The Grand Alpine & Cultural Explorer: A 14-Day Journey Through Austria

Climb the 343 steps of the South Tower (Steffl) for an unparalleled panoramic view of Vienna's historic center and its unique tiled roof patterns.

Explore the massive winter residence of the Habsburgs, a sprawling complex of 2,600 rooms spanning seven centuries of architectural ambition.

Visit the summer escape of the emperors. Walk through the formal French gardens and climb up to the Gloriette colonnade on the hill for a commanding view of the palace complex.

Participate in Vienna's legendary living room culture. Order a properly brewed mélange and a slice of traditional Sachertorte, and enjoy the slow-paced atmosphere.

Stroll through this bustling market to experience a vibrant crossroads of cultures, featuring vendors selling local Austrian specialties alongside international delicacies.

Explore this creative hub where historic baroque stables have been masterfully repurposed into contemporary art spaces and vibrant public courtyards.

Visit this magnificent Baroque masterpiece perched high above the Danube. Explore its world-famous library holding over 100,000 volumes and enjoy views of the valley from the terrace.

Climb the steep path to the medieval ruins where King Richard the Lionheart was once held captive. The summit rewards you with sweeping views of the Danube curving through the valley.

Experience the dramatic limestone gorge where the Enns River crashes through steep rock walls. Visit at golden hour when the cliffs glow warm against the cool blue water.

Arrive at Austria's warmest alpine lake. Rent a classic wooden motorboat or stroll along the waterfront to soak in the old-world glamour and elegant lakeside villas.

Visit this iconic baroque palace turned luxury hotel, situated directly on the water in Velden, which has served as a playground for aristocracy since the 1860s.

Explore this highly picturesque peninsula. The twin church spires rising above the water create a perfectly symmetrical reflection on a calm day.

Ascend the world's tallest wooden observation tower. For an adrenaline rush, take Europe's longest covered slide back down, dropping 120 meters in under 20 seconds.

Walk down Salzburg's historic commercial heart. Look up to admire the elaborate wrought-iron guild signs, and visit number 9, where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in 1756.

Ascend by funicular to one of Europe's largest fully preserved medieval castles. Enjoy the same strategic, sweeping views of the city and alpine passes that the prince-archbishops once commanded.

Stroll through the geometric perfection of these baroque gardens. Enjoy the classic view looking back across the fountains toward the Hohensalzburg Fortress.

Sit down at Austria's oldest continuously operating cafe, dating back to 1700. Order a melange and a traditional Mozartkugel to participate in a centuries-old ritual of leisure.

Visit this historic church on the northern shore of Lake Wolfgang to view Michael Pacher's winged altar, a gothic masterpiece of gilt and paint completed in 1481.

Ride Austria's steepest steam-powered cog railway, operating since 1893. The train climbs grades of up to 26% to a summit offering views of 13 shimmering lakes.

Take the cable car from the lakeside village of St. Gilgen up to the summit of the Zwölferhorn for panoramic views of the Salzkammergut region.

Arrive at dawn when mist rises from the lake to experience this world-famous village in its quietest, most magical hours before the day-trippers arrive.

Ride a vertiginous cable car above the village to explore the world's oldest operating salt mine, where Bronze Age miners first discovered 'white gold'.

Step onto the spectacular skywalk extending 100 meters beyond the sheer mountain face, or brave the 14 glass steps of the Stairs to Nothingness descending over a vertical drop.

Cross the dramatic suspension bridge connecting two peaks over a 400-meter drop, then step inside the glacier to explore tunnels and ice carvings lit with colored lights.

Drive this spectacular 48-kilometer mountain route climbing through five distinct climate zones. Arrive at sunrise to have the switchbacks to yourself.

Stand on the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe platform to look down at Austria's largest glacier, and listen for the warning whistles of wild marmots in the boulder fields.

Hike the 4-kilometer trail ascending past Europe's highest waterfalls. Stand close to the middle section to feel the seismic force of the water super-saturating the air.

Explore the beating heart of the Zillertal Valley. If visiting in autumn, watch the traditional Almabtrieb cow parades as decorated cattle descend from high pastures.

Cross the pedestrian walkway of this massive 131-meter-high concrete dam holding back millions of cubic meters of turquoise, glacial-silt-colored water.

Hike up from the reservoir to cross the famous suspension bridge strung across a deep chasm, offering a dramatic view of the turquoise lake far below.

Stroll through Innsbruck's medieval arcades to view the Golden Roof, built by Emperor Maximilian I in 1500 with 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles.

Board the futuristic Nordkettenbahn designed by Zaha Hadid. In just 20 minutes, you will be whisked from the city center to the high-alpine peak of Hafelekar.

Wander through this traditional village to admire the distinctive Bregenzerwälder houses featuring massive wooden facades and covered balconies.

Follow the Cheese Road (Käsestraße) connecting local alpine dairies. Taste traditional Bergkäse produced using methods unchanged for centuries.

Visit this contemporary exhibition space showcasing the work of local furniture makers, textile artists, and architects who blend modern design with traditional craftsmanship.