Trip to Austria - itinerary suggestions?

How about places like Kitzbuhel, Kirchdorf,or St. Johann in Tirol? These are quaint towns in the alps with great views and few tourist (excpet maybe Kitzbul)

I was in Hallstatt last year, and it has some of the most spectacular scenery I've seen anywhere. Seefeld in Tirol, near the border on the line from Innsbruck to Mittenwald is also nice.

My two favorite areas of Austria were the Salzkammergut and the Danube Valley. The Salzkammergut is a lake district (St. Wolfgang, Hallstatt, etc.) east Salzburg. If you go to the Danube, try to see St. Florian's Abbey as well as the more famous Melk Abbey. These two areas are a day trip apart.

Another vote for the Salzkammergut region. It's just gorgeous in the summer. There's lots of good hiking there, and their tourism board has maps and brochures to help you out. We took a great one from where we were staying just outside of St. Wolfgang up to a lake hidden in the mountains. Of course, there was the obligatory beer and brat stand, so we just HAD to have some.

I can't think of any area more beautiful than the Salzkammergut - the Lake Region of Austria. You could pick any of the small towns around some of the large lakes - the Wolfgangsee, Attersee, or Traunsee, and be satisfied. The towns of St. Gilgen, St. Wolfgang on the Wolfgangsee receive a fair share of tourist visits, Strobl less so. There are a number of small communities scattered aroung the Attersee, the largest lake of the region. All of them are worth a stay, the setting is gorgeous, and it's not as well known, at least not among Americans. Gmunden and Traunkirchen on the Traunsee are also a good choice. One of my favorite areas of the Salzkammergut, the Aussee Region, lies in Styria. The towns of Bad Aussee, Alt Aussee and Grundlsee, are just over a mountain pass from Hallstatt, just a short distance by land, but a whole culture away. And the area is lovely. That's only four lakes out of over 70. Take a look at a map. There are many other choices. But if lakes in mountain settings aren't your thing, try the Ennstal - the valley of the river Enns on the southside of the Dachstein massif. A number of lovely towns lie in that valley. My favorite one is tiny Puergg, called the nativity scene of Styria for its quaint appearance. It's well of the beaten path. I think anyone of those areas or towns would add to your experience of Austria and add to the perspective you've gained by visiting it's best known tourist attractions.

Thanks everyone. This is incredible information and EXACTLY what I'm looking for!

You might also want to consider southern Austria - specifically Portschach. It is a beautiful town on a spectacular mountain lake - the Worther See. Nearby Klagenfurt and St. Vie an der Glan are also very beautiful & easily visited from Portschach.

Hi Marcus, I'd suggest the Zillertal for spectacular scenery. We stayed in Finkenberg and the views were stuning, Drive the beautiful Zillertal Hohenstrasse to get into the mountains. Another beautiful place is Zell am See. Beautiful old town with a gorgeous lakeside setting with the Alps as a backdrop. The spectacular Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasee drive is nearby. One other suggestion for great scenery would be the Oetztal region. We stayed 4 nights in Soelden in the Oetztal. The Timmelsjoch Pass, at the southern end of the Oetztal, is yet another spectacular drive! Paul

Hallstatt!!!! My favorite village in Austria. I know you said you did not necessarily care for museums. However, the Abbey in Melk, which is along the Danube in northern Austria, is the finest we have ever seen and RS agrees. Should be some hiking around Melk as well.

Marcus, here's the Salzkammergut tourism website: http://www.salzkammergut.at/en. They have a link on there where you can order their brochures. The vacation planner was great, comes complete with maps. There's also an accomodation link on the webpage.

Marcus, if you're looking for things to do as well as things to see here's two more suggestions. Last month we rented bikes in Melk and rode from there along the Danube to Krems. Outstanding little towns with shops and eateries, old castle ruins on both sides of the river, the Danube on one side and vineyard covered hills on the other - it was a day we'll never forget. ( Oh yeah, down hill/down river all the way.) Later in the trip we stopped at Imst to ride the steel alpine coaster. Think of alpine slides on steroids - steel frame track, 2-1/2 Km long, speeds up to your own bravery, mountain views. It was a huge rush. BTW, my wife and I are both 58+ but we were just a couple of kids that day.

The Hallstatt area, definitely!! Wow!

Well if you want to a little bit of Germany and Austria. I highly recommend Hotel Das Beck, in Reutte Austria. This is one of the hotels Rick Steve's suggest in his book. This a great little place to stay. You can see Mad King Ludwig's castles, and other nice places in Germany and Austria from this hotel. They have good prices, great rooms and great service. We stayed there in Oct. and loved it.