My husband and I plan on visiting Vienna for 3 nights and have saved another 3 nights for a small mountain village. There are a ton of options here, but I would love to get some recommendations. If you had 3 nights to spend in a small Austrian village near the mountains, where would you go? This could turn out to be a Hallstatt vs. Innsbruck conversation, but maybe there's a place we haven't even heard of yet! Thanks in advance.
Posted by
NYC area
2906 posts
Hi,
When in December?
How are you getting around?
Interested in visiting the Christmas Markets, which usually start late Nov. and end on 12/24?
Overall, I'd go with St. Gilgen near Salzburg as a base (right on the Wolfgangsee) or Ramsau am Dachstein (by Schladming). The high alpine scenery around Ramsau am Dachstein is hard to top. Love Innsbruck also, but it's hardly "mountain village". We've been to these and many other places in early Decemebr 2010 and 2013. Visited Hallstatt once for an afternoon, while pretty location, no desire to visit again. Austria is filled with charming, scenic villages.
Paul
Posted by
OP
10 posts
Ramsau am Dachstein looks more like we are envisioning, yes. Thank you! We will be headed to the Christmas markets in Vienna and then in Budapest at the tail end of the trip. Planning on traveling on public transportation, but if we get high enough into the alps, not sure how we will get around. Recommendations?
Posted by
OP
10 posts
December 14th - 17th.
Posted by
NYC area
2906 posts
Hi,
The wonderful place we stayed, Pension Haus Maria, is owned and run by Alistair and Denise, who are happy to pick up guests (and return them of course) at the train station in nearby Schladming. I believe they provide guests with a regional transport passes for free bus transportation covering the area.
Paul
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Lech am Arlberg, although it's less convenient to reach without a car.
Keep in mind as well that "small mountain villages" tend to mostly shut down during the cold months if they don't offer winter sports.