Itinerary for 5 adults, 3 kids, 2 weeks, & 1 holiday adventure!
Sep 26th, 2017, 05:45 PM
#41
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Hi again, as far as Vienna, and the Spanish Riding School, see if they are having their usual performance on the dates you will be there. If they are, then I think you could get tickets for a training session or standing room if you go early in AM, Same for Puppet show in Salzburg, some things might close as it gets closer to Christmas, so check ahead. Hotel in city can do some checking for you when you get there too possibly. Get good city books for each main city, small ones for each adult to carry. distribute weight. Back pak for each child. Sue
Sep 27th, 2017, 08:10 AM
#42
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Salzburg - Zurich by overnight train:
Leave Salzburg at 21.12 by railjet up to Wels ar 22.14.
The night train from Vienna arrives at Wels at 23.15. Board then immediately your sleeping car compartment and leave it the followng morning at 8.20 at Zurich.
Highly discounted Sparschiene fares start at 85 EUR/pax, berth in a sleeping car compartment included.
Leave Salzburg at 21.12 by railjet up to Wels ar 22.14.
The night train from Vienna arrives at Wels at 23.15. Board then immediately your sleeping car compartment and leave it the followng morning at 8.20 at Zurich.
Highly discounted Sparschiene fares start at 85 EUR/pax, berth in a sleeping car compartment included.
Sep 27th, 2017, 02:20 PM
#43
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neckervd- nice -backtrack to Wels- that's the same night train that goes thru Salzburg after 2 am - and board at a more reasonable time though there is an hour to kill in a presumably dead at that time Wels station - not ideal but utilitarian if bent on taking night trains.
Sep 27th, 2017, 07:02 PM
#44
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Incidentally, Murren is a lovely little village that I think children would enjoy. You go up two different train lifts, or whatever you call them and that is an adventure in itself. I think we left a car in Interlocken at the lift up (help me here, was it Interlocken?) The tran/tram took us directly up to Murren from the parking area. I think it was free parking a few years back. The suggestion of a sled ride down sounds like great fun. Sue
Sep 28th, 2017, 12:04 AM
#45
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Palen: Wels railway station isn't that small. If the railway station restaurant shouldn't be open until 11pm, the nearby restaurant Acropolis will be open for sure.
The train change could also be done at Attnang-Puchheim, a few miles closer to Salzburg, but I chose Wels just because Attnang would be too sleepy around 11pm.
The train change could also be done at Attnang-Puchheim, a few miles closer to Salzburg, but I chose Wels just because Attnang would be too sleepy around 11pm.
Sep 28th, 2017, 06:15 AM
#46
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I think we left a car in Interlocken at the lift up (help me here, was it Interlocken?)>
Twas Lauterbrunnen probably - last place you can drive to and from where the cable car shoots up the mountain to Grutschalp where you board a train for Murren.
Murren is nice if not moving around otherwise it is rather isolated for day trips to Jungfraujoch, etc.
Twas Lauterbrunnen probably - last place you can drive to and from where the cable car shoots up the mountain to Grutschalp where you board a train for Murren.
Murren is nice if not moving around otherwise it is rather isolated for day trips to Jungfraujoch, etc.
Sep 28th, 2017, 08:03 AM
#47
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Will check out "sledging." I think that will be a must for our time in Switzerland. Will also call or email Hotel Oberland about dinner plans for Christmas. Thanks for those suggestion. Castle of Chillon sounds like it would be a great stop over... especially if we decide to nix Neuschwanstein.
About how much does each gondola or funicular ride cost? I think my two older kids would be half price right? And my 4 year old would be free? I don't remember having a half fare card last time and thinking it was crazy expensive. It was just us paying for the two adults at the time though.
Don't love the idea of being at a train station at 11:00 at night. Probably won't go for the plan. But THANK YOU for suggesting it!
About how much does each gondola or funicular ride cost? I think my two older kids would be half price right? And my 4 year old would be free? I don't remember having a half fare card last time and thinking it was crazy expensive. It was just us paying for the two adults at the time though.
Don't love the idea of being at a train station at 11:00 at night. Probably won't go for the plan. But THANK YOU for suggesting it!
Sep 28th, 2017, 10:28 AM
#48
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Kids under 16 traveling with a parent can get a free Family Card at any station (think it's free but nominal if not) and always go free along as adults buy a ticket or pass.
The Half-Fare Card for adults if taking those yes rather pricey cables, etc and going to Geneva would probably pay off and more - depending on how much you do in Lauterbrunnen area. Buy it at any Swiss station - no need to pre-order.
The Half-Fare Card for adults if taking those yes rather pricey cables, etc and going to Geneva would probably pay off and more - depending on how much you do in Lauterbrunnen area. Buy it at any Swiss station - no need to pre-order.
Sep 28th, 2017, 10:45 AM
#49
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"Don't love the idea of being at a train station at 11:00 at night. Probably won't go for the plan. But THANK YOU for suggesting it!"
Neither do I. But you asked for a night train and I gave you the best among several bad solutions.
Ticket prices Jungfrau area:
https://www.jungfrau.ch/shop/en/
https://www.jungfrau.ch/shop/en/tick...ren-grutschalp
I think you best buy Swiss Half Fare Cards for you and your wife and ask for a free Family Card for your kids. I's valid all over Switzerland, from the Austrian border (Buchs SG, St. Margrethen SG, Nauders/Martina) up to the French border.
Best sledging pist in the Jungfrau area: Bussalp (Grindelwald).
Neither do I. But you asked for a night train and I gave you the best among several bad solutions.
Ticket prices Jungfrau area:
https://www.jungfrau.ch/shop/en/
https://www.jungfrau.ch/shop/en/tick...ren-grutschalp
I think you best buy Swiss Half Fare Cards for you and your wife and ask for a free Family Card for your kids. I's valid all over Switzerland, from the Austrian border (Buchs SG, St. Margrethen SG, Nauders/Martina) up to the French border.
Best sledging pist in the Jungfrau area: Bussalp (Grindelwald).
Sep 28th, 2017, 11:11 AM
#50
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Grindelwald is a lot closer to most things folks will want to see in the area than isolated Murren and lower too so you will not freeze your .....s off (as much).
If paying from Swiss border to Grindelwald area and then to Geneva the Swiss Card may well be a better deal than the Half-Fare Card - former gives you train/cable trip from any border point to any place in Switzerland and then from that place to any border station or airport - Geneva in your case and in between you get 50% off everything that moves and those under 16 also get a free Family Card.
If paying from Swiss border to Grindelwald area and then to Geneva the Swiss Card may well be a better deal than the Half-Fare Card - former gives you train/cable trip from any border point to any place in Switzerland and then from that place to any border station or airport - Geneva in your case and in between you get 50% off everything that moves and those under 16 also get a free Family Card.
Sep 28th, 2017, 11:23 AM
#51
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If you buy a discounted ticket from Germany or Austrian sites then it will cover you to ultimate destination and you'll get no Half-Off with Half-Fare Card - you'd have to buy ticket to Swiss border then get off train and buy Half-Fare Card and half-fare tickets and Swiss Family Pass - or order all 3 things beforehand: www.sbb.ch - Swiss Railways site.
Sep 28th, 2017, 10:10 PM
#52
2. Spanish Riding School did not have any events for the dates we'll be in Vienna. Are we still able to go and see the horses/tour the facility? Is that fun for kids?
There are morning exercises during the time of your visit, though the horses do not practice any jumping. Our equestrienne daughter (16) finds them a little dull, probably because she would rather be on the horses instead of watching them!
Something else to consider if the weather is pleasant is a twilight carriage ride through Vienna. We try to do this every year around the holidays to enjoy a view of the city all decorated for Christmas.
In Vienna it really pays to do your Christmasmarkt homework; otherwise it is too easy to be lulled into monotony. There is, of course, the "big" Wiener Christkindlmarkt at Rathaus: commercial and touristy, but so merry and bright that you can't help but feel holiday cheer.
For other markets, the setting is more enjoyable than the actual market offerings (Schloss Schönbrunn and Schloss Belvedere come to mind, especially at night); while the reverse is true for the AltWiener Christmasmarkt and markets like the ones at Karlsplatz and Am Hof, all of which offer beautiful handcrafted items and excellent food but without a palace backdrop. Then there is the Spittelberg Adventmarkt, which combines artsy and handcrafted items in the tiny lanes of the Spittelberg area, trimmed with pretty Biedermeier architecture.
The market at the Altes AKH (Old General Hospital) is super child-friendly with small and pleasant rides and often animals to pet. Traditional craftsmen can also be seen practicing their crafts, too. The food and drink is "meh," though.
Much of Prater will be closed during your visit. With your limited time and shorter daylight hours, I would skip the park on this visit. You may want to reconsider the Zoo, as well. Many of the animals will be in their enclosures; and the effort to get there may not be worth it. If the weather, or temperaments, become inclement, perhaps visit the Aquarium? It's inside one of the old Flak towers; and there is a rooftop cafe with a terrace offering views across the city.
Happy Planning!
There are morning exercises during the time of your visit, though the horses do not practice any jumping. Our equestrienne daughter (16) finds them a little dull, probably because she would rather be on the horses instead of watching them!
Something else to consider if the weather is pleasant is a twilight carriage ride through Vienna. We try to do this every year around the holidays to enjoy a view of the city all decorated for Christmas.
In Vienna it really pays to do your Christmasmarkt homework; otherwise it is too easy to be lulled into monotony. There is, of course, the "big" Wiener Christkindlmarkt at Rathaus: commercial and touristy, but so merry and bright that you can't help but feel holiday cheer.
For other markets, the setting is more enjoyable than the actual market offerings (Schloss Schönbrunn and Schloss Belvedere come to mind, especially at night); while the reverse is true for the AltWiener Christmasmarkt and markets like the ones at Karlsplatz and Am Hof, all of which offer beautiful handcrafted items and excellent food but without a palace backdrop. Then there is the Spittelberg Adventmarkt, which combines artsy and handcrafted items in the tiny lanes of the Spittelberg area, trimmed with pretty Biedermeier architecture.
The market at the Altes AKH (Old General Hospital) is super child-friendly with small and pleasant rides and often animals to pet. Traditional craftsmen can also be seen practicing their crafts, too. The food and drink is "meh," though.
Much of Prater will be closed during your visit. With your limited time and shorter daylight hours, I would skip the park on this visit. You may want to reconsider the Zoo, as well. Many of the animals will be in their enclosures; and the effort to get there may not be worth it. If the weather, or temperaments, become inclement, perhaps visit the Aquarium? It's inside one of the old Flak towers; and there is a rooftop cafe with a terrace offering views across the city.
Happy Planning!
Sep 29th, 2017, 06:15 AM
#53
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Streamline trip perhaps by scrubbing the hurried dash to Salzburg and castle and spend time in Vienna at sights 44travel enticingly mentions =then take overnight train at reasonable hour to Zurich.
Less can be more!
Would make trip more relaxing.
Less can be more!
Would make trip more relaxing.
Sep 29th, 2017, 06:03 PM
#54
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hi, I believe that the morning exercises was what we saw. I thought they were amazing, but I cannot speak for you or your children. The sheer beauty of the Lippizaner horses was really something amazing to see for me. They did do some standing on their back legs and jumping, and prancing around the ring. The cost was very low and you were not required to stay for any limited time. Perhaps if you could find something on the Internet that would show these horses doing some of their routines on video it would give an idea for them to see. They are very large horses. If daughter is into horses, I would think she would love this. Museum is small, but I found interesting. The area also is very close to (maybe a block or two) to a very nice street of shopping with lots of coffee shops around, so a good area to explore. I do not know if the stable area would be open ,seems like we walked thru it to go into the little museum, few years back. There was a Natl. Geographic film on these horses and how they are raised, I think in Poland and about their years of training. Sue
Sep 30th, 2017, 05:11 AM
#55
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Also, If you and your husband are into Art, the Belvedere Palace has a really lovely collection of paintings, has some by Gustav Klimpt who is a favorite of mine. Movie Woman in Gold, that painting was there for years as I recall, stolen by the Nazis and now in NYC if my memory serves me. Some very nice still life too. Sue again
Sep 30th, 2017, 01:51 PM
#56
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Yes again lots to do in Vienna - skip castle and maybe do a day trip to Salzburg? Again being able to board night train nice and early and night train could be a real experience for you all - warts and all for some.
