My family and I will be traveling from northern Italy (where I currently live) to Austria and Germany. Here is a brief summary of what I was wanting to do: I was wanting to drive from my current location to Salzburg (about 4 hours) see some of the landmarks there, the church, Mozart's home and a few others the first day. Second day is what I'm iffy on. We want to do the Sound of Music tour, but after we do that I'm not sure what we should do. I'm not sure whether to do something like Berchtesgaden the second day and save the drive to Munich and Dachau for the third day. Or just to forget Berchtesgaden the second day and after the SOM tour drive to Munich. I really don't plan on seeing anything else in Munich as I've been there before. Third day- Drive Romantic Road from Landsberg to Fussen (stay near Fussen or Reutte) and perhaps see castles? Or should I save that for a fourth day? Fourth Day- Either see castles in the morning or just drive back to home base in northern Italy What I'm asking is would it make more sense to stay in Salzburg a second night and push Munich/Dachau back a day? Or would it be better just to go and stay in Munich the second night and see Dachau the next day?
Posted by
NYC area
2981 posts
Hi Melissa, Personally, it seems everyone will spend most of the time looking out a car window. The "Romantic Road" is nothing more than a road. Nothing romantic about it. While I never drove your route (Vicenza to Salzburg), according to viamichelin.com it's a 5 hour drive without stopping. I'd allow 5 to 6 hours. I don't know how much sightseeing you'll accomplish the day you arrive in Salzburg. If you're looking to do the SOM tour the second day, I'd simply spend the rest of that day in Salzburg. Third day drive to Munich, see Dachau and then head to Fuessen. See the castles first thing in the am. and head back to Italy. Just an opinion... I'd drop Dachau and simply base in the Berchtesgaden area for all your nights. Visit Salzburg (20 min. away), the SOM tour, "Mad" King Ludwig's Neues Schloss/Herrenchiemsee (1 hour away) from here. Less checking into/out of hotels at least. You won't see Neuschwanstein, but Herrenchiemsee is an amazing palace. Also near Berchtesgaden is Konigssee, Jennerbahn cable car, Berchtesgaden (of course), a couple of Salt Mine Tours, the Eagle's Nest (Kehlsteinhaus), etc. Just some thoughts. Paul
Posted by
Celina, Ohio, USA
74 posts
Have you considered the Salzkammergut region east and southeast of Salzburg? It's a beautiful scenic area and the small towns are wonderfully picturesque: Hallstadt is representative, albeit a mite touristy. It might be a good place to get out of the car and do a bit of leg stretching.
Posted by
Orlando, Florida
676 posts
Melissa, I agree, skip the Romantic Road. See castles. Go to Berchtesgaden.