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Let yourself be charmed!

A vacation in Austria gets you close to nature and allows you to get to know the people and the wonderful traditions of Austria. Austria's landscapes are incredibly varied and the options are endless. Be it a relaxing walk through Austria's varied landscapes or skiing the great outdoors in the Austrian Alps. Keep in mind that you are never far from historic city centers, cultural events and gourmet restaurants.

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Travel Information

Learn more about the City of Salzburg, plus, everything you need to know from airports to tipping.

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Destination Overview

Find out all about the beautiful State of Salzburg, plus, learn more about Austria's geography, history & nature.

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City Guides

Vienna: Ideas, Sights & Itineraries for your visit of Austria’s imperial capital.

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Things To Do

Activities

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Scenic Bike Trails
Biking throughout Austria's countryside is another great way to experience our beautiful country. Whether you are a soft-biker or enjoy mountain biking on rugged landscapes, there are biking trails for every type. We have selected three well-marked bike trails for their scenic beauty and point of interest.

Salzburg Lakes Bike Tour
A tour through the Salzburg Lakes region offers relaxing bicycling along lake shores and through pristine countryside. Not far from the city of Salzburg, the landscape of Alpine foothills has a charm of its own. Small peaks tower above the background of the clean lakes and invite you again and again to stop and take in the scenery. You bike past lush green meadows, mighty woods and jagged rocks and through pastures and moor lands, imperial towns and picturesque villages.

Innsbruck to Salzburg Bike Tour
Cycle along the Alps from Innsbruck to Salzburg. In Innsbruck follow the wide valley on the Inn river passing little historic cities like Wattens, Hall and Schwaz. On both side you'll encounter impressive mountain ranges and occasionally spot a glacier. Follow the river cycle trails with brief up and downs. This tour is leisurely and is for cyclists in average physical condition.

Danube Bicycle Path
The Danube Bicycle Path offers nearly carefree cycling and an ideal way to view the region. It's downstream all the way, passing through picturesque towns and villages until you reach the wonderful city of Vienna at tour’s end.

Wine Tour of Austria
Austria’s wines are getting more popular throughout the world. This tour features a visit to the most fascinating wine region of Austria, the Wachau. One of the highlights is a visit to the new Wine Experience Center Loisium.

Vienna: The Wine Capital
Vienna and wine are inseparable. Vienna is the only world capital producing significant quantities of wine within the city limits. But it is more than that – it is a defining element of the urban image, a contribution to the urban economic system and to people’s wellbeing – for both the Viennese and guests alike. Taste the new wine at one of the charming Heuriger wine taverns to experience the relaxed atmosphere.

Unique Experiences

Giant Ice Caves, SalzburgerLand
The Eisriesenwelt Werfen (Giant Ice Caves) is a labyrinth of ice caves almost 26 miles deep. There are various ways in which cave ice can form. The Eisriesenwelt is a dynamic cave, meaning that the corridors and the crevices connect lower lying entrances to higher openings, hence making it possible for air to circulate – similar to the effect in a chimney. During spring melt water seeps through the cracks in the rock and when it reaches the still cold and frozen lower areas of the caves it freezes and turns slowly into the wonderful ice formations visible inside the caves.

Visit the Movie Location: The Sound of Music
Visitors from all over the world use the opportunity to see the locations in the city of Salzburg, where the film 'The Sound of Music' was shot. Especially amongst fans from overseas the film has reached a unique status and incredible popularity - and many of them dream of following Maria's footsteps at least once in their life.

Hangar-7
Do you love airplanes, cars, art, food and a heavy dose of architecture? Then Hangar-7 in Salzburg is your place of pilgrimage. Founded by Dietrich Mateschitz, co-founder and CEO of the Red Bull energy drink empire, Hangar-7 houses a stunning collection of historic aircraft and helicopters. Much of the fascination of Hangar-7 lies in its architecture.

Europe’s Oldest Restaurant, Salzburg
St. Peter Stiftskeller was first documented in the year 803, when it was mentioned by the scholar Alcuin – a follower of Charlemagne – and as such it takes its place as the oldest restaurant in Europe. When History and Zeitgeist meet, one finds oneself in the best possible company.

A Day in Hallstatt
Arriving in Hallstatt is quite the experience in itself. With the train station on one side of lake and the village itself on the other, you need to take a ferry across the lake to get there and are thus rewarded with a spectacular first impression of this famous Alpine village. Once there, the local museum shows artifacts found in burial grounds around the area spanning the last 7000 years. A short walk to St. Michael’s chapel reveals one of the more unique objects on display in Hallstatt: hand-painted skulls – neatly arranged in the bone house / ossuary – and yes you read that correctly. Due to its limited available space, Hallstatt is the only village in Austria where long buried skulls and bones are often excavated, hand painted, stacked neatly, and put on display.

Vinatrium Cellars in the Burgenland regionWine enthusiasts would live to have this kind of a cellar under their house: high vaulted ceilings, tastefully renovated, and – thanks to the state-of-the-art climate control – made into the perfect storage space for veritable treasures. Some 300 wines from 50 vintners of the region are waiting to be tasted at wholesale prices and can be purchased as well. Make an appointment and vintners will even come personally to present their wines during a tasting, and if desired, a small selection of specialties from the “Blaufraenkisch land” can be prepared to go with the wine. Sparkling wine, liqueurs, and fine spirits are also on offer. A modern event space for up to 500 people – with stage and gallery – can be rented for all kinds of gatherings.

Well-Being & Relaxation
Relax and unwind in one of the many wonderful thermals spas and wellness oases throughout Austria, which offer medical spa treatments, wellness, beauty facilities, and much more.

Out in the Alps
There are numerous ways to explore and experience a destination but none as intimate and personal as taking the time to enjoy your vacation destination on foot. Walking and hiking in Austria will get you close to nature and allow you to get to know the people and the wonderful traditions in Austria.

Ski & Snowboard the Austrian Alps
Austria has some of the world’s best ski resorts and is known for its’ international flair. St. Anton, Lech-Zuers, Innsbruck, Kitzbuehel, Zell am See and many more ski areas have international reputations for their skiing and infrastructure. World-class hotels and dining, and the Austrian "Gemuetlichkeit" will give your stay in Austria the magic touch no other destination can duplicate. Explore this fairy tale on skis, snowboards or snowshoes.

Arts

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Architecture

Vienna: from Classical to Modern
Vienna’s 2,000-year history is intricately woven into the city's modern-day fabric. The layout of the city center goes back to the Roman settlement and the road network of the Middle Ages; Romanesque and Gothic churches define the character of the streets and squares as much as the palaces and townhouses from the Baroque period. If the Ringstrasse was the ultimate expression of a modern metropolis in the nineteenth century, extensive residential complexes in the outer districts set the tone for the twentieth century. Currently, a number of large-scale urban planning initiatives are being implemented, and structures designed by star architects are redefining Vienna’s skyline.                                                                                                           

Vorarlberg: Eyes on the Future
Deemed "the most progressive part of the planet when it comes to new architecture" by Wallpaper magazine, Vorarlberg's landscape is dotted with innumerable strikingly designed modern buildings. Nowhere else in the world do new and old architecture mesh so seamlessly, giving the region a firm foothold in both the past and the future. One of Vorarlberg´s biggest draws is the Kunsthaus Bregenz, situated on the shores of Lake Constance and designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor. The state´s love of the audacious and unusual extends to its cultural scene, including the spectacular opera productions of the Bregenz Festival on the floating stage of Lake Constance.

Hungerburg Funicular, Innsbruck
A new way to climb a mountain: not far from Innsbruck’s famed “Goldenes Dachl”, an amorphous ice formation glitters in the sun. Upon closer inspection, however, it reveals itself as the lower terminus of the Hungerburgbahn hybrid funicular railway, whose striking appearance sprung from the imagination of the late star architect Zaha Hadid.

Graz: Striking Architecture & Mediterranean Flair
Graz has a penchant for experiments with modern architecture that highlight the beauty of its medieval city center. Visit the Kunsthaus to see just how starkly its design contrasts the traditional cityscape. Its bubble-glass skin earned it the nickname "Friendly Alien". Then there's Vito Acconci's floating island in the river Mur, the synagogue, reconstructed in 2000, or the newly built MUMUTH with its sleek design and perfect acoustics. Here, instead of seeking to provoke, modern architecture blends in and accentuates to create a harmonious contemporary living space.

Opera, Music & Performance

Vienna State Opera
The Vienna State Opera is one of the premier opera addresses in the world - where you can enjoy a great variety of operas on the highest artistic level.

Musikverein, Vienna
One of Vienna’s premier concert venues and home of the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra. The superb acoustics of the "Great Hall" place it among the world's finest concert halls. Every year on January 1 the famous New Year’s Concert is broadcast out into the world from this famous venue.

Festung Hohensalzburg, Salzburg
The Salzburg Fortress Concerts rank among the world’s largest chamber music series. First-class musicians perform wonderful musical highlights.

Stiftskeller St. Peter – Mozart Dinner Concert, Salzburg
Visitors are taken on a journey back into the times of Mozart and enjoy an evening how it could have taken place in 1790.

Haus am Beethovenplatz, Vienna
The Vienna Imperial Orchestra presents world famous music by Mozart, Strauss, Lehar, Haydn, and Beethoven.

The Vienna Boys' Choir
The Vienna Boys' Choir is one of the world’s oldest boys' choirs and perform every Sunday in the Hofburgkapelle (chapel in the Imperial Palace).

Salzburg Marionetten Theater 
It travels around the world and presents its dance, vocal and theater program to an international audience: the Salzburg Marionette Theater is one of the city's proudest traditions, primarily catering to adult opera music lovers.

Dance Classes in Vienna
Ready to learn how to dance the waltz for the upcoming ball season? Or just need a little refresher? These dance schools offer classes in English, among many other languages:

Willy Elmayer-Vestenbrugg Dance School 
Dance School Chris 
Dorner Dance School 
Dance School Hernals 
Kopetzky Dance School 
Rueff Dance School 
Stanek Dance School
Dance School Svabek 
Prof. Wagner Dance School 
Watzek Dance School

Music

Festung Hohensalzburg, Salzburg
The Salzburg Fortress Concerts rank among the world’s largest chamber music series. First-class musicians perform wonderful musical highlights.

Stiftskeller St. Peter – Mozart Dinner Concert, Salzburg
Visitors are taken on a journey back into the times of Mozart and enjoy an evening how it could have taken place in 1790.

Haus am Beethovenplatz, Vienna
The Vienna Imperial Orchestra presents world famous music by Mozart, Strauss, Lehar, Haydn, and Beethoven.

The Vienna Boys' Choir
The Vienna Boys' Choir is one of the oldest boys' choirs existing in the world.

The Vienna Philharmonic 
The Vienna Philharmonic is the most famous Austrian symphonic orchestra and one of the most well-known in the world.

Culture

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Austria is recognized worldwide as a country synonymous with culture. And truly, culture does flourish with an impressive list of events taking place in cities, towns and villages throughout the country. It is not only music that gives the country a festive appearance, but also the many exhibitions, dance performances and readings. The focus is on enjoyment, and it is the combination of artistic quality with good food and drink that is unique in Austria.

Music
In Austria you can expect a first-class musical experience, whether it's a concert in the rooms of the famous Musikverein, at the Opera House, in Baroque palaces or at one of the many festivals.

Festivals
Austria’s diverse cultural offerings include over 200 festivals, ranging from world class events to small regional gatherings. Many of them make use of Austria’s beautiful surroundings and offer outstanding culinary delights to accompany the cultural experience.

Austrian Cities
Austria’s cities impress with their monumental architecture spanning all major epochs from Gothic to Renaissance, from Baroque to Jugendstil, and Post Modernism. Those historic settings are the backdrop for many events, shopping and wonderful culinary experiences.

Spanish Riding School, Vienna
The Spanish Riding School is the only riding academy in the world which has been cultivating the art of equitation in its purest form since more then 400 years. It trains both horses (the famous white Lipizzaner horses) and riders according to methods which have been used for centuries, passed down solely by word of mouth.

Vienna Boys’ Choir, Vienna
The Vienna Boys' Choir is one of the oldest boys' choirs in the world and has been an enduring symbol of Austria since 1498. A foundation charter issued by Maximilian I called the first dozen boys to the imperial court as members of the newly formed court music band. A number of famous musicians - among them many vocalists, violinists and pianists - have emerged from its ranks. Joseph Haydn sang together with the court choir boys in the chapel of the Hofburg and in the newly built Schönbrunn palace. Franz Schubert's first compositions were written when he was with the court choir boys. Just to name a few.

Vienna's Glorious Ball Season
Nowhere are balls so romantically formal as in Vienna. This tradition is intoxicating to locals and visitors alike. Every ball is unique and hosted by a different profession, e.g. there is a Lawyers Ball, a Confectioners Ball, a Coffeehouse Owner ball, just to name a few. During the ball season over 400 balls are staged and frequented by 300,000 dance-loving visitors from all over the world. The unique flair is created by the ceremonial program which ensures the proper proceeding.

Christmas Season
Austria is a fascinating country to visit at any time of the year. But the weeks from late November to Christmas Day are very special and let you become familiar with deeply-rooted folk traditions that come alive in colorful, romantic events. It is called Advent and begins on a Sunday four weeks before Christmas Eve. This is the day when advent wreaths, woven from evergreen twigs and decorated with ribbons and four candles are prominently placed in the house. On each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas, one more candle on the wreath is lit at dinnertime, many families, read Christmas stories or sing carols together. Christmas markets are also a long-standing Austrian tradition and can be found in most small towns. In Vienna, the market in front of City Hall can be traced back to 1298. Innsbruck opens its romantic Christmas market in the narrow medieval square at the foot of the Golden Roof. In Salzburg, the Christmas market takes over the square in front of the Cathedral. The Christmas tree plays a very important part. Every town sets up its own huge tree on the main square. In families the tree is decorated with gold and silver ornaments or stars made out of straw, sweets and candy wrapped in tinfoil, and gilded nuts.

Events

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Cultural Festivals 
Austria and culture: these two words are virtually inseparable. Visitors will encounter one of the country’s many festivals wherever they turn. Bregenz’s famous floating stage is the impressive setting for operas set against the picturesque backdrop of Lake Constance. The world famous Salzburg Festival impresses with a wide array of stars of the music performance world.

Salzburg Festival 
Featuring opera, concerts and drama, the Salzburg Festival enjoys worldwide recognition as one of the most outstanding classical music events.

Vienna Festival Weeks 
Encompassing everything from symphonic concerts and opera to theater performances and exhibitions, this festival spices up Vienna’s cultural life with a focus on contemporary performances.

Music in Austria 
In Austria you can expect a first-class musical experience, whether it's a concert in the rooms of the famous Musikverein, at the Opera House, in Baroque palaces or at one of the many festivals.

Castle Grafenegg Music Festival, Lower Austria 
Every year in August, audiences flock to hear performances by the London Symphony Orchestra and the likes amid the beautiful setting of a centuries-old castle and adjacent park.

Innsbruck Summer Festival
Historically informed performances of Old Music are the focus of this festival in the Tirolean capital.

Styriarte, Styria
Famed conductor Nikolaus Harnoncourt is the father of this festival which features performances of the Concentus Musicus Wien, an ensemble performing Early Music on period instruments and the extraordinarily dynamic Chamber Orchestra of Europe.

Summer Festival at Lake Constance, Vorarlberg
Known as the “Bregenzer Festspiele”, this event draws crowds with opera and concert performances by the Vienna Symphonic Orchestra and the largest floating stage in the world.

Tirolean Festival Erl, Tirol
With the Tirolean mountains as an impressive backdrop, the performances of Wagner’s oeuvre are truly awe-inspiring and receive outstanding reviews.

Schubertiade Schwarzenberg, Vorarlberg
The annual meeting place for an international audience that seeks an exceptional cultural experience: hearing Schubert's music performed by outstanding artists in idyllic surroundings.

Operafestival St. Margarethen, Burgenland
An old Roman quarry is the setting for this exciting summer festival in Burgenland. International stars and popular operas guarantee a spectacular experience.

Mörbisch Festival on the Lake, Burgenland
The picturesque town of Mörbisch is the location of the world’s greatest operetta festival. Once you have seen the impressive open air stage you will be captivated.

Hadyn Festival, Burgenland
The works of Joseph Haydn is at the heart of the festival in Eisenstadt, where Hayden was head of the court ensemble at the Esterhazy castle.

The Linz Klangwolke (Cloud of Sound), Upper Austria
The opening event for the Bruckner Festival in Linz is a spectacle of pioneering classical music performances and electronic visualization.

ImPuls-Tanz Dance Festival, Vienna 
Europe’s largest festival for contemporary dance, which takes the stage in various breathtaking venues throughout Vienna.

Digital Art & Film
Fans of digital art will be drawn to Linz, the venue for the annual Ars Electronica, the most important festival of its kind in Europe. Movie buffs will also feel like they are in paradise in Austria: every spring the Diagonale festival in Graz celebrates Austrian film, and the Viennale, held in October, has long become an internationally acclaimed film festival.

New Year’s Celebrations in Austria
One of the most elegant ways to celebrate the New Year is by waltzing into it at the New Year’s ball, held every year at the Imperial Palace in Vienna. The Sylvesterpfad "new year's path" in city center of Vienna starts at 2 pm on December 31 and ends at 2 am on January 1. Enjoy concerts, dance to the ever-present sound of the waltz and watch the fireworks. All throughout Austria fireworks light up the sky. Innsbruck, for example, has brass band parades and evening fanfares in the Old Town; Graz and other smaller cities also stage a string of events to celebrate. And at the stroke of midnight all church bells throughout Austria ring in the New Year. In major cities people dance in the streets into the New Year to the tunes of the famous Blue Danube Waltz.

On January 1 it has long been a Philharmonic tradition to present a program consisting of the lively and at the same time nostalgic music from the vast repertoire of the Johann Strauss family and its contemporaries during the famous New Years’ Concert.

Food

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Austria has emerged as a paradise for anyone who enjoys pampering the palate. Farmers, wine makers and restaurateurs have discovered a new sense of identity and sophistication. The outcome is a modern-day Austrian cuisine composed of the very best produce that can be found in Austria’s woodlands and mountain pastures, its orchards and vineyards. The leading Austrian chefs de cuisine are making their mark on the international culinary scene, while the country’s foremost wines regularly garner top prizes. Regional delicacies like pumpkin seed oil and apple balsamic have found their way into the kitchens of noted restaurants all over Europe, while Austria’s award-winning gourmet restaurants attract discerning guests from near and far.

All about Beer
Brewing is an ancient trade, but over the centuries it has reached such a level of sophistication that modern-day beers bear little resemblance to the produce of the brewing vats of old. For beer lovers, Salzburg is the unofficial beer capital of Austria and there are several breweries and beer gardens for you to experience their local excellent brews. Brewing is basically applied biotechnology. It makes use of natural processes to transform natural raw materials into a delicious beverage. Add to that generations of expertise and Austria’s stringent food regulations – on which many other countries have modeled their laws – and you get a superbly pure and unspoiled glass of beer.

Culinary Treats
The multi-ethnic Habsburg monarchy became a culinary melting pot from which the classical dishes of the modern-day Austrian cuisine emerged. The Wiener Schnitzel started in Milan, the goulash in Hungary, and the glories of the dessert repertoire had their origins in Bohemian kitchens. Even the Strudel started life in Turkey and found its way to Austria via Hungary.

Vienna
Viennese Cuisine – by the way: the only cuisine that is named after a world capital - is based on many national influences going back to the Habsburg monarchy. You’ll find this well-balanced combination of culinary flavors not only in Vienna, but everywhere in Austria: from the pub around the corner to the elegant haute-cuisine restaurants of leading chefs.

Exploring the world of Vienna’s renowned confectioneries is a discovery to boundless delights. Among innumerable traditional confectioners, perhaps the most celebrated is confectioner Demel, once a purveyor to the Imperial court. Vienna is the world’s only capital city which doubles as a wine producer. With 1,730 acres of vineyards, the city’s wine makers produce mainly Gruener Veltliner, Riesling and Zweigelt, which can be savored in the cozy atmosphere of a traditional ”Heuriger” wine tavern. This makes Vienna a paradise for anyone with a taste for the finer things in life.

SalzburgerLand
Traditional recipes of the SalzburgerLand include home-cured meats, fresh fish, baked apple slices, and are best rounded off with a farm-distilled fruit brandy. SalzburgerLand’s “Via Culinaria” introduces you to food experiences, e.g. follow the path for fish lovers or the path for your sweet tooth and explore regional specialties. Salzburg also boasts a number of small but very fine breweries.

Tirol
The province of Tirol is famous for its tradition of dumpling making – in every shape, size and flavor. We suggest trying the locals favorite: Tirolean cheese dumplings, a savory dish served in broth.

Styria
Styria’s specialties vary widely from region to region and include Styrian lamb, free range chicken, pumpkin and of course Styria’s “black gold,” the famed pumpkin seed oil. Try one of the region’s famous omelets with pumpkin seed oil, ideally paired with a glass of rosé Schilcher. For those with a sweet tooth, Styria’s renowned apples make the perfect ingredient for a traditional apple strudel.

Lower Austria
The Wachau region is especially known for their apricots. For generations great effort has been made to refine the quality of the fruit. These endeavors were rewarded when the European Union included the “Wachau Quality Apricot” as an internationally protected brand. Taste the loving care that has been put into growing the apricot and order Wachau apricot dumplings, a local delicacy.

Upper Austria
Dozens of fish restaurants are serving local trout, carp, pike perch, and other indigenous varieties. Upper Austria also produces a wide range of beverages that go excellent with your fine meal: cider, beer and wine, just to name a few.

Vorarlberg
Explore the scenic Bregenzerwald Cheese Route, hike to your heart’s content and eat your fill of locally produced cheeses at 46. Learn more about hill farming and alpine dairy farms, and above all how they make the famous ”Bergkäse,” a typical Vorarlberg product officially classified as a protected EU brand.

Burgenland
Burgenland is known worldwide as a first-class wine region. Generations of culinary skill have, for instance, gone into the art of roasting a suckling pig so that the crackling really crackles. Burgenland’s cuisine owes its richness and spiciness to the influence of neighboring Hungary and Slovakia.

Carinthia
“Saure Suppe” (sour soup) is a typical Carinthian and traditionally served at county fairs during the summer months. The original recipe for this soup calls for different kinds of meats, herbs, sweet and sour cream. Its unique flavor comes from fennel and anis seed, its characteristic yellow color from saffron. Carinthia’s best-known dish however is Kasnudel. The dough is rolled flat, fashioned into fist-sized pockets and filled with a blend of various delicacies, like curds and mint – a clear local favorite.

Austria’s Wine culture
Austria’s vibrant wine scene has earned a worldwide reputation for quality and innovation and is the destination for those seeking energy, culture, and charm. Austria’s wine production has a substantial impact on the landscape and culture of the wine making regions, which is manifested in the traditional wine taverns, wine bars and even wine academies. And because of their excellent quality, Austria’s wines continuously rank in top places in international competitions. There are currently more than thirty grape varieties licensed in Austria for the production of quality and vintage wines. They include such illustrious grapes as Sauvignon blanc, muscatel, Blauer Portugieser and Zweigelt.

Coffeehouses
Today’s coffeehouses are booming as more and more people seek a place to rest, work, eat or socialize. The “Viennese Coffee House Culture" has been designated as an "Intangible Cultural Heritage" amongst its visitors and is often described as a place, "where time and space are consumed, but only the coffee is found on the bill."

Monuments

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Castles & Palaces

Vienna

Belvedere Palace
The palace, built between 1714 and 1723 by Prince Eugen von Savoyen, consists of two building complexes, the Upper and the Lower Belvedere, which are connected by a baroque garden, that offers amazing views of downtown Vienna. Today the Upper Belvedere houses one of Gustav Klimt’s best-known masterpiece: The Kiss.

Imperial Palace (Hofburg)
From the Austrian imperial crown to the royal effects of the Holy Roman Empire, from the golden cradle of Napoleon’s son to embroidered robes from the Order of the Golden Fleece, the Hofburg Palace's Imperial Treasury Vienna boasts an astonishing collection. Objects otherwise mired in legend -- an eighth-century Holy Lance, the agate bowl once regarded as the Holy Grail, the eight-foot-long horn of an alleged unicorn -- come to life here. The jewelry on display is breathtaking: the world's largest cut emerald, as well as pieces worn by Empress Elisabeth. The Imperial Treasury is located in the Schweizerhof of the Hofburg Palace.

Schönbrunn Palace
Schloss Schönbrunn, the former imperial summer residence, is one of Vienna’s most popular sights with its beautifully tended formal gardens, the Gloriette monument, the Palm House, and the world’s oldest zoo. Dine like an emperor and sleep like a princess in the Schoenbrunn Suite, with imperial charm at every turn. The hotel suite was carefully restored in line with its status as part of a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Its royal touches include butler service and views over the Gloriette, the 160-hectare Palace Park and Garden.

SalzburgerLand

Finstergrün Castle
To be able to live in a real castle once in your life is a dream come true. Every year, many young people spend their vacation during the summer months at the castle, as the castle is operated as a youth hostel.

Hohenwerfen Castle
Built in the eleventh century, it is the most important countryside castle near the Hohensalzburg fortress. The architecturally remarkable building, once the archbishop’s defense fortress, is well-worth a visit and houses an interesting weaponry exhibition as well as breath taking falconry shows.

Hohensalzburg Fortress
Hohensalzburg is the largest entirely preserved castle in Central Europe. Until 1803, the castle was the seat of the archbishops; today it is open to the public as a museum.

Tirol

Laudegg Castle
The imposing castle sports a tower, keep, wall, gates, chapel and renovated residential buildings. This is your perfect starting place for exploring the surrounding mountains with a local guide.

Kufstein Fortress
With almost 280,000 sqft. surface area, the fortress covers a bigger area than the Old Town of Kufstein. To reach the fortress, which is perched on a hilltop, we suggest to use the panorama rail.

Schrofenstein Castle Ruins
To the north-east of Stanz in the Upper Inntal valley, the ruins of the castle are set on a high cliff. The castle, which is accessible only over a narrow drawbridge, was inhabited as early as the end of the12th century.

Styria

Gallenstein Castle
The castle, which dates back to 1278, has unrivaled views of the entire St. Gallener valley, idyllic located in the Gesaeuse in the northern part of Styria.

Riegersburg
This mighty castle is situated majestically on 1,580 ft. The Riegersburg, built in the 11th century, got its present form in the 17th century and through its position and strong defense enclosures, is the most important border fortress in eastern Styria.

Eggenberg Palace
The fascination of the biggest baroque castle in Styria lies undoubtedly in its architectural concept: 365 windows offered the castle’s inhabitants a different view every day of the year.

Lower Austria

Schloss Hof Palace
Built in 1726 for Prince Eugene of Savoy, Hof Palace was renovated and enlarged under Empress Maria Theresia to create Austria’s largest country palace.

Rappottenstein Castle
Built in the second half of the 12th century, the Rappottenstein castle is one of the most important and best preserved castles in Austria. Since the castle was never conquered it is also a prime example of magnificent architecture which is open to the public.

Dürnstein Ruins
The ruins lie above the charming city of Dürnstein in the beautiful Wachau, famous as a wine growing region. Only the walls of the main castle still remain, but are visible far into the Danube valley.

Upper Austria

Clam Castle
It is among the best preserved castles in Austria and was built in 1149. It is inhabited to this day and is now and again the setting for concerts of classical and modern music.

Piberstein Castle
The castle was first documented in 1285 and impresses its guests above all with its unique construction, which serve as a cultural arts center today.

Linzer Palace
Located on the banks of the Danube river in Linz, the capital of Upper Austria it awes guests, with its impressive view of the city and the breathtaking view of the Mühlviertel to the north of the city.

Vorarlberg

Castle Hohenbregenz
From the former castle in Vorarlberg’s capital only the gate, walls, keep and the outer wall of the chapel are still recognizable today. After extensive restorations, the castle now serves as a pilgrimage church and an observation point.

Schattenburg
Feldkirch’s present landmark originally served to protect the city and its citizens. The museum of local history and the lookout tower are open to the public.

Glopper Castle
The castle, built in 1343, can be reached over a steep driveway and a drawbridge. This charming castle offers expertly renovated suits for your stay in Vorarlberg.

Burgenland

Güssing Castle
Built on a (now dormant) volcano in the midst of the magnificent landscape of the southern Burgenland, the romantic castle Güssing today showcases exhibitions and can be rented for special events.

Bernstein Castle
Once the oldest defense fortress of Burgenland, the Bernstein Castle today accommodates a hotel and restaurant.

Forchtenstein Castle
The main building of the castle is the baroque high castle. The armory is equipped with weapons, valuable treasures and trophies from the Turkish wars as well as silver jewelry and Exotica from far away countries.

Carinthia

Hochosterwitz Castle
Carinthia’s landmark is one of its kind and is among the most impressive castles of Austria. Today, one can visit the castle, with its many exhibitions and dine at the castle restaurant.

Hollenburg Castle
Located in one of the most beautiful valleys of Carinthia, the Rosental, Hollenburg is majestically situated on top of a steep cliff. A special attraction for its guests is the 80 m long, covered bridge over which one gets to the castle gate and to the castle courtyard.

Landskron Castle
Located near the enchanting lake Ossiachersee. The foundation walls of the fortress date back to the 14th century and form the fundaments of the castle, which was built in 1552. The castle offers many culinary delights from the elegant Kronensaal restaurant to the simple terrace with unrivaled views of the surrounding mountain ranges.

Museums

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Mozart’s Birthplace, Salzburg
Getreidegasse 9 is a must-see while in Salzburg. This is where Mozart was born on January 27, 1756 and lived with his family for the next few years. Upon entering you’ll feel transferred into another era: uneven staircases, low ceilings and original furniture heighten the sense that you are in the same environment that fostered this musical genius.

DomQuartier, Salzburg
The former Prince Archbishops private residence and galleries are open to the public for the first time in over 200 years. Salzburg's Cathedral Quarters encompasses 161,458 magnificent square feet and more than 2,000 stunning artifacts. A tour of the Cathedral Quarters lets you explore a unique highlight in the heart of the city. History comes alive in the grand rooms while you enjoy impressive views of the city throughout the tour.

The Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna
Built by Emperor Franz Joseph to house the fabulous Habsburg collections, the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna now ranks among the world’s most important museums. From Rubens to Rembrandt, Vermeer to Velazquez, Titian to Dürer, what started as a repository for the Habsburg collections has evolved into an international treasure. The world’s most extensive collection of paintings by Pieter Bruegel the Elder is housed here.

Imperial Carriage Museum, Vienna
Located near Schönbrunn Palace, the Imperial Carriage Museum’s unique collection invites you on a tour through Austria’s history. The Wagenburg building is home to the vehicle fleet of the former Viennese Court. Following the demise of the monarchy in 1918, around 100 carriages, sleds, sedan chairs and litters along with their associated harnesses, saddles and caparisons remained. Since that time, the collection has been expanded to a total of 170 vehicles.

MuseumsQuartier, Vienna
One of the largest art and culture complexes in the world sits like an urban living room in the heart of Vienna. Combining art and living space, the Museums Quartier Wien is ideal for people watching in its many outdoor cafes. Don’t miss the Leopold Museum which includes the world’s largest and most important holdings of masterpieces by Egon Schiele (1890-1918) alongside highlights of Art Nouveau and Classical Modernism. The museum moderner kunst stiftung Ludwig wien (mumok) is the largest museum for modern and contemporary art in Central Europe. Numerous cultural events use this wonderful space as their stage throughout the year.

Haus der Musik, Vienna
Ever wondered what it's like to conduct an orchestra? Wonder no more, thanks to a remarkable interactive feature at Vienna's beloved House of Music. For music lovers it's a dream come true, leading your own all-star ensemble in the world's capital of classical music.

Galerie Belvedere - Vienna
This Baroque masterpiece houses one of Europe's most important museums. In the Upper Belvedere the world's largest collection of paintings by Gustav Klimt (among those “The Kiss”), alongside works by Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka are on display. The Belvedere also features masterpieces by French impressionists like Renoir and Monet, and works by Van Gogh, while a large Biedermeier collection will delight fans of 19th century art.

Wiener Werkstätte, Vienna
Founded on May 19, 1903 by the artists Josef Hoffmann and Koloman Moser among others with the goal to create design and art for the masses. To this date companies such as Lobmeyr, WOKA etc. are still reproducing from original designs which can be purchased. The Wiener Werkstätte created works of craftsmanship in a very distinctive style, the Wiener Werkstätte Style. The workshop mainly created jewelry, fabrics, ceramics & pottery, and furniture, all characterized by simple shapes, minimal decoration and geometric patterns.

Open Air Museum, Niedersulz, Lower Austria
The largest open-air museum in Niedersulz in Lower Austria is an entire village: 80 historical buildings were disassembled from all over the Weinviertel and rebuilt true to their original construction in Niedersulz.

Kunsthaus Graz, Styria
The building, designed by Peter Cook and Colin Fournier, has an organic shape with a skin made of iridescent blue acrylic panels. One of the most unusual museums you'll ever visit. At night, the building glows by way of a computerized lighting system beneath its transparent skin. With large, tube like "nozzles" for windows that stick out from the curved roof, the structure undeniably reminds of an outer-space creature that has landed in the middle of Graz's historic city center.

Nonseum in Herrnbaumgarten, Lower Austria
Herrnbaumgarten is an eccentric village at 695 ft altitude, one hour from Vienna. Here things are viewed from a slightly, shall we say, distorted perspective. The museum provides a cheerful balance between subtle contrarian thinking, an amiable professional approach and benevolent misconception.

Arnulf Rainer Museum in Baden, Lower Austria
Arnulf Rainer’s hometown of Baden pays tribute to this versatile and busy painter with a museum devoted to his work. The museum is housed in a former bathhouse, a gem of 19th-century architecture.

Flatz Museum in Dornbirn, Vorarlberg
It wouldn’t be Wolfgang Flatz if one could simply walk into his museum like into any other. One enters the former Natural History Museum of Vorarlberg after having ascended a work called “Book Stairs” and cleared heavy punching bags out of the way.

Kunstmeile Krems, Lower Austria
The name says it all. The “Art Mile of Krems” extends from the historic town center to the medieval village center of Stein, and from museums and concert venues to gourmet restaurants, ensuring an abundance of stimulating cultural experiences.

Swarovski Crystal Worlds Wattens, Tirol
Marveling like a child is rare these days, but one cannot help it when standing in the interior of a huge crystal, watching light refracted in hundreds of mirrored surfaces. The imposing Crystal Dome is the showpiece of the “Swarovski Crystal Worlds”.

Tirol Panorama in Innsbruck, Tirol
A wide-angle view of history: this new, modern museum provides an impressive survey of Tirol’s turbulent history and its effect on the country and its people. The centerpiece of the museum is the gigantic panoramic painting known as the “Riesenrundgemälde” (giant round painting).

The Mint Museum Hall, Tirol
Explore the birthplace of the modern-day Dollar. In the historic town of Hall in Tirol, the ancient Mint Tower is an impressive reminder of a time when currency was literally as hard as the material it was produced from. Have fun exploring the history of money and mint your own coin as a souvenir.

Art Brut Center Gugging, Lower Austria
The cultural center at the former psychiatric hospital in Gugging offers an impressive and unconventional introduction to “Art Brut”. And part of the Gugging experience is sometimes encountering the very artists who created these works.

The Zeughaus (Armory) in Graz, Styria
The only original historic armory left in the world. Built in 1642, it contains about 32,000 arms and military equipment dating from the late 15th to the early 18th century, enough weapons to equip an army of 5000 men.

National Parks

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Austria has six national parks, almost 60 nature preserves and nature parks, about 35 hot spots for bird-watching, 20 Alpine gardens and many other opportunities to admire nature in its undisturbed, pristine beauty.

Tirol, SalzburgerLand and Carinthia
Nationalpark Hohe Tauern

The largest national park in Central Europe is shared by Tirol, Salzburg and Carinthia. The park is home to many scenic treasures, including both the majestic Grossglockner and Grossvenediger massifs, the ancient woodland of the Rauris Forest and the thunderous Krimml waterfalls. The journey over the Grossglockner High Alpine Road takes you to an altitude of 0.9 miles and through a range of climate zones. We recommend the drive up the Grossglockner High-Alpine Road from Salzburg to the national park.

Burgenland
Nationalpark Neusiedler See - Seewinkel

With its delicate wetland reed beds, salt-water ponds and flood-meadows, this national park is the only steppe national park in Central Europe. The national park straddles the border between Austria and Hungary and boasts an enormous diversity of flora and fauna: watch about 300 species of birds. Explore the park by foot, bike, or on horse.

Lower Austria
Nationalpark Donau-Auen

Located just outside Vienna lies the great, undeveloped flood plains, which offers ideal living conditions to its fauna and flora.

Nationalpark Thayatal
This park, situated in the northern part of Lower Austria, is located at the border to the Czech Republic. Countless species of fauna and flora, some of them very rare like the black stork, are at home in this park. Castles and ruins dominate this national park.

Upper Austria
Nationalpark Oberoesterreich-Kalkalpen

This park is home to the largest protected woodland in Austria. Guided tours of the cave system allow you to explore the fascinating underground world of the Kalkalpen.

Styria
Nationalpark Gesaeuse

Located in northern Styria, this park was formed by the roaring waters of the Enns river, which run through the rocky canyon. Besides hiking and walking, experience white water rafting.

Places

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Vienna
Austria’s capital offers a unique blend of imperial traditions and stunning modern architecture. It is famous for its cultural events, imperial sights, coffee houses, cozy wine taverns, and the very special Viennese charm. One of Europe’s “must-see” capitals, it is a unique blend of historical and contemporary in a compact walkable city also known for its’ excellent Viennese Cuisine and fine wines. For further information, see 'City Guide' to Vienna.

Salzburg
Salzburg, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, is dominated by churches, castles and palaces. Its picturesque old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and world famous as the locations for the film “The Sound of Music”. For further information, see 'City Guide' to Salzburg.

SalzburgerLand
The area around the city of Salzburg is called SalzburgerLand, which has some of the most magnificent sights and beautiful countryside in Austria. The Giant Ice Caves, Salt Mines in Hallein, Hohenwerfen Castle with their falconry show, the Silent Night Memorial Chapel and Krimml Waterfalls (Europe’s Highest) are just a few of the attractions. The Grossglockner High-Alpine Road is one of the most scenic in Europe and leads to the Hohen Tauern National Park.

Bregenz
Vorarlberg’s capital is beautifully located at Lake Constance, Central Europe’s third largest lake. It offers a dense cultural program coupled with a wide range of outdoor activities.

Linz
The capital city of Upper Austria is enjoying its role of mediator between traditional and contemporary arts. Culture in Linz is extraordinarily diverse and ranges from interactive art at the Ars Electronica Center, to contemporary art at the Lentos Museum of Art and classical music at the Brucknerhaus. Cobble stone streets define the city center with the largest main square in Central Europe. Take a ride on the continent’s steepest traction railway up the Pöstlingberg for a panoramic view of the city.

Innsbruck
Past and future meet in the heart of the Alps, where Innsbruck’s famous sights testify to Tirol’s great past. The Imperial Palace, Ambras Palace, Ottoburg, the Wilten Basilica, and Innsbruck’s main sight The Golden Roof all tell of Innsbruck’s eventful history. Outstanding new landmarks have recently been added: Dominique Perrault’s Rathausgalerie and Zaha Hadid’s Bergisel Ski Jump and Hungerburgbahn, which takes you up the Nordkette in just 20 minutes.

Innsbruck, host of the Olympic Winter Games in 1964 and 1976, is also a major winter destination. In summer enjoy an array of outdoor activities, such as hiking and walking in the Karwendel Alpine Park or Zirbenweg trail on Patscherkofel.

Don't miss a visit to Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens, which delights with a dazzling underground world fit for a fairy tale.

Eisenstadt
Despite being Austria’s smallest provincial capital, this former seat of the noble Esterhazy family and home to some 13,000 inhabitants, has plenty to offer its visitors.

Klagenfurt
For summer vacations Klagenfurt is ideally located near Lake Wörthersee, one of Europe’s largest and warmest Alpine lakes. The city is enjoyable throughout the year with its Mediterranean climate, sunny winter days, colorful autumn and a mild spring.

Graz
The Styrian capital, whose roots date back to the Roman age is well-known for its medieval city center and modern architectural highlights. Graz is dominated by the Schlossberg, with its bell tower on top. The Kunsthaus floats like a giant, bluish bubble atop historic buildings. The architecture of Schloss Eggenberg gives nod to astrology, astronomy and alchemy with its 365 exterior windows, 52 windows of the piano nobile, 24 state rooms, etc. The armory houses an incredible 32,000 historic armor and weapons.

Special events include the "Styriarte", a music festival dedicated mainly to early music, the “Steirischer Herbst” (Styrian Fall), a festival highlighting theater, the fine arts, literature and music, the Jazz Summer, and the Eggenberg Palace Concerts.

Restaurants

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Gourmet Restaurants in Vienna

At times it is really hard to differentiate between the exquisite and the simple. It is hardly surprising that in Vienna, the city for connoisseurs, you’ll find simple restaurants jostling alongside gourmet temples catering to the most exacting demands with respect to both food and drink, ambience and service. We suggest to make a reservation at all restaurants!

Walter Bauer
Sonnenfelsgasse 17
1010 Vienna
Tel. +43 1 512 98 71
The chefs of this unassuming, yet Michelin stared, restaurant place great importance on providing attentive and personal service, as well as classic cuisine without frills. It also offers a great wine list.

Restaurant Edvard
at Palais Hansen Kempinski
Schottenring 24
1010 Vienna
Tel. +43 1 236 1000 8082
Outstanding cuisine with a high international standard, focusing on regional and seasonal specialties, awarded one star by the Michelin Guide.

Fabios
Tuchlauben 6
1010 Vienna
Tel. +43 1 532 22 22
Cosmopolitan trendy restaurant with excellent Italian cuisine and an excellent service team. Popular with celebrities.

Restaurant Konstantin Filippou
Dominikanerbastei 17
1010 Vienna
Tel. +43 1 512 22 29
The exceptional chef opts for modern quality cooking with a personal style in his own restaurant named after himself in downtown Vienna. The ambience is kept deliberately unfussy. The winebar next door offers natural wines and small dishes.

Kim
Restaurant - Shop
Währinger Straße 46
1090 Vienna
Tel. +43 664 4258866
Top chef Sohyi Kim is one of the few women on Austria’s premium dining scene. Her restaurant only seats ten guests. The Korean-born chef serves a ten-course menu that promises an innovative and experimental taste experiences.

Kuchlmasterei Restaurant
Obere Weißgerberstraße 6
1030 Vienna
Tel. +43 1 712 90 00
The legendary temple of gourmet food has been revived and offers international cuisine in an opulent ambiance. The extensive wine list includes about 700 select specialities.

Mraz & Sohn
Wallensteinstraße 59
1200 Vienna
Tel. +43 1 330 45 94
Modern and creative cuisine by the Mraz family in an unpretentious setting – awarded one star by the Michelin Guide. A total work of art with wonderful garden for guests.

Silvio Nickol @ Palais Coburg
Coburgbastei 4
1010 Vienna
Tel. +43 1 51818-800
Silvio Nickol has cooked up two Michelin stars for the Palais Coburg in no time at all. The ambience and cuisine are extraordinary and offer culture at luxury level. Treasures from the unique wine cellar are also served.

Restaurant Opus
Hotel Imperial
Kärntner Ring 16
1010 Vienna
Tel. +43 1 501 10 389
Exquisite Austrian dishes inspired by global trends are served here in a beautiful setting designed by Josef Hoffmann in the 1930s. The finest produce from our kitchen and cellar, creatively prepared to first-class standards – from lobster to turbot.

Patara Fine Thai Cuisine
Petersplatz 1
1010 Vienna
Tel. +43 1 997 19 38
Authentic, yet modern haute cuisine from Thailand is offered by this Austrian offshoot of the luxury chain. Unique Thai cooking in a refined ambience.

Restaurants at Hotel Sacher
Philharmonikerstraße 4
1010 Vienna
Tel. +43 1 514 56 840
The restaurant Rote Bar at the famous Hotel Sacher pamper guests with contemporary Austrian Cuisine. While the Restaurant Grüne Bar gives authentic Austrian cuisine an international touch.

Shiki
Japanese Fine Dining - Brasserie - Bar
Krugerstraße 3
1010 Vienna
Tel. +43 1 512 73 97
This refined Japanese restaurant presents contemporary Japanese cuisine with European accents in a modern ambience created by architecture office BEHF.

Steirereck at Stadtpark
Am Heumarkt 2a
1030 Vienna
Tel. +43 1 713 31 68
Still the best restaurant in Vienna: 2 Michelin stars, 4 Gault-Millau toques and in 15th place in the "World's 50 Best Restaurants". Heinz Reitbauer presents the very best in contemporary Austrian cuisine using local produce.

Tian restaurant Vienna
Himmelpfortgasse 23
1010 Vienna
Tel. +43 1 890 4665
Vegetarian restaurant in a class of its own. Chef Paul Ivic has cooked his way to three toques and a Michelin star with his creative dishes in the meat-free gourmet temple.

Restaurant "das Turm"
Business Park Vienna
Wienerbergstraße 7
1100 Vienna
Tel. +43 1 60 76 500
Culinary delights expertly prepared that have been awarded two Gault Millau toques – be it a business lunch or a candle-lit dinner. Add to all of that a breathtaking view over the city.

Gourmet restaurants in the city of Salzburg

Salzburg offers a great number of world-class restaurants, as well as authentic and traditional cuisine. Try the beer specialties at local breweries.

Auerhahn
Bahnhofstraße 15
5020 Salzburg
Tel. +43662 451052
Fresh produce, carefully selected dishes and a great love for details – a guarantee for gourmet cuisine, prepared by chef Gerhard Pongratz.

Brandstätter
Münchner Bundesstraße 69
5020 Salzburg
Tel. +43662 434535
This modest "Gasthof" has been awarded by Michelin Guide and Gault Millau and serves culinary masterpieces.

Braurestaurant Imlauer
Rainerstraße 14
5020 Salzburg
Tel. +43662 877694
Traditional ambience paired with local cuisine, with a twist. Try the local Stiegl beer.

Esszimmer
Müllner Hauptstraße 33
5020 Salzburg
Tel. +43662 870899
An avant-garde culinary haven created by Chef Andreas Kaiblinger, who has been awarded three toques and one Michelin star.

Goldener Hirsch
Getreidegasse 37
5020 Salzburg
Tel. +43662 8084-861
The simple, yet sophisticated dining room pays homage to its humble ancestry with rustic Austrian wooden furniture that harmonise with the wooden ceiling beams. Chef Martin Bednarik creates an incomparable combination of traditional Salzburg specialties and international dishes.

Ikarus, Restaurant im Red Bull Hangar-7
Wilhelm-Spazier-Straße 7a
5020 Salzburg
Tel. +43662 2197-0
A different international celebrity chef is invited each month to delight diners. Diversity at an exceptional level of quality is guaranteed.

Sacher Salzburg - Roter Salon
Schwarzstraße 5-7
5020 Salzburg
Tel. +43662 88977-0
Gourmet dining meets authentic, rustic charm in Sacher’s Zirbelzimmer, preserved in its original state since 1866. Overlooking the Salzach river enjoy Austrian classics by Executive Chef Michael Gahleitner, which have been awarded a Gault Millau toque.

Your Guide to Culinary SalzburgerLand

From fish to cheese to sweets, internationally acclaimed restaurants to alpine huts and organic farms, these year-round tips and recommendations are perfectly suited for travelers with gourmet tastes. Follow the trail with your taste buds leading the way.

For Gourmets
This culinary path brings together the best kitchens, from country inns with deep regional roots, to cosmopolitan inner-city eateries, all rated by leading reviewer Gault Millau. (On a side note, Michelin does not rate restaurants in Austria, with the exception of Vienna and Salzburg)

The Döllerer in Golling, about 30 min. outside Salzburg, is where Chef Andreas Döllerer takes you on a culinary journey through the region with his ‘Cuisine Alpine.’ He creates sensational dishes using local and organic Pinzgau beef, Tauern lamb, or Bluntau char.

Nestled in a fairytale castle along Lake Fuschl, just 20 minutes from Salzburg, Schloss Restaurant at Schloss Fuschl is a gourmet destination in its own right. Try freshly caught fish from the on-site castle fishery and savor a wide selection of Austrian wines from the castle's wine cellar. The experience is best enjoyed al fresco on the legendary lake terrace.

At Obauer, brothers Karl and Rudi Obauer have been awarded 4 toques by “Gault Millau”, 5 crowns by the gourmet guide “A la Carte”, as well as 2 stars by “The Michelin Guide”. This trend-setting restaurant in Werfen is open since 1979, and their cuisine is characterized by regional produce, artisan principles, and harm

All About Cheese
Whether enjoyed as a snack in a mountain hut or the crowning finale of an exquisite gourmet meal, cheese is very much ingrained in Austria’s cuisine – and culture. Especially in the SalzburgerLand, cheese is held in high regard. From the Pinzgau beer cheese to the Tennengau hill cheese, Flachgau hay-milk cheese to goat cheese specialties from the Lungau region.

Taste some of the best local cheeses in these restaurants, mountain huts and farms:
Winterstellgut in Annaberg-Lungötz
Hofkäserei Fürstenhof – A cheese maker in Kuchl
Feinkost Lumpi – A local delikatessen in Zell am See
Schwaigerlehen-Berngarten - a 500-year old farm in the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern

For Fish Lovers
The SalzburgerLand is famous for its regional fish specialties caught in crystal-clear Alpine lakes, rivers and streams. Salzburg's fish experts are personally involved in every step of the way before the fish actually makes it on to your plate: from running fisheries to working their magic in the smoker.

Try these fish restaurants, and while you’re at it, we suggest taking a dip in these wonderfully refreshing lakes during your summer trip:
Restaurant Seehotel Winkler in Neumarkt on Waller lake
Gasthof Fürberg in St. Gilgen on Lake Wolfgang
Landhotel Erlhof in Thumersbach on Zeller lake
Schloss Restaurant at Schloss Fuschl on Lake Fuschl

For your Sweet Tooth
Indulge in local pastries, cakes and gateaux from renowned confectioners and chocolatiers. The sweetest and most famous creations in Salzburg include Bach Würfel truffles, Salzburger Nockerl and Mozartkugeln chocolate balls. Some of the newer creations are organic chocolate bars, such as "Almsommer” by Berger Feinste Confiserie. Filled with local herbs, these bars promise an exhilarating experience for your taste buds.

We recommend the following sweet spots:
Konditorei Braun in Hallein
Confiserie Berger in Lofer
Cafe Konditorei Fürst in Salzburg – home of the original Mozartkugel
Cafe Tomaselli in Salzburg< br/> Cafe Konditorei Pletzer in Mittersill

For Carnivores
For meat lovers, exploring SalzburgerLand’s incredible selection of regional meats is a must. Here, masters of meat, award-winning chefs and local innkeepers raise lamb, young beef, hill-country pork, goat and wild game to an unimagined level of culinary perfection.

Local meat favorites are tender Tennengau mountain lamb, Pinzgau baby goat, Pongau wild game, or the world-famous Pinzgau beef.

Our recommendations include:
Romantikhotel Gmachl in Elixhausen bei Salzburg (which has its own butchery)
Sonnhof in St. Veith im Pongau
Dorfwirtshaus Kirchenwirt in Leogang
Romantikhotel Wastlwirt in St. Michael im Lunga

Shopping

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VIENNA

Backhausen
This traditional Viennese company has manufactured fabrics of highest quality since 1849. It also has the world-largest archive of original Wiener Jugendstil designs.


Porcelain Manufactory Augarten 
“White gold” has been produced in Vienna for nearly 300 years. This fine porcelain is still made entirely by hand, and one can observe the production from up close on a tour of the Porcelain Manufactory Augarten.

J. & L. Lobmeyr 
The former purveyor to the court is well-known all over the world for its glass manufacture and chandelier design. The company is in its sixth generation and was founded in 1823.

Schullin Jewelry 
The name Schullin is synonymous with exclusive design and exquisite quality jewelry. Located in a tiny storefront - designed by Hans Hollein, a Pritzker Prize winning architect - in one of Vienna’s best addresses, the Kohlmarkt.

BURGENLAND

Erich Stekovics
On his quest to revive almost forgotten tomato seeds Erich Stekovics has scoured the world for nearly forgotten flavors. Today more than 3,200 varieties of tomato thrive in his fields near the Neusiedlersee.

TIROL

Kaufhaus Tirol 
A shopper’s paradise on six levels: in the center of Innsbruck’s historic old town, with its centuries-old buildings, English star architect David Chipperfield’s new Kaufhaus Tirol provides a welcome contrast.

Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens, Tirol 
Once you enter the Giant you stand inside a giant crystal reflects the light reflect off the various surfaces surrounding it. The imposing Crystal Dome is the showpiece of the “Swarovski Crystal Worlds”.

SALZBURG

Gössl – Gwandhaus 
People in Salzburg love their traditional costumes, which they wear every day. Gössl offers great outerwear as well as dirndl and lederhosen

Sports

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Scenic Bike Trails
Biking throughout Austria's countryside is another great way to experience the beautiful country. Whether you are a soft-biker or enjoy rugged landscapes, there are biking trails for every type.

Vorarlberg Trail and Lake Constance Loop
Experience the diversity of Vorarlberg's (Austria's most western province) scenery on this bike trail between Bludenz and Bregenz. Surrounded by a majestic mountain backdrop and nestled between five valleys, the medieval Alpine town of Bludenz is the perfect starting point for this Alpine Adventure.

Tauernradweg along the Salzach and Saalach River
This may very well be one of the most exciting cycling trail in Europe. Scenic beauty, Europe's highest waterfalls, a visit to Salzburg and countless attractions are all along the way. The starting point of this bike trip is the small village of Krimml, in midst of the Hohe Tauern National Park.

Salzkammergut Lake District Tour
The "Salzkammergut" (salt chamber district), with its many lakes is nestled in beautiful alpine surrounding and has become one of the most popular vacation spots in Austria. This bike trip will lead you to no less than 13 of these lakes, offering you a chance to break up your cycling with swimming, fishing, sailing and hiking.

Danube Bike Trail from Passau to Vienna (or on to Hainburg)
Starting at the historic German Border town of Passau, the trail follows the Danube River (Europe's second largest) into Vienna. See the city of Linz, the baroque abbey of St. Florian and the many castles along the way and of course, the famous "Wachau" region with its charming villages, vineyards and romantic fruit orchards.

Vienna Bike Paths
There are marked bike paths in the city of Vienna, which allow easy access to the Ringstrasse and all the historic buildings in downtown Vienna. The Prater, a major park, also offers excellent biking trails with bikes available for rent.

Hiking
There are numerous ways to explore and experience a destination but none as intimate and personal as taking the time to enjoy your vacation destination on foot. Walking and hiking in Austria will get you close to nature and allow you to get to know the people and the wonderful traditions in Austria.

Krimml Waterfalls, SalzbugerLand
Enjoy a spectacular hike to Austria’s highest waterfall. The three stages of the hike, starting in the village of Krimml, take you to ever more spectacular views of the falls and the surrounding countryside. Bring your camera and capture the most beautiful section of the falls!

Nationalpark Hohe Tauern
The provinces Carinthia, Salzburg and Tirol boarder the Hohe Tauern National Park, which is the largest one in Central Europe. With peaks like the Großglockner, the highest mountain of Austria, wide glaciers as well as the impressive Krimml Water Falls this park is a complex wonder of nature. Nature in the core of the park is completely untouched and sustainably cultivated landscape define the outer areas harmoniously.

Dornbirn
Walking, hiking or skiing amidst the breathtaking landscape of the Vorarlberg, Austria’s most western region, provides plenty of reasons to visit.

Ski & Snowboard
Austria's mountain resorts offer activities for the skier and non-skier alike. Regions like the Arlberg, Kitzbühel, Innsbruck & Stubai Glacier & the Montafon ski region offer not only great outdoor activities but also great culinary delights.

The Arlberg
Lech, Zürs, St. Anton. The Arlberg region is not only the birthplace of modern Alpine skiing, but also a popular playground for Europe's elite. It has all the right ingredients for winter fun in the Austrian Alps punctuated by historic charm and world class amenities. Enjoy restaurants & bars, ice-skating, alpine curling, tobogganing and horse-drawn sleigh rides. The cuisine is as dazzling and varied as the terrain.

Kitzbühel, Tirol
A perfect Tirolean town and host of the world’s most famous ski race "Hahnenkammrennen.” This jewel of a town has a decades-long tradition and an international reputation that has helped define winter sports and the entire ski industry. Kitzbühel is an Eldorado with ninety-nine miles (160 kilometers) of manicured pistes, a top-notch fun park for snowboarders, deep-snow slopes, and mountains perfect for ski tours. The town is famous not only for sports but also for its hospitality. Enjoy Kitzbühel's excellent hotels, culinary delights, après-ski excitement, and nightlife!

Innsbruck & the Stubai Glacier, Tirol
Innsbruck has earned the reputation of winter sports capital. The city works hard to maintain and improve its twin character as a top-class ski area and sophisticated urban center. Innsbruck, with its striking location at the foot of the Alps offers winter guests a tempting choice of great skiing and snowboarding in six different areas. For all people longing for the genuine winter sports fun, the Stubai Glacier is the optimum opportunity!

Montafon, Vorarlberg
Casual, sporty atmosphere define the villages of the Montafon, which offer a varied program of leisure activities, cozy restaurants for the entire family, as well as a quiet Alpine atmosphere perfect for relaxing.

Bergisel Ski Jump in Innsbruck
Innsbruck’s futuristic new landmark is the Bergisel Ski jump (designed by the late Zaha Hadid), known particularly as one of the venues for the international Vierschanzentournee ski jump competition.

What kind of vacation would you like to take?