Alpine Majesty: A 10-Day Rail Journey Through Austria and Switzerland

Rathaus (City Hall)

Get in touch with the local vibe at the Rathausplatz, a huge square in front of the Vienna City Hall.

The 19th-century city hall was built in a fanciful neo-Gothic style with 30 million bricks. It is an important center for social life in the city, hosting balls, concerts, and other events. The square in front of the hall is home to activities all year long, including markets, food fairs, exhibitions, and the city's biggest Christmas Market. 

Natural History Museum

Explore one of the world's most important natural history collections.

The museum is a treasure trove of anthropological and archeological exhibits, including dinosaurs and other extinct animals, precious gems, and more. It also holds the famous pre-historic finds from the Austrian village of Hallstatt, where an ancient salt mine was located.

Kunsthistorisches Museum

Find artistic bliss in this lavish 19th-century museum housing art collections & antiquities.

The Kunsthistorisches Museum, or Art History Museum, is one of the world's most important collections of art. It houses many masterpieces as well as ancient and classical art antiquities. Its amazing interior is worth seeing just on its own merits, and includes an incredible mural painted by Gustav Klimt.

St. Stephen's Cathedral

Visit this awe-inspiring cathedral which is one of the most important and renowned Gothic buildings in Central Europe.

The cathedral is Vienna’s most famous landmark and dominates the Inner City. Founded in 1147 A.D. and built over hundreds of years, it has elements of both Romanesque and Gothic architecture. You can also climb the (many) steps of the tower for a view.

The Graben

Walk the most famous street in Vienna and see stunning monuments and beautiful architecture.

Vienna’s main street since the Middle Ages, this wide pedestrian boulevard abounds in cafes, smart shops, and atmosphere. There are two fountains and a column (built as thanks for the end of the plague), which are beautiful examples of Baroque architecture. Also hidden on the street is the world's most beautiful public restroom.

Mozarthaus

Get to know Mozart in his former apartment, where he spent his happiest years.

Despite his modern-day association with Salzburg, Mozart's time in Vienna was his most productive and happy. Here you can learn about Mozart and what life was like for him and others in the city at the time. You can listen to musical selections and see original scores and other materials. 

Peterskirche (Church of St. Peter)

Step into this heavenly 18th-century church featuring incredibly ornate baroque art & architecture.

This church from the early 1700's is Vienna’s first domed baroque building. Amazing architectural details are crammed into the small interior, and glass crypts contain the human remains of martyred saints. There are daily organ recitals in the church.

Jewish Museum

Discover Vienna's rich history of Jewish life.

The museum is located in two separate buildings within the Inner City (one ticket covers both). The branch on the Judenplatz showcases medieval Jewish life, including a virtual tour of life in the 14th century. It is fronted by a monumental Holocaust Memorial. The main branch is located on the street Dorotheergasse.  

Leopold Museum

Get acquainted with modern art at one of Vienna's most celebrated artistic collections.

The Leopold hosts the most extensive collection of Egon Schiele works in existence, as well as masterpieces from the Secessionist, Modernist, and Expressionist Movements. Museum visitors can also take a break in a chique roof top café. 

MuseumsQuartier

Peruse outstanding art and hang out with the smart crowd.

Once home to the Imperial Stables, the Museumsquartier now hosts several outstanding museums, such as the interactive Zoom Children's Museum. Cafes, bars, and bookstores make this one of Vienna's hippest social scenes. Funky couches and other fun seating arrangements have transformed it into an open-air entertainment district, and on long summer evenings, the sounds of laughter and conversation echo late into the night.

State Opera House

Visit the famous opera house on a guided tour, or better yet, enjoy a world-class performance.

Once the most pre-eminent music hall in the entire Austro-Hungarian Empire, it still dwarfs its surroundings. It was mostly destroyed in bombing during WWII, but the lavish and stunning foyer was encased in a protective structure and saved, and the rest was rebuilt. Just across from the State Opera house is the famous Hotel Sacher, home of the Sachertorte.

Imperial Treasury

See firsthand the treasures collected by Austrian emperors over the last 1,000 years.

The Imperial Treasury is today a museum collection of the secular and religious treasures amassed by the Austrian emporers. You'll see crowns, coronation robes, scepters, bejeweled swords, precious gems, religious relics, and much more. Be sure to get an audio guide.

Spanish Riding School

See an equestrian performance from a world-famous riding school dating back to 1572.

Originally founded in order to train horses for the complicated maneuvers necessary in battle, the riding school today is dedicated to the preservation of classical dressage and the training of the renowned white Lipizzaner stallions. It offers regular demonstrations & shows and is located in the interior of a palace.

Café Central

Dine in an elegant 19th century cafe.

The soaring gothic ceilings and fine cuisine of the Café Central made it the frequent haunt of historic figures such as Freud and Trotsky. Reservations are highly recommended. 

Hofburg Palace

Tour the palaces and courtyards of the massive Hofburg Palace complex.

The complex consists of numerous palaces which once housed the imperial family during the winter months, and also held the offices which were used to administer the state. They now hold museums and collections from the imperial past. There are also grand plazas and pleasant gardens, such as the enchanting Burggarten. 

Belvedere Palace

Stroll the Belvedere's gardens, and venture inside the palace for a "Kiss".

Two Baraque palaces are connected by a French-style, three-level garden which features delightful fountains. Originally built as a summer residence of Prince Eugene, it now houses the Belvedere Museum where you will find Gustav Klimt's most famous work - The Kiss.

Karlskirche

Many argue that this baroque church is as beautiful as St. Peter's - see it and decide for yourself.

Built between 1716-1737, Emperor Charles VI intended the church to be a thanksgiving for the end of a plague epidemic and dedicated the church to St. Charles Borromeo, who is revered for his care of plague victims. St. Charles was also his namesake, meaning that the church's name evokes the emperor's memory as much as the saint's, which was no accident. Indeed, the two columns in front of the church are meant to represent imperial power. 

Riesenrad

Take a fifteen-minute trip back in time on a 212-foot ferris wheel, enjoying breathtaking views over the roofs of the city.

The 'Wiener Riesenrad' was constructed in 1897 and is now a symbol of Vienna. It held the record of the world's tallest Ferris wheel from 1920 until 1985. It's surrounded by a famous amusement park, where you'll find carousels, swings, roller coasters, and haunted houses, as well as coffee houses and beer gardens. 

Hundertwasserhaus

See an entirely different idea for what makes a good apartment building.

This extraordinary apartment building with a colorful facade was completed in 1985. It features a grass-covered roof and trees growing out of rooms. It was created by the artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. As the building is inhabited, it can be viewed only from the outside but in the art café on the ground floor you can watch a free video film, where the artist guides you through his masterpiece. 

Mozartplatz

One of several grand squares in the center of Altstadt in Salzburg.

One of several grand squares in the center of Altstadt in Salzburg. In the Mozartplatz you can find a statue of the famous composer. 

Salzburg Cathedral

Visit Salzburg's largest and most impressive church.

The current cathedral was built between 1614-1628 and is a masterpiece of baroque architecture. The cathedral was largely destroyed by an Allied bomb in WWII but was restored by 1959. One of the most significant treasures in the cathedral is the Baptismal Font, which was cast in 1321 and rests on copper lions dating back to the 1100s.

Fortress Funicular

Ascend the steep mountain to the fortress in seconds on the fortress funicular railway.

The fortress was never taken by force, even though it was not for a lack of trying. Luckily for you, today you can simply buy a ticket and easily reach the fortress by a steep funicular railway. 

Fortress Museums and Interior

Experience the impressive splendor and craftmanship of the castle interior.

The State Apartments/Regency Chambers (Fürstenzimmer) are the top attraction within the fortress. These rooms were built as a showcase for state functions and to receive foreign visitors and dignitaries. You can also visit the Fortress Museum, a Marionette Museum, and the WWI-focused Rainer Museum. 

Nonnberg Abbey

Take a short walk from the fortress to discover Maria's abbey from the Sound of Music.

Sadly the abbey is down to only a handful of nuns, so you are unlikely to see large groups of nuns in black habits singing in unison as they wonder aloud what to do with a problem like Maria. However, you can still walk some of the grounds and visit a lovely Romanesque and Gothic church, which is almost empty of tourists. Since it is usually empty, you must pay to light up the Romanesque frescoes and a Gothic altar, although this is half of a Euro well spent (especially in the case of the altar).

Fortress Terrace

Take in a breathtaking view of the nearby Alps.

The terrace of the fortress offers an absolutely stunning view of the Alps. You can see the Untersberg especially well. It was the mountain which the Von Trapp family climbed at the end of The Sound of Music to escape Austria. Ironically, it's on the Bavarian border, so they were actually climbing into Germany. In reality they took a train to Italy.

Salzburg Cathedral

Visit Salzburg's largest and most impressive church.

The current cathedral was built between 1614-1628 and is a masterpiece of baroque architecture. The cathedral was largely destroyed by an Allied bomb in WWII but was restored by 1959. One of the most significant treasures in the cathedral is the Baptismal Font, which was cast in 1321 and rests on copper lions dating back to the 1100s.

Mozart Birthhouse

Tour the historic home where Mozart was born.

The Altstadt is where Mozart was born and his music is still closely associated with Salzburg. You can visit his birth house on Getreidegasse. If possible, it is better to visit this particular attraction early in the day, as it gets quite crowded. 

Felsenreitschule Concert Hall

Sing Eidelweis in the concert venue made famous by The Sound of Music.

 You can visit the concert halls of the world's most prestigious international music festival, the Salzburger Festspiele. Carved into the rock of the mountain, this is where the Von Trapp family sang at the climax of the movie (and also in reality). The 50-minute tour (provided in English and German simultaneously) includes all the major venues and many backstages as well.

Mirabell Palace Gardens

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.

Linzer Gasse

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.

St. Sebastian's cemetery

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.

Trick Water Fountains

Get a little wet in this delightful garden of tricks.

The famous "Wasserspiele" are 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. 

Kriens-Pilatus Cable Car Station

Wasserkirche

13th century church and crypt

The Gothic church is the site of the alleged martyrdom of Zurich's patron saints, Felix and Regula (they had deserted from their Roman legion in 286 and fled to Zurich before they were caught, tried and executed; after decapitation, they miraculously stood to their feet, picked up their own heads, walked forty paces uphill, and prayed before lying down in death). Behind the church is a statue of a sword-wielding Zwingli.

Kunsthaus Zürich

Art museum with major European collections from the 15th century

An absolute must for art enthusiasts. The collection begins before you even get inside: besides the main door is Rodin's vivid Gate of Hell depicting a scene from Dante's Inferno, while sculptures by Moore, Maillol, and others populate the grounds. Inside, Dutch and Flemish paintings are well represented by Rubens, Rembrandt, Hals, and others, and there's a Venetian room with works by Canaletto and El Greco. The collection of 20th-century art is one of the best in the world, with a selection of pop, concrete, and abstract expressionist art headlined by Warhol, Rothko, Bacon, and Twombly. Cubism, Fauvism, Dada, and Surrealism haven't been forgotten either. There are plenty of examples too of Picasso, Chagall, and Kandinsky, plus two canvasses by Monet, in addition to works by Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Cezanne, along with the largest Munch collection outside of Norway.

Schweizerisches Landesmuseum (Swiss National Museum)

Museum displaying Swiss history

 Housed in a purpose-built mock-Gothic castle, the museum is often visited just to marvel at its architecture, but actually, this massive building has such superbly presented state-of-the-art displays on the history of the Swiss Confederation that you're sure to find something here that's worth at least an hour or two. If there's one thing the Swiss do, it's that they don't skimp on culture, so you can expect excellent value for money here.

James Joyce Foundation

Museum dedicated to the great Irish writer, James Joyce, wrote Ulysses during his wartime exile in Zurich from 1915-19

Museum dedicated to the great Irish writer, James Joyce, wrote Ulysses during his wartime exile in Zurich from 1915-19

FIFA World Football Museum

Modern museum with over 1000 displays on football (soccer)

Covering three floors in total, the museum traces the history of the game, FIFA, and both men's and women's World Cup competitions. Football junkies will delight in the details and memorabilia like old programs, shirts, boots and footballs, and even an unopened bottle of champagne from England's 1966 World Cup celebrations.

Grindelwald

Village in the Bernese Alps

Village in the Bernese Alps that is considered to be the gateway to the Jungfrau Region. This village is popular among hikers and alpinists

Museum of Tourism

Museum showcasing the history of tourism in the Jungfrau region

Featuring excellent commentaries on the history of tourism in the Jungfrau Region presented in three floors of exhibits that cover everything from early transport and hotels to travel clothing and skiing. Housed in a lovely restored 17th-century timbered house, the museum includes models of early postal coaches, rack railway locomotives, bicycles and lake steamers, as well as actual historical carriages and vehicles.

Schloss Interlaken

Former Augustinian monastery turned castle with a chapel and Gothic cloister

A picturesque gem located close to the center of the city. The castle dates back to the 12th century. You can see the 14th-century bell tower along with a Gothic cloister and remains of a chapel dating from 1452. 

Oberhofen

Small village along Lake Thun