Wish You Were Here: Deep inside the salt mines of Austria
The last year saw readers traveling to hot spots around the world, from the splashy spectacles of Bath, England, to the wildlife-filled Galapagos and more. And they’ve shared their stories and plenty of travel tips along the way.
Here’s the latest installment, this time from a Concord couple whose trip to Austria included some spectacular sights and activities.
WISH YOU WERE HERE
AUSTRIA: Concord residents Jim and Jane Young’s recent trip to Austria included a day trip from Salzburg to the alpine village of Hallstatt. “With the excursion, we opted for a tour of the village’s Salzwelten Salt Mines, the oldest salt mine in the world,” Jane says. “The one and a half hour tour provided an amazing underground journey to the origins and production of ‘white gold,’ as salt was called in the early days. There was a fascinating mix of tunnel roaming, wall and salt touching, hurtling down miners’ slides and impressive high-tech visuals that were enriching and enhancing. Protective clothing for the mine tour is provided, and photos and videotaping are allowed everywhere, even while traveling down the slides, an unforgettable must-do, with stairs as an alternative for those less daring or who have height discomfort.
“There are also other salt mine tours available that are closer to Salzburg as half-day excursions, some across the border into Germany. Hallstatt is a good choice for a visit to a UNESCO world heritage site and a salt mine on the same trip.”
TRAVEL TIPS: This “fairy tale destination” has been compared to Arendelle in “Frozen,” Jane says, so expect to see many other tourists. “Given the location and climb to the mine, we recommend allowing plenty of extra time to plan for entry. Morning is likely a better and less crowded time to visit. The funicular to travel up the hill to the mine is well worth the additional cost, plus it includes access to the skywalk for a fabulous view. We opted for a small group minivan tour from Salzburg with Edelweiss Tours. Our driver was outstanding, providing interesting and insightful educational information and touring tips along the way.”
Share your travels with us! Send a photo of yourself on your latest adventures to jburrell@bayareanewsgroup.com. Tell us where you are, who everyone is and where they’re from, and share a travel tip or two to help fellow travelers.