CSL’s guide to what to do where to stay and what to see in the European nation of Austria.
When to go
Year-round activities make this one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. In summer enjoy outdoor festivals, hiking, and watersports in winter look forward to the Christmas markets, skiing and events.
GETTING THERE
Air
Connect through a major European hub to Vienna.
Train
Eurail passes make it easy and expedient to board any train in many European countries. First class Eurail Global passes (15 days within 2 months) are worth the splurge especially if you plan to visit a few countries during your stay. They can be purchased via the website and delivered to your home address.
KLAGENFURT AM WÖRTHERSEE
Surrounded by mountains and bordering Italy and Slovenia, the region of Carinthia has a microclimate akin to the Mediterranean. The capital of Klagenfurt (Austria’s southernmost capital city) offers a range of activities from water sports, to hiking, culinary touring and a year round calendar of events including the Altstadtzauber (Old Town Magic Festival), New Year’s Eve Carnival, Beach volleyball Grand Slam, Ironman Austria and Easter Market.
See
Guided Tour (contact tourism office)
Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide prominent sites of the city.
The Klagenfurt Landhuas
Seat of regional parliament of Carinthia, showpiece is Coat of Arms Hall.
Do
Boat trip on Wörthersee
Boat trip on Wörthersee lake departing from the Lendhafen. See website for complete departure schedules. Dining on board.
Nostalgic Tour/ Oldtimer Cariobus
Guided vintage bus tour to sites in Klagenfurt and surrounding area includes a boat trip on lake Wörthersee. Every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m. (weather permitting); tickets available at the Klagenfurt Tourism office; +43 0 664 530 19 33.
EAT AND STAY
ARCOTEL Moser Verdino
Comfortable, centrally located Art Nouveau building with modern amenities. Domgasse 2; +43 463 57 8 78 0.
Gasthaus Landhaushof
Serves typical Carinthian food at the foot of the provincial parliament. Try the Kasnudeln a regional specialty consisting of cheese filled pasta drizzled with butter (similar to perogies or large stuffed ravioli). Landhaushof 1.
LINZ
An industrial city and Austria’s economic centre it mixes old (Mariendom, St. Mary’s Cathedral) and new (Ars Electronica Center). Linz lies on the river Danube and featured prominently in the cultural plan of the Third Reich. A thriving art and music scene has seen this capital of Upper Austria gain acclaim beyond the birthplace of the well-known Linzer torte.
SEE
Ars Electronica Center
Guided tour through the museum of the future which fuses art, technology and culture. Ars-Electronica-Straße 1; +43 732 72720.
Do
Guided Walking Tour (contact tourism office) Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide prominent sites of the city.
Kuk-Hofbaeckerei – Bake your own Linzer Torte
Frith Rath one of Linz´s best bakers guides guests in making their own Linzer torte in his unique “imperial and royal bakery.” Pfarrgasse 17; +43 732 784110.
Wurm + Köck River cruise aboard the MS Linzerin
Cruise the Blue Danube aboard this stylish and spacious boat. Untere Donaulände 1; +43 (0) 732 783607.
Pöstlingbergbahn
Take a ride up the mountain on one of the steepest adhesion railways in the world.
Höhenrausch
Interactive art exhibition and walking tour through the roofs of the city. OÖ Kulturquartier, OK Platz 1; +43 732 784178 – 52555.
Linz Card
(1/3/-day card euros 15/25) An all access pass to city attractions includes entry to major sites and attractions, and discounts on tours and events. The Linz-Card can be puchased at the Tourist Information on Hauptplatz, at the Tourist Information on Hauptbahnhof/ÖBB Reisezentrum, in Linz museums and hotels.
EAT AND STAY
Ibis Styles hotel
Newly renovated hotel with access to city centre via public transportation. Wankmüllerhofstraße 37; +43 732 347281-100.
Pöstlingberg Schlössl
Beautiful venue overlooking Linz including a restaurant which serves Austrian fare. Am Pöstlingberg 14; +43 732 716633.
Cubus
Have lunch directly at the Ars Electronica Center. Menu includes Austrian and international dishes. +43 732 944149.
SALZBURG
The UNESCO World Heritage Site features baroque architecture in the old town and is framed by snowy Alps. Dominated by the Festung Hohensalzburg fortress, the city of Salzburg has garnered worldwide acclaim as the birthplace of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and as the backdrop to the iconic film The Sound of Music.
SEE
Hellbrunn Palace
Renaissance pleasure palace known for its trick water fountains built by Markus Sittikus von Hohenems, Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg.
Festung Hohensalzburg
Overlooking the town centre this cliff top fortress built in 1077 was home to the prince-archbishops who ruled the independent state of Salzburg. Access by funicular or by walking from the Museum of Modern Art through wooded forest.
DomQuartier Gallery Walk
Newly opened residence state rooms, gallery and oratory of the Salzburg cathedral of Salburg’s prince-archbishops. Domquartier Salzburg, Residenzplatz 1/Domplatz 1a.
Mozarts Geburtshaus
Mozart was born in this bright yellow house and the museum features memorabilia including a miniature violin, locks of hair, and portraits.
Mirabell Palace (Schloss) and Gardens
Lovely for a picnic, for photographs or a leisurely stroll. Look out for the the Pegasus statue from Sound of Music. Mirabellplatz 4; +43 662 80720
Stiftskirche St. Peter
Abbey church founded around 700, beautiful tended graves on the grounds and chapels and crypts carved from Mönschsberg cliff face.
Do
Guided Tour (contact tourism office)
Accompanied by knowledgeable guide Michaela Muhr.
Salzburg Card
(1/2/3/-day card euros 26/35/41) An all access pass to city attractions includes entry to major sites and attractions, a river cruise unlimited use of public transportation and discounts on tours and events.
Weekly Market – Schranne
Farmer’s market with fresh produce, flowers, and meat. Every Thursday 5 a.m.-1p.m.; Ändräkirche/Mirabellplatz.
Mozart Dinner Concert at Stiftskeller St. Peter
The oldest restaurant in Europe founded in 803. Three course candlelight dinner accompanied by live Mozart music performed by the Amadeus Consort Ensemble. Also a working restaurant featuring Austrian cuisine. Stifskeller St. Peter, St. Peter Bezirk 1/4.
Grey Line Salzburg Sightseeing Tours – The Sound of Music Tour
Four hour tour through the Salzburg countryside and Lake District to see landmarks from the film, all while listening to the soundtrack of The sound of Music. Mirabellplatz A-5020 Salzburg; +43 0662 88 1616
EAT AND STAY
Hotel Goldener Hirsch, a Luxury Collection Hotel
600 year old hotel complete with original antiques, handmade furniture and located in old town Salzburg’s most famous street, Getreidegasse.
Getreidegasse 37; +43 662 80840.
Castellani Parkhotel Salzburg
151 room hotel in a converted manor house with large grounds. Alpenstraße 6; +43 662 20600.
Red Bull Hangar 7
Housing a collection of historic aircrafts, taxis and race cars in an enormous hanger, the pièce de résistance is the restaurant, Hanger 7 featuring rotating internationally renowned chefs every month. GmbH Wilhelm-Spazier-Str.; +43 662 2197-0.
Carpe Diem Finest Fingerfood
Restaurant, bar, lounge, and café known for its finger foods, kombucha drinks and dishes presented in cones. Getreidegasse 50; +43 662 848800;
VIENNA
See
Schloss Schönbrunn
Rococo former Habsburg summer palace with gardens, zoo and labyrinth. Also on site is the Imperial Carriage Museum. Schönbrunner Schloßstraße 47; +43 1 81113239.
MuseumsQuartier
Home to Mumok (Museum of Modern Art) and Leopold Museum among others. Plenty of lounging space. Museumsplatz 1; +43 1 5235881.
Hofburg palace
Famous palace complex once served as the Habsburgs’ principal winter residence.
Stephansdom
Gothic St. Stephan’s Cathedral’s spire dominates Stefansplatz.
Kunsthistorisches Museum
Think a mini more manageable Louvre housing the Habsburg’s collection of art and artefacts.
Kaiserliche Schatzkammer
The imperial treasury museum.
Sisi Museum
In the Imperial Apartments this museum showcases Empress Elisabeth (Sisi) considered a celebrity royal by Austrians.
Do
Guided Walking Tour (contact tourism office) Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide prominent sites of the city.
Vienna Card
(2/3/-day card euros 18.90/ 21.90) Discounts at museums and sights, theatres and concerts, in shops, cafés, and restaurants and free travel on Vienna’s public transport system for 48 or 72 hours.
EAT AND STAY
Demel
Former supplier to the imperial and royal court, this pastry shop and chocolaterie is famous for its fragrant candied violets and Sachertorte.
Plachutta
This is the restaurant to try Wiener Schnitzel (breaded and fried veal) and Tafelspitz (boiled beef, national dish of Austria). Various locations, see website for details; +43 1 5121 577.
Hotel Sans Souci Wien
Undoubtedly one of the best hotels to open in Vienna in recent years – swanky yet intimate. Close to Museumsquartier. Burggasse 2; +43 1 5222520.
Hotel Bristol, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Grand 1892-opened hotel with links to neighbouring Vienna State Opera. Kärntner Ring 1; +43 1 515160.
The Ring
Casual luxury hotel. “At eight” restaurant features international ‘aroma cuisine’. Kaerntner Ring 8, +43 1 22 1 22.
Hotel Grand
Grand Spa No605 on the 6th floor is worth a stop. Kaerntner Ring 9,+43 1 515 80 – 0.
DAYTRIPS
Steyr
Gorgeous, quiet town with an historic town centre including the famous gothic Bummerlhaus. Daytrip from Linz.
Rosengarten Light
Restaurant inside a Relais & Chateaux property.
Read more about Salzburg, Austria in the Fall 2014 issue of City Style and Living Magazine.