Savvy Sightseer - tips and insights for seasoned travelers!
Horses step lively in their chic toppers.
Salzburg Marionettes
Austria: Salzburg and Vienna
Sound of Music scenes, Marie Antoinette's childhood playground, home base for the royals who ruled over the old Austro-Hungarian empire, 17th century carillon chimes, underground lakes, trick fountains, chocolate tortes, apple strudel and schnitzel - so much packed into one tiny country!
Salzburg's old city, or Altstadt, is jam-packed with whimsical, intriguing, historical and quaint sights to see, all within easy walking distance of each other.
This beautifully preserved city is made for strolling, with stops at scenes made famous in The Sound of Music, plazas paying tribute to musical geniuses, abundant and mouth-watering markets, a trip across a mountain, into a medieval fort and high into a clanging bell tower. Click on the picture of this sophisticated city with its looming, protective fortress and saunter through Salzburg!
Vienna is a bustling city teeming with people. Old and new, classy and common are seamlessly interwoven, with Chanel and Forever 21 shops in the shadow of various residences that comprise the expansive Hofburg Imperial Palace.
Take a peek at this cosmopolitan city's old town, stretching from the regal St. Stephen's Cathedral to the international collection of food and craft stalls known as the Naschmarkt. Click the colorful mosaic rooftop of St. Stephen's, and enter Austria's aristocratic capital city.
Royal Residences
The Habsburg dynasty not only ruled Austria, but much of central Europe as well - what was known as The Holy Roman Empire. Along with such an enormous realm came riches and elaborate palaces for the elegant Danube monarchy, as well as for ruling religious leaders. Each of these palaces is unique and special in its own right. Click on the photo grouping below to travel to Schonbrunn, the summer home of Habsburgs where Marie Antoinette ran through the 1000+ rooms as one of the Empress's 16 children; see the fabulous crown jewels and vestments at the formal Hofburg palace and marvel at the fanciful trick fountains at Hellbrunn, pleasure palace of Salzburg's Prince Archbishop. Click here to go to the Royal Residences.
DAY TRIP EXCURSIONS
Not all of Austria's attractions are above ground. At Seegrotte, a short distance from Vienna, go deep into the labyrinth of tunnels of a gypsum mine for a ride on the largest underground lake in Europe. Or venture down slides into the once heart-line of Salzburg - the salt mines. Experience the miner's life and sail on a crystal clear salt lake to a wild light show extravaganza. For a change of pace, find nestled within the Vienna Woods the Abbey of Heiligenkreuz - the second-oldest Cistercian monastery in the world and the oldest continuously active and still inhabited one. Click here to go to the Sights Near Salzburg and Vienna page.
To enjoy the Austria experience at its fullest, attend a Savvy Sightseer - Austria Travelogue at a library or community center near you! Check the Programs page for upcoming dates and locations.
