Connie

Has anyone stayed in Linz? Did you like it and was there alot to do? Where did you stay. I am trying to decide whether to stay there to break up the drive from Salzburg to Vienna and see the river. Thanks.

Nick

I would not bother with Linz.<BR>Probably no need to break journey as it is about 3 hour drive straight through - so even wandering a bit you have time to get out and see the smaller towns. Some really beautiful scenery en route - if you go via Wachau and stay at Durnstein, Melk or Krems would be much nicer options. Or some of lakes en route are also beautiful - e.g Traunsee 1 hr from Salzburg.

Lanny

I have been to (as in to and through) Linz three times, and never found it worth more than an hour or two of my time. Personally, if I were to choose where to break the journey I would go over to Passau -- an absolutely gorgeous little town which is one of my favourite places in Austria and stay there -- or alternatively I would head on to Melk and stay in the village there under the awesome Melk Abbey. You can happily waste a chunk of a day in either Passau or Melk, whereas Linz is basically a cute village with an old church (every Austrian village has an old church), a university, and a nice pedestrian market square in the centre of the city.

Joyce

Skip Linz. I spent a day there, and there is nothing to see. <BR><BR>If you have a car, the only thing to make a Linz area visit worthwhile would be a visit to the Mauthausen Concentration camp, located near Linz. You need a car to visit it, because without one, Mauthausen is difficult to reach. Do not expect directions from the Tourist Office in Linz, because as far as they are concerned (at least when I tried to get help) Mauthausen does not exist.

Surprised

I have never been to Linz, but I´m surprised to see Austria´s third largest city and industrial center described as &quot;basically a cute village&quot;. And Passau is on the German side of the border.

Joyce

Most of Linz was wiped out during World War II bombings. The town was almost completely leveled. Any old-looking buildings you see there are probably reproductions built after 1945.

nick

Surprised is right on both counts, and Passau is a bit of a northern detour from going to Vienna - OK if going from Munich to Vienna, but not really from Salzburg. Has Lanny got mixed up with Lienz in the Tyrol - about 15000 people?

Lanny

Dear heaven, I did write Austria not Germany for Passau didn't I, and having been there three times in the past five years, though not during last year's horrible flooding, I DO know the difference, honestly. It just struck me that if you are going from Salzburg to Vienna Connie could make a detour north to Passau, a distance I don't think is all that great -- maybe 60 0r 70 miles? or a little more. It is a beautiful, walkable city and one of my favourite places on the Danube. And no, I did not confuse Linz with Lienz. I think my description of Linz as a village has more to do with how little impression it made on me than anything. If Passau is a diversion away from Vienna, then Melk certainly isn't so that would be my recommendation.

CharlieB

Connie - I like Lanny's suggestion about Passau, despite the typing slip. Though a little off your intended track, I think it is really worth the short detour with its castle overlooking the confluence of the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers. Certainly more rewarding than Linz, and probably more rewarding than Melk, Durnstein, or Krems. Enjoy your trip!

Connie

Thanks, I am going to look into Passau. I guess otherwise I could go directly to Vienna. Is it easy when in Vienna to take a boat down the river and see Krem, and Durstein? Would you recommend that?

Joyce

Do not miss Melk. Its Abbey was one of the highlights of my trip to Austria. The chapel is incredible. <BR><BR>Melk is about an hour's train ride from Vienna. It is located between Vienna and Durstein.

Connie

Passau seems to be a 3 1/2 hour drive to Vienna. I think since I am only staying 1 day it might be better to drive direct to Vienna or stay somewhere inbetween. Would you recommend staying in Melk? or perhaps Krem?? or is it better to visit them via car, train, or boat from Vienna?

flsd

Thanks for that post, Joyce. My husband's uncle, a Chetnik soldier, was imprisoned at Mauthausen, and we'd like to go there someday in his memory.