This ideal tour for travelers on a tight time budget hits all the key attractions from Vienna to the Salzkammergut to Salzburg to Wachau in just eight days. Possible add-ons include Großglockner, Graz, Innsbruck, Munich, Garmisch and Neuschwanstein.
This trip will be customized according to your wishes.
The city on the Danube, which is situated at the crossroads of the transport routes from the Baltic to the Adriatic and from southern Germany to the Great Hungarian Plain, is much more than the capital of Austria.
For many centuries Vienna was the center of a powerful empire covering much of southeast Europe, the seat of the powerful Habsburg Monarchy which ruled from the Middle Ages to the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918.The city's illustrious past is reflected in its stately palaces and other majestic landmarks along the ring surrounding the old town, such as the Staatsoper (state opera) and the ducal Hofburg. Today Vienna, former capital of the former multinational state, is a modern, cosmopolitan city with a touch of nostalgia for the glorious days of old. It is still the mecca of classical music with the world's largest music conservatory, the most famous concert halls with countless music events each year.
The small hotel with 26 bedrooms is imbued with homelike atmosphere rarely found in a commercial establishment.
This is not due to chance: It was the intention of owner Otto Wiesenthal from the start to provide guests with an extra measure of hospitality. Before opening his hotel in 1991, Herr Wiesenthal was in the computer business, where his unpleasant experiences with impersonal hotels inspired him to create an inn where guests are welcomed as friends. Located on a quiet side street outside the Inner Ring, the hotel is a 15-minute walk to the heart of Vienna. A staircase leads up one level to the reception area. The reception staff will gladly assist with sightseeing plans, dinner reservations and tickets for events. On the same floor there is a cozy lounge with an open fireplace, which is a popular meeting point for regular guests and local artists and musicians.
Dr. Marco Pongratz-Lippitt is a knowledgeable city guide who brings Vienna's history and present to life with light-footed and profound humour.
Large connections become visible without getting lost in details. Together with him one walks for a few hours on side paths through the Danube metropolis and sees beside the important sights like the Hofburg, the Stephansdom and the city centre also some hidden, enchanting inner courtyards.
Rental car pick-up
Broker: Sunny Cars GmbH
Company: Buchbinder
Vehicle: Opel Astra or similar (CBMR)
Location: Vienna Airport (Desk at Airport)
The region south and east of Salzburg was declared a World Heritage Site in 1997, both due to its indescribable beauty and its cultural-historical importance as a source of salt.
The valuable mineral has been mined in the area for over 7,000 years. (Salzkammer & gut = saltroom & property). Many of today's most important eastern Alpine passes were used in the Middle Ages to transport salt from the city that still bears the word in its name (Salzburg = Salt Fortress). A tour of the Hallein Salt Mines, the oldest salt mines in the world, is one of the highlights of a visit to the region. The Salzkammergut is dotted with incredibly beautiful mountain lakes, which are enjoyed by many a tourist.
The hotel consists of three painstakingly restored buildings in the World Heritage Site Hallstatt. The main building was built over 500 years ago, making it the oldest structure in town.
The expert renovation has enabled the facility to offer a high standard of modern comfort without sacrificing its historical character. Tucked in between majestic mountains and the stunning lake, the hotel enjoys an unsurpassed romantic setting. The rooms offer a standard of comfort that has enabled the accommodation to join the exclusive group of hotels known as Luxury Hotels of the World(SLH). The Hallstatt dock is directly in front of the building. The famous Drachstein Caves are just around the lake at Obertraun.
The quickest route leads across the Gschütt Pass that separates the provinces of Upper Austria and Salzburg. Hallein, site of the world's oldes salt mines, lies along the route.
A scenic alternative route follows the shore of Hallstättersee north to the north end and continues past Wolfgangsee and Fuschlsee to Salzburg. A cog railway leads from St. Wolfgang to the top of the Schafberg (1,780 m or 5,840 ft).
The city located at the northern boundary of the Alps is one the most beautiful in central Europe. The backdrop of the Alps to the south contrasts strongly with the rolling plains to the north.
The closest Alpine peak – the 1,972 m Untersberg – is only a few kilometers from the city center. The inner city, or old town, is dominated by baroque towers and churches. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is Salzburg's most famous son. The houses where he was born and also lived in are popular tourist attractions and there are many monuments remembering the “Wolferl” in the city. His family is buried in a small church graveyard in the old town.
The 19th century villa, converted into a boutique hotel, is located in a residential area south of the Kapuzinerberg.
Each of the 14 rooms is individually furnished and offers modern comfort. In the morning a rich Breakfast buffet with local and seasonal specialities awaits and in good weather can also be served on a terrace in the garden with a natural pond. Those who want can take a stroll along the Salzach and reach the oldtown in approximately 15 minutes; with the bus (line 7), it takes about five minutes.
The region known as the Wachau occupies a 30 km strip of the Danube Valley between the cities of Krems and Melk. The area was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000 due to its natural beauty in harmony with its architectural landmarks, which include numerous castles, monasteries and ruins.
Along this stretch the Danube flows through a narrow valley sandwiched between the Bohemian Massif and the Dunkelsteiner Forest, lined with terraced vineyards and dotted with historical towns and medieval villages. High night-day temperature fluctuations contribute to the special aroma of the wines and this is where Austria's most famous wines, including Grüner Veltliner, are produced.
The palace in Dürnstein was built by a princess in 1632. She chose the location well: a high cliff overlooking the beautiful Danube as it winds through vineyards on the way to Vienna. Today the palace is a luxury Relais-et-Chateaux hotel considered one of the best properties in Austria.
Meals are served on the popular garden terrace above the river. The individually decorated rooms are complemented by elegant lounges with period furniture. Among many other activities, guests can take a dip in the indoor or outdoor swimming pools, enjoy a sauna or steam bath, walk up to the medieval castle ruins above the picturesque town of Dürnstein, stroll along the river or among the vineyards, or take day trips to nearby Vienna.
Rental car drop-off
Location: Vienna Airport (Desk at Airport)
Ph.: +49 (0)2268 92298-25