Vienna, Salzburg & Tirol Guidebook
Guidebook corrections:
Please note: The following corrections were submitted by readers and have not yet been confirmed by Rick. Check updates from Rick for the latest.
In Salzburg, at the Mozart's Residence (Wohnhouse), no audioguides were being provided when I visited in December (I asked about them).
Steve Macfarlane in Carmichael, CA USA 01/16/2012
It would be wonderful if Rick would rethink his negative comments on the Vienna Boys Choir. They are terrific! And the Vienna Chamber Orchestra was great too!
Barb in Columbia, SC USA 01/06/2012
Many of the fees listed were incorrect.
R. Kanazawa in Saratoga, CA USA 10/27/2011
You must reinstate HAUS GASSNER, Moosstrasse 126B, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria in your sleeping recomendations for Salzburg. On our most recent visit we drove into Salzburg on Sept 28 to find the hotel we had booked was not available because we had mistakenly booked the 27th. For some reason we remembered Moosstrasse for which we set our GPS. Thank God for small favors we recognized the area and building as we approached and Maria had accomodations which were extra clean and warm with a delicious breakfast the next morning as usual. There were 3 of us, my wife, my sister and myself and Maria charged 29 Euros each which we thought was an excellant value for the money. Do everyone a favor and put her back in the book. Incidentally, she proudly displays in the breakfast room, a framed photo of a very young Rick Steves and another fellow with a castle in the background.
LOWELL HANCUH in EAGAN, MN USA 10/07/2011
Mozart's Residence (Wohnhaus) no longer has an audio-tour (discontinued sometime during summer 2011), and without it, it's quite a dull experience. Really, don't bother. There is no attempt to capture what the house might have been like when he lived there, and other than letters and books, very little of Mozart himself in evidence. Skip it.
John Warner in Lambrecht, Germany 09/25/2011
The room rate for the Hotel Trumer Stube in Salzburg does not include breakfast. On page 20 of the book in the box "Sleep Code", it says that all rooms include breakfast unless otherwise noted. The write up on the hotel on page 296 talks about "big made-to-order breakfast" as though it is an ammenity. No so. They wanted 7 euros per person. While the price probably wasn't too bad, I didn't partake because I was surprised that my 114 euro single didn't include breakfast. I protested, but Marianne said that it never included breakfast. This should be noted in future editions.
Diane Teakle in Dublin, CA USA 09/20/2011
1. Cantinetta La Norma Restaurant (p.182) is easier to find by going down Singerstrasse away from St. Stephen's, right on the corner of Franziskaner Platz.
2. The p. 43 blurb about the Wochenkarte seems to imply that if you don't start it on a Monday, you're cooked, when actually you can start using it any day of the week you buy it for. It's worth it even if you start as late as Thursday and do at least a few rides daily. Be sure you're getting it for the right week!
Bill Gordon & Nancy Weiss in Miami, FL USA 07/17/2011
The hike to Mauthausen KZ is doable but is probably more around 1.5 hours than 1 hour and could be rather uncomfortable on a hot day. If you have any type of luggage with you, do not take it with you. Also there are no lockers at St Valentin or Mauthausen train stations to leave luggage but we did find the wonderful stationmaster in Mauthausen will watch bags for you.
Karen Lee in Calgary, AB Canada 06/10/2011
The Hohensalzberg Castle is no longer free to walk the grounds. Even if you walk you still must pay 7.50 euro for adults to enter the grounds. Fenicular rates were 10.50 euro for adults. We were very disappointed that we had to pay when we walked up to the entrance to the castle grounds.
Kevin W in Colorado Springs, CO USA 05/20/2011
Hello, For a friend I got your Vienna, Salzburg & Tirol book. It's great. Just one little thing: page 163, explanation of Heurigen specifics. 1 dag means 1 Dekagram (not 1 Decigram). Deka is 10 in Greek, so 1 dag (in German also dkg) = 10 grams; thus 10 dag = 100 grams. Deci is 1/10, like 1 Decimeter = 0.1 meters, thus 10 cm. Example Switzerland, where wine often is offered in Deciliters.
Thank you for the great book about my home country-city (Vienna, Austria)
B/rgds,
Eduard Schmiege
Eduard Schmiege in San Diego, CA USA 12/18/2010
Internet Access: The Lakeside Lounge in Hallstatt has closed down. I tried to go there to use the internet, and found out it was no more.
Walter in Philadelphia, PA USA 10/20/2010
Change the directions to Mauthausen. For about 20 Euros more round trip, we got a taxi from St. Valentin train station rather than waiting for the connecting train to Mauthausen station. This allowed us to spend more time at the camp.
Neil in San Jose, Ca USA 09/29/2010
1). The directions to KZ Mauthausen need updating. I traveled by rail from Vienna (inbound via Linz and outbound via St. Valentine). Also, you should mention that the train station is really a very small one with little to no service. It does not appear that there is bus service from the train station to Mauthausen. The book says it is hikable from the train station to Mauthausen, but you should note that the hike is mostly uphill and I doubt anyone could really make it in an hour. I saw a lot of bikers there. Taxis also were not onsite at the train station. The rail station had to call one for me- took about 20 minutes to show up. The same was true when I wanted to leave- the camp pass office called for a taxi and it took at least 15-20 minutes to show up. I left Vienna at 9 and was back in Vienna by 5pm- but was only able to spend about 1.5 hrs at Mauthausen.
Mike Atamian in San Diego, CA USA 09/19/2010
A quick addition: we ate at Saran Essbar and thoroughly enjoyed the meal but were surprised when he required a cash payment. Your books are usually very good about warning cash only restaurants and hotels. Additionally, we enjoyed Hellbrun Palace every bit as much as Hohensalzburg. We think it deserves two triangles. You might also consider adding a restaurant we ate it. The Golden Duck is on Gold street with indoor and outdoor seating. The menu is quite Austrian and the food is delicious.
robert ward in andover, nj USA 08/14/2010
Hallstatt Museum now has posted information on most exhibits in English, but it still was nice to also have the English audioguide for more extensive details.
Diane and Bill in Carmel Valley, CA USA 07/27/2010
Directions around the Black Forest were difficult to follow leaving Baden-Baden and heading south.
Barb in Louisville, KY USA 07/01/2010
Bikes can be rented for the entire trip from Melk to Krems. Cost for 1/2 day (after 12:30) is 9 Euros for adults, 7 Euros for children. Drop charge is 3 Eros per bike. Be sure to get good directions for the drop spot in Krems, which is at the Schiff Station, and it is unattended. It is a 20 minute walk to the train station from there.
Michael Sherwood in Prescott Valley, AZ USA 06/30/2010
Would just like to mention that there is now a fee to see most of St-Stephen's. The free section now is limited to the entrance and the North Transept up to the rebuilding plaque
Lise in montreal, QC Canada 06/25/2010
Used Rick Steves Snapshot - Munich, Bavaria & Salzburg for a June trip (friends also had the Germany book). For the Salzburg fortress, there is no longer any discount for after hours use of the funicular. We were informed at the Funicular ticket desk that, even on concert days, the rate was a flat 10,50 euros even if the museums were closed.
Alan in Sugar Land, TX USA 06/23/2010
Hotel Trumer Stube is under new management
Nina O in Roswell, Ga USA 06/10/2010
I recommend you re-write the information the Nazi Documentation Center and the Eagles Nest. The way it is presently written, the "open" hours is only under the segment of the Documentation Center and thus seems to refer only to the Documentaton Center, particularly the last entry 1 hr before closing, when in fact that also pertains to the last bus to go up to the Eagles Nest. The book, as written presently, is a little misleading. Because of it, we missed our bus because we went to the Documentation Center first.
Kim Stafford in San Antonio, TX USA 06/01/2010
Please clarify directions to Schonbrunn Palace! After exiting the U-Bahn, what do you do if there are no crowds to follow? Today we wandered about in the completely wrong direction and saw other tourists in the same boat. We couldn't see the palace as we exited, probably from the wrong U exit. More specifics would be so appreciated!
Ruth Stump in East Lansing, MI USA 05/31/2010
I bought this book in April 2010 for a trip during the first week of May. The book was apparently published in March 2010, but the prices on several attractions were already out of date. I spent extra money on the book to make sure that I got the most recent version, instead of buying a cheaper but out-of-date copy. I am very disappointed and would like a refund.
Marissa Vogt in Los Angeles, CA USA 05/20/2010
Reservatons at Pension Sarstein in Hallstatt were problematic and ultimately unavailable. I wrote in November 2009 for two nights in June 2010, but was told that I was too early. I then asked when I could make reservations? The answer was in May, which did seem unreasonable, so I checked in April 2010. Of course, they were full by then, for my two requested nights as well as for two alternate pairs of nights. I would have thought that the Fischer family would have kept the reservations on file and at least notified me that they were taking reservations for June 2010. Very unhelpful and perhaps saving space for local tours and groups!
bruce neumann in boulder, co USA 04/20/2010
We just visited Salzburg and Vienna and ran into two snags regarding the book's information:
1) The Salzburg fortress charged for any entry even without the funicular and museums. We had expected to walk up and walk around for free, but no dice.
2) The Neue Burg Museum (Armor, Musical instruments, et al.) in Vienna is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, as opposed to just Tuesdays as in the book.
Tom McCarthy in Wilmington, DE USA 04/04/2010
Salzburg, Austria. The "Christkonig Pension" in the "Sleeping" section -- they do not speak English on the phone. Emails in english can be sent, but the response time is long. In other wrods, this hotel should not be in this section as they do not speak English AT ALL.
kristi in denver, co USA 03/15/2010
Salzburg, Austria. The "Christkonig Pension" in the "Sleeping" section -- they do not speak English on the phone. Emails in english can be sent, but the response time is long. In other wrods, this hotel should not be in this section as they do not speak English AT ALL.
kristi in denver, co USA 03/15/2010
I do wish that Rick Steves' travel guides would stop endorsing the Gulasch (Goulash) Museum in Vienna. My wife and I lead culinary tours to Europe, so we know about food there and what we can expect for our money. We visited the Gulasch Museum at 20 Singerstrasse, Vienna, Austria in January 2010 and proceeded to order based upon the appetizing photos and descriptions in the menu. What we received for about $24 per bowl was basically Dinty Moore beef stew without most of the beef. I was additionally brought a flat (stale) beer that the proprietor refused to replace, and charged me for. Oh yes - there's a 2 Euro "cover charge" per person that's not mentioned in the menu, and... it's CASH ONLY -- which the waiter/manager didn't mention until he handed us the bill. This practice obviously prevents people from back-charging their credit card after feeling ripped off. STAY AWAY from the Gulasch Museum! There are many great places to eat in Vienna -- don't be ripped off at this clip joint!
James K. Fowler in Houston, TX USA 01/30/2010
Directions to Danieli are confusing. We started off at the Neuer Market. The street names change on Kaerntner. 2 blocks south of of the Stephanplatz U on left is clearer.
Lynne Dillingham in Columbia, MO USA 01/13/2010
Hi there. I just returned from an amazing trip to Austria and Prague. While in Salzburg, I called the Hotel Amdom. As of March, it is no longer a budget hotel but at four star, upscale hotel. 43-0662-842765
Carol Fallon in Newport Beach, Ca USA 11/01/2009
Didn't know where to put this comment, so here it is. I was disappointed in trying to make a reservation in Salzburg at the ChristKoenig Pension. I am planning a trip 10 months in advance and I wrote Frau Huemer with my request of dates. She wrote back and said she had rooms and gave me info and requested our credit card info to hold the reservation. Luckily, I only sent half of that info at a time. After submitting the first half of our credit card info, she writes back and now says she has regular guests she will not hear from for awhile, so she now is NOT willing to hold a room. She states we can check back in April next year, one month before travaeling. My opinion, she never should have said she had rooms, nor requested our credit card info to hold one! I feel better that I shared this!! Anne, Stevens, PA
Anne in Stevens, PA USA 07/29/2009
You mention an organ in the Stephansdom built in 1960. It was very unsatisfactory and has since been replaced in 1991 by an organ built by Austrian organ builder Rieger. It has 4 manuals, 54 stops.
Penny Lorenz in Mill Creek, WA USA 06/19/2009
At the opera, my son was rejected for wearing shorts. We had thought we could get the ticket then go home and change, not so.
HELEN STEELE in KESWICK, VA USA 06/07/2009