This is to BettyK, I checkd out your pictures and WOW! Absolutely stunning! May I ask what kind of camera your DH uses? Or is he just an exceptional photographer? Very impressive.

DaveB, thank you so much for your kind words. DH will be thrilled! He uses a Canon EOS 30D. This is about the 3rd digital camera he's bought in the last several years. He started out with an old Sony Mavica, then went to a Canon Rebel and now the EOS 30D. He's been an avid photographer for the last decade or so. Last year, he attended a National Geographic Photography workshop and now shoots a lot of his photos in a "raw" format. Greek to me!!

But a couple of his albums on webshots have been "featured" which is a big deal considering the talented photogs on that website.

Thanks again!

How is the hiking or walking adventures in the Hallstatt or St Wolfgang area? It does sound as though that St Wolfgang might be a better base for hiking or walking activities. I'm so used to taking those walking adventures in Switzerland where everything is laid out so perfectly, where every connecting train or cable is just minutes away, I am just not sure on what base would be the best for those who have walking excursions in mind. Anyway, any ideas on this? I thought about maybe flying into Munich and training into this area, but that seems about 7-8 hour train ride to get into the area from Munich. I prefer trains. I hate driving so trains is my main travel preference. Anyway, any ideas?

I just noticed the last post was way back in January 08 so I can forget about getting back any input on this anytime soon. LOL What happened to this forum? Did it dry up?

sunstar, we were just in St. Gilgen (near St. Wolfgang) over the weekend. Unfortunately, we aren't hikers so I can tell you which area would be best.

Hi Betty, I read some of your other postings. I read where you stayed in the seemingly more peaceful and more quite St Gilgen. I tend to prefer a town that has a little more activity. That brings back those debates we had in the Swiss forums about village people liked. Grindelwald or Wengen? There seems to several things that could pose some time problems for me here. One is that train thing from Munich into this area. I dislike long train rides;however, there does not seem any way around this problem. At least it looks that way to me at this time. I just returned from the Zermatt area also. I had a fabulous trip where the weather was great. So good in fact I got a good suntan from the mountain sun and my shoulder length hair is really good and blond now. You can not beat that. I thought I would try this Hallstatt area after talking with this couple who had just been to Hallstatt area. I met them in Zermatt while I was there and they really enjoyed Hallstatt area. They advised me to fly into Munich area. Anyway, thank you for your response Betty.

Hi sunstar,

I just spent five nights in St. Gilgen on the St. Wolfgangsee. I spent three days walking & biking -- I wrote up a trip report you can check if you'd like. It's called "Five nights in St. Gilgen."

s

Sorry, should have said --

Though I stayed in St. Gilgen, most of my hikes started at St. Wolfgang. It's really easy to get to the start of the walk (or from the end) by ferry --

s

Swandav2000, good to see you again. Yes I most certainly want to read about your travels in this area. It has been more than 20 years since I was last in Austria and NOT to hike on that trip.

Hi again!

If you haven't already seen it under the Trip Report section, here it is:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-st-gilgen.cfm

Be happy to help with any questions!

s

Yes I found it and found it very interesting. The older I get, the more my trips are becoming less about hiking and more about hanging out. I did a few good hikes my last trip, but actually did more hanging out. The lake excursions and visits to the lake villages just sound wonderful. On rest days, the day after a good hike, I can see my self hanging out. Ty for the link Swandav2000.

I loved Hallstatt (2 nights), St. Wolfgang (2 nights), and St. Gilgen (ferry from St. Wolfgang). Beautiful area, could have spent more time there.

We have been to Hallstatt a number of times and it is indeed a beautiful area. But it is not exactly "lively".

You can't beat the Salzkammergut area for amazing scenery.

We are still traveling -- right now in Germany -- until next week.

As far as Austria, we spent 3 days in Zell am See and then 3 days in St. Gilgen (our second visit). Zell was also gorgeous with the Grossglockner at it's doorstep. We did a day trip to Kitzbuehl.

Whereever you go in Austria will probably be beautiful.

LOL! No, Hallstatt is not exactly "lively"... especially in late September when I was there. The first night, I was the only guest in the hotel, 2 additional rooms were occupied the second night. ;-)

But, it also worked out because I wasn't tripping over daytrippers getting around town. And, I got to park "in town" instead of the lots outside.

I've heard that Zell am See is also beautiful! Just didn't have enough time to get there.