Salzburg Christmas GTG?
Nov 14th, 2007, 08:47 AM
#21
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Images2,
I also just saw that you will be spending NYE in Vienna on another post. I guess we must be on the same trip! We are actually in Vienna for the next 8 weeks and are taking side trips (Prague, Budapest, Salzburg, etc) from here. Who knows where our paths may cross! When and where does your trip start and end?
I also just saw that you will be spending NYE in Vienna on another post. I guess we must be on the same trip! We are actually in Vienna for the next 8 weeks and are taking side trips (Prague, Budapest, Salzburg, etc) from here. Who knows where our paths may cross! When and where does your trip start and end?
Nov 14th, 2007, 09:57 AM
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I emailed the tourist office in B-gaden about the bus from Salzburg a few days ago and they offered to send me a schedule in the mail. I have small kids and we are going to go there for a day or maybe twice and we will go sledding hopefully. I'll let you know what it says.
Nov 15th, 2007, 11:22 AM
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I think the bus is about 7€ one way between Salzburg and B. My husband found a rate chart which lists the rates by kilometers.
8 weeks in Vienna is great! Our trip is "only" 2 weeks, flying into Munich but spending the trip in Salzburg and Vienna. It's our 4th trip to Europe this year! We spread our time out during the year.
Sorry I haven't been posting much, we're pretty busy right now, with our son getting married in 2 weeks!! We're a bit older than you, 53, but still love the adventure of travel!
8 weeks in Vienna is great! Our trip is "only" 2 weeks, flying into Munich but spending the trip in Salzburg and Vienna. It's our 4th trip to Europe this year! We spread our time out during the year.
Sorry I haven't been posting much, we're pretty busy right now, with our son getting married in 2 weeks!! We're a bit older than you, 53, but still love the adventure of travel!
Nov 16th, 2007, 01:39 AM
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Images2,
I bet your son is about our age! We got married 2 years ago (young) and thought that traveling now before we have kids, mortgage, "responsibility," etc. would be a great use of our time. So far we are loving it! I love that you are "older" than us. Your past experiences can really help us out. In fact, I'm reading some of your posts/trip reports now and they are really helping in the planning of some of our trips.
This is both our first time in Europe! It's so hard knowing that we can't do everything. To hear that you've come 4 times this year is really encouraging! We get to see what the future has to hold.....
I bet your son is about our age! We got married 2 years ago (young) and thought that traveling now before we have kids, mortgage, "responsibility," etc. would be a great use of our time. So far we are loving it! I love that you are "older" than us. Your past experiences can really help us out. In fact, I'm reading some of your posts/trip reports now and they are really helping in the planning of some of our trips.
This is both our first time in Europe! It's so hard knowing that we can't do everything. To hear that you've come 4 times this year is really encouraging! We get to see what the future has to hold.....
Nov 16th, 2007, 06:31 PM
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So sorry I haven't been able to post in several days. You guys are waaaaay ahead of me here.
GillsInEurope, here's the link we read in Fodor's and are following a LOT of what we read here: http://www.bensbauernhof.com/thelros...rkets2006.html This is what really convinced DH to have me call for airline tickets the same day so if that's what he wants to do, I'm there!!
And I bet DD is about your age, but she's single and wanting to do it all before she has the same responsibilities. She's 25, spending Christmas in London with a friend. Boohoo, it's our first Christmas apart. As a mom, it makes me sad, yet I know ALL of us are going to have so much fun wherever we are and, after all, it's just a day and we live in the same city, so we do see each other quite a bit. But...it's Christmas, and I'm a mom!!!!
Anyhow, DH and I will be flying into Munich arriving Dec. 16, into Vienna on the 19th, Salzburg on the 22nd. An Austrian friend living close to Salzburg will pick us up on the 26th to spend some time in Forstau and then to Florence on the 29th to spend New Year's Eve with friends who live there (many cheers in Piazza Republica, they tell me!! I love the way things are translated from Italian to English!) and then into Atlanta on Jan. 3 and home to Tallahassee on the 4th. Whew!!! Loving it!
We made reservations at the same B&B as mentioned in the above link, Haus Wartenburg, for 98 Euros a night. The link says they do Christmas Eve dinner buffet, so I will be asking about that. We made reservations with Bob's Tours for the Christmas Eve Silent Night tour and-with luck--DH will be up late enough for midnight mass at the cathedral. Have not yet made Christmas dinner plans, but need to soon, I know.
I am posting a question about train reservations. We've never been in the winter, or during a holiday. Only in Europe during spring or summer and one friend has said we should make train reservations now. He says Italians like to travel during the Christmas holidays and the trains are booked up just as badly as our airlines during that time. We have our Eurail passes, but no reservations. Will be asking if they are necessary more than 2-3 days ahead of schedule.
Other than that, just looking at what we've missed on previous trips. We have done the Sound of Music tour and although DH was reluctant, even he enjoyed it so we both recommend it. We did the salt mine thing at Hallstat and LOVED it. (I won the race going down on the slide at my advanced age of 58!!!).
We'd LOVE to see Hallstat in winter (were there last summer), but since we met these new friends on that trip and they really want us to visit them in Forstau, we probably won't be able to do that, but if you get the chance, DO NOT send DH pics of the place in the snow. He's seen them and is dying to be there!!!!
Unless my friend Robert has a better suggestion, I like Tomaselli Cafe for our GTG. Seems very centrally located and good for a casual yet nice GTG. 1:00PM seems good. Some of us can have lunch and yet those with later plans elsewhere can meet and then be on ther way. Does that seem OK with everyone?
Can't wait to meet other Fodorites!!!
GillsInEurope, here's the link we read in Fodor's and are following a LOT of what we read here: http://www.bensbauernhof.com/thelros...rkets2006.html This is what really convinced DH to have me call for airline tickets the same day so if that's what he wants to do, I'm there!!
And I bet DD is about your age, but she's single and wanting to do it all before she has the same responsibilities. She's 25, spending Christmas in London with a friend. Boohoo, it's our first Christmas apart. As a mom, it makes me sad, yet I know ALL of us are going to have so much fun wherever we are and, after all, it's just a day and we live in the same city, so we do see each other quite a bit. But...it's Christmas, and I'm a mom!!!!
Anyhow, DH and I will be flying into Munich arriving Dec. 16, into Vienna on the 19th, Salzburg on the 22nd. An Austrian friend living close to Salzburg will pick us up on the 26th to spend some time in Forstau and then to Florence on the 29th to spend New Year's Eve with friends who live there (many cheers in Piazza Republica, they tell me!! I love the way things are translated from Italian to English!) and then into Atlanta on Jan. 3 and home to Tallahassee on the 4th. Whew!!! Loving it!
We made reservations at the same B&B as mentioned in the above link, Haus Wartenburg, for 98 Euros a night. The link says they do Christmas Eve dinner buffet, so I will be asking about that. We made reservations with Bob's Tours for the Christmas Eve Silent Night tour and-with luck--DH will be up late enough for midnight mass at the cathedral. Have not yet made Christmas dinner plans, but need to soon, I know.
I am posting a question about train reservations. We've never been in the winter, or during a holiday. Only in Europe during spring or summer and one friend has said we should make train reservations now. He says Italians like to travel during the Christmas holidays and the trains are booked up just as badly as our airlines during that time. We have our Eurail passes, but no reservations. Will be asking if they are necessary more than 2-3 days ahead of schedule.
Other than that, just looking at what we've missed on previous trips. We have done the Sound of Music tour and although DH was reluctant, even he enjoyed it so we both recommend it. We did the salt mine thing at Hallstat and LOVED it. (I won the race going down on the slide at my advanced age of 58!!!).
We'd LOVE to see Hallstat in winter (were there last summer), but since we met these new friends on that trip and they really want us to visit them in Forstau, we probably won't be able to do that, but if you get the chance, DO NOT send DH pics of the place in the snow. He's seen them and is dying to be there!!!!
Unless my friend Robert has a better suggestion, I like Tomaselli Cafe for our GTG. Seems very centrally located and good for a casual yet nice GTG. 1:00PM seems good. Some of us can have lunch and yet those with later plans elsewhere can meet and then be on ther way. Does that seem OK with everyone?
Can't wait to meet other Fodorites!!!
Nov 17th, 2007, 05:42 AM
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Good morning Group!
Tomaselli Cafe sounds wonderful, and 1:00 is good for us. Gills, try and come, we'd love to have you! I know the regional trains back to Vienna are slow though, so we understand if you'll be on your way then.
Maybe we can even meet in Vienna. Our son is 26! We'd never be able to do these trips to Europe if we still had children at home, so you're smart to do it now. You'll be addicted though and will find a way to return occasionally! We're actually bringing our 11 yr. old grandson to Europe in March for his first trip!
Thank you Lincasanova for the wonderful compliment!! Lin met us recently here in Cincinnati when she kindly brought us some clothing we had left behind in Barcelona in September! She's great!!
We're looking to add some long underwear to our suitcase for this trip. The snow sounds so wonderful!!
Tomaselli Cafe sounds wonderful, and 1:00 is good for us. Gills, try and come, we'd love to have you! I know the regional trains back to Vienna are slow though, so we understand if you'll be on your way then.
Maybe we can even meet in Vienna. Our son is 26! We'd never be able to do these trips to Europe if we still had children at home, so you're smart to do it now. You'll be addicted though and will find a way to return occasionally! We're actually bringing our 11 yr. old grandson to Europe in March for his first trip!
Thank you Lincasanova for the wonderful compliment!! Lin met us recently here in Cincinnati when she kindly brought us some clothing we had left behind in Barcelona in September! She's great!!
We're looking to add some long underwear to our suitcase for this trip. The snow sounds so wonderful!!
Nov 20th, 2007, 03:21 PM
#31
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CarolJean, DH and I are curious about your dad because we lived in Vero for 17 years---DH was state legislator from there for 14 years. What's your family name? If you'd rather, you can answer with the above email address.
Candy
Candy
Nov 21st, 2007, 05:53 AM
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Hi Guys,
Do you know if there is a salt mine or ice cave near St. Gilgen? We aren't going to have enough days to go to Berchtesgaden and St. Gilgen lake area so we have to choose which to do. I've heard and read that the lake area is not to miss so I'm thinking that is the place to be on our Sunday. If there is a salt mine tour around there we would love to do it, but if not then we'll just have to come back one day and do it then. Any thoughts?
Do you know if there is a salt mine or ice cave near St. Gilgen? We aren't going to have enough days to go to Berchtesgaden and St. Gilgen lake area so we have to choose which to do. I've heard and read that the lake area is not to miss so I'm thinking that is the place to be on our Sunday. If there is a salt mine tour around there we would love to do it, but if not then we'll just have to come back one day and do it then. Any thoughts?
Nov 23rd, 2007, 11:38 PM
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Sorry for the delay. I got the bus schedule and it looks like you can pick it up from 7 different Salzburg stops starting with the train station. It leaves the station at 15 after most every hour starting at 8 most days but 9 on Sundays (I think - the schedule is in German). It looks like on Sundays it leaves at 9, 10, 11, 14, 16, 18 hours at the :15. It looks like it returns at the :15 again at 9, 10, 13, 15, 17. There are more times listed but they have day restrictions (I am guessing not running on Sundays) but I think this will be the bare minimum of busses.
From the train station, the bus takes 46 minutes but could take as short as 30 if you can pick the bus up at another stop (if your hotel is not near the train station).
The train takes about one hour direct.
We will be in Salzburg from Dec 22 until Dec 26 - we are taking a short trip from London where we live. Our children are excited to see the snow - I have been shopping for cheap snow boots and not having much luck (a time like this is when I really miss having a Target around).
From the train station, the bus takes 46 minutes but could take as short as 30 if you can pick the bus up at another stop (if your hotel is not near the train station).
The train takes about one hour direct.
We will be in Salzburg from Dec 22 until Dec 26 - we are taking a short trip from London where we live. Our children are excited to see the snow - I have been shopping for cheap snow boots and not having much luck (a time like this is when I really miss having a Target around).
Nov 24th, 2007, 05:44 AM
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Gills,
I don't know of a salt mine in that area but the ferries across the lake are supposed to be still making that trip. I e-mailed for the schedule and if want to also go to St. Wolfgang from St. Gilgen, the ferry leaves St. Gilgen at 10:45, 11:56, 13:15, 14:25, 15:45 and 16:55. It looks like the trip is 40 minutes.
St. Wolfgang to St. Gilgen, the return trip ferry departs at 10:00, 11:00, 12:20, 13:30, 14:50 16:00 16:20.
Both towns have Christmas markets!
I don't know of a salt mine in that area but the ferries across the lake are supposed to be still making that trip. I e-mailed for the schedule and if want to also go to St. Wolfgang from St. Gilgen, the ferry leaves St. Gilgen at 10:45, 11:56, 13:15, 14:25, 15:45 and 16:55. It looks like the trip is 40 minutes.
St. Wolfgang to St. Gilgen, the return trip ferry departs at 10:00, 11:00, 12:20, 13:30, 14:50 16:00 16:20.
Both towns have Christmas markets!
Nov 24th, 2007, 06:09 PM
#35
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Where2, hope you and the family will join us at Tomaselli Cafe on Christmas afternoon. We plan to meet at 1:00. You can have lunch or just hang out for a while, whatever meets your schedule.
Nov 25th, 2007, 07:35 AM
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Thanks for the offer. I think we are changing our reservations and staying in the B-gaden area instead. We really like the mountains and we live in the city so it is nice to be away from crowds every now and again. Plus my kids really really want to play in the snow. We will day trip once to Salzburg for the markets but we won't be there on Christmas day.
Nov 25th, 2007, 10:43 AM
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For the ferries here is a web site with times for dates until Dec. 23 and a different schedule for dates beginning on Dec. 24.
http://www.wolfgangsee.at/sixcms/det...ee&_lang=e
http://www.wolfgangsee.at/sixcms/det...ee&_lang=e
Nov 26th, 2007, 03:40 PM
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Sorry I haven't replied in a few days. We were off in Prague for the Thanksgiving weekend having a blast! Needless to say, we fell in love with another city!
Anyway, I've been trying to book a B&B for the past couple of days, but the owner hasn't gotten back to me (frustrating) and I've yet to purchase train tickets. This week I'm going to get on top of things and get things done!!! We have reservations for lunch on Christmas Day, but I may be able to change them so we can meet at the Cafe. Not sure yet...
If we aren't able to meet on Christmas Day, we'll probably run into each other since we are going to book the Silent Night Tour for Christmas Eve.
Can you believe it's less than a month away?!
Anyway, I've been trying to book a B&B for the past couple of days, but the owner hasn't gotten back to me (frustrating) and I've yet to purchase train tickets. This week I'm going to get on top of things and get things done!!! We have reservations for lunch on Christmas Day, but I may be able to change them so we can meet at the Cafe. Not sure yet...
If we aren't able to meet on Christmas Day, we'll probably run into each other since we are going to book the Silent Night Tour for Christmas Eve.
Can you believe it's less than a month away?!
Nov 29th, 2007, 05:01 AM
#39
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It looks like the "big" get together will be on Christmas Eve for the Silent Night tour
It's going to be fun!
Hope you found a room at a B&B Gills. Your trip to Prague sounds wonderful! How were the crowds? We were there in May and didn't find it to crowded.
We were so, so fortunate to hear the Vienna Boys Choir sing here in Cincinnati Tuesday evening. They were wonderful! Half the concert were classical songs and half Christmas songs, including I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus. They didn't sing Silent Night though.
We're leaving tomorrow for our son's wedding! I'll catch up next week.
It's going to be fun!Hope you found a room at a B&B Gills. Your trip to Prague sounds wonderful! How were the crowds? We were there in May and didn't find it to crowded.
We were so, so fortunate to hear the Vienna Boys Choir sing here in Cincinnati Tuesday evening. They were wonderful! Half the concert were classical songs and half Christmas songs, including I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus. They didn't sing Silent Night though.
We're leaving tomorrow for our son's wedding! I'll catch up next week.
Dec 2nd, 2007, 11:08 AM
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I just booked our silent night tour for Christmas Eve, a room at the Haus Ballwein for three nights, and Christmas lunch at Stiftskeller St. Peter. Things are starting to come together! Planning for Salzburg has unfortunately been put on the back burner a bit because of our Prague trip last weekend and because of our upcoming trip to Budapest this weekend. After Budapest I plan on getting our final itinerary pulled together for all the other activities we plan on doing while in Salzburg! I love planning, but it can sometimes get real exhausting.
Images, Prague was spectacular. It had a certain charm to it that we fell in love with as soon as we stepped off the metro. It was quite cold, but only snowed the last day we were there. Crowds were not bad at all! We did a day trip to Terezin which we thought was well worth it and the other days we spent meandering around the city taking everything in. Definitely a favorite!
Images, Prague was spectacular. It had a certain charm to it that we fell in love with as soon as we stepped off the metro. It was quite cold, but only snowed the last day we were there. Crowds were not bad at all! We did a day trip to Terezin which we thought was well worth it and the other days we spent meandering around the city taking everything in. Definitely a favorite!
