Hello,
My friends and I have decided to rent a car for one day while in Austria in May. We'll be going from Vienna to Salzburg, and are planning on stopping in Mauthausen to see the concentration camp there along the way (this was the reason we decided to rent the car rather than take trains). Because I've heard the camp is not large and this may only take 2 hours or so, we are wondering where else to stop between Vienna and Salzburg - maybe the Hallstatt for the salt mines? Ice Caves? Melk Abbey? We are 4 women in our early 20's and are up for anything (although the Ice Caves look a little scary) Mostly I think we are just looking for an option that makes sense logistically and is not too out of the way, and does not require a whole day, because as I mentioned already we will be in Mauthausen for several hours. Any suggestions?

Hi Amanda,
Melk Abbey and Mauthausen seems reasonable, because Melk is on the way to Salzburg. Hallstatt is more out of your way, although you could do it - but you'd have less time to look around. If your schedule allowed, you might do Melk Abbey, Mauthausen, a little lakes drive and then overnight in Hallstatt; the next morning, poke around early and then head for Salzburg. Have fun...

Visit my web page
http://www.travel-tidbits.com/tidbits/cat_austria.shtml

for 17 stories and photos about our viisits to Austria.

The Melk Abbey is a great place to visit, since Josef Munggenast, one of Emmy's (my wife) ancestors, was the architect who completed the Benedictine Monastery.

For a thousand stories, photos, and books about our travels in Europe visit the home page

http://www.travel-tidbits.com/

jimhum

You may be interested in these photos and report:

Austria photos:
http://www.photoworks.com/share/shar...BB7B&cb=PW

Vienna photos:
http://www.photoworks.com/share/shar...BB7B&cb=PW

Trip report Austria but mainly Vienna 2004:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34517351

ttt

Thanks for all the suggestions so far! I'll check out those web pages...