🎶 Austria – Sound of Music, Mozart & Alpine Lakes

Austria brought postcard-perfect charm and musical magic to our journey. We pedaled through Salzburg on a Sound of Music bike tour, stayed the night at the home of the real-life Von Trapp family, took in mountaintop views from a fortress Mozart concert, and wandered through alpine villages with stunning lakes like Hallstatt and St. Gilgen. With crystal-clear lakes, baroque architecture, hearty alpine meals, and cozy cafés tucked into historic corners, this portion of the trip was equal parts scenic and soulful. A perfect balance of nature, history, and culture in the heart of the Alps.

Itinerary

This itinerary is based on our May 29-31, 2018, Europe trip, including driving from Fussen to Salzburg, Salzburg to Hallstatt, and St. Gilgen to Munich.

Day 1: German Alpine Road – Fussen > Salzburg

• 🚗 Scenic drive from Fussen via Schloss Linderhof, Oberammergau, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Mittenwald, Lake Walchensee & Bad Tölz (3-5 hr drive depending on stops)
• 🏨 5:00 PM: Check-in and explore Villa Trapp hotel ($170/night via Booking.com)
  • This is the actual home of the real Von Trapp family from The Sound of Music. We stayed in the room of the eldest daughter, Agathe von Trapp.
  • Unfortunately, the bed and breakfast is permanently closed.
• 🍺 6:00 PM: Dinner @ Augustiner Bräustübl (Beer hall; no reservations allowed; park @ Altstadt Garage
• 🚊 7:30 PM: Funicular to Festung Hohensalzburg (free, can visit outer fortress area 1 hr before concert)
• 🎻 8:30 PM: Mozart Concert @ Fortress (🎟️ Pre-purchase recommended)
• 🚶 10:00 PM: Salzburg town walk (🎧 Follow Rick Steves’ Audio Tour)

Day 2: Salzburg > Hallstatt

• 🍴 8:00 AM: Hotel breakfast
  🧳 Check-out of hotel
• 🚗 Drive (8-min) and park @ Mirabell-Congress-Garage
• 🚴 9 AM – 1 PM: Sound of Music Fraulein Maria’s Bike Tour (🎟️ Pre-purchase recommended, €30, Arrive @ Mirabellplace 4 by 9:20 AM; 3.5 hrs, 8 miles)
• 🍴 1:30 PM: Lunch @ Bärenwirt
• 🏨 2:30 PM: Drive (35-min) and check-in to Hotel-Garni Schernthaner ($135 via Booking.com)
• 🚗 3:15 PM: Drive (47-min) to Hallstatt
• 👀 4:00 PM: Explore + Skywalk (Ride Funicular, 2-min)
• 🍴 8:00 PM: Dinner @ Grüner Baum
• 🚗 9:00 PM: Drive (43-min) back to hotel

Day 3: St. Gilgen > Munich

• 🚴 9:00 AM: Bike ride along Wolfgangsee Lake (free from hotel)
• 🧳 10:30 AM: Hotel check-out
• 🍴 11:00 AM: Lunch by Wolfgangsee Lake
• 🚗 12:00 PM: Drive (2.5h) to Munich

We wrapped up our European adventure in vibrant Munich. Check out our dedicated Munich blog for a detailed itinerary and insider tips.