Hello all! I am in the beginning stages of planning another Germany/Austria trip (with a quick stop in Amsterdam). This time it will be my mom and me this coming June. I see a lot of talk re: Salzburg. It seems to be many people's favorite. But, not a lot on Vienna. If we only have two weeks, would you rec. Vienna? We are flying into Amsterdam and out of Munich. We will only be in A'dam two nights before we train it to Germany. Our time will be spent in southern Germany. We will not be going to Frankfort or Berlin.
We enjoy walking and catching the sights, good food/wine & culture. Museums are not a priority.
Thanks!

<< Museums are not a priority. >>

While it would be an oversimplification to say that Vienna is all about museums, they are a principal attraction there.

I would liken Vienna to Washington or Boston (stately, formal, almost imperial) ... and Salzburg more like Santa Fe or Aspen... (though not the ski town that Innsbruck is, for example) - - i.e., smaller, more folksy, artsy, and of course... in the mountains.

Best wishes,

Rex

Rex capsuled the differences between the two cities very succintly. In my opinion, it boils down to whether you like mountains more than architecture and museums/art. Music will abound in both.

The way I travel, I would be able to enjoy both Salzburg and Vienna plus some time in Bavaria. Two weeks should be enough to do all that. Good luck.

I've found Vienna to be much more interesting, and to offer more to see, than Salzburg. Vienna is much larger, and so you don't feel the tourist crowds as much as you do in smaller Salzburg. Walking in Vienna offers parks, boulevards, shopping areas, and of course the coffee houses for which the city is justly famous. Prices will also be lower than in Salzburg, and you will have a much wider range of hotels from which to choose.

Oh yes Vienna is nice. Much bigger than Salzburg. Its a beautiful city. If you need a good hotel look up the Kaiserin Elisabeth. Its located right in the center of the city and is a lovely little hotel with spotless rooms and a gracious staff.

http://www.kaiserinelisabeth.at/en/index.htm

I also would recommend Vienna. It's a beautiful city with alot to do and see. I was very impressed by it. I love Salzburg also, but it's small. There are some nice tours there, but you can see it in one day and then there's not much else to do. Salzburg is very pretty and quaint and Vienna is a much larger city with much more to offer. It really depends on what you want to do. But, my vote goes to Vienna. Have a great time.

If you enjoy walking, then stay in Salzburg and take advantage of some of the great alpine trails that surround this area