Wachau & Salzkammergut details

So apparently the Danube Valley is called the "Wachau" region. I discovered it while researching Austria, Rick Steves doesn't cover it but Frommer's does, as part of a driving tour that goes from Vienna to Salzburg to Innsbruck. I'm not going that far, but the book does mention some interesting-sounding things to see and do in the Austrian countryside. I decided to make it into three days, one day in the Wachau region of the Danube River not too far from Vienna, and two days further west towards Salzburg in the Lake District or Salzkammergut. Even though they're very different areas, I'm lumping them into one post here for convenience.



Since they're relatively small towns, I won't be treating them the same way as I do the big cities. These are to explore the town and the countryside, not visit a museum or see a famous landmark, so I'm a lot more lenient and willing to go into the town not knowing much about what or where and just exploring.

Thurs 10/13 (Day 27) – Wachau (Melk, Krems, Mautern)

• 0740-0849 trains from Vienna to Melk
• 0850-1256 Melk Abbey, other stuff TBD
• 1257-1425 trains to Krems
• 1425-1700 Krems TBD
• 1700 bus to Mautern, TBD afterwards

Fri 10/14 (Day 28) – Salzkammergut (Bad Ischl)

• 0837-1221 trains to Bad Ischl
• 1222-2000 Bad Ischl TBD

In addition to being famous for its spas, Wikipedia says "A gondola lift runs from the town up to the Katrin alpine pasture at 1415 m (4643 ft) which offers a panoramic view of the Salzkammergut mountains." I'll see what the spa is like too.

Sat 10/15 (Day 29) – Salzkammergut (Hallstatt)

• TBD train to Hallstatt
• TBD Hallstatt

Rick Steves really likesHallstatt and has some tour suggestions in his book that I carry around, so I'll just take his advice.

Sun 10/16 (Day 30) – Salzburg

• 0845 boat to train station for train to Salzburg, where the hills are alive with the sound of music

(Originally posted 10/13/11 at 10:53pm, Mautern)