Reader Reviews

Bad Ischl is the Pearl of the Salzkammergut, the place where Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria spent his vacations. A pearl, indeed, glistening amidst a dozen of lakes, mountains and valleys. A lovely city, not large, but full of life and activities.

Most airlines will take you to Munich or Vienna, with connections to Salzburg. I find car rental the best way to enjoy any place, and to have the freedom to see what's near or far.

A wide range of accommodations is available, from luxurious hotels at $200.00 for an apartment with breakfast; to small inns from $20 to 30; to farms around $15 to 20; and private rooms.

Food is excellent and tasty. Some of the local dishes are well worth tasting, and you must try the famous "Zauner Stollen" a superb delicacy. Service is excellent, and most staff in hotels and stores speak English.

Culture is high on the list: virtually daily performances by orchestras; bands; operettas; choirs etc. Anton Bruckner the Emperor's Organist was featured this summer; and Lehár and Kálmán are frequent visitors. Five local brass bands staged 35 concerts; and if you want to see something special, the "Salzburger Festspiele" are a short drive away. Add to this horseback riding; mountain bike trails; sailing; windsurfing; paragliding; tennis; golf; marathons around the Wolfgang See; rafting; and skiing in the winter, and your calendar is more than full.

If all of the above does not suffice for your ambitions, there are fitness studios; saunas; salt baths; and swimming pools. Not to be missed are the wonderful mountain trails for walking and biking.

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