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Durnstein/Melk or Hallstatt?

Dallas, Texas
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1,135 posts
160 reviews
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Durnstein/Melk or Hallstatt?
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We had an extra 2 days in between Salzburg and Vienna. We were going to pick either Durnstein/Melk or Hallstatt. Any strong opinions which we shld go with?

Thank you for your input.

U.K.
Destination Expert
for Belgrade
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16,552 posts
1 review
5 helpful votes
1. Re: Durnstein/Melk or Hallstatt?
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Hi Beaver

A lot will depend on transport? Do you have a car?

Last summer we did the same trip by car, I couldn't comment on public transport.

If you have a car, I would recommend a drive through the lakes (Salzkammergut) to see Hallstatt for 1/2 day then tour around Wolfgansee and other lakes. Take the steam train to the summit at St Wolfgang or the cable car at St.Gilgen. Great scenery.

St.Gilgen is only a 45 min drive from Salzburg. From there Hallstadt is also about 45 drive to Hallstatt.

The Danube is nice but on a clear day the lakes blow you away, particularly Hallsatt, every bit and better than it looks on photos. Also standing on the summits around Wolfgangsee gives you a great feel for the layout of this lovely region.

Stoofer

Florida
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2,219 posts
24 reviews
31 helpful votes
2. Re: Durnstein/Melk or Hallstatt?
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It's like asking, "What is better, chocolate or strawberries?" They are both good!

Hallstatt and Salzkammergut have beautiful scenery (it's my favorite part of Austria, and I visit a couple times every year).

Durnstein and Melk have some very interesting historical sites to see, and, of course, the Melk Abbey (Stift Melk) is a wonder. And Durnstein is famouse for being where Richard the Lionhearted was imprisoned after returning from the crusades.

Question: what month are visiting Austria? That could affect your choice.

U.K.
Destination Expert
for Belgrade
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3. Re: Durnstein/Melk or Hallstatt?
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Also with 2 days to tour, if you have a car, you could 'see' both.

You could tag on an extra night in Salzburg for the lakes and see Danube the following day en-route to Vienna. 2 nice touring days.

Stoofer

Oxford, UK
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1,739 posts
8 reviews
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4. Re: Durnstein/Melk or Hallstatt?
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Rather mundane point, but have you had a look at the accommodation in both areas? I was stunned how expensive hotels and guesthouses were in the towns along the Danube. By contrast, Hallstatt is very cheap, even in the middle of summer. I had an offer of a three-bedroom flat on the lake front at Lahn for 60eur per night in August, to give you an idea of the prices (this was the Haus Tapler - I've not stayed there but it looks fine - see http://members.aon.at/tapler/index.htm)

rol

vienna
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13,600 posts
17 reviews
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5. Re: Durnstein/Melk or Hallstatt?
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While I usually agree with the advice given by Roley , I do not agree about expensive accomodations in the Danube / Wachau area.

Yes, some luxury accomodations can be expensive- example Schloss Dürnstein, Prandauerhof, Raffelsbergerhof etc.

But many , many fine places exist at moderate and cheap prices .

This applies to dining too.

for example

The Landhaus Burkhardt in Spitz - a fine well kept and quiet place - many returning guests - great garden and location.

I have often stayed there and can confirm clean rooms , nice surroundings - good parking if you happen to be driving

room rates include buffet breakfast

The photos on the website are not an exaggeration- they show this Haus as it is.

from 30 euro per person- apartments also available with kitchen 60 euro for 2

near train station and boat docks - fine promenede on the river and great selection of heurigers ( wine taverns) and restaurants

http://www.barock-landhof.de

nearby to Dürnstein / Loiben

Familie Schmelz

single 39 euro per person with breakfast

50 for two people

Brustbauer

http://www.brustbauer.at

stay with the winery

53- 65 for two with a small garden anfd courtyard.

GasteHaus Doppler

20 euro per person

many more like this - just check town websites under accomodations.

or overall site

http://www.wachau.at

Personally I prefer the Wachau / Danube area to the Hallstatt and area nearby.

Always seems to me that it offers more variety - from historic abbeys --. Melk , Gottweig

Historic towns - Krems ( from 995 )

Mautern - a former Roman garrison town

The ruins of Aggstein and the fortress in Dürnstein, quaint walks along narrow streets - the atmosphere of the Danube- Boat trips- many festivals almost weekly .

Nice museums

The magnificent vineyards and orchards- fine dining from gourmet to family owned and operated wine cellars -

some of the best white wine in the world-

One hour to Vienna . -

More things to do in all seasons.

Oxford, UK
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1,739 posts
8 reviews
101 helpful votes
6. Re: Durnstein/Melk or Hallstatt?
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Yes, probably my impressions of the prices for accommodation in this area were skewed by the fact I was looking for acommodation in the major towns, in places easily reached by public transport. If you have access to a car and can drive to places outside the town centres, I'm sure prices are a lot more reasonable.

U.K.
Destination Expert
for Belgrade
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1 review
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7. Re: Durnstein/Melk or Hallstatt?
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Is it necessary to stay elsewhere than the two cities?

If by car, just add the extra nights in Salzburg and/or Vienna depending on itinerary. Quite possible to have two touring days and 'see' both from city bases?

Stoofer

vienna
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13,600 posts
17 reviews
52 helpful votes
8. Re: Durnstein/Melk or Hallstatt?
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Roley: we find a good place for you directly in the village of Dürnstein

Stockingerhof

3 minutes from train station 5 minute walk to village center

their own heuriger -

http://www.stockingerhof.at

per person with breakfast 33- 35 euro.

Ates rathaus - a pension directly in the town center - on main street double 29-36 per person

no web site

Sköger

http://www.winzerhof-skoeger.at

3 minute walk from Schloss Dürnstein and town center - near river promenade boat dock - 5 minute walk -

25-29 per person

a nice heuriger too.

More places too-

no need for auto

train , boat , bike get you everywhere- or a trip advisor poster maay be in the area to take you about also.

vienna
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13,600 posts
17 reviews
52 helpful votes
9. Re: Durnstein/Melk or Hallstatt?
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Sorry above is

http://www.winzerhof-stoeger.at

Dallas, Texas
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1,135 posts
160 reviews
306 helpful votes
10. Re: Durnstein/Melk or Hallstatt?
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Hello Stoofer, Vertical, Roley and Castleblanca,

Wow! Talk abt a mtg of the minds. Thank you all for weighing in. I replied yesterday but don't know why my post didn't pop up. Sorry!

Stoofer, good to hear from you again. You helped us plan the best trip to Swtizerland and Germany 2 yrs ago! Thank you again. Vertical, I highly value your advice from a past forum post. And Roley, my friend LizR speaks so highly of you so I am glad you are here too. She's bn helping me alot with Salzburg and sending me these amazing photos. I am in love with the place before getting there! And Castleblanca, yes I want the chocolates and the strawberries! Can't blame a girl for wanting it all. Maybe if we shoot for the moon we'll get the stars!:)

Ok, here is the plan in a nutshell. Since Stoofer suggested we can do the drive in Austria my husband and I hv bn seriously considering it. I'd love to hear what you all hv to say.

Aug. 3- 7 Florence

( Evening of 7th taking night train to Munich to connect to Fuessen. If anyone has done this, pls let me know. My 10 yr old is dying to do the overnight train. We are worried they won't gv us a totally pte sleeper cabin!)

Aug. 8- 10 Hohenschwangau

Aug. 10- 14 Salzburg

Aug. 14- 16 Hallstatt or Durnstein

Aug. 16- 19 Vienna

We've never bn to any of the places before. We can move a day here and there. The only things we're locked into are a Mozart dinner in Salz on the 12th and the Spanish riding sch on the 18th AM.

I used to like big cities. Now after travelling in Europe for a few summers, we love the-out-of-the-way idyllic places. I may want to shorten Vienna by a day I think.

We love taking the trains but I don't know if this is going to be too time consuming. I found out that it is 161 miles from Salzburg to Vienna. So maybe 10 days is enough to do Hallstatt and Durnstein plus Salz and Wien?? My daughter wants to go to Hallstatt for the mines/caves. I vote for Durnstein for everything that Stoofer talked abt. My husband didn't want to deal with driving at first. We got lost in PAris a few yrs ago and missed our flt.. Bad tht they gv our seats away but good that they upgraded us to first class!

Is driving easy in Austria? I hope the roads are not winding because I get carsick. How abt the parking? The Heritage charges quite abit for their prkg! Aren't there some places where cars can't get in too? Maybe we can rent the car after Salzburg and drop it off in Vienna??? Any car rental places you rec'd?

We're skipping spring break this year and save up all yr for Europe so we don't mind splurging a little. We were looking into the Heritage Hotel in Hallstatt. I believe it's new. Hv any of you heard anything abt it? It is set to open in July. Rates are 200 euros incl b'fast. We are bk'd for now at the Schloss Durnstein at a similar rate. I will look up all the other places you all mentioned. Thank you so much for those names.

Every year the forum "angels" hv helped us plan the BEST vacations. We have so many good memories because of wonderful people like you. Thank you SOOO much for your kindness and help.

I look forward to hearing your valued opinions!

Have a good Friday! Hooray! The wkend!

B

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