unfortunately have only one)day trip from Salzburg. Rick Steves highly recommends Halstatt which sounds fabulous and a friend recommended Kitzbuhl. I could use some suggestions!! Just thought a trip to a quaint, small town would be pleasant before I head back to Munich and then back to the good old heat of Dallas, TX!!!!

I can't tell you anything about Kitzbuhl, but I have been to Halstatt twice. It is a lovely village on a beautiful lake. It is definitely day trip material as you can visit the whole town in a couple of hours. There is, of course, the salt mine tour, the "Chapel of Bones - somewhat eery" or you can just relax and view the wonderful scenery before moving on to the next stop.

Hi Carol: <BR> <BR>I just came back from Europe and did both sites. I will give you my 2cents. Hallstatt was one town that I was told I had to see! Maybe thats why I was a bit dissapointed! BUT..It was a very quaint town, and it is close to Salzburg. If you have the full day, I would <BR>1. Drive to Hallstatt, walk around and get the feel, do not do the Saltmine tour <BR>2. Head to the area called Gossau (just up the road from Hallstatt) and go to the end of the road which will lead you to the beautiful Dachstein Mts and Lake <BR>That should fill up the day very nicely! <BR> <BR>I am a big skier (over 200lbs! ha!) and have been to Kitzbuhl many moons ago. I wanted to go back and see if the town had changed....well. It is a very beautiful town, plenty of shops and resturants. It is an expensive area. It was a great place to go for skiing, but it becomes just another beautiful Austrian town in the summer! The drive from Salzburg to Kitzbuhl is great, maybe that would be the reason to go there! Just follow the loop from Salzburg down to St Johann( get off past Werfen on to rt. 311) and head toward Zell am See (nice little town) I have heard that the Grossglockner is very beautiful (look for the town of Bruck and look for the "Grossglockner Road" a spectacular drive! <BR> <BR>Have fun! jOHN

I might also add that we will be traveling by train so I need to look into how good the connections are from Salz. to Halstatt and Salz. to Kitzbuhl.

Train connection to Halstatt from Salzburg was very good. On arrival, there is a ferry boat awaiting to wisk you away across the lake. Another town you may want to consider is Melk, not that far away. It has the most incredible Abbey you will ever see! One of our favorite experiences in all of Europe.

I visited Hallstatt last week and was very disappointed. I had been to Hallstatt 10 years ago, when cars were still permitted to drive through the town. You are now required to park on the top of the town. Skip Hallstatt and go to an unspoiled/uncommercialized lake area -- Grosnau. It's about an hour (or less) from the Hallstatt area-- Dachau area (I think). The lake is beautiful -- you can walk around the lake or explore the various hiking trails. <BR> <BR>

I live in Austria. I would prefer Halstadt over Kitzbühel. What I like very much is the Ausseersee and the nearby Toplitzsee. I live in Gmunden, and like it very much too. If there walk the Miesweg and the Kaltenbach Wildnis. Both are great. If you are fit, try the Traunstein via Maria Alm.

Carol, <BR>We just got back about a month ago from Salzburg and Bavaria. Halstatt was our favorite day trip. The drive from Salzburg is beautiful (even in rain). There are many waterfalls and quaint villages along the way. Halstatt is a small village along the banks of a lake surrounded by tall mountains. On our next trip we are planning to spend a whole day and one night. We also bought some beautiful hand-cut crystal from H. Hochhauser at Der Glasschleifer. It is nice to not have cars in town, it is much more quaint. It is not a long walk to see it all! Enjoy your trip! Amy and Roger

Carol, <BR> <BR> Halstatt is wonderful. The city is small, quaint and beautiful. It is a great day trip from Salzburg. You have a short walk to the town from where you park but there is a reson for keeping the cars out of the town. The roads are very narrow, as they were built centuries ago. Most only wide enough for a horse and cart. The town has some nice shopping and the view from any point is nothing short of spectacular. The town is on the banks of a small lake, surrounded by mountains. You gotta go!!!!! <BR> <BR>Roger