Destination
Austria – Vienna and Salzburg
Accommodations and/or DMC/On Site
Vienna - Hotel Imperial (host hotel)
Site visits – Rosewood Vienna, The Ritz-Carlton Vienna, Hotel Sacher Vienna, Palais Hansen Kempinski Vienna
Salzburg – Hotel Goldener Hirsch (host hotel)
Site visits – Hotel Sacher Salzburg, Sheraton Grand Salzburg
How to get to
Flew Lufthansa via Munich to Vienna and return direct from Munich back to Boston
Traveled from Vienna's Hauptbahnhof | Central Train Station via Railjet (high-speed train) to Salzburg Train Station, Austria's high-speed train service that has very fast intercity connections between Prague, Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, and Zurich.
Recommended For
Great for families, couples, groups of friends
Not-to-be-Missed Experience or Activity
In Vienna…
Sightseeing in the historic city center and Saint Stephen’s Cathedral in Stephansplatz; visiting Belvedere and Schönbrunn Palaces; touring with a local guide that specializes in luxury experiences that focuses on art.; seeing the shops that have been purveyors to the Imperial Court and going behind the scenes to look at some amazing century-old Viennese stores producing high quality goods.
In Salzburg…
The Sound of Music Walking Tour – see the most iconic film locations starting at Mirabell Gardens though the Old Town, up to the Nonnberg Abbey.Visit the Salzburg Marionette Theater, a private Baroque theater established in 1913 and made the UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2016. See a show and go backstage to meet the puppeteers and see the hundreds of marionettes.
Favorite culinary aspect of the hotel or region
Austrian wine is underrated. More specifically, I really enjoyed Grüner Veltliner – made from a unique grape that offer fruit-forward flavors with a light body and high-crisp acidity. Prost!!
Sausage, schnitzel, pastries, are all fabulous, and you should definintely weigh-in on the regional “torte war” to help decide whose torte is best. If you are interested in making Buchteln (pull apart sweet rolls filled with apricot jam – delicious) head to Voll Pension for a cooking class – so fun.
Finally, and it sounds crazy, but the coffee at McDonald’s in Vienna is highly recommended (I’m not kidding)
Favorite Wellness aspect of the hotel or region
Take in the fresh air in and around the mountains and lakes outside of the storybook setting of Salzburg.
Favorite amenity
Every night, I found the most incredible chocolate on my pillow, and I was greeted in Vienna with a tray of assorted nuts and sweets.
Kudos to
Thank you, thank you, and thank you!! Gabrielle Wolfe – Austrian Tourist Board, Marie Polt – Vienna Tourism Board, and Klemens Kollenz – Salzburg Tourism Board.
Also, kudos to the hospitality we received in both cities and to all who shared the wonderful stories, food, culture, and activities with me.
To plan a trip to Austria, contact elizabeth@travellustre.com