My husband and I are in our mid-60's and he loves history, particularly WW2 history and we both love hiking. This is our 9th trip to Europe, and we typically follow a lot of Rick Steves advice. However, he does not provide enough information for us to choose home base for hiking. We just can't hike as far (or uphill) as we used to. I have the book "Walking Easy in the Swiss and Austrian Alps", which we have used in Switzerland. It's just hard to choose the best places since there are so many good choices in Austria. We are flying into Munich (because we are using Delta points) at the end of the first week of June and have 2 weeks with our own car. My husband loves driving in Europe. We have seen Bavaria and Ludwig's castles on a previous trip to Germany. The other interest he has (not I) is cars, so if there are any places to visit that have good car collections, museums, he would love that. Here's a list of our must see's: Vienna, Schonbrunn Palace, Haus der Musik (he's retired from the music industry), Grossglockner Rd., Hallstatt, an Ice Cave, a Salt Mine, at least one Rodelbahn (we did that in Switzerland and it was a blast; we also rode trotti bikes and would love to do that again, but I haven't read about any in Austria), Hitler's Eagle Nest area. We have seen so many palaces, churches, museums in England, Wales, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Spain and know from experience, although we enjoy it, we can only do so much of that and then we are on overload. However, we never get enough of the outdoors. Other places that we are considering visiting in Vienna are: The Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (Austrian National Library), Globe Museum (my husband likes maps), the Viennese Clock Museum (he also likes clocks), St. Stephans Cathedral, and the Imperial Treasury to see the crown jewels. Melk Abbey also seems like something we would like. So how should I allot my time? And which towns in the mountains are good home bases? I prefer not to move from hotel to hotel too frequently. We spent a week in Wengen Switzerland and another week in Pontresina Switzerland 2 years ago and it was fabulous. Never ending beautiful easy hikes.I would like to have at least a week for easy hikes. We will have a total of 14 nights in Austria. Thanks for your help!
Posted by
Texas
124 posts
Unfortunately, I've only passed through Österreich on my way from Deutschland to Italia, so I can't help with suggestions there. But since you are flying in to München anyway, and although you've said you have already visited Bayern, based on your husband's interests, if you have time and haven't already been there, I suggest considering the BMW museum (cars) and the Deutsches Museum (technology, not art, everything from ceramics to textiles to jet engines to biochemistry).
Posted by
Oberpfalz, Germany
1293 posts
As to hiking, maybe base around the Achensee (Pertisau) and travel south through the Zillertal. Off shoots to Gerlos area and Hintertux areas. Many Gondolas/lifts ruining in summer in the Zillertal and easier hikes in the Valleys. Mayrhofen in the middle of the Zillertal may also be a good place to base.
Posted by
Sacramento, CA
671 posts
A few recommendations for the retired music industry person -- go to the Haus der Musik as you mention, but I recommend going in the evening. We did and we had the place almost to ourselves. It made it much easier to partake of the interactive exhibits without others waiting for you to finish. Also, you might like the New Palace Museum exhibit of historical musical instruments. It was fascinating; the armor exhibits in the same museum were the best we've ever seen; and finally, the building is amazing!