Perhaps words can’t do justice to the area of Hallstatt. This part of the Austrian alps is not only incredibly scenic but it’s what I would dream the Austrian alps would look like. From the peaks and lakes to the quaint chalet style homes.
We really just got back from Austria and while Texas weather is kinder in November, seeing the snow fall in the alps is worth the cold. Anyways… As I mentioned, Zakynthos, Greece was a highlight, but another one was the Austrian alps. Particularly, Hallstatt.
Hallstatt is a little southeast of Salzburg and well worth the drive. We flew into Vienna and rented a car and quickly made our way to the alps. We normally don’t rent cars (special occasion for my mom (really I mean she has too many bags to do anything else)), but getting to Hallstatt is a heck of a lot easier with a car. Maybe it would be worth the rental from Salzburg.
Or maybe you could just stay at Mondsee. Mondsee is a little more happening and right on the way to Vienna. Why not see both?
Really, Hallstatt is one of the most beautiful mountain towns I’ve ever seen. More so than Estes Park or Queenstown… it’s epic, yet in a small town on the lake kind of way. It’s super quiet and surrounded by areas that are super quiet.
I can’t stress enough how small this town is. The population is less than 900. If you think Salzburg (with 150,000 people) is small and slow paced, then Hallstatt might be torture.
But the area is so beautiful. We drove over from the InterContinental Berchtesgaden (took an 1.5 hours), which is a pretty area. And we also visited some of the surrounding area.
Really, Salzburg itself is beautiful, but partly because of it’s proximity to the alps.
Rent a car, go and stay in a lodge (or the IC Berchtesgaden), enjoy local food and beer, and just breath in the scenes.
The drive coming in is also beautiful as well (Gosau)…
This may not be much of a post… but out of all of Europe, this was a highlight. I don’t want to over-do it and say it’s so exciting and all that jazz. Honestly, there are ski areas if you’re there in winter. But other wise this is not Queenstown, New Zealand. There isn’t a plethra of extreme sports, skydiving, and all that.
It’s quiet. Real quiet. And it’s real beautiful. I can’t say that I’ve seen too many places like this.
We will be back.
Did you know that the Chinese cloned the whole city??
*blinks*
I did not know this… But according to google results, they spent a near $billion recreating it.
I really… I’m speechless.
Though, wouldn’t it be epic to fly from one to the other. :-p
What you describe are the moments that make great trips awesome. The I-can’t-put-my-finger-on-it-but-this-place-is-amazing-and-I’m-coming-back spots that don’t show up in tourist guides, and the detours and stops you can only do in your own transport.
I’ve had those things happen on random stops from public transport… I guess. But I will say, many of my favorite experiences were off the beaten path kinda things. Like a drive then hike, to a giant waterfall in Malaysia. So, yeah.
Have been to Salzburg and Zell am See, but Hallstatt looks very nice as well. Reminds me of a visit to Switzerland where we stayed at a hostel in Iseltwald right near Lake Brienz. The Alps are such a beautiful area to visit.
Wow, Iseltwald looks awesome too. I guess Hallstatt is the poor mans Iseltwald. Jk… but I have avoided Switzerland because of it’s high costs. Although, I wouldn’t know.
Anyways, yea. The alps are special. So are the rockies though.
I am surprised as well that you didn’t mention the Chinese replica 😀
After all, this one reason why there are so many Chinese people in the area, they all want to see the “real” Hallstatt.
I just learned of the replica. But that’s funny because there was pretty much nowhere there except for a very large group of Chinese people. So funny, I wouldn’t have made any connection.
My husband and I spent a month traveling in Austria about 10 years ago and we spent 5 nights in Hallstatt as once we saw it we didn’t want to leave for awhile. We still remember it fondly and when we talk to each other about what our favorite places have been in 60+ countries Hallstatt is always in both of our top 5. I’d love to go back some day…..but the fake Hallstatt being built in China sounds horrid.
Yea, would love to go back. I think it’s already made my top 5. Although hindsight usually sorts that stuff out. :-p
Only in China.
I wonder if people go to Hallstatt, China and come back and tell their friends how beautiful it is and that they need to go the Hallstatt, China. “Just google Hallstatt, it’s beautiful!”
Or I wonder if people went to Hallstatt, China not know it’s fake. Too funny.