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
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.
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
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
nearby to Dürnstein / Loiben
Familie Schmelz
single 39 euro per person with breakfast
50 for two people
Brustbauer
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
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.
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.
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 -
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.
Sorry above is
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