We're going to be in Zell for 3 nights in September. Thinking of going up on Kitzsteinhorn and taking a boat ride on the lake. Would like to do a day trip or two also.

Does anybody know of a specific boat rental place that they could recommend?

Also, what would be within an hour's drive or so from Zell that would be worth seeing while we are there?

Any other recommendations of places to eat, etc? Thanks!

I don't know about boat rental, but when we were there we spent the morning & early afternoon in Zell am See and the afternoon driving the Grossglockner (Alpine Highway).

zwho, we've driven Grossglockner a couple of times, so DH isn't so keen on doing it again this time. It is a gorgeous drive though, isn't it!

topping.

Hello Bettyk:

Here is an excerpt from my earlier report on Austrian restaurants during our trip this last Christmas:

Grand Hotel Zell am See: We had lunch at this lakeside hotel during our train day-trip from Salzburg. The location of the hotel offers a panoramic view of the lake and it snowed throughout our 2 ½ hour meal. Oddly enough, we were the only guests in a huge dining room; apparently the hotel occupants were on the ski slopes. The food was not memorable, but the picturesque setting very much put us in the Christmas mood.

As you probably know, this is a beautiful part of the world. The views from the train from Salzburg were spectacular. Have fun. Gradyghost

Ours was a bit the opposite, in that we went to Zell am See for a visit from Pfarrwerfen, but going in that direction you might want to check out the falconry show at Werfen Castle and/or the salt mine at Hallein. We took the train; not sure what the driving time might be! Here are some pictures of the Werfen area just to give you some ideas: http://travel.webshots.com/album/115491557HbDEdt

Thanks Gradyghost. I was just going back through some of the older posts on Zell. We definitely plan to have a meal at the Grand. Rooms were much more than we wanted to spend but figure we can splurge for lunch!

Amy, we've driven by Werfen on a couple of previous trips but have never stopped. This might be a good time to do that. Thanks.

Krimml waterfall is a great day trip. I went by bus. See www.wilhelmswords.com/eur2006 - Awesome Austria and kwilhelm.smugmug.com/Travel/264391

BTW, the Grand has delicious ice cream if you just want to go for afternoon tea. I sat by the lake and enjoyed the view as well as the ice cream. I actually slept at the Pension Hubertus, where I had a good mountain view.

Oh YUM, ice cream sounds wonderful and much easier on the budget!

I looked at the Hubertus, but I was trying to find hotels with elevators due to DH's arthritis. We are booked at the Parkhotel Eder.

Since we will be coming from Mittenwald, now thinking we might want to do the Krimml waterfall on our way to Zell.

Yes, much better for the budget! Just for the record, Pension Hubertus has an elevator.

thursdaysd, didn't know about the elevator at the Hubertus. They must not mention that fact on their website or I somehow missed it.

Bettyk:

For what it's worth, I have the bad knee so elevator availability is always No. 1 on my requirements. Sounds like lunch and ice cream at the Grand is in order. Please let us know how it turns out. Best. Gradyghost

I saw photos of Zell am See, wanted to put it in my itinerary but could not figure it in. Now a possiblity of a day trip from Salzburg is exciting, especially the scenic train between.

However, I will be there Nov. 4 & 5. I would be so excited to be in snow. This is off season I know. Would many things be shutdown. A nice meal at the Grand would be something I would do. If it will be totally dead, especially since I am solo I would drop it.

Any info is appreciated.

Since I haven't been there in November, I don't know for certain, but there is glacier skiing at Kitzsteinhorn year round so I would think that Zell is a year round resort.

Hi ggnga,

We spent an afternoon in Zell am Zee on Nov. 1, 2007. The the town was very quiet... By the train station a few small stores were open. We found only 2 cafe's open in the pedestrian zone. No shops open at all. Most signs we read in windows stated shops, restaurants, etc. closed end of October. This particular day the temp was about 70 and perfectly clear. We were still glad we went. The lakeside setting is beautiful.

Thanks. I am sure I will be happy in Salzburg with so much to see.

When we were in Zell in December, I asked our driver/guide on a short tour about the tourist situation throughout the year. He explained that in the Summer months, Zell has a heavy influx of visitors from the Middle Eastern countries who come to escape the oppressive heat by taking advantage of the temperature differential. Then the town turns to skiing.