ruwohe

This suggestion is a little different, but visit Oberndorf, a small village only 13 miles north of Salzburg where "Silent Night" was composed and first performed on Christmas Eve, 1818. The original church is gone, but there is a commemorative chapel and a museum opposite it. I first learned about this when I was 14 y/o, but didn't get there until 50 yrs. later! Believe me it was worth the wait. Have a great trip!

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

I would definitely go to Vienna. The architecture and the historical places make it well worth a visit.

RolandDieter

I don't know how long you will be there, but you may have time to do the German Alpine road trip which is just over the border from Austria. Easy beautiful drive, you can get maps in English. Also, the Italian lake area (lakes Como, Garda and Maggiori) if you have time.. Within Austria, north of Innsbruck along Autostrasse 85 you have the very beautiful town of Hall, in the same area, you can take the old coal-burning cog railway train from Jennbach to Achensee (a lake with sightseeing steamboats). The trip is gorgeous. The train is over 125 years old; uses the original equipment. If warm enough sit up front in the open air platform (the train pushes, so you have great views). This was the Emperor's seat in the old days. It only seat four up there, so board quickly. Also on Autostrasses 85 is the town of Kufstein. It's old medieval section is small but fabulous ... the old castle/fort above the city is worth going to. In Salzburg definitely eat at the St Peter's Stiftskeller, the oldest restaurant in Europe: besides great food it is also a photo op inside and out (walk though all the different rooms) ... it first opened in 803 and has been operating continuously. About 20 years ago it was sold to the current owners: before then it had been in the same family since opening. Also in Salzburg go up to the castle/fort. Distances are not great in Europe: just preplan your route, as best you can, for efficiency and pick the places most interesting to you. (For example: with only two weeks to do the Italian Lakes you would have to sacrifice other stuff.)

RolandDieter

Forgot to mention Tratzburg Castle, also in Jennbach. And if you are spending an evening in Prague go have a beer at u Flekl. Small. cozy, and, in my opinion, beats any German beer hall for atmosphere. Roving musicians going from room to room. And fabulous beer made on site.

williejoha

Vienna74 hid the nail right on the head. As a German I have to admit, you cannot go wrong in Austria. Have fun, the food is not bad either.
WJH

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Nothing but great things about Melk, just west of Vienna along the Danube
The old castle at Salzburg
Reutte and you're near Neuschwanstein and Linderhof in southern Bavaria
DO the Salt mines near Salzburg if you have the time, you'll definitely enjoy it...far better than any Sound of Music Tour

Lots of things to see Harold, you'll definitely enjoy it....looking forward to some of those great photos also.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

******* Word of caution ***** If you're renting and driving Harold, make sure you have on your rental car or purchase the A-Bahn sticker, the price varies on how long you'll be there. But don't even get on it w/out the sticker, or else it can be very expensive, really expensive (can be over 400 Euros and up). We talked to some Brits who were on the A-bahn for only 3 miles and they were hammered. Same with Switzerland, however Germany is free

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

The black forest is not in Austria!

Feiertag Loc: British Columbia, Canada

Thank you to everyone that made a comment. Most helpful, indeed. Prost!

RolandDieter

Yes, definitely follow Blaster 42's advice and get the Autobahn sticker. Austria has a cheap weekly or bi-weekly price. In Switzerland it costs much more and they only sell annual passes. I think you have to buy the Swiss ones at their border. Also, some Swiss Autobahns are two lane highways, albeit with limited access entries/exits. In some areas these are almost the only way to get from point A to point B. The mountains limit their ability to build four-lane; I also suspect they just took two lane roads, limited access to them, and called them Autobahns.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

Not quite. The Swiss make a formal distinction between Autobahn and Autostrasse--which is what you are talking about. The Autostrasse is not a limited-access country road. They actually were designed and built that way. They are intersection-free, but there is only one lane in each direction.

utah-man

Beautiful towns in the area - Hallstat (near Salzburg), Cesky Krumlov (in Czech Republic, near the Austrian border)
Vienna is a great city
Melk - on Danube Rive - an incredible monastery
Fuessen/Reutte/Neuschwanstein/Linderhoff - in Bavaria near the Austrian border - "Mad" Ludwig's castles. Neuschwanstein is reportedly Walt Disney's inspiration for his Disneyland castle.

DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

We had a free afternoon in Munich in 1973 and took the train to Innsbruck. It was a beautiful train ride and a beautiful town to wander around in.

Feiertag Loc: British Columbia, Canada

Thank you once again for all the helpful comments. I leave tomorrow. It appears that two weeks will not be enough to visit all the places suggested. My two sisters and their husbands are planing to go to Austria next year. I may join them and explore the places I missed the first time around.

Harold

Flakes Mill

In Vienna we saw the Lipizzan Stallians. They keep some of them there in the city but how to get to them, I have no idea. They are so beautiful and are something other than scenery. Here's a link to get you started.

https://www.austria.info/uk/service-facts/handcrafts-and-traditions/spanish-riding-school-vienna

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=austrian+horses+dancing+lip&qpvt=Austrian+horses+dancing+lip&FORM=IGRE