Salzburg to Venice route

Driving or train?

Driving, thanks Nigel.

Questions: Are you going from Salzburg to Venice (as in the title) or Salzburg to Milan via Venice?
If you're including Venice, how many of the 4 or 5 days are you planning there? Not knowing the answers to the above but just off the top here, I would suggest going via Zell am See, the Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse, Heiligenblut/Lienz and then through the Dolomites. Paul

Yes, we are driving from Salzburg (coming from Prague/Krakow/Slovakia to Milan via Venice. Thank you for your suggested route. Any particular reason you suggested that route (beauty, activities, shortest?). We will probably stay a day or two in Venice and the other 2-3 days to Milan. However, we are open to suggestions. Thanks

We traveled from Salzburg to Villach in Oct. 2009, it was beautiful. Our objective was Venice where we only spent 1 and 1/2 days. Venice was more than I expected, you could easily spend 3 days or more there. I have not been through Innsbruck so can't comment. We did not have time to stop and hike through Austria as our time was limited but you can't beat the shops and culture in Venice. There is a national park Nockbergi right off the autobahn that would probably be spectacular for the outdoor views. We left Salzburg in the late afternoon and spent the night in Villach, and went on to Venice the next day.

Hi Brent, The reason I suggested it is first, the Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse is one amazing drive. The scenery is gorgeous. Second, we overnighted in Heiligenblut and loved it. While it's tiny, it's extremely picturesque. Going trough the Dolomites... there's nothing else that looks like the Dolomites in the Alps. Again, some of the most spectacular alpine drives over the Dolomite Passes. If I had 2 nights to spend driving from Salzburg to Venice, I'd stay a night in Heiligenblut and a night in the Alta Badia or Cortina d'Ampezzo area (Dolomites), then drive to Venice. http://www.grossglockner.at/en/ We have some photo's at: http://www.worldisround.com/articles/324599/index.html http://www.worldisround.com/articles/355539/index.html If interested, these are the links to the places we stayed (and highly recommend) in both Heiligenblut and the Alta Badia. http://www.ederhof-heiligenblut.at/ http://www.montanara.it/ Paul

That is great information, Paul. Exactly what I was looking for. I may even carve out another day from earlier in the trip for this last leg through Northern Italy. If we can save 4 days for Venice and driving to Milan, how might we spend these last days on our 5 week trip ? Should we just drive past Milan and experience Cinque Terra (before returning to Milan) or enjoy the drive across the top of Italy or take in Lake Como or?

Hi Brent, While everyone has different tastes, I'd suggest 2 nights (instead of the 1 night in my previous post) in the Dolomites if your schedule allows. The area is well worth more days/nights but if you could squeeze 2 nights in, I don't think you'd be dissapointed. We've spent 9 nights so far and are always amazed. Paul

You should stop in Bolzano for the Ice Man museum, it's incredibly fascinating.

Thank you everyone. Heading out today and appreciate all of your experienced suggestions.