Just back from Germany, Austria (Salzburg), and Czech Republic

Hi Monica! I'm sure you had a grand time. A friend of mine and I are flying into Munich on December 12. We are taking a train down to Innsbruck on December 14 and will be staying there a couple of days. We leave Innsbruck on 12/16/10. I want to make a stop in Berchtesgaden on our way to Salzburg. We will be in Salzburg on December 16 and 17. After leaving Salzburg on the morning of December 18, I want to travel to Mathausen, Austria which is probably about an hour east of Salzburg to see the concentration camp. I would like to leave Mathausen around 5:00 PM. Was hoping to take a train to Lake Chiemsee and spend the night there and see King Ludwig's Herrenchiemsee the next morning and then train on back to Munich for a few days before leaving for Atlanta on 12/23/10 just in time for Christmas. Did you go to any of the places I mentioned above and do you have any traveling advise for me? All information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Dexter

Of the places you meantioned, we have visited: Berchtesgaden, Salzburg and Munich. What attracts to you to Berchtesgaden? There's a good chance that the Eagle's Nest will be closed this time of the year. The tour company that we used told us that right around the end of October they stop going up because of the snow, plus I can't imagine the visibility being any good up there. It was pretty foggy when we were there... sunny day in the village of Berchtesgaden, but the top of the mountain was fogged up. Personally I would skip it and add a day to your Munich itinerary. If you have extra time while in Munich you can always go down to Fussen, or up to Dachau. We spent a day in Salzburg, and that amount of time is definitely adequate. We got in around 10:00 AM and left around 5:00.... saw the fortress and walked around town. If you are into the Sound of Music stuff there may be more stuff in it for you. The little church (St Peters) at the bottom of the hill is pretty amazing and the cementery just outside was great to walk around. There's a lot to do in Munich... all depends on what you are into. We have been there twice, first for Oktoberfest, and this one time just to see the rest of the town (Residence, couple of museums). Let me know if you have any other questions, happy to help!

Dexter, you might want to plan on leaving for Mauthasen a bit earlier. It is fairly dark by 16:30 or so.

Thanks for the advice. I have been to Munich and Dachau in the past. I do want to spend time in Munich again but, while I'm in Austria, I thought it would be good to stop by Berchtesgaden on the way to Salzburg. I had read that the Eagle's Nest would not be open at that time of year and that's OK. I didn't know how much time would be worth spent in that area. As far as Mathausen is concerned, I was hoping to be there by around 09:30 or 10:00 to spend the day and be gone by around 17:00. Can't wait to see Innsbruck and Salzburg as well.

Dexter, I was at King Ludwig's Herrenchiemsee last week. You catch the ferry (15 minute ride) from Chiemsee. It was amazing. We were not allowed to explore the grounds and some of the rooms were not able to be viewed because they were filming a movie while we were there. Watch for a 3 Musketeers movie with Orlando Bloom for scenes from the palace. Too bad Orlando wasn't there the day we were! Anyway...it didn't take too long to see the palace (the guided tour is 30 minutes - check ahead for times in English) and the museum. There is also a monastery that can be toured, but we didn't go there. Salzburg is great too. Be sure to go to the fortress. Hopefully it will be a clear day when you are there...the views are awesome!

Dexter, you won't be sorry that you have two days in Salzburg. There is so much to do there besides the fortress and walking around in the old town. See the Dom, visit Hellbrunn palace and/or Mirabell, take a day trip to Mondsee, have a beer at Augustiener's. I might be a little biased, having lived there, but I think Salzburg has it all over Munich.

Hi Monica, I've been to Germany, Austria, Switz. & Italy and I loved them all immensly. How would you rate Czech Republic against these other countries? Thank you!

Different.... Seriously I came out of Prague wondering what all the hype was about. Is it pretty? Yes. Is it Rome? No! The footprint of comunism is still there. We have also traveled to Russia (Moscow and Siberia) and could see shades of Russia in Prague. I have only seen Salzburg in Austria, so I can't say a whole lot about Austria, but enjoyed our time in Salzburg. Italy is my all time favorite, have been twice and it's already in the plans for Europe 2012 (Belgium, France, northern Italy). I would rank Germany right below that as a favorite. I grow tired of the food fairly quickly in Germany, but the quaint small towns and villages (think Bacharach, Rothenburg, Fussen) more than make up for it. My rankings in Europe go two ways [INVALID]- small and big. Small: 1. Brugges 2. Lucca 3. Rothenburg 4. San Gimignano 5. Bacharach Large: 1. Rome 2. Amsterdam 3. Munich 4. London 5. Prague

Hi Monica! I will be spending the last three days of a week long trip to Germany in Munich. While in Munich, did you stay in a hostel or hotel/bb? I want to go cheap, and the hostel definitely fills that requirement. But I don't drink, which seems to be the drawing point for many to a hostel - the social side attached with the bar scene. I am traveling alone, have never been to Germany, and have never stayed in a hostel so I don't know what to expect in spite of all the comments. Any advice?

Hi Erin [INVALID]- Hotels in Munich is something I may not be the best person to ask. We have stayed at Marriotts and Westin both times using points that I accumulate through business travel. I think Rick has a couple of budget hotel recommendations in his book. Trip Advisor is also a good source of reference.

DEXTER, although you won't be able to visit the Eagle's Nest in Berchtesgaden at this time of year, you might enjoy a visit to the Dokumentation Centre and Bunkers. Have a look at * www.obersalzberg.de/obersalzberg-home.html?&L=1 * for further details (cut & paste the link inside the asterisks). ERIN, as you'll be travelling solo, staying in Hostels might be a good idea, however you'll have to be prepared for the "communal living experience" (it's not really that bad in most cases). Have a look at * www.hihostels.com/dba/country-Germany-DE.en.htm * for information on HI Hostels. As these are a chain, I've found that the facilities are fairly consistent between properties. HI Hostels are don't generally emphasize as much of a "bar scene" and are often popular with school groups and travellers of various ages. However, one point to note is that some Hostels are co-ed (I've never encountered any problems with that). If you'd prefer a Hotel in Munich, have a look at * www.hotel-uhland.de/enwelcome.html * for one suggestion. It's an easy 15-minute (or so) walk from the Munich Hbf, and a very comfortable Hotel. If you have a "generous" travel budget, the Sofitel Munich is only about 100-metres from the Hbf, and I'm sure you'd be VERY comfortable there! The food in the dining room there is FANTASTIC, and the service is very "attentive" (but of course it's not inexpensive). There are LOTS of suggestions for Hotels in various price ranges in the "Germany" Guidebook. Cheers!

Erin, using www.hrs.com will give you tons of budget hotels and they may be just as cheap as private room in a hostel. Trip Advisor is another good source, plus you can read the reviews and see the locations. Or you can check out pensions or B&B's. That said, not every hostel is a drinking party.