Lake break near Salzburg

It is not difficult to find a place to sleep along the lake, as the offer is very varied. I’ve decided for a budget friendly accommodation at Jugendgästehaus Mondsee, which is a hostel the HI network is rightfully proud of. I found the hostel right away, for the town is really not big. There were no problems with parking either. The square building is in a peaceful part of town, just a short walk away from the city centre. The lake is near too, and from the second floor I could even admire the view of it over the surrounding roof tops. Before the start of the season, I was treated with all the luxury – I was all alone in a room for four. There were two bunk beds in the room, which had its own bathroom. Otherwise the hostel features 21 rooms that can accommodate 80 people all together and each room has its bathroom. Three rooms are specially equipped to suit the people in wheel chair, as well as the access to the entre and the restaurant. All of this is the result of the refurbishment three years ago. The hostel has no age limitations and you get a key to the front entrance, allowing you to go out at night and return to your room, regardless the time – but quietly during the night. The prices for a night start at 19,5€ and you can decide between a half and full board. The self-serving breakfast was ready for me in a huge dining room, with walls decorated by citrus motives. The entrance and the reception, on the other hand, are in typical red colours – as are parts of the furniture and photographs. And not to forget another speciality, I was greeted by the dog guests upon my arrival. The manager Gabi Hackl explained, she has a dog and would feel really weird, not to allow guests to bring their companions with them. »But, naturally, we don’t allow dogs in beds or the restaurant!« she remarked seriously, when heading off for a morning walk with her four-legged friend. The hostel also organizes many activities and trips, so the few days spent there pass really quickly.

The centre of the town features a smaller square next to the former monastery, which is now a hotel. Along with colourful houses, there’s also the church of St. Michael. Many people visit the Mondsee just to see the church, as it was the setting to the wedding of the extremely popular Julie Andrews film The sound of Music. I guess most of current hostel visitors never saw the movie… I’ve met a group of Japanese tourists in front of the church, enquiring where to get the traditional pastry – the Apple Strudel. I’ve sent them to the nearby pastry shop and I hope they were not disappointed. Apart from a dozen of shops and restaurants you can also see the open air museum, with wooden houses typical for this part of Austria. The town also features a railroad museum, dedicated to the track which use to connect the town with Salzburg. Mondsee is even on the UNESCO heritage list with the prehistoric Pile dwelling, which, however, is today under the water.

The resort town does hold some manifestation, but apart from that the place to be is the Big Bamboo bar, which has been providing musical events for visitors for the past 25 years now and is known way beyond the lake area. The Bar is close to the shore and the promenade park Almeida.

 

Mondsee is very attractive in winter, also. It’s less than half an hour away from Salzburg and close to the neighbouring ski slopes. Not to mention other large lakes nearby, which of each offers something special.