Destination: Austria

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Itinerary: Vienna to Salzburg

Two weeks / Vienna to Salzburg

There is no better way to sample Austria’s historical and natural wonders than to journey along the Danube between two of the country’s most celebrated cities, Vienna and Salzburg.



Begin at the city without cultural equal, Vienna. A good few days could easily be spent poking around museums and taking in a concert or two, but be sure to leave some time for excursions to the shallow waters of the Neusiedler See, its plethora of Heurigen, and the evocative Wienerwald (Vienna Woods). Follow the curves of the Danube, first through Klosterneuburg and Tulln and then onto the natural splendour of the Wachau. Highlights abound in this small stretch of the river, not least of which are charming Krems An Der Donau, medieval Dürnstein and abbey-dominated Melk. Stick close to the Danube until you reach the former concentration camp at Mauthausen, then head due south to Steyr , an achingly pretty town at the confluence of the Enns and Steyr rivers. Backtrack north and make a beeline for Upper Austria’s bustling hub, Linz , but take time out for St Florian’s abbey, a bold, baroque bonanza.

Continue southwest to Gmunden, the gateway to the Salzkammergut lakes and home to distinctive green and white ceramics. Not far south is Bad Ischl, a favourite summer getaway of former Kaiser Franz Josef, and only a little further south again is Hallstatt, an ancient town squeezed between the banks of Hallstätter See and towering peaks. No trip to Austria would be complete without a cable car ride, so take a short but spectacular trip up the Dachstein before following the stream of pilgrims west to St Wolfgang and its church/religious art gallery. The only thing left to do now is continue onto Mozart’s birthplace, Salzburg.

Travelling to Austria?
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