Expert: SANDRA - 1/8/2001

Question
  Planning visit to Austria in May -- main two destinations Vienna and Salzburg.  Any special events in last half of the month?  Would like hotels with local flavor, as compared to a western chain type . . . no need re-inventing Chicago ;-)  And are "zimmers" usually available in May?  We will be driving a rental car between the two cities, and would like to "taste the flavor" of the local society and culture.
  Any other suggestions about things to do (or to avoid), places to go in and out of those cities or between, would be much appreciated.
  We're "travelers," not "tourists."  Tourists don't know where they've been; travelers don't know where they're going!  We want to explore!
          Frank (midnamego)

Answer
Hello Frank,

I would strongly suggest that you rent a "Zimmer " in a Gasthaus or other accomondation.
It is by far less expensive than other hotels and more rustic and traditional.May is a good time to travel . Places you should definitely see in Vienna are the Schoenbrunn Castle and Gardens,the Zoo(if you would like to), the Stephans Dome,the " Wiener Prater" (famous Amusement park).In Salzburg take a stroll through the "Altstadt" ( the historic town) and visit the house that Mozart was born in!And don't forget to take a peak into one of the beautiful churches.
A " Zimmer" in a Pension or Gasthaus will not be hard to find in May.
One good traditional Hotel in Salzburg is the " Weisse Taube " in Salzburg .
Just look out for "Gasthaus" .They are only about 20-50 Dollars a night and include breafast. Most of them are not listed on the internet.

Hope this helps and please don't hesitate to contact me if you need more help.

Sandra