A “Zille” is a flat-bottomed wooden boat traditional in the Salzkammergut Lake District and the boat that silently glides across Lake Fuschl from the lakeside promenade in Fuschl to the castle fishery is called the “Fuschlerin”. To ensure Lake Fuschl’s excellent water quality motorboats are not allowed, that is why the Fuschlerin has an electric motor, guaranteeing an almost silent ride past secluded inlets and fantastic scenery.

There are two ice caves that can easily be visited from Fuschl am See, the nearest is in Werfen, which you can combined with a visit to Hohen Werfen Fortress. Alternatively you can visit the ice caves in Dachstein. Both are well worth a visit and the guided tours can be given in English on request. You need to be quite fit as there are hundreds of steps to climb, sturdy shoes and a warm jacket should be worn as the average temperature inside the caves is around 0°C in winter and summer.

Again there are a number of salt mines that can be visited, Hallein is probably the nearest and can be combined with a visit to the Celtic Village. After visiting the town of Bad Isch you could visit the mines there, or alternatively visit the mines just over the border in Bad Reichenhall and end the day with a swim in the activity swimming pool “Watzmann”. All the mines are great fun for all the family. At first the proper miner’s overalls must be adorned, then a small-train ride takes you into the heart of the mountains. From here on the guided tour, also in English, takes you down deeper and deeper into the mine on foot and using long wooden slides. A fascinating experience for all the family.

If you head towards Bad Ischl and take the turn-off to the Postalm (could easily be combined with a trip to the Postalm) you’ll see a small sign to Kleefeld and a short ride up the hill will bring you to the restaurant and deer park that has much more to offer than just deer. The younger children will really enjoy feeding the miniature ponies, goats and sheep. A walk through the park gives you an insight into the native animals of the region and there’s nothing to stop you having a drink or something to eat while enjoying the idyllic scenery. Entry to the deer park is free.

The open air history museum „Freilichtmuseum“ in Großgmain is just a 40-minute drive from the hotel and lies to the south of Salzburg. 60 original farm houses, barns, mills, craftsmen’s workshops and mountain huts from the last 500 years have been painstakingly moved to the museum grounds and lovingly rebuilt to give visitors a true feeling of life in Austria over the centuries. Special handcraft exhibitions are organised throughout the year to make a day out at the museum a real eye-opener. There is a restaurant on sight and the grounds are ideal for prams, pushchairs and wheel chairs.

The Gaisberg mountain lies at the east edge of the City of Salzburg, is 1,288m high and a road leads to the viewpoints and restaurants at the top. Gaisberg is one of the last peaks of the Osterhorn Group and is therefore part of the foothills of the Alps. It’s well worth the drive, which will take you about 25 minutes, and the views of the city and the surrounding area are spectacular.

This is the steepest cog railway in Austria and since 1893 has been taking visitors to the top of St. Wolfgang’s local mountain the ‘Schafberg’. The locomotives are among the oldest in the world and the 1190 m and 5,85 km stretch to the top is covered in just 40 minutes. Take a nostalgic ride and enjoy the views. For Sound of Music fans of course this is an absolute must as the railway was featured in the film.

In 1873 the first paddle steamer, the “Kaiser Franz Josef”, was launched on Lake Wolfgang. In those days the 33 metre-long steamer was considered a true “technical accomplishment” and has since stared in many historic films. Today 6 motorised boats maintain the ferry service on Lake Wolfgang throughout the summer months linking the villages of St. Gilgen, Strobl and St. Wolfgang. This is a great idea for a day trip, or use the ferry service to get you home after a hiking tour in the region.