looking to plan trip in late May/early June starting in Vienna, heading to Innsbrook then on to a few days of hiking in the Dolomites. Is Melk worth an overnight stop instead of Linz? Thinking we would fly home from Milan in order to see more and not backtrack. Any other suggestions?
Posted by
Citizen of the World
2167 posts
The Wachau Valley, of which Melk is a part, makes for a great overnight destination. You can base yourselves in Melk and, in one day, visit the Abbey and bike or boat to ancient Durnstein and the medieval center of Krems an der Donau. Take a return train from Krems back to Melk.
Melk is a small town of 6,000 residents, so it’s a more relaxed place than Linz which is a big city.
Salzburg is en route to Innsbruck and also makes for good overnight.
Posted by
NYC area
3014 posts
Flying home from Munich also makes sense. You could add a night or two in Mittenwald between the Dolomites and Munich airport. We’ve flown home from Munich many times, as recently as a month ago. Lufthansa has a flight to NJ leaving Munich at 4:20pm, which is really nice, negating having to stay near the airport the night before the flight home.
How are you traveling, public transportation or rental car?
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Traveling probably by a combo of train and rental car. We hear that the Dolomites are easier to navigate with your own car. Also, we understand that an overnight in Hall in Tirol is a good alternative to a stay in Innsbrook. Any thoughts?
Posted by
Oberpfalz, Germany
1410 posts
Just saying...Maybe stay in Mieders or Fulpmes and take the bus or the Stubital train in/out to/from Innsbruck. The Brenner Autobahn will be going thru construction. Maybe a rental in Italy?
Posted by
NYC area
3014 posts
Love Hall in Tirol! Just stayed there in Dec for the sixth time.
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
1757 posts
Hall in Tirol was found by Rick Steves as an alternate destination but frankly Innsbruck has much more things to see and to do, and it is not overly touristic.
Posted by
NYC area
3014 posts
We love Hall as it’s quieter and feels more “authentic, less touristy” and definitely less crowded than nearby Innsbruck. Plus it’s only 10 minutes from Innsbruck by car.
Posted by
Maryland
914 posts
Hiking in the Dolomites: Check out Gillian Price's hiking guides to the Dolomites. They are great.
Car in the Dolomites: Maybe... but one can catch a bus everywhere. Coming down from Innsbruck stop at Bolzano Main Station and you can catch a bus 50 meters away. Your local hotel will give you a free Mobi-card that you can use during your stay. Go up one lift, hike, go down another lift and take a bus hime.
Check out: https://www.suedtirol.info/en/en
From the Dolomites Milan and Venice are almost the same distance so take your pick.