SE Germany/Austria
 

Any ideas on great day excursions for two adults and a 10-year old kid? We'll be in Berchtesgaden, Germany, and Bad Goisern, Austria, for a week or so each this summer. Thanks!

Hi K,

You might wish to take a boat ride on the Konigsee.

((I))

Visiting the Salzburg Salt mine is great fun for everyone. Good for a rainy day as well. You ride a train down into the salt mine and the slides are a blast. http://www.salzwelten.at

near to Berchtesgaden at Prien is Herrenchiemsee Palace - the so-called Bavarian Versailles built by 'Mad' King Ludwig in the 1800s as another of his fantasy playgrounds.

Lovingly set in the middle of the placid Chiemsee - you kid will love taking the boat out there and there is also a tiny toylike steam train linking the train station to boat dock.

If going by train, a snap, look into the Bavarian Pass - a one day pass costing about 29 euros and good for up to five people to travel throughout Bavaria. Day trip to Munich - this pass would save tons.

You will be smack in the middle of some great attractions, Salzburg, Herren Chiemsee, Garmish, Mittenwald, Oberammergau, Ettal Monastary. Linderhoff, Wiesekirche and of course Neuschwanstein. Any of those will make great day-trips.

I agree with the salt mine suggestion. Also in Salzburg Schloss Helbrunn with its trick fountains should appeal to the 10-year old
A trip up the Wendelstein is spectacular in good weather
Burghausen on the German/Austrian border is an impressive fortified castle

I am assuming you will visit Salzburg.
However, in Salzburg there are of course the usual sights and sites. Of the ones perhaps not on the tourist track per se is the Marionetten Theater. The people who manipulate those figures are magicians with their hands. Wonderful to watch.

We (DH and I, my sister, and our parents) went to the Marionette Theater for an evening performance at the beginning of June. We saw the Magic Flute. It was very enjoyable and ordering tickets in advance online was very easy. They were mailed to our house in Colorado and arrived within a week. The performance is in German but there are English subtitles