driving Venice to Vienna

You've already received some good advice. By the shortest route, it's about a 350 mile drive or train to bus to train ride.

It's a shame that this route is not served by budget air carriers.

Thanks so much for your advice. Would you mind looking over our itinerary and adding suggestions? I'd really like to avoid changing accommodations every night, so if you have any ideas on how to do that I'd appreciate it. (Before this, we will have spent a week and a half in Rome and Tuscany, so my folk's batteries might be a little low). We are interested in the scenery & music, and prefer small villages to big cities. This is our first time in Austria, so it would also be helpful to know the main sights we should see in Austria and Salzburg too…thank you! Honestly, ANY advice on where to stay and how much time spent in these places is welcome.

July 15, Tue

Train from Venice to Villach, pick up rental car and Drive to Vienna-either stay the night somewhere halfway and drive the remainder the following day OR go the whole way

July 16, Wed Vienna- evening concert booked: Vienna Mozart Orchestra

July 17, Thur Vienna- my dad really would love to cruise on the Danube River- what's the best option for that and is it best to go from Vienna or somewhere else?

July 18, Fri Leave Vienna, scenic drive along the Danube, stop in Krems or at the Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp, stay a night in Durnstein, Spitz or Weissenkirchen??

July 19, Sat Continue onto Hallstatt- stay a night there or just stop for lunch and stay night near Salzburg?

July 20, Sun Salzburg- stay 2 nights

July 21, Mon Salzburg: cable car up a mountain? sound of music tour??

July 22, Tue Drive to Munich

July 23, Wed Fly home from Munich

So you are planning to train/drive from Venice to Vienna in one or two days? With older parents, I would definitely break up this journey. Why not spend the night in Villach or on the Worthersee? Drive any farther and you might as well just come on to Vienna. If you do the trip in two days, that will leave you with less time in Vienna. You'll have to adjust the rest of your itinerary.

Cruising the Danube in Vienna is great if you like to look at industrial buildings and public housing. In other words, skip the river cruise in Vienna and cruise the Danube where it is most beautiful in Austria - the Wachau. Speaking of the Wachau - head straight there without stopping in Krems (I also recommend skipping Mauthausen - there are better memorials). I prefer Weissenkirchen, but make sure you also visit Durnstein. Spend as much time here as possible.

Head straight to Salzburg and plan to make a day trip to Hallstatt; drive down to Wolfgangsee on another day and go up a mountain or visit Berchtesgaden for another mountain option.

I did go to Mauthausen from Vienna as a daytrip, it was a very moving experience. It's just outside of Linz, which is a nice place to stop.

Thanks guys! Emily, your advice was so helpful- can you take one more look at my revised plan? I thought it would be a good idea to stay in St. Gilgen (or somewhere else in that area that's cool if you have another idea) because it's more central for day-trips, and is outside of the city where we can really enjoy the beautiful scenery! I'm just wondering about Fri the 18th- any idea how to make it happen so we can enjoy a ride on the river and enjoy time in the smaller towns? Am I cramming too much into that day? Also if you have any suggestions on hotels or b&b's in those places, that would be fabulous :) Thanks again!!

July 15, Tue Train from Venice to Villach, stay a night in Villach
July 16, Wed Drive to Vienna, evening concert- Vienna Mozart Orchestra (stay 2 nights in Vienna)
July 17, Thur Tour Vienna
July 18, Fri Scenic drive along the Danube, spend some time in (Durnstein, Spitz or Weissenkirchen) & cruise by ferry in the Wachau Valley, finish in St. Gilgen (stay 3 nights in St. Gilgen)
July 19, Sat Day trip to Hallstatt
July 20, Sun drive to Wolfgangsee and go up a mountain or visit Berchtesgaden for another mountain option
July 21, Mon Drive to Salzburg: Mozart’s house, Sound of Music, continue to Munich (stay 2 nights in Munich)
July 22, Tue Munich -have a beer and a pretzel in the English Gardens
July 23, Wed Fly home from Munich

My comments...

Venice to Villach sounds good - maybe have a look at neighboring town of Velden on Worthersee for spending the night? On July 18, I would suggest that you drive to Melk early, get on a boat to Durnstein and then take the WL1 bus back to Melk. This would be a long day if you then drive all the way to St. Gilgen. Maybe spend the night in Melk to make it easier on everyone? Then drive to Hallstatt the next day ending in St. Gilgen for 2 nights? It should be noted that St. Gilgen is on Wolfgangsee, so you are already there. If you want to explore this lake, there are several options to get to the top of the mountains overlooking the lake as well as a nice walking trail around the lake as well as ferries which take you across the lake. All very beautiful and makes for a nice day if the weather is good. When in Salzburg, if beer is your thing, go to the Augustiner Brewery. Hope this helps.

Here is the schedule for the WL1 bus (as you can see, there are regular busses Monday-Friday and the journey is 35 minutes):

http://www.n-mobil.at/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/WL1.pdf

Great, thank you! Another question- Is it possible to take a round trip ferry cruise from Melk to Durnstein? Or is the bus the only option coming back? Do you think I should book tickets in advance for that, and is there a certain website I should use? Thanks a million!

Yes, you can take a round trip cruise, but why? I suggested going downstream (Melk to Durnstein) as it is a bit faster. Going back upstream will not be too exciting and time consuming, thus my bus recommendation. You don't need to book ahead. DDSG and Brandner are the two companies running boats on the Wachau. You can google them for schedules, etc.

thanks Emily :)

Hello again, can anyone recommend a nice mid-priced restaurant in Vienna? We will be staying at Hotel Beethoven Wien‏, and are looking for a nice place to have dinner before attending a concert at the Konzerthaus. So someplace near either of those or in between would be great!

Thanks, George, it looks great! I'm curious what's the best way to get around in Vienna? Could we walk to dinner at that place?

Cool, thanks again for the recommendation

Your hotel is in a good location - I actually stayed there about 20 years ago. The pretty walk from the hotel to the Konzerthaus is very short - it should take you about 15 minutes. You should definitely walk through Resselpark and then in front of Karlskirche on your way, then through Schwarzenbergplatz.

As for the best way of getting around Vienna, you should know that while Vienna is exceptionally compact, you will be doing quite a bit of walking as your hotel is slightly off center (but still a great location). You will most definitely use a combination of walking and public transport. There are many sights at the doorstep of your hotel, including the Naschmarkt, Secession, Majolikahaus and Café Sperl (please go here). You should have dinner or lunch in the Naschmarkt at least once. To get from your hotel to the first district, it is about a 10-15 minute walk, or you could easily walk to the Karlsplatz subway station and ride from there. I suggest you buy a pass of some sort as it will save you money.

Now back to your main question about a place to eat between the Konzerthaus and your hotel - I would again suggest you dine at the Naschmarkt. Not only is it directly on your way, but you will be spoiled for choice of places to eat. I also assume that you will want to eat a bit early to get to the show and the Naschmarkt will surely be open for diners at that time.