Salzburg Itinerary - Please review & critique!

You've got the biggies, looks like you've got Rick's book. Maybe add Steingasse. As Rick says, the day trip to Hallstatt is doable but involves about 5 hours of travel time and thus is a very long day. And be aware that on the SOM tour you will see more of the Salzkammergut lake country than you might have thought.

Caroline-
I would trade the Hallstatt day for a trip to Berchtesgaden. Hitler's Eagle Nest was interesting and one of the most, if not the most, scenic views on our last year's month long Europeon trip. It's only about a half hour bus ride ride from Slazburg. There's also a Nazi documentation center there, and when combined with a salt mine tour, the entire trip consumes the better part of a day. We also enjoyed strolling around town, paricularily early and late in the day before and after the day trippers come and go. There's also a terrific beer garden there --don't remember the exact name, but it's something like Augistiner. Enjoy, it was one of the highlights of our trip.

I loved Salzburg - the old town, the Fortress, Mirabell Palace with the Do-Re-Mi steps and the arbor, Nonnenburg Abbey, etc. But you can see all these things without a tour. I also loved the movie, Sound of Music, but there is little on a tour that is authentic. Leopoldskron was NOT used in the movie; they couldn't get permission. The waterfront patio was a "set" further down the lake. The shots the opposite direction, looking towards the house, were shot at the residence that they used for the von Trapp home, which was not the real von Trapp home and was not on the lake. The gezebo you see on the tour was used for distance shots but the scenes in the gezebo were shot in a sound stage in Hollywood.

In short, the tours, in my opinion, are contrived. Get the DVD, the one with an ongoing commentary by David Wise, the director of the movie, and you will see what I mean.

I think I would agree with Duane about Hallstatt, although it would be nice to see both Hallstatt and Berchtesgaden. I guess I am kind of a history buff, so I found the Dokumentation Center fascinating, and the trip to Kehlsteinhaus (Eagles' Nest) was thrilling. I am not a fan of Hitler, but to realize you are in the same room, that such a historic figure was also in, is kind of an awesome feeling.

Hello Caroline. I was at Salzburg, five nights. I suggest : Delete from your schedule : Mozart's Birthplace, and the Sound of Music Tour. Add to your schedule : Residenz Gallery. (I liked some of the landscape paintings there). It was located in "New" Salzburg when I was there. Do NOT delete the trip to Halstat. It is at a lake in the Salzkammergut : the best part of Austria. You will be in Austria for three days, therefore you will have time to stay at Halstat over night. That is what I would do. And visit Bad Ischl the day you return to Salzburg.

Hi Caroline,

... You could fit in a visit to the top of Kapuzinerberg (Capuchin mountain), which is directly across the river Salzach from Hohensalzburg. From the foot of Linzer Gasse (Linzer Lane) you could hike up, past the monestery, and to the little (30 years war) castle on top. There's a garden for refreshment taking and terrific views. Alternatively, you could save time and take a short taxi ride to the top and walk down (my personal preference). We envy your trip! Have a good one! P

maybe switch day 2 and 3.

We loved Salzburg. If you have to choose between Hallstatt and Berchtesgaden I guess I'd also choose Berchtesgaden. The village of Hallstatt isn't all that great but the view is so pretty. Another post said you'd see some of the Lake District on the SOM tour. There's a great boat ride and an old church in Berchtesgaden. Also when you're at the Dom, there are so may other sites so close that you'll see much on day two - literally right across the street from each other. Can you find out what of the Lake District you'll see on the SOM tour?

Paula

I haven't taken the SOM tour, but I lived in Salzburg several years ago and encountered SOM tour people all the time (my school was right next to Schloss Leopoldskron where tour buses stop). I know, though, that one of the places they see on the tours is Mondsee. This is where the church is located that was used for Maria's wedding in the movie (but not in real life). We also saw St Wolfgang the day that we took a field trip to the Salzkammergut, but I don't know if that's included on an SOM tour.

Thank you for all the replies! The main reasons I want to visit Hallstatt are Rick's recommendations and its beautiful location. I was considering a trip to Hitler's Eagle Nest, but I was not aware that it was part of something as beautiful as Berchtesgaden.

It seems like I have a tough decision to make!