Winter Holidays in Austria or Norway

[Sleepyhills]

I’m looking for recommendations on where to stay in Austria or Norway in early November next year for DHs birthday.

I want a cosy chalet or cabin surrounded by peaceful scenery but a shortish drive to a town or city. Happy to spend quite a bit as it’s a big birthday. It’s a surprise but he’s mentioned wanting to go in the past.

Our nearest airport is Edinburgh which means we could only fly to Oslo or Bergen for Norway and Vienna or Salzburg for Austria. I think if I drive to Aberdeen we could go to Stavanger in Norway too.

We aren’t skiers or snowboarders.

Just want a really lovely place to stay. I plan to hire a car (unless dangerous in Nov?)

Austria may be pretty quiet in November, it is an in between time with activities taking a break and lifts being maintained before the winter season starts. You might want to look for when Christmas Markets start.

Direct edinburgh innsbruck ski flights start on 21st but it's easy enough to go to London Gatwick and change there or to fly to Munich. I agree about the timing, November is a between seasons time so early Dec is better.

That's a tough choice because both countries are beautiful! I'd love to go back to either.
What do you like doing whilst you're away?

Would you to open to Sweden, in the artic circle.
Ice Hotel was unbelievable.
www.icehotel.com/

If you want snow then Austria won't work, there may be the odd possibilty that it may snow but it's more rain you can expect.

Saying that, my colleague went to Vienna last month and enjoyed it very much.

We're going to Norway at the start of January flying to Bergen but then doing a Hurtigruten cruise up the fjords for 12 nights

What cruise is it? On my bucket list.

https://www.hurtigruten.com/en-gb/voyages/coastal-express

this is the one we're doing (managed to purchase in the black Friday sale so I paid a lot less than the price quoted)

can't wait.

@grimupnorthnot thank you. That look incredible x

@NCTDN we enjoy sightseeing, history, museums, nature, food and drink. We are also happy to just mooch around somewhere new and go on long walks in a different setting.

Thanks to PP who suggested the ice hotel! Looks amazing.

@Sleepyhills

Salzburg for "sightseeing, history, museums, nature, food and drink" .... with a day trip (or an overnight stay) in Zell am See for "long walks in a different setting."

90 mins by train or bus from Salzburg, with guaranteed snow and amazing views at the top of Kitzsteinhorn at nearby Kaprun. Alternatively, if it is a cloudy day take a walk around the beautiful lake at Zell - but check on the webcams whether the top of KItzsteinhorn is actually above the clouds and in brilliant sunshine.

How about this? https://nusfjord.com/ It is a whole fishing village so a very immersive experience. The Lofoten islands are just beautiful too.