Sounds as though we might be out there at around the same time, although in my case just over the border in Germany. I too am checking the weather; my spring trip this year was a bit of a disaster (I don't expect 4 solid days of snow in the Inn valley at the end of April), so I'm hoping for better autumn weather.

Kufstein is worth a trip (although KB might disagree!) and is easy to get to by train. It's just a small town, but the fortress there is interesting. There's an organ in the courtyard at the base of the fortress and if you arrive around midday, you get treated to organ music for about 15 minutes.

I was debating a trip to Kufstein as I have been to Innsbruck before and feel that I shouldn't just retrace my steps.

I got ridiculously excited last night to read that the cattle are coming down from the mountains on my last day in Pertisau and there will be a parade etc. I thought that it sounded great but everyone that I've mentioned it to today has looks at me as though I'm insane. I feel that I may be experiencing that bit of traditional culture alone.

I do accept that getting excited about cows is a little odd - I come from a rural background, what can I say?!?!

*lol* It's true that I was unimpressed by Kufstein, but that was mostly from an EBD-related perspective. The fortress is very interesting, and the organ is lovely (just don't get caught at the top of the fortress by the midday performance unless you are willing to walk back down). The old street below the fortress is lovely (but pricey) so you can certainly fill a good few hours in the city.

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The writer's credo: 'Sometimes you've got to sacrifice the things you like' (Delta Goodrem - Born To Try)

Oh you should definitely see the Almabtrieb if you can. So far I've managed to miss it, but it's on my "to do" list. I see the Kufstein one is on 23rd September, when I'll be at the flat, so it's in my diary.

(I do like the way the Germans and Austrians have held onto so many of their old traditions even if, these days, it's really just an excuse for the town to have a booze up!)

Rattenberg is also close to Pertisau and easy to reach by train. It's the smallest town in Austria and is famous for its glass. The largest of the glass shops on the main street is built into the rock and meanders all over the place. You can watch the glass blowers at work there. The prices are surprisingly reasonable. There are plenty of other interesting little shops too and of course cafés.

I second Rattenburg for a day trip. It's a charming little town with great wander potential.

May have to think about Rattenburg then. I'm happy to take the mountain train a couple of times for day trips.

I doubt it would be worth it for a trip to Kufstein or Rattenberg, but do you know about the "Einfach Raus" tickets on the Austrian trains? You can't use them on the express trains, just the R, REX and S-Bahn, but a ticket for 2 people costs €33 and you can use it as many times as you like from 9am to 3am the following morning on weekdays. At weekends there's no 9am restriction.

Thanks Annie's, it may be an idea for the trip from Salzburg to Jenbach though if we don't mind a longer journey.

I'd second Rattenburg too. If you're in Pertisau for three full days, there is certainly enough to do for two of those days at the Achensee. We walked the Dripping Rock path last October (go down to the boat landing and turn left along the lake). It's mostly fairly straightforward walking but there are a couple of sections where the path runs across rockslide debris, so walking shoes are advisable. If you continue past the Dripping Rock, it isn't very far to Gaisalm, where there is a busy Gasthaus (toilets in the basement) and a boat landing, so you can get the next boat either back to Pertisau or across to Scholastika, which is a pleasant spot with a couple of shops and several cafes and restaurants. You can then get the boat back to the southern end of the lake. On our second day, we walked to Maurach for lunch and then back via some scenic footpaths.
I seem to be in a minority of people who quite like Jenbach. It's a bit of a workaday place and a transport hub though, with a big railway station, and isn't what you would call a tourist destination!
Btw, I put some snaps on a photo sharing site last year. Here they are if you want a rough idea of what to expect:
http://www.23hq.com/Gottfried/album/25485177

Thanks Gottfried, brings back some lovely memories for me.

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Cestina's dolls houses - "I'm a train..."

Your photos are lovely, Gottfried. I wish I had had the chance to explore further.

Regarding Rattenberg, I did a package holiday many years ago to Seefeld, near Innsbruck. We went on a few excursions and all of them included being dragged, at the end, to a glass shop in Rattenberg. The couriers must have been on commission. We had a set time for dinner and, thanks to all the visits to Rattenberg, invariably had a great rush then to get ready! My memories of Rattenberg!

I stayed in Alpbach a few times and had the same experience with visits to Rattenburg!

I just did a quick check and yes, it does more than double the journey time. On the other hand, the normal single fare is €41.60 each, so it more than halves that.

If you're not in any rush and depending on the luggage you're bringing, Wörgl, where you'd change trains, is very pretty, one of those small towns where there's a backdrop of mountains whichever way you face. The station is just a stone's throw from the main street, so stretching your legs and stopping for a coffee there is always a possibility.

I don't know as much about the Austrian trains as I do about the Bavarian ones, but Sparschiene (Saver) tickets for €14 for the express trains are still available in mid September. They seem to be valid only for a specific journey, but whether there'd be any left on the day you travel is another matter. Have a look here

Thanks for all of the hints and tips. I'm starting to get excited now.

We've arrived in Pertisau following a lovely few days in Salzburg, where I managed to resist the kaffee und kuchen! My willpower may be deserting me now though. I will share any decent pictures.

Glad you're having a good time and that it's all living up to expectations. But did you really resist stepping back in time and going into Tomaselli's in Salzburg?!

I would love to see any pictures Oxfordshire Lass. It sounds like you are having a wonderful trip.

My parents have been to Pertisau twice for winter cross country skiing and have raved about it, but failed to take photos of anything other than the hotel and the ski tracks. No lake shots at all

Hello, we're back and many photos were taken. I just have to work out how to share them and then I'll post a selection. Although the weather was changeable we had a fabulous time.

We were there at the same time!

I spent Thursday 14th in our chalet and I was genuinely scared at the wind and storm. It was probably worse as we were on the top/third floor of our chalet. But the day before was gorgeous, as was Friday.

Glad you both had such a good time.

I head off to the flat tomorrow and it looks as though the changeable weather is persisting. I haven't had a lot of luck with the weather out there this past 18 months or so. I'm still wanting to go to Jenbach after the differing views I've read about it on here, but I'd like to give it a fighting chance by going when the sun's shining.