My husband and I are considering a trip to Austria to join our son in Vienna as he finishes up his semester abroad this December. It appears that flying to Munich is a cheaper way to get there. We're casual skiers - alpine & X-country, snowshoers & boarders (my son), and are interested in recommendations for alpine destinations that are not too expensive and maybe off the beaten track. We'd also want to visit Salzburg and Vienna and are interested in ideas for where to spend Christmas.
Posted by
Krems, Wachau, Austria
386 posts
Dear Sharon,
check out:
http://www.austria.info/xxl/_site/us/_area/416153/home.html
You can order free brochures from there, which I highly recommend!
I will be delighted to make some suggestions and help you narrow your choices once you've decided on a general plan.
As for Christmas, I would suggest that you'd spend it at your skiing destination, because Christmas is very much a family holiday in Austria, almost everything will be closed, shops and restaurants.
The weeks leading up to the holiday however, would be a perfect time for Vienna and Salzburg, with the Christmas markets and the stalls with mulled wine and chesnuts everywhere. You will love it!! :-))
Christmas will be magical in a smaller town, even resort, where you can partake in the local customs and festivities.
Snoop around a bit, decide on an area (make it close to Salzburg, so you'll have more time to enjoy, less travel! Once you have an idea, I'll be honored to help you from there! But with about a QUADZILLION skiing destinations in Austria . . you'll have to make a beginning! ;-)))
I would definitely avoid the tourist areas like Obersdorf, or the schicky-micky resorts. Pick an area, we'll go from there!
If your first stop is Salzburg/skiing, Munich is a great airport, and a short distance from Salzburg. If you start out in Vienna, fly to Vienna, even if it costs a little more!! Remember Salzburg and Vienna are on opposite ends of Austria, you'll spend the better half of the day on the train.
I look forward to be able to help you out! :-))