Austrian and Slovenian Escapade: Cities, Nature, and History

9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Guided Walk through Vienna's Inner City

This tour takes you back in history to explore the Vienna that stood within the old city walls. You will learn about the humble beginnings of Vienna before it became the capital of a great empire and one of the most important cities in Europe. You will discover how Vienna's early inhabitants lived and how they left their mark on the city and its beautiful Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture.

Early Morning to Early Evening

Danube Cruise in the Scenic Wachau Valley

A one-and-a-half-hour train ride from Vienna brings you to the town of Melk, where you can tour the vast Melk Abbey. From there you can begin a 22-mile cruise through the Wachau Valley, considered the most beautiful stretch of the entire Danube River. You'll pass medieval castle ruins, hills covered in vineyards, and several charming villages, where you can debark to try some wine or take a hike up to a castle. The valley is also a perfect destination for cyclers and winery tours.

11:40 AM

Transfer to Station by Taxi or Public Transport

Your hotel front desk will also be happy to arrange a taxi pick up for you. Vienna taxis are generally reliable and honest, so this is cheaper than a pre-arranged transfer. Your itinerary will provide more information on ordering a taxi, as well as detailed information on navigating the train station and finding your train, making the whole process simple and stress-free.

9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Guided Walking Tour of Salzburg

Salzburg is simply overwhelming in all the best ways. It is alive with fascinating history, grandiose and sublime architecture fills every street and square, culture and music permeate the atmosphere, and it is surrounded by breath-taking natural scenery. This guided tour with a local will provide the context needed to bring all of this beauty into perspective, and to connect the physical city to its history, culture, and environment.

Early Morning to Afternoon

Excursion to the Königssee (King's Lake)

The breathtakingly beautiful Königssee (King's Lake) is the deepest lake in the Alps and is surrounded by steep mountains. Taking a cruise on the lake is an unforgettable experience. The boat will take you to the red-onion domed Kloster St. Bartolomä, where you then take a relaxing and enchanting walk along the forested lakeshore. For serious hikers, you can also continue on the boat to the far end of the lake, and then take a hike to a dramatic waterfall.

9:10 AM

Transfer to Station by Taxi or Public Transport

Most trains depart from Salzburg Main Station (Salzburg Hbf) station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance. Also consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option. If staying at a hotel, they can order a reliable taxi. Some private transfers will even help with your bags. Uber is also available for those with the app.

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Guided Group Cycling Tour of Ljubljana

On this guided cycling tour you will pedal along the enchanting embankments on the river Ljubljanica all the way to the Ljubljana Botanic Garden, take a garden tour, and continue through the famous vegetable gardens of Krakovo towards Tivoli Park to enjoy a rest and a picnic snack there. On the last leg of the tour, you will visit the Metelkova mesto alternative culture center.

Morning to Evening

Excursion to the Picturesque Lake Bled

With its mountain setting, dark turquoise waters, boats rowing passengers out to the island church, and dramatic cliff-top castle, Lake Bled is picture-postcard perfect, making it the most popular destination in Slovenia for both international and domestic tourists alike. You can take a walk or ride a tourist train around the lake, row out to the island, and dine alongside the enchanting shoreline. With enough time to spare, you can also take in the dramatic Vintgar Gorge and the beautiful medieval village of Radovljica. Lake Bled is about an hour-and-a-half trip from Ljubljana. You have two options for getting to there by public transport - bus or train. Buses depart Ljubljana more frequently and arrive at a very convenient location near the lakeshore in Bled, but they can get very crowded during the summer, especially at the weekends when seemingly every young backpacker in the country wants to get there, while the train departs more infrequently and doesn't arrive directly in Bled, but it isn't as crowded. Of course you can also just take a guided excursion if you want to keep it simple.

Morning/Mid-Day

Gentle Hike Up Šmarna Gora Hill

Šmarna Gora, or Mount Saint Mary, is the go-to short hiking destination for Ljubljana residents on the northern periphery of the Slovene capital. It's only a 20-minute bus trip from the city center followed by a 30-45-minute hike up through woods to the top of the hill for wonderful views of Ljubljana and the surrounding countryside. There are a beautiful old church and a cafe at the summit serving an assortment of traditional Slovene meals and the usual delicious cakes and desserts.