Trip Outline:
- 3 nights Salzburg
- 2 nights Wagrain
- 3 nights Hallstatt
- 1 nightSalzburg
- Flights - DFW-FRA-SZG-FRA-DFW
Traveled with a friend and one of my daughters who met us there. We had a 1 hr transfer in Frankfurt around 8:30am. Although we did have to change terminals, our flight was on time and the immigration line was non-existent; so we were at our gate for Salzburg with 20 minutes to spare. Immigration on our return was equally fast - we had 2.5 hours and had at least 1.5 hours to sit at the gate. Plus I had the lovely SSSS. It only entailed a swab of my phone, iPad, and pockets and took 11 minutes including the extra walking to swab location. I made my friend go on to the gate, though, since there’s no predicting.
Salzburg 3 nights: Stayed Altstadthotel Weisse Taube in a triple room.
It was really conveniently located and very pleasant. I would definitely stay here again. However it did not have air conditioning (and I could see some people might want that). We were on the 5th floor - the elevator went to the 4th floor and then we walked 1 flight. We had a fan, plenty of room, large windows that allowed a great breeze, and a view right to the fortress. Price was high for me, but Salzburg in the summer seems expensive everywhere (and I didn’t start really early).
Did: Day 1 - Wandered the streets, took a nap. Day 2 - noon organ concert at the cathedral; Hohensalzburg; Christmas museum. Day 3 - Panorama Sound of Music tour (I have done the Bob’s tour and wanted to compare); apple strudel and Salzburger Nockerl cooking class at Eidelweiss Cooking School; shopping (see my packing report).
Actually I have been to the fortress twice. So while my travel companions went, I checked out the experience of getting my DL translated at the local equivalent of AAA, since I forgot to bring my IDP 🤦🏻♀️. I had no idea you could do this; but it was a fast simple process apparently not out of the ordinary for the staff and I had quite a nice time.
Ate: highlights were the Augustiner Bräu beer garden and Zipfer Bierhaus.
Picked up a Budget/Avis rental car at the airport, where they never asked about the required international license…… Although it took an hour, it was a really interesting experience to watch them deal with the several unprepared customers in front of us.
On the way to our next stay: Koenigsee boat trip to St. Bartholomew’s. We had wanted to take the longer ride and hike but some light rain and a late start meant we decided to take the shorter ride. It is stunningly beautiful.
Wagrain 2 nights:
Stayed Oberauer Wagrain - Die Hotelpension (B&B) in a triple room.
We loved this town. It is primarily a ski resort but is so charming and not really on a tourist path for Americans. I started out just looking for somewhere less expensive but scenic. For us, it was a win. It is a family run B&B with breakfast, free parking, and wonderful hospitality. No air conditioning but we SURE did not need it.
Did: the Flying Mozart Cable car up the mountain. Ate at the top at Kogelalm, which had the best mulled wine I have ever had. (Again, we hit a few hours of drizzly cold weather).
Then in the evening we just happened to be there for the annual weekend Lindenfest. They had a tiny parade with a band, musket firing, a beer garden (under the linden tree), and music all evening. It was clearly a community gathering and fundraiser- and so much fun! We also ran into the same hen party we talked to in the morning as we all came out of our lodgings.
Ate: **Kia Ora on night 1. This elegant restaurant also has a hotel and the food was delicious and inexpensive and our waitress was a delight.
These 2 nights were a totally unknown experiment and a complete success.
Cont.