There are about 8 of us visiting Salzburg for 4 days with a 1 day visit to Oktoberfest next year. We would like to know what you, the Fodor's community, have enjoyed in the area, including hiking. I know it's a year off, but we need to make decisions because our group is kinda large! Thanks for any help!

The Sound of Music tour is nice. It covers a lot of interesting sites in various locations around Salzburg.

It seems to me that we also took a Vienna Woods tour that told of interesting history. There's a tour to the "Eagle's Nest," the Obersalzburg, where Hitler and his cohorts had vacations homes.

Been there about a month quite some time ago.

I recomend the castle of course. I still remeber a Mozart consert there vith joy, even though it was not the best musicians I have heard. Lovely!

Agree on the Sound of Music tour, especially if you don't have your own transport; it's a great way to get out of the city for a little bit and see some of the surrounding area. Hopefully you'll have a clear day and you should definitely take the funicular tram to the castle... sweeping city views.

If gambling interests you, or you're looking for an evening activity, my girlfriends and I had a great time at the Salzburg Casino. And we won lots of money too!

will relay this info to the group! Do you know of any 3-4 hour hikes in the area?

Look into going to Eagle's Nest and Konigsee. Absolutely stunning vistas (formerly playground of the aristocratic Germans and then home to Hilter's retreat) Not sure of the distance, other than it isn't too far from Salzburg.

bookmark

DH & I really enjoyed walking up to the Festung Hohensalzburg (called the mightiest fortress in central Europe) & taking a tour of the apartmants & walking around the grounds.

You can also walk up to the Nonnberg Abby. It was founded between 713 and 715 and is considered to be the oldest convent in the World that existed with no interruptions. It is also where Maria von Trapp was a novitiate.

Finally be sure to eat at the Stiftskeller ST. Peter, the oldest restaurant in Europe. It dates from 803. It is right next to St Peter's Cathedral. Have the peach souffle for dessert. It is HUGE, more than enough for two or 4 people.

Oh, BTW, when you see Glockenspiel on the Michelin map don't bother. Because there is NO Glockenspiel in Salzburg!

The "problem" with hiking is that there are so many possibilities.
There are not just a few trails here and there, but any forest or mountain has marked hiking paths - some wide forest roads, others narrow alpine paths.

The hiking section of the Salzburg Region website should give you a rough idea:
http://wandern.salzburgerland.com/eng/index.html

Some 4,500 miles of marked trails to choose from ;-)

Hi L,

As I noted in your other poast, I would stay in Munich and visit Salzburg.

However;

The Salzburg card is worth the price
www2.salzburg.info/sehenswertes_283.htm

Heilbrunn Palace is interesting.

You might find my trip report useful:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=35014078

Take a day trip to Halstatt - it's amazingly beautiful. Just outside Halstatt is a cable car up to the ice caves. For some great hiking, take the second cable car up beyond the caves to the top of the ski area. Walking around up there was one of our most memorable experiences in Austria.

Thanks for all the advice, I had posted under a different title, but heard the title was too vague...so will only post here, hard to know how to title to generate the most responses...

Ira, saved your post to read later...not staying in Munich was suggested because people in the group think that staying there will be too expensive (over $300/night) and Salzburg was the alternative...with all these great suggestions...maybe we should skip Oktoberfest/Munich and just stay in the Salzburg area!

It's hard trying to plan for ten
50 somethings! Any advice?

I really like Munich, but I would never go there for Oktoberfest. I think most Germans would probably agree with me. If you are interested in that sort of thing, try the Cannstatter Volksfest in Stuttgart.

Salzburg is a lovely alternative. We really enjoyed the Festung Hohensalzburg, and we did the Mozart dinner concert at Stiftskeller St. Peters. If there are any music lovers in your group, one of these concerts (with the musicians dressed in period costume and an authentic Mozart-era meal) is a lot of fun. More info at: http://www.haslauer.at/

The first issue that you need to address is where to stay. If your group is sensitive to cost, the choices outside of Salzburg are endless and you can find some very good prices at local guesthouses. But then the issue is transportation. Will you rent a car, or 2...or does no one wish to drive? If no one is driving, then your choice should be one spot where everyone can do as they please, without feeling like they must go along with the group. Staying in Salzburg would satisfy this problem or you could also stay in the town of Berchtesgaden which is about 30 minutes away. How many rooms will you need - is this 4 couples or 8 separate rooms? Once you answer these questions, then we can sort out the rest.