As part of our 6 weeks in Europe we would like to spend 3/4 days in this area of Austria before heading off to Croatia but need some help to decide which of these towns to base ourselves, they all look beautiful. We will be there in early June, just want to relax and take in the scenery and small towns, and also be able to revisit Salzburg for a day, we will have a car but would prefer to go into the city by bus if this is possible. Would love your views on these towns and any recommendations for a nice B & B or an apartment. Thanks.

Hi P,

Check out http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34771860

Have you considered Hallstatt?

This is our favorite area and we have now stayed 3 times on the outskirts of St. Wolfgange with easy access to everything between Salzburg and Hallstatt by car. Our preference is to stay at the Landhaus zu Appesbach right on the lake with excellent food (half board) and superb service. See their website: http://www.appesbach.com/

Ira,
I had already checked that thread out and it made us even more confused. We had initially decided on Fuschl am See but I'm now thinking it maybe a bit too small and quiet and the other towns might be better choices. We decided against staying in Hallstatt, we figure getting into Salzburg will be more time consuming but will definitely put aside a day to visit.
Dertravelmeister, thanks I will check out your recommendation, you obviously really like St. Wolfgang.
Anymore anyone, St. Gilgen or Wolfgang.

It would be difficult to go wrong with any of your three finalists. Try to find bus schedules and choose the one most convenient by public transport to Salzburg for your daytrip. J.

We love St. Gilgen as the best location to day trip in 3 directions--including Salzburg by bus or train. We spent 3 days there as part of our 8 week trip in 1999. Look at Garni Schernthaner for good value.

We find the drive from St. Wolfgang to Salzburg very convenient with easy access to a public parking lot across the street from the Mirabell Gardens. It's a nice start to the visit by walking through the gardens and enjoying the flowers. From there you walk across the bridge over the river into Old Town, entering right at the front door of Mozart's house. Be sure to include a visit to Bad Ischl, which is just outside St. Wolfgang toward Hallstatt. There is a nice villa to tour there used by Emperor Franz Joseph and the Empress Sisi. Absolutely plan to have lunch or at least an afternoon break in Bad Ischl at the outdoor Cafe Esplanade of Konditorei Zauner alongside the river. See their website: http://www.zauner.at/

Thanks all, at least we have narrowed it down to either St. Gilgen or St. Wolfgang. I think the final decision will rest on finding the right accommodation to suit us, our first choice would be an apartment over B & B.
We are also thinking of increasing our stay to 5 nights (4 full days) does this sound just right or too much time?

I think 5 nights (4 full days) would be great. There is plenty to do in Salzburg and all of the towns around the lakes in the area. Plus it gives you time to just relax with views of the montains and lakes. We normally stay 4 nights, but then we are limited to a maximum of 2 weeks total for our trips and have some other must see areas we also like.