‘The hills are alive…. with the Sound of Music!’
To describe Austria as quaint and pretty is an understatement: the vibrant green rolling hills, turquoise glacial lakes, and cobbled stones streets made me want to break out in song like Fräulein Maria, all day!
Home to nearly nine million people, Austria boasts a number of incredible men and women who have shaped our world; Freud, Maria Theresa and her daughter Marie Antoinette, Meitner, Schubert, Schwarzenegger, Klimt, Mendall, and of course, Mozart to name just a few.
Prepare yourself to eat chocolates wrapped in Mozart’s face one moment, and listen to the world-class orchestras in the golden concert halls the next.
‘The hills are alive…. with the Sound of Music!’
To describe Austria as quaint and pretty is an understatement: the vibrant green rolling hills, turquoise glacial lakes, and cobbled stones streets made me want to break out in song like Fräulein Maria, all day!
Home to nearly nine million people, Austria boasts a number of incredible men and women who have shaped our world; Freud, Maria Theresa and her daughter Marie Antoinette, Meitner, Schubert, Schwarzenegger, Klimt, Mendall, and of course, Mozart to name just a few.
Prepare yourself to eat chocolates wrapped in Mozart’s face one moment, and listen to the world-class orchestras in the golden concert halls the next.
TIME FRAME?
My two favourite places were Vienna and Salzburg. Both are completely different, as one is a bustling city, while the other is a picturesque town nestled in the rolling countryside. A week is enough time to visit Vienna and Salzburg taking the train between the two.
Allow for two to three days in both Vienna and Salzburg.
I went skiing outside of Innsbruck several winters ago. This town is very quaint, and I’d recommend you spend one to two days in and around Innsbruck, on top of your time in the snow.
TRAVELLING AUSTRIA?
Train is certainly the way to travel through Austria, and the journeys from the surrounding countries provide beautiful trips through the Alps.
The length of the journeys between different cities are:
Vienna–Salzburg, 2.5 hours
Salzburg–Innsbruck, under 2 hours
Munich–Salzburg, just under 2 hours
Munich–Innsbruck, 1 hour 45 mins
Munich–Vienna, 4–4.5 hours
Prague–Vienna, 4.5–5 hours
Budapest–Vienna, 2.5–3 hours
For those on a budget, Eurolines buses will take you overnight to many surrounding European cities. I highly recommend this company; their buses are clean and safe.
TRAVELLING AUSTRIA?
Train is certainly the way to travel through Austria, and the journeys from the surrounding countries provide beautiful trips through the Alps.
The length of the journeys between different cities are:
Vienna–Salzburg 2.5 hours
Salzburg–Innsbruck under 2 hours
Munich–Salzburg just under 2 hours
Munich–Innsbruck 1 hour 45 mins
Munich–Vienna 4–4.5 hours
Prague–Vienna 4.5–5 hours
Budapest–Vienna 2.5–3 hours
For those on a budget, Eurolines buses will take you overnight to many surrounding European cities. I highly recommend this company; their buses are clean and safe.
MY BEST ADVICE?
- You can’t leave Vienna without a visit to both the Hofburg Palace and the Schönbrunn Palace.
- Make sure you sample the famous Sachertorte in Vienna’s Hotel Sacher. This indulgent chocolate cake was invented in 1832 for a Royal Prince, and is a Viennese specialty that even its own National Day on 5th December.
- Those of you who are Sound of Music fans must sign up for the tours around Salzburg, the city where the majority of the movie was shot. It is corny, and tacky, and awesome! The tour leaves twice a day and takes four hours. Click here to visit the bus tour website.
- Schubert, Mozart, Strauss, and Haydn were just a handful of incredible Austrian composers who have left a musical legacy that should be heard by everyone! Make sure you get a ticket to one of the performances in the concert halls across Vienna. Book online if you are buying a seat.
- For those that do not want to spend too much, or if the seats are sold out, then you can buy standing tickets at the back of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra for under 10 euro. These standing tickets are sold 90 minutes before a performance from the ticket office of the Vienna Musikverein. Make sure don’t buy them on the street as these are often fake.
NEED MORE ADVICE? KEEP READING…
HEY ADVENTURER!
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So who am I…? Hi! My name is India.
I am a nomadic Australian who has wandered the world full time exploring over 60 countries and 5/7 continents.
After ten years on the road, I have launched my own website – Travelling Notebook – to share the knowledge I have gained on the road and the images I have collected over the years with fellow adventurers. Keep reading…
I am a freelance travel writer, photography and videographer, based in London. If you need specific travel advice or would like to collaborate, please, send an email my way!
Always say yes to adventure!
x India
