I have agreed to accept responsibility for planning the itinerary for the first 5 days of a 15 day trip to Hungary my family of four will be taking in June of this year. We arrive in Munich on 6/3 and must arrive in Budapest by the night of 6/8. Ruette? Innsbruck? Hallstatt? Salzburg? Vienna? With only 5 days and so many choices, I'm uncertain how to proceed.

We love beautiful scenery, lovely quaint hotels and excellent meals. I have been asked to keep lodging expense to $200 per night. Suggestions?

^^^

With that little time two cities max. - maybe only one if you do Vienna. I'd vote for Innsbruck & Hallstatt (haven't been to Hallstatt yet, but do a search & you'll find a very positive thread). If you're into classical music this is the year to do Salzburg.

Hi S,

Is this a motor trip?

Won't you want to spend a day or two in Munich?

PS,

I can highly recommend the Hotel Uhland in Munich. It is within your budget, too.

http://www.hotel-uhland.de/enwelcome.html

A few questions: Do you intend to spend any time in Munich? How are you traveling? What ages are the family?

If you are taking the train, it would be logical to go through Vienna. I love Vienna, but don't really think of it as a place featuring beautiful scenery or quaint hotels (although we have had excellent meals). Lots of culture, history, palaces, art, shopping, etc.

You will find beautiful scenery in Salzburg and the Alpine region of Austria. There are lots of lovely villages nestled in the mountains that would be good for a day or so, especially if you wish to do some hiking (don't know if the snow is melted enough for that in June, though. We have done all of our visiting to that region in the winter and have combined cross country skiing in the small villages with sight seeing in the cities). Innsbruck has scenery and history/city type attractions.

Thank you for all your replies. I actually already reserved one night in Munich at Le Meridien. Should I consider cancelling that reservation and selecting a different hotel? Our flight arives at 9:30 am so we thought we'd spend the first day touring Munich, spend the night, then pick up a rental car and begin our trip into the Bavarian alps. Would it be better to spend two nights in Munich and take a day trip to the castles?

My son had wanted to see Innsbruck; would it be possible to do that on the third day and make it to Salzburg by the fourth night (7/6)? Too ambitious?

I was very interested in seeing Hallstadt but thought it was out of the way (not on the way to Budapest)and would require at least one more night.

By the way, my reservation in Vienna is at the Kaiserin Elisabeth. I have two nights. Is anyone familiar with that hotel?

REALLY wish we had more time!

Hello sherryandkyla,

If you wont´t prefer to stay in Munich for some days - have you checked out about cheap flights Munich-Budapest? -
and you intend to travel via Austria (by train, I suppose, another argument to stay in Munich, if you can get a cheap flight) then I would suggest to visit Graz, if you like urban comfort in an area still to be discovered by tourism.

Distances: to Munich 400 km, to Budapest 300 km.

This town is a gem, still a hidden one, urban with a very humane attitude, the landscape right in town, beautiful surroundings, and besides, making be a contrast to the bigger towns of Munich and Budapest. Maybe even a synthesis, as Wien is just great, but Graz is lovely.

http://www.graztourism.at/border.htm

Btw, the locals like to have good or excellent food, served in large portions for a reasonable prize. They are right, as the surrounding area is farmland, producing excellent meat, fruit and wine.

Hi Sherry,

It is under 6 hr by car from Munich to Salzburg by the scenic route via Fussen, Germany; Innsbruk, Austria; and Berchtesgaden, Germany.

See www.viamichelin.com and enter the cities in that order.

It is about 5 hr from Salzburg to Budapest via Vienna.

You'll have to decide if you want to spend time in Salzburg or Vienna.

>I actually already reserved one night in Munich at Le Meridien. Should I consider cancelling that reservation and selecting a different hotel?<

Have you looked up your hotel at www.tripadvisor.com?

>Would it be better to spend two nights in Munich ....<

I think that Munich is worth 2 days and 2 nights.