Come visit the spectacular alps, cultured Vienna, charming Salzburg and Hallstatt
Austria is a beautiful country with plenty of alps, music (dare we say sing-a-long Sound of Music?), and very easy travel.
Itineraries
Oktoberfest, Austrian Alps, and Romantic Germany
On this trip you'll see Bavaria, fairy tale castles, charming medieval towns, gorgeous alpine scenery, and join the biggest recurring party in the world. Prost!Length: 9 DaysTransportation:…
Vienna
Welcome to charming Vienna - one of our favorite cities in the world. Regularly rated one of the best cities in the world to live, this was the capital of the mighty Hapsburg empire and oozes with hi…
Eat & Drink
Weinhof Zimmermann
Located among the beautiful rolling hills on the outskirts of Vienna, Weinhof Zimmermann makes tasty wines and serves up yummy traditional Austrian dishes.
Restaurant Triangel
This restaurant offers traditional Austrian cuisine with the freshest ingredients possible. It offers up imaginative hearty Austrian dishes and also a selection of vegetarian dishes.
Esszimmer
OK, this place does not have the most imaginative of names (it means “dining room”) – but this Salzburg restaurant is conveniently located and has a Michelin star for imaginative interpretations of classical French dishes.
Brasserie Palmenhaus
Located in a building that was once a tropical greenhouse, this beautiful restaurant overlooks a palace garden. It also serves excellent food, drinks, and wine.
Restaurant Stiegkeller
If you haven’t had enough of Munich’s Oktoberfest, this beer hall in Salzburg keeps the spirit going 365 days of the year. The real reason to come here is for its enormous beer garden that looks over the city’s rooftops.
Cafe Tomaselli
This cafe has been serving up great Austrian pastries and coffee culture for 200 years. Young Mozart used to stop by for ice cream and coffee. It’s a charming (and delicious place) to grab a bite or pick-me-up.
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Rathauskeller Melk
If you’re looking for a place to eat lunch in Melk during your tour of the Wachau Valley, it’s hard to go wrong with Rathauskeller’s excellent Austrian dishes.
Zum Zirkelwirt
If you want to feel like you’re in an Alpine ski lodge meets convivial inn, this is your place. It’s a local favorite for traditional Austrian fare located on the pretty street of Papagenoplatz. It boasts a small menu, but all the dishes are delicious.
Balkan Grill
This is an extremely popular sausage purveyor in Salzburg, and is still run by the same family of butchers as when it started. Have lunch here if you can!
Brezlgwölb Cafe Restaurant Wien
Brezlgwölb serves up tasty Austrian dishes alongside local beers and wines.
Shop Haas & Haas
A great option for lunch in central Vienna, this tea house offers tasty meals. You can opt to eat in the garden inside or out on the square across from the cathedral.
Vienna Restaurant Scene
Our list of recommended restaurants and bars in Vienna.
Die Weisse
Another beerhall in Old Town Salzburg, the Austrian fare gets a modern twist which makes it a bit more exciting than other restaurants around the area. The clientele is a mix of tourists and locals alike, and the menu consists of classic dishes as well as seasonal specialties.
See
St. Stephen’s Cathedral
This beautiful gothic cathedral is the symbol of Vienna and located right in the middle of the city. It’s the tallest church in Austria and dates back to the 12th century. Be sure and take a self-guided tour at least but consider climbing the tower for a great view of the city.
Melk Abbey
This UNESCO world heritage site high on a hill overlooking the Danube valleyhas been a Benedictine abbey for 1000 years and features a gorgeous baroque library and church
Schönbrunn Palace
The spectacular summer palace of the Hapsburg emperors is set in lovely grounds and is one of the most beautiful palaces in the world. The tour goes through 40 sumptuously decorated rooms (out of the 300 rooms in the palace. It’s only a 10 minute metro ride from central Vienna
Schönbrunn Palace
The main summer palace of the Habsburg royalty, this massive Rococo palace is a remarkable sight. We recommend the grand tour, which will let you visit 39 of the palace’s lavishly decorated rooms. Be sure to explore the sprawling grounds and gardens as well.
Imperial Treasury Vienna
This fantastic collection of Hapsburg crown jewels is the best on the continent
Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien
Come to see two things – the building itself, which is truly spectacular,. and the collection of old masters, a Vermeer, and perhaps the largest collection of Bruegel paintings anywhere.
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Mirabell Gardens and Palace
This palace and garden duo was built in 1606 by Prince-Archbishop Wolf Dietrich and remodeled in 1721 in Baroque style. The interior of the Palace is lavish with enough stucco, marble, and frescoes to appease anyone, however it’s only open as a concert venue. Luckily this is where we recommend you head at night to catch an evening chamber concert in the Marble Hall.
Vienna Opera House
If you’re an opera fan, seeing a performance at the Vienna Opera is probably on your bucket list. But even if you’re not, this beautiful building is worth a visit.
Albertina
This art museum has a collection containing some works by the old masters, as well as an excellent impressionist wing.
Salzburg Cathedral
This cathedral is a masterpiece of Baroque art. Its beautiful façade and large size is a centerpiece of the city: look for the beautiful green copper domes and twin spires.
Kunsthistorisches Museum
This museum houses the art and artifacts collected by the Habsburg emperors. The lower floors contain ancient artifacts, including some from Egypt, Rome, and Greece. The upper floors are an art museum housing works by several of the Renaissance masters.
Belvedere Palace
The draw here is not so much the palace as the setting and the art. The upper palace features some amazing impressionist works and in particular has a great Klimt collection, not to mention sweeping views over Vienna
Imperial Treasury Vienna
One of the word’s most impressive jewelry collections, Vienna’s imperial treasury contains rooms and rooms of royal regalia, treasures, and artifacts. Highlights include the Holy Lance and the sword of Charlemagne.
Naschmarkt
This market is both a combination market and destination eatery with tons of interesting places to eat and bars. Well worth visiting / browsing/ grazing.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral
This lovely cathedral in in the center of Vienna. Climb the tower for some lovely views and catch a concert here in the evening if you get a chance.
Hohensalzburg Fortress
This fortress sits on a cliff 400 feet above the city of Salzburg. Walk up mostly for the spectacular views over Salzburg and wander the mildly interesting exhibits on war.
Mozart’s Birthplace
Mozart’s family lived in this house for 26 years. Most of his boy-hood works (up to age 17) were composed in this very building. There are three floors with exhibitions of his personal affects including letters, instruments, and portraits.
Melk Abbey
Perched dramatically on a cliff above the town of Melk, this massive abbey sits on a site that’s been home to a Benedictine abbey since 1089. The tour of the interior is a bit underwhelming, but the library and ornate chapel are definitely worth seeing.
Spanish Riding School
See the famous Lippizaner stallions perform in a baroque hall – but be sure and check as they don’t perform every day or every month, the show is 80 minutes, and seated tickets are quite pricey (standing tickets are 35 euro)
Hofburg Palace
The main residence of the Hapsburgs when in Vienna, this sprawling complex features sumptuous state apartments and a museum dedicated to the famous empress Sisi. Be aware if you see Schonbrunn (a must) these are optional
Belvedere Palace
A complex of gardens containing two beautiful palaces that are also art museums. The upper palace is where you want to spend your time: it’s a more impressive building, and the art collection includes several works by the Austrian painter Gustav Klimt.
Imperial Crypt (Kaisergruft)
Pop in if you’d like to visit the famous Hapsburgs of history – dating back to 1618 and including ornate sarcophagi.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral
Vienna’s cathedral is a massive Romanesque structure with a beautiful roof of glazed tiles. Be sure to see the ornate interior, and it’s also worth your time and money to climb the tower for a great view of the city. Concerts are held inside frequently; they’re a great opportunity to explore this beautiful church.
Imperial Carriage Museum Vienna
This museum houses a collection of the Habsburgs’ carriages. It’s worth a stop if have time and are visiting nearby Schönbrunn Palace, but it’s not an essential stop on your Vienna itinerary.
Do
Wachau Valley Cruise/Bike
Austria’s glorious Wachau valley is home to the winding Danube, charming towns, imposing castles, and some of the country’s best wine. A cruise along the river (if you’re up for something more active, you can bike some or all of the way) from Melk to Krems must be on your itinerary. It’s a nice day trip from Vienna.
Sound of Music / Halstatt tour
Get ready to sing. No really. This 8 hour tour visits the sights where the Sound of Music was filmed and also the lovely village of Hallstatt – famous for launching a thousand screen savers.
Schlossconzerte Mirabell
When in Salzburg, you need to see a Mozart concert and if you’re going to do it, you should see it in a spectacular and historic baroque hall. The Baroque Marble Hall of Mirabell Palace is one of the most beautiful and historically significant concert halls in Austria. Mozart use to perform here for Salzburg’s […]
Stay
Salzburg Place to Stay
These are apartments located in the heart of Salzburg’s historic center. You’ll get the fun of staying in a renovated 500 year old townhouse which gives you Austrian old world charm with modern conveniences. Tastefully decorated, this is a charming place to stay, especially if you have many travelers or plan to cook.
Hotel Wolf Dietrich
A lovely 4 star hotel in a great location in Salzburg, Hotel Wolf Dietrich consists of two buildings, the Altstadthotel and the Residenz, located opposite each other in a quiet side street of the city’s pedestrian area. You’re just a few minutes walk to Mirabell Palace and Mozart’s Residence.
Hotel am Dom
This boutique 4 star hotel is located in the Salzburg Altstadt and the heart of Salzburg’s pedestrian area. The 800 year old building offers a surprisingly modern and airy interior. A breakfast buffet is served in the hotel bar. Rooms offer air conditioning and there is a parking garage 350 meters from the hotel.
Mozart Hotel
This is a well located, highly rated hotel in Salzburg. Feel like you’re staying in Old World luxury in newly renovated bright and tastefully decorated rooms.