We have a condo in St. Johann im Pongau for a week in late June. We want to do daytrips from there. It's 30 miles south of Salzburg, so that's our no brainer (probably for 2 daytrips). I have ideas but map reading isn't my strong point so although Innsbruck looks fairly close, I have no idea, and don't know if it's worth a whole day, even if it is close. I have bought guide books for Austria, Munich and Bavaria, but coming up with a sensible itinerary isn't in any of them. I want to see everything, but know this is just a sampling trip. We can stretch the trip out and stay elsewhere after our week is up, if we need to. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance

top

Hi zwho -

Yes, you definitely want to go to Salzburg. Hallstatt, a serious contender for the most beautiful town in Europe award, is also very close. A drive around the Salzkammergut - St. Gilgen, St. Wolfgang, Mondsee - would be good too. And definitely consider Berchtesgaden. Very beautiful.

You're also close enough to the Grossglockner that a drive from near Zell am See over the spectacular mountain road toward Lienz and then back via the highway near Spittal is doable. Save that trip for a clear day.

There's plenty to see and do right in your area. Unless there's something specific you want to see in Innsbruck, I don't think I would go that far.

Thank you Robertino. I know a little about some of the places you have mentioned and am going to pin point them on the map. This will help me get oriented. My husband usually does the driving, but I do the planning. So the Grossglockner is a mountain pass? No problem withus driving it ourselves? My husband wanted to drive the Amalfi Coast and I absolutely refused to go along, and I'm glad I did! IMHO, a trained guide did a safer and better job then my lovable optimist of a husband would have. So anyone with confident and competent driving skills can handle the Grossglockner? Thanks for your response.

Hi,
We drove the Grossglockner last year. Outstanding scenery!. The Grossglockner is a "pass". LOTS of steep grades. switchbacks, etc. I think it cost 26 Euros to drive it last year. I'm sure anyone with confident and competent driving skills can do this. Allow a few hours to do the pass though.

www.grossglockner.com

By the way, we just returnned from a trip last week and Zell am See (mentioned previously) is a gorgeous place!

Paul

I've skied in St Johann im Pongau twice and met Germans coming as far as Munich for the day, so you can really explore southern Bavaria which I prefer over Innsbruck. Don't forget that Berchtesgaden, Eagle's nest & Bad Reichenhall are very close to Salzburg.

Thanks to all of you. Now I can sit down and start researching all the towns and villages you have recommended. Last year we were on the other side of the Alps in Slovenia and I couldn't believe how storybook the landscape was. I think this may even be more impressive! Thanks again.

Salt mines in Hallein
Ice cave at Werfen

St Johann is a lovely little town - we stayed there a few years ago. Best advice is to group items together geographically, and to have destinations for a rainy day.
Salzburg is an easy daytrip and you should plan for early in the day because it gets quite crowded with day trippers.
If you love mountains, you can take the gondola up the Untersberg in St. Leonhardt outside of Salzburg/B'gaden. This gondola is not for folks who don't like heights!
Berchtesgaden is a lovely town that you can do in 1 day together with either a visit to the Konigsee(need good weather) or the Eagles Nest ( need clear skies and do this early in the day) and also drive the nearby high alpine road- the Rossfeld. You can also visit the nearby Documentation Center which is near the bus stop for the Eagle's Nest. For rainy days, you can do the salt mines outside of Berchtesgaden,and a visit to the Enzian Brennerie outside of Berchtesgaden. or a day trip to Munich on the train. You could spend a whole day at the Konigsee (good weather)take the electric boat ride on the lake and/or take the chair lift from the Konigsee parking area to the top of the Jenner.
Hallstadt is another day trip and the chair up the Dachstein massif near Hallstadt is another choice for a good day.
You can visit the lakes areas around Salzburg as well....
In my humble opinion, Bad Reichenhall could be skipped in deference to the many other choices in this area.
You will nor run out of choices...this is a great area!!

I refused to drive along the Amalfi Coast. I don't need that kind of stress. But I very much enjoyed driving the Grossglocknerstrasse. Two very different roads. Two very different types of drivers.

Just one bit of advice - rent a car with a manual transmission. You'll need to shift gears on the steep grades going up and more importantly when coming down the mountains. Nothing to be the least bit afraid of, though.

I also highly recommend the Eagle's Nest and Konigsee near Berchtesgaden.

And hallstatt.

Well, there goes your week.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you all! I now have an abundance of riches, (so to speak). Lots of places to spend our week in. We love scenery, but also history and shopping. What did or does the Documentation Center near Eagles Nest do? We always rent a manual transmission car when we travel, unless I go with the girls. We are planning on going to Munich for a day or 2. Are we near any of the Romantic Road towns, or should that be left for another trip? Thanks in advance.

The Documentation Center has archived pictures, newsreels and static displays of World War 2 data specific to this area. This mountain was the base for Hitler's summer house and it was taken over by the SS during the war.

the Romantic Road runs north/south to the west of Munich and would be too far for a day trip. If you do decide to extend your trip you could consider relocating to that area. I would not try to do Munich plus the romantic Road if you only have a few days.

If you want to see one of Ludwig II's castles, you could visit Herrenchiemsee (inspired by Versailles--never lived in). The Fraueninsel on the Chiemsee is also interesting--a pleasant, tranquil island with a monastery


Schloss Helbrunn outside of Salzburg is worth a visit on one of your trips there. It was the summer residence of the Archbishop Marcus Sitticus and features a garden with trick fountains.

Hi,
I just wanted to "second" the above about Ludwig's Neues Schloss on Herrenchiemsee. This is outstanding! Well worth the visit. We've seen Linderhof and Neuschwanstein and I think this one is as good or better (interior) as the others.

www.herren-chiemsee.de

Paul

Thank you for all the additional information. I think we'll leave the Romantic Road for another trip when we can concentrate on Germany alone. Between that, Berlin and the towns near the Rhine, we should have no problem with an itinerary. You guys have given me so many interesting and tongue twisting places to see while we are at the condo, that we will probably be relocating, but staying in the same area! I think I'm a perfect tourist, and this trip has 2 of my favorite tourist activities built in. I love looking and exploring natural beauty, the mountains and lakes, and villages along the way, and I love big opulent castles and Palaces. Plus the WWII hisory is very important to me. June can't get here fast enough!

For those that are travelling in this area in summer months, there are classical music evenings at Schloss Herrenchemsee, generally on Saturday nights. The castle great room is lit with candles only and guests enjoy chamber music. These evenings are very popular and you need a ticket in advance. Most local travel offices have tickets to these in combo with a bus trip to Chiemsee. We did this from B'gaden several years and truly enjoyed it. Best part was that we didn't have to drive back after the evening was over.