Hi all,
This is the first half of the trip: I've tried to minimize the overnighters, do you think I should just skip any place in particular? We are driving and will have a GPS.
17/10 Paris, 3 nights – apartment, 2 days outdoor sights and Versailles. We'll have more time in Paris in December.
In transit 2 nights heading for Murren – one night may be Baden Baden?
Murren, Swizerland, 4 nights, 1 day Shilthorn & 1 day Jungfraujoch..
In transit 1 night to Mittenwald, Germany
Mittenwald, Germany, 3 nights, day trip to Hohenschwangau & neuschwanstein castles
Salzburg, Austria, 3 nights - sound of music, Mozart, hot choc and strudel!
In transit 1 night to Vienna, will one night do?
3/11 Vienna, 4 nights
7/11 Venice, 3 nights
In transit 1 night – maybe see the Lamborghini factory to Amalfi.....

The Italian leg gets a bit confusing from here so I'll put in on a separate post.
What do you think of the time frame so far?
I have read suggestions for accommodation for Murren, Mittenwald and Salzburg but any input is welcome, especially with Vienna and Venice. I don't know a lot about these cities, but hoping being early November I won't have too much trouble if I book as I go?
I'm a bit concerned that if I book too many places months ahead, we won't have any flexibility if we want to spend more time in one place than another.
Thanks for any input, Regards,
JT

I'd rethink 3 nights Salzburg unless you plan to visit a lot in the region - which is certainly possible. An SOM tour (ditch the car that day) can be a full day fun affair, then one other day can be for all things Mozart and food. If you do plan to explore, then you could consider the Salzkammer, the Eagles Nest (check opening times, may have closed by November), whatever takes your fancy.
As you are driving from Lauterbrunnen (where you'll get your car after Murren), you'll pass through Liechtenstein and skim the edge of the Tirol as you pass Innsbruck, so lots of things to pick from there as it's only about a 5hr drive all up. Vadus is probably only worth a lunch stop and wander for a few hours and you'll see most of Liechtenstein as you drive through, but it's a pretty place nonetheless.

Salzburg to Vienna isn't a long drive at all (3hrs), so decide if you want to perhaps sneak up to Munich from Mittenwald for a night (good town) then on to Salzburg then Vienna rather than have a 1 night stop between Salzburg and Vienna. You could make a day of that trip and visit Mondsee (if you're into SOM then Mondsee town has the church where the final wedding scene was filmed, plus the lake is very pretty, even in Autumn/Fall), then take a side trip to Mauthausen Concentration Camp (about 2hrs from Vienna, turn off the A1 at St Valentin and follow KWZ signs). Of you could visit Melk Abbey, which is stunning, and about an hour from Vienna, so on your way.

I've answered your other Post about Paris to Baden Baden with a plethora of possibilities - it all depends on what interest you and what you want to see along the way. Not sure if it's already been metioned to you in other Posts, but be aware of the Swiss Road Tax you'll need to pay (at the Border upon entry) and the Vignette you'll need for Austria (again, purchase at any petrol/gas station either side of the Border - eg when leaving Vaduz, just as you cross the Border at Feldkirch you'll see the red and white sign on your right as you enter Austria, stop there and purchase).

Hi T,

>Mittenwald, Germany, 3 nights, day trip to Hohenschwangau & neuschwanstein castles
Salzburg, Austria, 3 nights - <

You can also visit Linderhof, my favorite, and Herrenchiemsee.
http://www.schlosslinderhof.de/engli...ce/history.htm
http://www.herrenchiemsee.de/englisc...lace/index.htm

I Salzburg, I highly recommend
http://www.ammoos.at/main.php?language=en&m=home%29
Get the Salzburg card
3 nights is not too long

Enjoy your visit.

madamtrashheap, thanks so much, that's really great info, I think it will take me a day to soak it all in. Thanks for the suggestions about extra sites etc, it's a bit tricky working out what to see when you're not really familiar with the area! Sounds magical...Also thanks for the tips on time taken. I'm never sure if via michelin and google maps are really accurate with times. Skipping off now to read your input for Baden Baden request and yes, I'm aware of the Vignette but I'd forgotten about the swiss road tax, I'll add it to my diary now, thanks again. JT

On route to Vienna from Salzburg; I agree either Melk or Mauthausen are good stops. I would suggest overnight in Gaming, at the 800 year old monastery property. Then a hald day visit ti Mariazell, a quant mountain top village.

Also, some GREAT restaurants near by gaming;

AUSTRIA

Gaming

Brauhaus Mariazell
Wiener StraBe 5
Mariazell
Tel: 43 3882 2523 0

Hofmarches Hauptstrasse 8
Scheibbs
07482142311

Seeterrasse *****
A-3293, Seepromenade 11
Tel: 07486/8303

Zum Schwarzen Elefanten
SchulstraBe 13/3
Scheibbs
Tel. 07482/43 1 30

Mostlandhof ***** (in an Apple Orchard)
Schauboden 4 Purgstall
Tel: 0043 7489 7011

ira,
wonderful, I've already seen a previous post of yours re ammoos, it looks lovely and quaint, like something out of picture book, it's on my list!! Also, I had read a bit about Linderhof but haven't heard much about Herrenchiemsee, I'll be looking into both and see what we can manage!

Cufflnx, Thanks too, will look into Melk and Mauthausen as stops on the way. I haven't worked out where Gaming or Mariazell are yet but I'm presuming the montastry wouldn't be too hard to find. I'm looking forward to trying at least one of the restaurants you've mentioned, you must love your food!!
Thanks again, JT

bookmarking

I would not classify Mariazell as a "quaint mountain village<" -
this is the # 1 pilgrimage spot in Austria - perhaps quaint years ago - now your first impression is endless parking lots - large crowds of bus tourists at times , cheap souvenirs and now even an outlet shop.

on your way through Germany, you might like to try to visit the Bodensee [Lake Constance]. it is lovely with beautiful gardens on an island in the middle of the lake.

Hi again, sorry I haven't replied for a couple of days (my daughter no.3 had a baby!!)
Molker, thanks, I'll keep that in mind but then, everything is 'new' to me too, I'll see how I go for time between salzburg and vienna..
Annhig, I couldn't find bodensee or Lake constance, I have a hallwag Europa road atlas but can't find them listed. Would they be spelt differently in German? I've found a few 'bodens' but not Bodensee, and no listing under "Lake', any tips or general directions? Thanks everyone!
JT

Bodensee is the name in German.

Lake Constance is the English name.

The German city on the lake side is called Konstanz.

The lake is on the border between Germany and Switzerland and it is quite large so hard to miss.

Mjdh1957, Thankyou, I should have realised the contance had a K, I'm a bit tired!! Will check it out! Cheers, JT

MOLKER,

Only when you travel as a "tourist" during tourist season, otherwise, off peak seasons, Mariazel remains a "quante mountain village"!!!

You need a reservation to tour the Lamborghini factory at Sant'Agata, and the website clearly states that Lamborghini may cancel the reservation (with notice).

The museum is open 10 am to 5 pm and closed for lunch 12:30-1:30 pm.

http://www.visit-lamborghini.com/#museum

Ducati, closer to Bologna, offers combined museum/factory tours but also requires reservations.

http://www.ducati.com/company/visit_us/index.do

Re Mariazell - I thought original poster was traveling as a tourist - I live in Austria and not far from Mariazell - I have seen it and many villages here more thsn once-

I have seen quaint villages- Mariazell is not one of them.

Quaint ? How many souvenir kiosks nearby to the Church- How many very large parking lots to greet your entrance to the town- even a large parking Garage - hardly adding to the quaint atmosphere
Now even a clothing outlet shop in the town. I must assume those opening this store would not locate in a quaint village depending just on local clients for business
These are the facts - hardly what I would consider a quaint village - regardless of being a tourist or not .

Since you will be traveling off-peak season, I'd take some advantage of that and add a bit more flexibility with regard to the weather situation.

Late October can be sunny and "golden", or miserable and rainy.


If weather was fine, I'd spend one night between Salzburg and Vienna in one of the villages/towns of the Wachau (valley):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wachau
Going from the Wachau valley to Vienna you could stay close to the Danube, go east on Hwy S5 cross the river on Hwy 19 near the city of Tulln, and go towards Vienna on Hwy 14. Which will take you through Klosterneuburg, located at the edge of Vienna, with also a big monastery to visit.
The monastery also sells its own wine on location (look for a building named "Vinothek"), for remarkably modest prices.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klosterneuburg_Monastery


If you hit a rainy period, I'd move straight on to Vienna, as I think it's more fun to add one day with museums and coffee houses in bad weather than to hike thru the pouring rain in the countryside.

In Vienna, that time of year should be perfect to see (among lots of other things) the Central Cemetary (Zentralfriedhof).

A nice viewpoint over the city (esp. since the sun will set already quite early then) are the hilltops of Kahlenberg or Leopoldsberg. The latter offers a slightly better view, the former has a new restaurant/hotel on top which should give you magnificent vistas over the vineyards and the city with the lights going on.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kahlenberg
http://www.kahlenberg.eu/en/kahlenberg

cufflnx & Molker, thanks for the 'healthy' discussion re Mariazel. I'll still be pondering it as a possible stop!

Thanks Jean, I didn't realise Ducati was so close. I have had a look at the Lamborghini site and knew about the bookings. I'm still hoping that I'll be able to book a bit closer to the day so that we're not too tied in to a time schedule.
Cowboy1968, Will look into the Wachau Valley and the lookouts, they sound lovely, and thanks for the suggested route to Vienna.
Any special sights I shouldn't miss in Vienna?
Cheers JT

It's really hard to say what you should not miss while in Vienna because there are so many world-class museums and so much architecture that you cannot fill it in 3 days.
I suggest you take some time to browse through the excellent website of the Vienna Tourist Information:
www.wien.info/en

What you should do is allow some time to stroll through the historic first district, the city center around St Stephen's Cathedral. Bring comfortable pants because a day without overloading your stomach with the fabulous cakes and tartes or the sweet dishes is a lost day in Vienna.

The MQ (Museums' Quarter) is right off the Ringstrasse that goes around the old town.

Vienna's version of Art Nouveau or Jugendstil, the "Secession", left behind beautiful buildings to see, and lots of fine arts or the famous paintings by Klimt at the Belvedere (palace / museum). You will find a special chapter on this on the aforementioned TI website under Sightseeing/"Architecture & Design"

Try the Viennese Schnitzel (made from veal, not the cheap pork variant).

Take a ride on the big ferris wheel in the Prater (park).

Schönbrunn palace is definetely to see. Unfortunately, millions of other tourists know that as well.

Cowboy1968, thanks again. i have studied a map of Vienna (I try to do this for most big cities) just to get my bearings and have done a bit of 'homework' on places to go in Vienna but I really need to narrow it down a bit because we'll be travelling with our two girls (9 & 12) and we only have a few days (although maybe I should stretch that to 4 or 5.) I will definitely look into all your suggestions as well as the Schnitzel and tartes!! Schonbrunn is already on the list, I'm hoping the audio tours will do the trick and I'm guessing the gardens won't be the best in the first week of November?. Thanks again, JT