8 Days Vienna to Munich

I just went to Vienna and stayed after the GAS tour 4 extra days and we also went to Munich and Salzburg. You could stay 3 weeks in all three cities and may not see everything! In Vienna, I went to two concerts in the evening, one was 2 hrs long, one was 1 hr long and an operetta which was at the Volksopera. All were excellent. If you want more info pm me. I spent most of the one day at the Kunsthistorisches Museum which was amazing and another day at the Belvedere Palace to see the Klimt painting The Kiss along with other Klimt paintings and other art works which were also very nice and explored the beautiful gardens. I loved the Hofburg Treasury and all the wonderful cafes with the excellent deserts.

The Albertina Musuem was nice, we took a tour of the Opera house in the city center which was nice but with limited time, I would skip this and the Albertina Museum. Maybe on another visit to Vienna. The Kariskirche church was wonderful and looked like it should be in Rome! St Stephen's Cathedral is a gothic church and nice with lots of shopping streets around it. Busy area! I did go to the Leopold Museum, I did not care for it as there was only one artist of all his paintings and I found I did not care for his art. But glad I went to see what is all about. A few Klimt's there too. But not enough time, I would skip it. There is plenty to see that is amazing to see in Vienna.

The Hofburg Imperial Apartments is not to be missed. I did not make it to the Naschmarkt, for when I went near by it was closed. I did go to the Sucession building but go if you are near by and not if it is out of your way! The outside of the building is impressive, inside not so much but if you are a Klimt fan like me, go inside as there are Klimt freezes not to be missed. I did not make it to the Schonbrunn Palace ( ran out of time and energy, traveling for 2 weeks prior) but that is first on my list when I go back! On my list is the Imperial Furniture Collection, Kaisergruft Crypt, Hofburg New Palace Museum. Not enough time as I spent lots of time at the places I did visit.

I will send another message with Munich. Each city deserves its own attention on where to go and what to see and do.

I've been to Vienna twice this year, and it quickly became one of my very favorite cities. Some highlights for me:

Both the Hofburg and Schonbrunn. I love palaces and am particularly interested in Habsburg history, so I loved both of these. If you are not a big history buff or palace fan, you could pick one or the other. I thought the Hofburg was slightly more interesting and impressive on the inside, but Schonbrunn's grounds are absolutely lovely; you could easily spend an hour or two wandering them.

Cafe culture. I spent hours reading in cafes and soaking up the atmosphere. My favorite was Cafe Sperl (outside the ring, felt to me very un-touristy), with honorable mention to Cafe Braunerhof (near the Hofburg).

Music. Like the previous poster said, the tour of the Opera House, while interesting, is skippable (I didn't learn anything I hadn't already read in Rick's book), but I WOULD advise you to take in a performance somewhere in Vienna, ideally at the Opera House. You will get to see the beautiful interior, especially the lounges during intermission (which is longer than the intermissions we tend to have in the States).

St. Stephen's Cathedral. This is hands down my favorite church I've ever seen. I think it's breathtaking both inside and out. Rick's audio tour (downloadable on his app) offers a lot of interesting history on the cathedral.

I am back, busy afternoon! In Vienna, I did went to see the Spanish Riding School to see the horses perform which was amazing. For a much less fee you can see the horses being exercised. Either way, check this out to see if this is something you are interested in.
The subway and trams are excellent forms of public transportation.

Munich: Nice city, liked it well enough and would like to go back, been a few times now on tours. Great beer halls, easy to walk around, lovely shops, Main square is the Marienplatz not to be missed and the Glockenspiel. I stayed two times right near the Viktualienmarkt which is very nice to walk around and see. I loved the Residenz, not to be missed, which is the palace right in the city! I went to the Hofbrauhaus which is a fun place to go for drinks one night. I went to the Neue Pinakothek museum of 1900-1920 paintings which I loved!!! I am a huge museum fan. I did not go to the Alte Pinakothek which I know is very highly recommended and I want to go to if I get back to Munich. It was being renovated so I opted to see the other museum. No time for both anyway. There are some main churches to see, St. Peter's, St Michaels which I saw the time before this year's trip. Churches are always impressive, so go see all of them if you can.

I did go a different time to the Nymphenburg Palace which is stunning and you can take a bus there ( or maybe bike). I would like to see this again. There is also the Dachau Concentration camp and the BMW museum which you can get to by bus but I have not been to either one. I did go to a concentration camp in Austria and as depressing and sad as it is, well worth going to one camp once. My opinion anyway. I also went to Dallmyr Delicatessen which has a lovely restaurant on the 2nd floor, good food and nice elegant atmosphere. I wore slacks or jeans not needed to get dressed. I went for lunch, would go back!

I did not spend as much time in Munich but hope to get back to see the other museum and would see the two palaces again.

You will have plenty to see and do in 8 days in both cities and could stay just in one city and just about see it all!

Salzburg is next to tell you about. I was there briefly on the tour but enjoyed this city and would like to go back. Will write soon about that.

You will find wonderful architecture in both Munich and mostly in Vienna! The food in Vienna was excellent ( spent more time there) and you will be "hiking" just by walking every where in both cities, I assure you of that!

Will post more later.

In Munich, I did not get to go to the English garden, but would like to see that. Big park, you may be able to bike in the park, you may want to check that out!

So can I assume that on you bike ride to Vienna you will visit Regensburg, Passau and Melk/Wachau? Are you looking for different places on the way back? If so, I'd suggest with 8 days, I'd suggest 3 in Vienna, 3 in Salzburg with day trips and 2 in Munich. You could be daring and alternatively go from Vienna to Graz and then up to Salzburg.

I think that going too many places in 8 days is not relaxing or fun or worth doing. You will spend more time traveling, checking in and out of hotels and trying to find your way about. I think you should stick to Vienna and Munich and if you want to a day trip outside of Munich. Do get the RS guide books on each place you plan to visit and check out the free Youtube videos RS and other travel guides have on Youtube. Great to see a visual before you decide what you want to see and do. I will now write about Salzburg.

I did spend limited time there and it rained, but I still liked the city and saw it had a lot of offer. But if that is within your 8 days, I would skip it and may be go another time.

Salzburg Cathedral is wonderful as is the Mirabell Gardens! I loved the St Peters cemetary - yes, it is a cemetary but highly unique and beautiful. I loved the Getreidepasse which is a very picturesque shopping street with the best wrought iron signs, I think I took a photo of every sign on that street.

I wanted to go to the hohensalzburg Fortress and hope to if I get back to Salzburg. That is on the top of my list and they say ( on this forum) the marionette show is not to be missed. I went to a lovely Mozart dinner concert which was very nice.

That's it for Salzburg, nice city, river runs through it and was able to walk every where. Tons of lovely shops, I bought great loose tea. There was a lovely tea shops in both Munich and Salzburg. I did not spend much time, on the tour there.

Have a great trip. The secret to a great trip ( good weather and great company) is not doing too much and wind up not seeing anything, because you are spending too much time traveling and checking in and out of hotels.

Best,
Ann

You already got a lot of good advice.I would add Hallstatt - a little bit detour but well worth it. Berchtesgaden. Castle Neuschwanstein.

I totally agree with Lija and went on the RS GAS tour which included the castle and Hallstatt which I loved. I did not talk about Hallstatt only because you only have 8 days!!! But if you want me to tell you a bit about Hallstatt or the castle I will be happen to do so. Both were wonderful and I hope to go back to both. RS has an 8 day tour which goes to Munich, Salzburg, Hallstatt and Vienna which I would like to do in the future. The GAS tour was 14 days and included all of the above plus Trier, Germany and Switzerland.
Hope this all helps, ask me any thing and if I know I will tell you.