Salzburg

Salzburg has a lot of hotels, most of them not belonging to an international chain. Thr star-rating is different here, so a 3-star hotel is a place where you can stay without having to think twice. But be reminded that A/C is not so common in Austria. Of course, during the time of the Salzburger Festspiele prices go up.

Search here: https://www.salzburg.info/en/hotels-offers/book

Yes, hotel prices in Austria are loony. There are other interesting cities with summer festivals.

So that's one of the biggest music fests in Europe, in a city with a huge international rep for music, in high season. Prices will be accordingly high.

My favorite place in the city is Boutique Hotel am Dom. You can check there.

It isn't a big deal to stay outside the city and take the train in. Look at Bad Reichenhall, or Hallen.

I was going to throw out the name of the hotel that I stayed in a few months back. It wasnt cheap, $250 euro, but the location was good and generally a nice hotel. But I checked it first. During the festival it will be over $1.000........ At what point do these things become ...... never mind. I am guessing the laws of supply and demand will kick in so that the city will pretty much be a sell out for them to get those prices, so jamb packed and $$$$.

But to be fair, if I were an aficionado its where I would want to be. I am certain for those types it will be an incredibly memorable experience. Sort of like a Catholic Priest from Hoboken, New Jersey at the Jubilee in Italy this year. For the interested types these are the great reasons for travel.

Thanks all for the input. I was able to book the Hotel Stein for only $500/night and still walking distance to the festival theaters. Yes indeed, it is the premiere music festival for opera and classical music and they know full well that they can command a high price and get it. The tickets are equally outrageously priced. This is not a regular even for me, but a splurge for sure.

Having secured a room, does anyone have recommendations for a private excursion from the city for a day off? Possibly to Berchdesgarten. Possible to the Lake District?

Many thanks in advance.

I attended the Salzburger Festspiele in 2014. It was very special, and I was "introduced" to legendary conductor Nikolaus Harnoncourt, who became my favorite conductor! You will enjoy it. As an aside, I stayed at the Gästehaus im Priesterseminar. No a/c. Hot! But paid something like 67 euro per night for a single room, as did a friend of mine (though that was a decade ago).

I think Königssee at Berchtesgaden is grand. It's a good choice if you would like a fairly easy hike with fairly big views. You can take a boat ride across the lake, hop off at the Salet stop, walk to Obersee, hike around the right side of Obersee to its far end, and then ascend to a gorgeous alpine meadow surrounded by peaks. At the end of the alpine meadow is Röthbach Waterfall, and the meadow is shared with cows doing their summer grazing.

I have spent some time in the lake districts but not the "popular" lakes. Attersee. Mondsee. Both are nice to visit if you have reason to be where they are, but they are not Königssee. Others can chime in on the more popular lakes in the Salzkammergut.

Sounds like a great trip! Hope you enjoy your time in Salzburg!