Dolomites - Salzburg - Bavaria

Posted by Mary (Great Mills) on 01/01/15 09:48 PM

Hi all! We're taking our kids to Europe for the first time (12 & 16yo). I have the first part of the trip figured out (London/Paris), but my planning skills fell apart once I got to Italy. My daughter's must see is Florence. After that, we're headed north. My husband's family heritage is from a little valley (Val di Fiemme) between Trento and Bolzano (but off the main train line). We'd like to spend a few days there, probably taking the train north, and then a bus.

At that point, we have 5-7 days of vacation time left. Due to cost, we'll probably be on public transit. I'd like to see Salzburg. My son is very keen on getting into Germany. Do you fine folks have any suggestions for us of where to go and what to do? (We all like beautiful scenery, art, music, architecture and history. And eating:))

Thank you!

Posted by Lee

Lakewood, Colorado

01/01/15 10:19 PM

19232 posts

I think that a very scenic area, that epitomizes Germany, is the Berchtesgaden National Park, just an hour away from Salzburg. Here you have a beautiful alpine lake, the Königssee, one of Germany's highest mountain, the Watzmann, and Hitler's mountain retreat, the Eagles Nest, plus a salt mine and a spa. After a few day in Berchtesgaden, head for Munich and stop on the way to see Lugwig's copy of Versailles at Herrenchiemsee.

Everywhere on this itinerary is easily accessible with public transportation. The fastest way from Salzburg to Berchtesgaden is a bus (RVO 840, the Watzmann Express), that leaves from about a block from the Salzburg Hauptbahnhof and goes to the main station in Berchtesgaden. You can also get there by train via Freilassing. There are train from Berchtesgaden to Prien, where you go by boat to Herrenchiemsee island (Herreninsel) and from there to Munich.

Posted by stephen

Greeley, co, usa

01/01/15 10:38 PM

2539 posts

Near Salzburg, the salt mine at Hallein and the ice cave at Werfen are lots of fun. In Germany check for group transportation tickets wherever you go, for example, the Bavaria ticket.

Where are you flying back home from?

Posted by Mary OP

Great Mills

01/01/15 10:43 PM

5 posts

Oh, I should have mentioned...we'll be there in early July.

I'm not sure yet about flights. We're starting the trip in London, but thought we might fly into Dublin first (lower airfare, at least RT). Everything's still in the planning stage. Suggestions are welcome!

Posted by asps2

Firenze

01/01/15 10:46 PM

500 posts

The gateway to Val di Fiemme is Cavalese, that can be reached by bus from Ora/Auer on the Brenner train line. From Cavalese other buses run the valley. The trip may need a few transfers (pack light!) but can be done on public transportation.

Val di Fiemme is in the Italian speaking Dolomites area; the German speaking South/North Tyrol, Bavaria, Salzburg areas are quite similar. For example, the main sign that you will be visiting a Bavarian village could be the white/blue checkerboard flags, but otherwise the differences with an Austrian village (white and red flags) are difficult to spot by a first visitor. So you can choose to visit about what you like.

The railway line runs Bolzano - Bressanone - Brennero (Italian/Austrian border) - Innsbruck - Kufstein (Austrian/German border) - Rosenheim. At Rosenheim a branch goes north to Munich, another branch goes east to Salzburg that is sitting on the Austrian/German border.

Visiting Salzburg is a good idea. From Salzburg you can visit, as day trips, both Berchtesgaden or - may I suggest - the Ludwig castle at Herrenchiemsee that could be a very nice visit for your child. Be sure to choose a good weather day and leave early: you take ordinary train from Salzburg, then a short steam train connection, a ferry on a lake, a walk in a park or an horse cart. Very entertaing. After the visit at the castle, the process goes in reverse.

At Innsbruck a branch line goes to Garmisch but it detours a bit from the main itinerary.