We have 3 extra days in Austria in September after seeing the Wachau Valley, Vienna, and Salzburg. If Hungary hasn't opened and we can't visit Budapest, I was thinking Krems, Melk, or Graz. Suggestions? It will be the end of the trip so we would like to relax, enjoy the local area, cafes, and see a few sights. We don't bike and don't want anything too strenuous. Thanks!
Posted by
San Diego, California
5713 posts
Melk and Krems are part of the Wachau Valley. Are you talking about returning?
Posted by
Irving
3309 posts
What about Hallstatt and the Salzkammergut Mountains? This would be the perfect year to go since not many tourists will be there.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5518 posts
As mentioned, Krems and Melk are the Wachau Valley.
September is a lovely time in Austria for visiting wine-growing regions as there are often festivals around the harvest and drinking Sturm (young wine).
I would highly recommend southern Styria, which is southwest of Graz near the Slovenia border. It is frequently referred to as the Tuscany of Austria. That time of year would be beautiful to visit. In addition to hiking among the vineyards, I would really plump for the fortress of Riegersburg (lots of apples and pumpkins nearby to try this time of year), and the Zotter Chocolate Factory (truly one of the best attractions in all of Austria, similar to like a Ben and Jerry's experience in Vermont).
https://www.suedsteirischeweinstrasse.com/en
https://www.dieriegersburg.at/#
https://www.zotter.at/en/zotter-experience-world?gclid=CjwKCAjw_o-HBhAsEiwANqYhpxSafNt02oPmJjX4WDC95HCSe7F39SR5Bz2RoQXdtS80K3ZksJYa6xoCybQQAvD_BwE
Posted by
OP
15 posts
Thank you for your responses. Emily, you would recommend staying in Styria over Graz? It sounds intriguing.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5518 posts
Graz is in Styria (or Steiermark as it is called in German). Styria is a region (or state) of Austria.
Posted by
2280 posts
And Graz is Styria's capital, worth visiting.