Austria is more epitomized by green glacial valleys and snow-capped peaks - and the wooden picture postcard chalets. Nonetheless, visitors have much to explore from the stylish capital, Vienna, to the baroque splendor of Salzburg. Austria's mountain landscape is undoubtedly its biggest draw for tourists. Although a year-round destination, there is a definite seasonal split in visitors. Summer is best for exploring the countryside on the many mountain trails that snake through the Austrian Alps and the lowlands, while the ski season kicks off in December, attracting winter sports fans from all over the world.
City of music, cafes, waltzes, parks, pastries, and wine - that's Vienna in a nutshell. Vienna doesn't hurry, and, as you saunter through its stately streets, marveling at its Baroque palaces, neither should you. Explore churches filled with statues of golden saints and pink-cheeked cherubs, wander through treasure-packed museums, or while away an afternoon in one of those countless meccas of mocha (the inevitable cafés), you will feel lapped in lashings of rich, delicious, whipped cream - the beloved Schlagobers that garnishes most Viennese pastries.
City of music, cafes, waltzes, parks, pastries, and wine - that's Vienna in a nutshell.
Art lovers call Salzburg the Golden City of High Baroque; historians refer to it as the Florence of the North, or the German Rome; and music lovers know it as the Festival City - birthplace of Mozart and home of the world-famous Mozart Festival. Several beautiful castles and palaces dot the city. While Salzburg is a visual pageant of Baroque motifs, music is the element that shapes the life of the city. It is heard everywhere: in churches,castles, palaces, and, of course, concert halls.
Art lovers call Salzburg the Golden City of High Baroque; historians refer to it as the Florence of the North, or the German Rome; and music lovers know it as the Festival City - birthplace of Mozart and home of the world-famous Mozart Festival.
Innsbruck is one of Europe's oldest and most beautiful ski centers. Nestled in the Tyrolean Alps, the area has some 200 trails covering 500 kilometers (310 miles) and is perfect for beginner and intermediate-level skiers. It is a winter sports center with modern facilities. The world-famous Air and Style Competition at the Olympic Ski Jump stadium attracts over 25,000 visitors in early December and is a must-see for the ski lovers. Non-skiers and summer visitors can enjoy the sights of the medieval Old Town, the shops with Tyrolean specialties, and the many other outdoor activities that Tyrol offers. Culture seekers will be happy with world-class opera, gorgeous architecture, and superb museums.
Innsbruck is one of Europe's oldest and most beautiful ski centers.
Located about halfway between Vienna and Salzburg, Linz is Austria's third-largest city. It is an elegant city with an interesting historic Old Town Quarter with many nice patrician houses and a large pedestrian zone. Start exploring the city on the Main Square and then work your way to the Old Town Quarter. There is much to discover here, from original Roman foundations to vaults dating from medieval times. The city is now home to a vibrant music and arts scene. Between the Lentos Art Museum and the "Brucknerhaus", is the "Donaulände", which is also referred to as "Kulturmeile" ("culture mile"). This is a park alongside the river, where the Ars Electronica Festival and the "Linz Fest" take place.
Located about halfway between Vienna and Salzburg, Linz is Austria's third-largest city.
Founded by monks in 740, Zell am See is nested between the Schmittenhöhe and the waterfront of one of the cleanest European swimming lakes, Lake Zell. It has a charming old center that creates a calm, rustic, and adorned atmosphere - somewhat typically Austrian. The resort has a fascinating and fairly priced program of sportive, cultural, and just simply entertaining offerings throughout the year which include skiing, snowboarding, cross country, snow hiking, ice sailing, ice skating, hockey, sleigh rides and many others. The town makes an attractive base for holidaymakers who enjoy traveling around Saalbach - Hinterglemm, Bad Gastein -Bad Hofgastein, Wagrain, Schladming and Obertauern.
Founded by monks in 740, Zell am See is nested between the Schmittenhöhe and the waterfront of one of the cleanest European swimming lakes, Lake Zell.
Graz is the second largest Austrian city with plentyful night-time diversions, lots of cultural events. It blends modern life and historical architecture in a wonderful mix of past and present. Graz's "Old Town" is one of the best-preserved city centers in Central Europe. In 1999, it was added to the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage Sites, due to the harmonious co-existence of typical buildings from different epochs and in different architectural styles. The most important sights in the old town are: Schloßberg, site of demolished fortress, Uhrturm clocktower, symbol of Graz, Schloßbergbahn, a funicular railway up the Schloßberg, The Landhaus, the building where the federal state parliament of Styria resides
Graz is the second largest Austrian city with plentyful night-time diversions, lots of cultural events.
Visit Berlin, Prague, Vienna and Munich with a rent a car.
Included:
• Flight into Berlin and out of Munich •
Hotel for 2 night in Berlin •
Car rental for 8 days •
Hotel for 2 nights in Prague •
Hotel for 2 nights in Vienna •
Hotel for 2 nights in Munich •
Daily breakfast (if stated in hotel description) •
Hotel taxes
Begin with Salzburg`s Christkindlmarkt, one of Europe`s oldest markets(there are documents from the 15th century describing the fine crafts being sold by elderly women). Then continue to Munich and the craft stalls surrounding a glittering 100-foot Christmas tree in Marienplatz. On to visit Nuremberg, where 180 candy cane-striped stalls fill the main square with crafts, ornaments, and toys. Continue to Rothenburg ob der Tauber for one of the most romantic Christmas Markets in Germany and finally, end in Stuttgart, with its festive illuminations, the wonderful scents of cinnamon and vanilla, the wooden chalets, richly adorned with angels, conifer branches and Christmas ornaments. Transportation by train and rent a car.
Included:
• Flight into Salzburg and out of Stuttgart •
Hotel for 2 nights in Salzburg •
IC High Speed train Salzburg - Munich •
Hotel for 2 nights in Munich •
Rent a car for 7 days •
Hotel for 2 nights in Nuremberg •
Hotel for 2 nights in Rothenberg ob der Tauber •
Hotel for 2 nights in Stuttgart •
Daily breakfast (if stated in hotel info) •
Hotel taxes
* Sample prices displayed include international and domestic airline tickets as per itinerary and ALL airline-related taxes and fuel surcharges and are per person, based on double occupancy, and are dynamic in nature. Prices do not include insurance or delivery charges which are optional and customizable by the traveler. The airfare portion of the itinerary price is based on economy class, midweek departure. Prices do not include fees for carry on or checked baggage which can add up to $120 per ticket on a roundtrip flight. It also does not include any entrance fees or visa fees that may be charged at international airports. Some cities may charge local taxes that can only be collected by hotel at destination.
Prices were accurate at the time we posted them. Sample prices were for a specific travel date and specific departure airport, as indicated. Your prices will vary according to departure cities and travel dates. We do not control prices (airlines and hotel reservation systems do). Prices may change dynamically and at times significantly numerous times during any given day.
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