Two Weeks Tour in Austria

Posted by admin on September 30, 2022 under Uncategorized | Be the First to Comment

We planned this two weeks trip to Austria few weeks in advance due to the lack of sufficient rental cars in Austria since the Covid19. it was carefully planned to have a good time balance between major, rich culture and history cities and the nature Austria is well known for. We landed in Vienna, the capital and the largest city in Austria, but the starting point can also be in Salzburg, Austria or even in the nearby Munich, Germany.

Vienna is the capital and largest city of Austria and is known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and beautiful architecture. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the most livable cities in the world. One of the main attractions in Vienna is the historic city center, which is home to several historic buildings and monuments, including the Schönbrunn Palace, a grand palace was once the summer residence of the Habsburgs and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Vienna. Visitors can take a guided tour of the palace and its gardens. The St. Stephen’s Cathedral, an iconic Gothic cathedral is located in the heart of Vienna and is known for its colorful tile roof and ornate interior. Visitors can climb the 343 steps of the south tower for a panoramic view of the city. The Hofburg Palace, large palace complex was the former residence of the Habsburgs and is now home to several museums, including the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum, and the Treasury. Take a stroll through the charming streets and admire the beautiful baroque and neoclassical architecture. Another popular attraction is the Vienna State Opera, which is one of the most famous opera houses in the world. Visitors can take a tour of the opera house or attend a performance there. Vienna is also known for its cultural heritage and visitors can visit several museums such as the Museum of Fine Arts, which houses an extensive collection of European art, and the Mozart Museum, which is dedicated to the life and works of the famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Don’t miss also the Belvedere Palace, a beautiful Baroque palace located in the southern part of Vienna and visitors can take a guided tour of the palace and its gardens. The Prater, a large public park is located in the northern part of Vienna and is known for its amusement park and large Ferris wheel. The Karlskirche, an impressive Baroque church is located in the city center and is known for its twin towers and frescoes. The Naschmarkt, a large market located in the city center and is known for its food stalls, restaurants, and shops selling fresh produce and souvenirs. The city is also famous for its coffee culture and visitors can find many traditional coffee houses, such as the Café Central and the Café Demel, which offer a glimpse into the city’s rich cultural heritage. Overall, Vienna offers a wide range of activities for visitors, from cultural and historical attractions to beautiful architecture and outdoor activities, making it a perfect destination for a holiday, any time of the year.

From Vienna, we drove few hours to The Salzkammergut Lakes region, also known as the Salzburg Lakes area, is a popular tourist destination in Austria known for its picturesque lakes, mountains, and historic towns. Some of the main sights to see in the region include The town of Hallstatt: This small town is known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can take a boat tour of the lake, visit the Hallstatt Salt Mines, or hike in the surrounding mountains. St. Wolfgang, a charming town located on the shore of Lake Wolfgang and is known for its picturesque setting and the famous White Horse Inn. St. Wolfgang is also known for its charming Old Town, which is home to several historic buildings and monuments, including the St. Wolfgang Church and the City Hall. You can also take a stroll along the promenade, which offers great views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. Visitors can also take a boat tour (highly recommended) of the lake, up to St. Gilgan, were you can visit Mozart summer house, or hike in the nearby mountains. The town of Gmunden, located on the shores of Lake Traunsee and is known for its beautiful promenade and the Porcelain Museum. Visitors can take a boat tour of the lake or hike in the surrounding mountains. The town of Bad Ischl, a town was once a popular summer residence for the Habsburgs and is known for its historic architecture and the Kaiservilla, the former imperial villa. The Salzwelten Altaussee, the salt mines in Altaussee, a unique and interesting place to visit, where you can take an underground tour, learn about the mining history and get an insight of the mining work.

Leaving the Salzkammergut Lakes region, we headed to Bad Gastein, a town located in the state of Salzburg, known for its beautiful alpine setting, hot springs, and ski resorts. On our way we made few hours stop at a hidden nature gem, the Liechtensteinklamm Gorge. This gorge is located near St. Johann im Pongau and is known for its beautiful setting and easy accessibility. You can hike along the narrow gorge and see the Liechtensteinklamm Waterfall after 30 min. walk.

Bad Gastein is situated in the Hohe Tauern mountain range and is a popular destination for outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, and swimming. One of the main attractions in Bad Gastein is the hot springs, which are known for their healing properties. Visitors can enjoy the hot springs at the Felsentherme Spa and the Alpentherme Spa. The town is also known for its skiing, the region has several ski resorts, such as the Graukogel, the Stubnerkogel and the Schlossalm, which offer slopes for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Bad Gastein is also known for its charming Old Town, which is home to several historic buildings and monuments, including the St. Nicholas Church and the City Hall. Visitors can also take a stroll along the promenade, which offers great views of the town and the surrounding mountains. The town is also known for its cultural heritage and visitors can visit the Bad Gastein Museum, which provides an insight into the traditional customs and culture of the region. Overall, Bad Gastein offers a wide range of activities for visitors, from skiing and hiking to hot springs and cultural and historical attractions, making it a perfect destination for a holiday, all year around but especially during the winter season.

Sigmund Thun Klamm is another gorge, just few miles off Zell Am See. It is a natural spectacle that illustrates the powerful tide of the Kapruner Ache cut its way through hard rock and stones creating a 300 meter long beautiful gorge, that you can enjoy walking through.

Zell am See is a town located in the state of Salzburg, Austria, known for its beautiful lake and mountain scenery. The town is situated on the shores of Lake Zell, and the area is a popular destination for outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, and swimming. One of the main attractions in Zell am See is the lake itself, which offers a variety of water sports such as sailing, windsurfing and paddleboarding. Visitors can take a boat tour of the lake or simply relax on the shore. Zell am See is also known for its charming Old Town, which is home to several historic buildings and monuments, including the St. Hippolyte Church and the City Hall. Visitors can also take a stroll along the promenade, which offers great views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. At night time, few times a week, you can watch the spectacular, colorful water show right on the lake. In the winter, skiing is also a popular activity in Zell am See, the region has several ski resorts, such as the Schmittenhöhe, the Kitzsteinhorn and the Maiskogel. These resorts offer slopes for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Overall, Zell am See offers a wide range of activities for visitors, from outdoor activities to cultural and historical attractions, making it a perfect destination for a holiday.

Not too far from Zell am See starts the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, a scenic mountain road in Austria, located in the Hohe Tauern National Park. It offers breathtaking views of the highest mountain in Austria, the Grossglockner, as well as other peaks in the area. The road is open from late May to late October, weather permitting, and there is a fee to drive on it. It is a popular destination for tourists, hikers, and cyclists.

Leaving Zell Am See the next morning and driving west, our next destination was Mayrhofen, a famous ski town. However, we made a short detour to visit the impressive Krimml Waterfall. The Krimml Water falls are a series of waterfalls in the Krimml Valley, located in the High Tauern mountain range in Salzburg, Austria. At 380 meters, they are the highest waterfalls in Austria. The three stages of the falls have a total drop of 380 meters and are accessible from a hiking trail. It is a steep climb uphill to get to the top, but worth the effort. The Krimml Waterfalls are a popular tourist destination and are especially beautiful in the summer months.

About one and a half hour drive from Mayrhofen is Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol, known for its stunning alpine setting, rich history and cultural heritage. The city is situated in the heart of the Austrian Alps, and offers a wide range of activities for visitors. One of the main attractions in Innsbruck is the Old Town, which is home to several historic buildings and monuments, including the Golden Roof, the Imperial Palace, and the St. Jacob’s Cathedral. Visitors can take a stroll through the charming streets and admire the beautiful architecture. Another popular attraction is the Nordkette mountain, which offers panoramic views of the city and the surrounding Alps. Visitors can take a cable car to the top of the mountain and enjoy hiking and biking trails. The city is also known for its cultural heritage and you can visit several museums such as the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum, which provides an insight into the traditional customs and culture of the region, the Tiroler Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum, which showcases art and cultural history of Tyrol and the Alpinale Natural History Museum, which focuses on the natural history of the region.

Innsbruck was our most western destination this trip, so from there we headed back east to Vienna. This is an eight hours strait drive, so we planned to stop in Salzburg for a day or two. Salzburg is a large city located in the state of Salzburg, known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and beautiful scenery. The city is the birthplace of Mozart and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. One of the main attractions in Salzburg is the Old Town, which is home to several historic buildings and monuments, including the Salzburg Cathedral, the Mirabell Palace and the Residence Palace. Visitors can take a stroll through the charming streets and admire the beautiful baroque architecture. Another popular attractions are the Hohensalzburg Castle, which offers panoramic views of the city and the surrounding mountains and the Hellbrunn palace with it’s beautiful gardens. Visitors can take a guided tour of the castle and the palace and learn about its history. Salzburg is also known for its cultural heritage and visitors can visit several museums such as the Salzburg Museum, which provides an insight into the history and culture of the region, and the Mozart’s Birthplace Museum, which is dedicated to the life and works of the famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Overall, Salzburg offers a wide range of activities for visitors, from cultural and historical attractions to beautiful scenery and outdoor activities, making it a perfect destination for a holiday, any time of the year.