We are flying into & out of Munich as a family with a 16yr old son. We would like to visit Vienna & Salzburg taking in a classical concert of some kind & to see some worthy sites.
What would be the best plan for number of nights in each place?
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8125 posts
I think of any large great European city to be worthy of a 4 day minimum time. Munich and Vienna are large cities with so much to see. Salzburg is a smaller city, but a very interesting town and I consider it a 3 day town.
Posted by
New York
1203 posts
Have you read the guide books to see what you want to do in each place. When you start making a list of places, museums, sites you want to see it may help you determine how long you would like to spend in each city. There is a ton of museums to see in Vienna and a two palaces to tour and I could spend at least a week in Vienna. Each time I stayed four days and that's the time I had but at least a week there would not even cover the city. There are churches, cafes, streets to walk and that all takes time to see. So first determine how much time do you have total and then break it down on how many days to spend and what there is to see.
In Vienna, I went to three classical concerts and an opera for a total on both my trips. Salzburg too has concerts. I perfer Vienna for concerts.
Munich has the beer halls and even if your son can't drink, it is fun to go to at night. Munich also has a palace outside the city and for educational purposes, there is also Dachau concentration which is at least a half day.
Have a great time. Watch YouTube videos which shows the cities for free. Read what RS tours do and they go to all three of the cities on different tours. Give you an idea of what there is to see and do.
Posted by
Adams Basin
491 posts
Munich is a pretty big city. It's possible to spend quite a bit of time there but to experience the major tourist sites and to properly enjoy the beer halls three nights should be plenty.
Salzburg is quite touristy and it has a much smaller footprint. I tend to stay no more than two nights there but if you plan to visit some of the surrounding area perhaps three nights would be appropriate.
Vienna is where you might enjoy the museums, the Opera, a concert and exploring. I always stay there at least 4 nights...that would be my recommendation. It's such a great city.
WRT drinking in Europe....it ain't the USA. I was drinking "childrens beer" when I was 6 and I used to go the Garden shop to return my grandfathers empties and buy beer when I was 8...and yes, he let me drink beer when I was that young. The Berliner Weisse is a perfect youth beer! So is Shultheiss.
Your son can legally drink in Germany. Accompanied by an adult he can drink beer and wine at the age of 14. If you want to take him to the Hofbrauhaus to experience it and explain the history you should. Enjoying eine mas is certainly an appropriate experience in Munich (else why go?)... several are even better! When I am there I always try to seat myself with the regulars if they permit it (they do if you speak German and are polite).. the experience is one I would not want to miss out on. There are other beer halls that are older, smaller, serve better food but the Hofbrau is what it is....
When you are in Austria he is also legally able to drink (at 16) so a Heurigen is an experience to enjoy in Vienna. Food and wine..it's hard to beat.
Of course you need to decide what you think is age appropriate...maybe you don't want your 16 year old to drink ...at least not with you condoning it...or perhaps it could be an opportunity to introduce him to responsible behaviour and alcohol...it your call.
Enjoy.
Posted by
San Francisco
14503 posts
"children's beer...." Karamalz and Vitamalz.
Yes, Berliner Weisse mit rot ...great stuff. I have one at least once every trip to Berlin, since you can't get it anywhere else...not been my experience so far in traveling just about all over Germany.
The only exception was in Sigmaringen, which I saw once.
Posted by
OP
Wales
9 posts
We arrive in munich on the evening of 19 July. We are flying out of munich on the afternoon of 26th july. I have booked onto a free walking tour on the morning of 20 july. We would like to visit Dachau concentrated camp but maybe just for a half day your and would also like to visit Vienna
for a couple of days taking on a classical concert. We would also like a day tripto Salzburg.
What's the best way to do this? That is, is it best to do a day trip from Vienna to Salzburg or from Munich?
Sorry all the questions but as it's only a week we want to make the most of our time
Thanks
Posted by
New York
1203 posts
Post your new questions in a separate thread this way people will see it and be able to respond better. Many may not read the responses just your question you posted and not see your new questions.