Austria-Germany Itinerary Review: What do you think??

It sounds like a great, relaxing trip. Staying at least two nights in each city makes for a trip where you can sit and relax a bit. I've enjoyed each of the cities on your itinerary and would like to return someday. I think the only thing I would reconsider is visiting two concentration camps. I'm sure you must have a reason. They are definitely worth a visit, I'm just not sure of both within a few days of each other.

How wonderful to surprise your wife with a visit to Venice. Have a great trip making lifetime memories!

What do I think? I think you have 6 nights in Austria and one in Germany. That's a miscarriage of itinerary justice. I'd spend 2 days max in Salzburg myself. And there must be some good reason you want to see Vienna, but I've never been able to see the appeal, really. I've been there a few times but its charm is lost on me. I enjoyed Vienna most in the film "Before Sunrise" at a US movie theatre, and I'd already visited Vienna twice.

And although the concentration camps are IMO very important, I wouldn't sandwich in two camps in less than two weeks. The experience is just too debilitating and is no longer a vacation.

I would fly into Munich, spend a couple of days elsewhere in Bavaria as well (Garmisch? Rothenburg? Bamberg?) and pay a visit to Salzburg, then head to Venice.

Russ,
I must protest loudly! Vienna is a gorgeous city, with a wonderful charm, and it can't be beat for things to see and do!
I live about one hour from Vienna, and spend much time there.
http://www.wien.info/en

Your itinerary is just fine, Andrew! I like it very much that you are taking time to spend in each location!

Thanks! I may switch around some days so that we can hit the Christmas Markets in Salzburg at the end. (Vienna-Venice-Munich-Salzburg-Vienna)

Andrew, also disagree with Russ and would definitely recommend Vienna. My only change would be to cut one night from Salzburg and add it to Munich.

The extra day/night in Salzburg is there just in case we try to go to Hallstatt. Not sure how good/bad the weather will be in the middle of November this year so I'm leaving some flexibility built in.

If you go from Salzburg to Munich using a Bayern-Ticket, it will also cover the S-Bahn to Dachau Bahnhof and the bus from there to the Memorial.

Andrew, you're right about Hallstatt--it could be snowed in in November but it is worth keeping your itinerary open for a visit. The Christmas market in Salzburg starts on November 19th. There is also a store by McDonald's in downtown Salzburg that sells these amazing hand-painted egg ornaments. They have scenes of Salzburg and the surrounding area sites. They will package them for you so they won't break. Again, it sounds like a great trip.

I've only seen the Christmas Market start dates in a couple of places and they all say it starts on the 18th and 19th of November? Anything "official" that puts them earlier?

Thanks to all. This is by far the best way to get good information about my trip.

Hi Andrew,
I've lived in Vienna for three years and have taken more than 40 guests on tours nearby. I would suggest, as others have, that two concentration camps might be a bit hard on the psyche. I found Mauthausen to be important but very disturbing and definitely, for sensitive types, a major downer. If you go to Mauthausen, unless you have a particular reason to see both, I'd say skip Dachau and spend the time seeing Munich.

I would definitely suggest going to Hallstatt. (If you were going in the summer, I'd suggest spending one night at nearby Gosausee, overlooking the lake, where the stars are marvelous...but views of the mountains, glaciers and stars in winter are often blocked by clouds.)

Just outside of Salzburg, in Germany, is a beautiful Alpine lake, Thumsee, Freud's favorite 'piece of paradise.' It's a great place to take a walk and enjoy lunch at a couple of the lake's excellent restaurants. Also outside of Salzburg, in Bad Reichenhall, is a great, inexpensive spa, surrounded by mountains--RupertusTherme. The warm salt water there is soothing and relaxing.

There is some information and photos on several of these destinations at www.marthasvienna.blogspot.com. Hope you and you wife have a wonderful time.

Martha,
as an aside:
I have just discovered your beautiful Vienna Blog! Fantastic job!

Beautiful Photos, Martha.

Russ,

"miscarriage of itinerary justice"--an eloquent phrase. But remember about Vienna: "Es gibt nur eine Kaiserstadt.

Es gibt nur ein Wien."

That's right, Fred :-))
Wien, Wien, nur Du allein . .

Thanks everyone. Looks like we may skip Mauthausen in order to spend more time in Munich or a side trip to Hallstatt.

I like your itinerary, except that I, too, think that two concentration camps might be too much. Rather than skipping Mauthausen, though, I would skip Dachau. What buildings there are at Dachau are reconstructions. Those at Mauthausen are original, and the beauty of the surrounding area makes a visit there all the more poignant, in my opinion. And it's on the way from Vienna to Salzburg anyway. (I love Vienna, and don't particularly care for Munich, so that might color my choices, I have to admit).

After some great replies and additional thoughts, we've settled on a revised itinerary for our trip this November:

Day 1 - Arrive Vienna//Sleep in Vienna

Day 2 - Vienna

Day 3 - Vienna

Day 4 - Train to Prague//Sleep in Prague

Day 5 - Prague

Day 6 - Prague

Day 7 - Train to Munich//Sleep in Munich

Day 8 – Visit Dachau//Munich

Day 9 – Train to Salzburg//Sleep in Salzburg

Day 10 - Salzburg Christmas Markets

Day 11 – Morning train to Vienna//Vienna to USA

I have lots of great info for Austria. Any insight for Prague would be appreciated, but I'll also re-post in the Prague section. Have just finished RS Prague guide. Very helpful as always.

Thanks everyone!