|
Austria is a wonderful holiday destination at any time of the year, with pursuits, both outdoor and indoor, to suit everyone. It is a country that is particularly suited to a driving holiday.
You can explore its stunning landscape at leisure, without the constraints of timetables, spending as much or as little time in any spot as you choose. And you will choose. Stunning landscapes of rugged mountain peaks, peaceful valleys, romantic small towns and never-ending green velvety forests are yours.
The Salzkammergut is one of the most beautiful parts of Austria to drive around, with its gorgeous lakes and craggy peaks, small towns and charming villages, ice caves and salt mines. We have selected a very small part of the region to whet your appetite for a longer stay. So, take your time and savour the wonders of the Salzkammergut.
Day 1
Salzburg is a city of outstanding
beauty, full of wonderful architectural treasures. The sight of the
Baroque spires of the old town, overlooked by the Festung
Hohensalzburg, is unforgettable. It is no surprise that UNESCO has
named the old town as one of its World Cultural Heritage Sites.
Salzburg is the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and his
influence is evident everywhere. There is Mozartplatz with its
Mozart statue, the Mozarteum music academy, and of course the Mozart
Museum. Salzburg is also a city of museums, galleries, theatres,
shopping, cafes and restaurants, clubs and bars, for entertainment
to suit every taste, and every purse.
Day 2-3
From
Salzburg, take the scenic route 158 to the small town of St Gilgen, only 29 km east of Salzburg. It is a good place for a stop as it provides easy access to the surrounding area, which needs some serious investigation. Which is why we suggest two nights here, as you can drive, walk or cycle all round the lakes. The village of Mondsee on the lake of the same name is well worth a stop if only to take in the parish church, notable for its many altars and statues. The lake is very welcoming with its warm waters for swimming and other water sports, such as windsurfing and sailing. Head out on route 151 on your way to the resort of Attersee on
the east bank towards the north end of the lake of the same name,
the largest of Salzkammergut's lakes. The way to get the best views
is of course from the lakes themselves, so take one of the boat
tours that are available.
Day 4
Tour around the north end of the lake, calling into Weissenbach on the south-eastern shore of the lake and take route 153 to the village of Mitterweissenbach. Turn right on route 145, a lovely winding road through mountains and head for the pretty spa town of Bad Ischl, nestling within a
bend on the River Traun. There are a number of interesting features
in the town including some lovely Biedermeier-style buildings and
Franz Josef's summer residence, the Kaiservilla, where he signed the
declaration of war on Serbia, an act that ignited the 1914-1918 War
and determined the course of the world's history for ever. Have a
look in the Stadtmuseum, housing many exhibits of local interest and
cultural items, before taking a restorative health bath in one of
the town's spas.
Day 5
From Bad Ischl, take route 145 once more and head for Bad Aussee. The town lies on the rushing River Traun and there is access to two lakes as well as a number of pretty little towns and villages. There are two churches here that are worth a visit and the Kammerhof Museum covers local history and the history of salt production for which the Salzkammergut is famous, hence its name. Go through the lovely village of Obertraun, cradled between the mountains, stopping to check out the Dachstein Caves, with their stunning ice formations. Skirt the southern end of the lake and head for Hallstatt, one of the most beautiful and
historic of Austria's villages, and a good base for a walk around at
least part of the lake from which it takes its name, the
Hallstattersee. The town also provides the dubious pleasure of
visiting the bonehouse, where skulls are decorated with iron
crosses, flower designs and the names of their owners.
Day 6
Head off to Gosaumuhle where you join route 166 for Russbach, through Abtenau to Golling. Head south on the 159 to the village of Werfen to see its hilltop
fortress and the Eisreisenwelt, the spectacular ice caves nearby.
The caves in the mountainside are the largest and most accessible in
the world, with around 42 km of negotiable passages to explore and
exquisite ice configurations.
Day 7
On your way back to Salzburg, set off north on the 159 as far as Hallein. Visit the Keltenmuseum, the Celtic
Museum, or take the cable car up to the fascinating salt mine, the
Salzbergwerk, at Bad Durrnberg. And, just 4 km south of Salzburg,
visit Schloss Hellbrunn, the 17th-century castle built by Bishop
Marcus Sitticus, where in the grounds you can see the beautifully
lit musical fountains.
|
del.icio.us
Digg it
Yahoo MyWeb
Stumble It!
