One of my best friends, Lauren, and her husband, Dirk, traveled from Colorado to Iceland to say "I do" and adventure around for a week. They then caught a flight south to spend time with our family and come along on a mini-trip to Austria with me and Brecken. The car was packed full, giving the impression that all on board would be taking a lengthy trip. The reality being that we were only going to be gone for three days. But hey, my ability to travel light doesn't come natural and is nearly impossible by the time I pack enough for the littlest lad in the group. Dirk and Brecken were backseat bros and nodded off throughout the drive or played games on their electronic devices. Lauren was my conversational co-pilot, leaving minimal dead air in-between us during the four hour drive.
Our first stop was Berchtesgaden, Germany. A town in the Bavarian Alps located just across the border from Austria. Surrounded by majestic mountains and crystal clear creeks and lakes, this area boasts natural beauty. While the scenic landscape alone is enough to lure travelers here, many tourists actually stop in this region to visit Hitler's "Eagle's Nest" or go deep into the ground to experience the salt mines. With limited time, we chose to go into the salt mines, thinking this would be more fun for Brecken. After purchasing tickets for the tour, we dressed in our mandatory mining jump suits and rode a train deep into the dimly lit, cold, underground. The best part of the tour was the wooden slides and a boat ride on the mirrored lake. Brecken was half terrified of the slide, as you can see in the picture below. His immediate response after we came to a halt at the bottom of the fast slide was, "mommy, I go home now." Discovering the salt mines was an educational thrill that gave us ample information and amusement without being another mundane tour.
We made it to Abtenau, Austria where we rented and apartment on the farm of Johann and Petra. I pulled into the driveway and was unsure as to whether or not we were at the correct address. Johann walked towards our car, smiling, waving, and greeted us with a jovial Grüß Gott (may God greet you). Our stay on his organic farm was a slice of goodness.
One day of our trip was spent in Hallstatt and the other day in Salzburg. Staying in Abtenau set us in-between both of these locations and amidst green fields, grazing cows, and a backdrop of brilliant mountains. The small town of Hallstatt sits along the calm waters of Hallstatt Lake. Wooden homes line the town giving it a charming appearance. There is an allure here; tourists seeking an escape from the bustle of everyday life to seek out a place that represents storybook features. To get the best views of this town, glide along the water in a rented electric boat or take the funicular up to an overlook.
Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and the filming location for the famous musical, The Sound of Music. We parked near the Mirabell Gardens and slowly made our way through the gardens and onto the bridge spanning the Salzach River. Standing on the bridge my eyes gazed upwards to the clifftop fortress perched high above the old city. Church bells rang, classical music wafted through open windows, and horse hooves clopped through the cobblestone streets as carriages carried tourists here and there. Weaving through streets we ended up on the famous, Getreidegasse, easily recognized by its tall, narrow buildings with wrought iron signs. A small city with a slow-paced speed, Salzburg is lovely and quite manageable for those on a tight time schedule.
One day of our trip was spent in Hallstatt and the other day in Salzburg. Staying in Abtenau set us in-between both of these locations and amidst green fields, grazing cows, and a backdrop of brilliant mountains. The small town of Hallstatt sits along the calm waters of Hallstatt Lake. Wooden homes line the town giving it a charming appearance. There is an allure here; tourists seeking an escape from the bustle of everyday life to seek out a place that represents storybook features. To get the best views of this town, glide along the water in a rented electric boat or take the funicular up to an overlook.
Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and the filming location for the famous musical, The Sound of Music. We parked near the Mirabell Gardens and slowly made our way through the gardens and onto the bridge spanning the Salzach River. Standing on the bridge my eyes gazed upwards to the clifftop fortress perched high above the old city. Church bells rang, classical music wafted through open windows, and horse hooves clopped through the cobblestone streets as carriages carried tourists here and there. Weaving through streets we ended up on the famous, Getreidegasse, easily recognized by its tall, narrow buildings with wrought iron signs. A small city with a slow-paced speed, Salzburg is lovely and quite manageable for those on a tight time schedule.
Travel Notes
Accommodations
Organic Farm Stay This apartment was wonderful and is separate from the owners home. The wood work throughout the apartment was crafted by Johann himself and it's obvious how much pride he takes in his property. He has a barn full of toys for children as well as ponies, cows, kittens, and bunnies.
Salzbergwerk Berchtesgaden
Salzbergwerk Website to access information on opening times, FAQ's, address, pricing, and online ticket purchase. There were a few children under the age of two on the tour, however, baby carriers are not permitted.
Itinerary- 4 days and 3 nights
- Day 1
- Depart Stuttgart by 7:30am and arrive in Berchtesgaden by 11:30am
- Tour Salzbergwerk
- Drive from Salzbergwerk to Lake Konigssee
- Early dinner and ice cream at Lake Konigssee
- Drive to apartment rental in Abtenau, Austria
- Check-in
- Find a grocery store to stock up!
- Relax for the night and map out activities for the following days
- Day 2
- Breakfast at the apartment
- Tour of the organic farm
- Drive from Abetenau to Hallsatt (Beautiful 40 minute drive through the mountains)
- Walk the streets of Hallsatt
- Rent a boat and cruise around the Lake
- Take the funicular up to the observation overlook deck
- Return to the apartment rental to cook dinner and gear up for a day in Salzburg
- Day 3
- Breakfast at the apartment
- Drive from Abtenau to Salzburg (25 minutes)
- Walk through Mirabell Gardens
- Cross the bridge into the Altstadt
- Roam through Getreidegasse
- Buy mozartkugels!
- Lunch outside at Gasthaus Zwettlers
- Roam the streets
- Dinner at our apartment
- Rest up for our drive back!
- Day 4
- Check-out and travel day
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