Austrian Serenade: Imperial Cities and Alpine Splendors

Explore the twisting narrow lanes of this delightful monastery town.

Named for the castle that overlooks it, Dürnstein is probably the most-visited stop in the Wachau valley. Reached by an ancient tunnel leading from the boat docks,  it is well-known for its wine as well as the beautiful blue church tower of its Augustinian monastery. 

Hike to the dramatic ruins of a medieval castle built in 1100's.

The hike leading to the castle is steep, but the amazing view you are rewarded with makes it all worth while. The fascinating ruins are extensive and can be freely explored. The castle was made famous by its most illustrious prisoner, King Richard the Lionhearted of England, who was held there for ransom.

Tour a huge and splendid Baroque monastery.

Founded in 1089 when the Austrian duke gave one of his castles to Benedictine monks, Melk Abbey is now both a place of pilgrimage and a major tourist attraction. Visitors come for the museum of religious artifacts, the jaw-dropping library, and the sublime church. The town square below the abbey is also a great place for a meal or wine.

Stop to taste the wine in a postcard-pretty town surrounded by vineyards.

Spitz is a favorite stop due to its bucolic atmosphere and abundance of wine taverns and restaurants. It is also home to the Tausendeimerberg or "House of a Thousand Buckets" (so named for the abundance of wine fields) and the castle ruins of Hinterhaus, which make for a nice (if steep) hike from the village.

Join local families enjoying one of Europe's best zoos.

With an entrance directly connected to the Schönbrunn palace gardens, visiting the zoo can be a great addition to any trip to the palace. Founded as an imperial menagerie in 1752, it is the oldest continually operated zoo in the world, and today is home to many rare species such as giant pandas.

Get lost in the huge imperial gardens.

The beautiful park is a mix of formal gardens and woodlands, and is dotted with enchanting statues & fountains, including a massive fountain of Neptune. The Gloriette pavilion sits on a rise opposite the palace and commands a wonderful view. Kids will love the labyrinth, racing to find the tower at the center of the maze.

Join local families enjoying one of Europe's best zoos.

With an entrance directly connected to the Schönbrunn palace gardens, visiting the zoo can be a great addition to any trip to the palace. Founded as an imperial menagerie in 1752, it is the oldest continually operated zoo in the world, and today is home to many rare species such as giant pandas.

Get lost in the huge imperial gardens.

The beautiful park is a mix of formal gardens and woodlands, and is dotted with enchanting statues & fountains, including a massive fountain of Neptune. The Gloriette pavilion sits on a rise opposite the palace and commands a wonderful view. Kids will love the labyrinth, racing to find the tower at the center of the maze.

Hang out with locals on this street lined by shopping and restaurants.

The Linzer Gasse and the streets surrounding it, with their historic storefronts and a multitude of restaurants and old guesthouses, give the Altstadt a run for its money in terms of liveliness and charm.  One of the best views in Salzburg is hidden near the Linzer Gasse. Just look for the gateway passage, which is located on the right side of the Linzer Gasse if you are coming from the river and head up the mountain side.

Wander off of the beaten path to find one of Salzburg's hidden treasures, St. Sebastian's cemetery.

The peaceful cemetery is the resting place of many prominent Salzburgers, including Mozart's wife and father. The cemetery is lined by a cloister passageway, and in the center of the cemetery lies the magnificent mausoleum of the Prince Archbishop Wolf Dietrich. To find the cemetery just walk towards the church tower on the Linzer Gasse. The cemetery is located behind the church. There is usually an entrance open to the right of the church, but if that is closed, go the sidestreet to the left of the church (where you see the archway). You will find another entrance on the right side of the courtyard.

Stroll this tranquil garden amidst the city hubbub and sing "Do-Re-Me" .

Within the gardens, you will discover not only greenery and flowers but also statues of a pegasus, unicorns, lions and other exotic animals, as well as a gnome garden, grand staircases, fountains, and other picturesque spots. Sound of Music fans will recognize it, as this is where several parts of the "Do-Re-Me" song were filmed. Maria and the children march around the pegasus statue and fountain, race through the lattice garden tunnels, pose at the garden gates, and pet the gnomes on the head. Not much of the palace interior is open to visitors, however, the best part of the palace, a marble staircase lined by Raphael Donner statues, is open to those who know how to find it. The corridor to the staircase can be found in the passage that connects the palace courtyard to the gardens and the Pegasus fountain. If you are coming from the courtyard, the door to the corridor is on your right. You will find the staircase within a few steps.

Hang out with locals on this street lined by shopping and restaurants.

The Linzer Gasse and the streets surrounding it, with their historic storefronts and a multitude of restaurants and old guesthouses, give the Altstadt a run for its money in terms of liveliness and charm.  One of the best views in Salzburg is hidden near the Linzer Gasse. Just look for the gateway passage, which is located on the right side of the Linzer Gasse if you are coming from the river and head up the mountain side.

Take a short hike to this stunning lake nestled within the mountains.

You can take a quick jaunt to the Obersee, or better yet, you can take a 5 miles hike to a waterfall above the lake. The trail is well-maintained and well-traveled, although rocky and steep at times. The hike begins with a fairly flat and easy walk from the boat docks to the Obersee lake. You will then follow a trail along the right shore of the lake. The trail becomes rocky and steep, and you must ascend about 250 feet. At the high points of the trail, you will have a beautiful view of the lake below and surrounding mountains. You will then descend and reach the far end of the lake, where you will enjoy another beautiful view. You will then continue hiking towards the end of the valley, climbing another approximately 350 feet to reach the end of the valley, where you will see the waterfalls. Keep in mind that at the end of summer or in fall the waterfall may not be very impressive.

Hop off the boat for a pleasant and easy walk along the lake shore near this onion-domed church.

To take this easy, flat, but very beautiful hike, from the boat docks, follow the orange signs for the "St. Bartholomä-Rundweg". You will make a circle on a well-maintained trail, first walking along the lakeshore for about half a mile, and then turn left into the forest. Continue following the signs for the Rundweg, taking another left after about 350 yards, and returning to the docks in a little less than half a mile.

Relax on an unforgettable cruise across the lake, hopping on an off when you please.

The cruises are made all the more enjoyable as the electric boats are almost completely quiet. Nothing will distract you for the atmosphere and scenery. Cruises occur all year long unless the lake is iced over. Tickets are sold directly at the docks, although getting there early is highly recommended to avoid long lines.

Venture a little further to find a perfect view of the lake.

The Malerwinkl (i.e. the Painters Angle) is less than a mile walk from the boat docks and offers a picture-frame view of the lake. You can walk down to the water and soak your feet. After enjoying the view, you can head back, or take a strenuous, approximately hour-long hike to the Jennerbahn cable car station. Just follow the signs for the Malerwinkl-Rundweg and the Jennerbahn-Talstation. This is a trail for experienced hikers with proper footwear, which includes a climb of about 400 feet.

Take an exhilarating ride into the Alpine peaks above the lake.

You will enjoy amazing views of the lake and the surrounding Bavarian Alps. If you are up for it, you can even hike in the mountains as well, or ski in the winter. You can board the Jennerbahn cable car near the same parking area and bus stop which services the lake. It costs approx. 27.50 EUR for an adult roundtrip ticket to the top. You can save money by hiking back down, but this is only recommended for experienced hikers with good footwear.

Take a short hike to this stunning lake nestled within the mountains.

You can take a quick jaunt to the Obersee, or better yet, you can take a 5 miles hike to a waterfall above the lake. The trail is well-maintained and well-traveled, although rocky and steep at times. The hike begins with a fairly flat and easy walk from the boat docks to the Obersee lake. You will then follow a trail along the right shore of the lake. The trail becomes rocky and steep, and you must ascend about 250 feet. At the high points of the trail, you will have a beautiful view of the lake below and surrounding mountains. You will then descend and reach the far end of the lake, where you will enjoy another beautiful view. You will then continue hiking towards the end of the valley, climbing another approximately 350 feet to reach the end of the valley, where you will see the waterfalls. Keep in mind that at the end of summer or in fall the waterfall may not be very impressive.

Hellbrunn Palace is a picturesque palace surrounded by even more beautiful gardens. The early baroque palace was built exclusively for the purpose of entertainment, as the Prince-Bishop would actually return to Salzburg in the evening.

Built as a summer palace by Salzburg's Prince-Bishop, Markus Sittikus, the Schloss Hellbrunn is a picturesque palace surrounded by even more beautiful gardens. The early Baroque palace was built exclusively for the purpose of entertainment, as the Prince-Bishop would actually return to Salzburg in the evening. It can be toured with an audio guide and includes several beautiful frescoed ceilings. There is a great deal to discover in the gardens - hidden grottos, clever statues, reflecting pools, as well as flora and fauna. What's more, the gardens are also home to famous Wasserspiele, trick water fountains that never fail to delight, astonish, and befuddle. The fountains were actually built with the express purpose of playing practical jokes on guests, and they continue to provide plenty of amusement today.

Hellbrunn Palace is a picturesque palace surrounded by even more beautiful gardens. The early baroque palace was built exclusively for the purpose of entertainment, as the Prince-Bishop would actually return to Salzburg in the evening.

Built as a summer palace by Salzburg's Prince-Bishop, Markus Sittikus, the Schloss Hellbrunn is a picturesque palace surrounded by even more beautiful gardens. The early Baroque palace was built exclusively for the purpose of entertainment, as the Prince-Bishop would actually return to Salzburg in the evening. It can be toured with an audio guide and includes several beautiful frescoed ceilings. There is a great deal to discover in the gardens - hidden grottos, clever statues, reflecting pools, as well as flora and fauna. What's more, the gardens are also home to famous Wasserspiele, trick water fountains that never fail to delight, astonish, and befuddle. The fountains were actually built with the express purpose of playing practical jokes on guests, and they continue to provide plenty of amusement today.

Hellbrunn Palace is a picturesque palace surrounded by even more beautiful gardens. The early baroque palace was built exclusively for the purpose of entertainment, as the Prince-Bishop would actually return to Salzburg in the evening.

Built as a summer palace by Salzburg's Prince-Bishop, Markus Sittikus, the Schloss Hellbrunn is a picturesque palace surrounded by even more beautiful gardens. The early Baroque palace was built exclusively for the purpose of entertainment, as the Prince-Bishop would actually return to Salzburg in the evening. It can be toured with an audio guide and includes several beautiful frescoed ceilings. There is a great deal to discover in the gardens - hidden grottos, clever statues, reflecting pools, as well as flora and fauna. What's more, the gardens are also home to famous Wasserspiele, trick water fountains that never fail to delight, astonish, and befuddle. The fountains were actually built with the express purpose of playing practical jokes on guests, and they continue to provide plenty of amusement today.

Hellbrunn Palace is a picturesque palace surrounded by even more beautiful gardens. The early baroque palace was built exclusively for the purpose of entertainment, as the Prince-Bishop would actually return to Salzburg in the evening.

Built as a summer palace by Salzburg's Prince-Bishop, Markus Sittikus, the Schloss Hellbrunn is a picturesque palace surrounded by even more beautiful gardens. The early Baroque palace was built exclusively for the purpose of entertainment, as the Prince-Bishop would actually return to Salzburg in the evening. It can be toured with an audio guide and includes several beautiful frescoed ceilings. There is a great deal to discover in the gardens - hidden grottos, clever statues, reflecting pools, as well as flora and fauna. What's more, the gardens are also home to famous Wasserspiele, trick water fountains that never fail to delight, astonish, and befuddle. The fountains were actually built with the express purpose of playing practical jokes on guests, and they continue to provide plenty of amusement today.