Melodies and Marvels: A 10-Day Musical Journey through Vienna, Salzburg, and Hallstatt

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.

Morning/Mid-Day

Stroll from the Hundertwasser Haus to the Prater

The charming and unusual Hundertwasserhaus is one of Austria's architectural highlights. The colorful building represents a harmonic place where human beings and nature can live together with equal rights. Just a short walk away is the Prater, a large and pleasant public park. You can make your through the park to Vienna's oldest fun park, which is home to a towering Ferris wheel called the Wiener Riesenrad.

Afternoon to Early Evening

Hike from the Kahlenberg Overlook

Upon your first glimpse from Kahlenberg's viewing terrace, you will immediately understand why this mountain is one of Vienna's favorite destinations for weekend outings.  The Danube River stretches into the horizon and the whole city of Vienna is laid out before you, surrounded by forests, fields, and vineyards.  After enjoying the view, you can then make a relaxing 2-mile hike down to the river about 1000 feet below.

9:15 AM - 1:15 PM

Sound of Music Guided Bus Tour

In this approximately 4 hour tour by motor coach, you will relive the most magical moments from the Sound of Music while taking in the breathtaking beauty of Salzburg's surroundings, including the landscape which inspired Julie Andrews to burst into song at the beginning of the movie. As you enjoy the tour, you will relax and listen to the original Sound of Music soundtrack. On the tour, you will see the places where the movie was filmed, and will also learn how these places tie into Salzburg's history.

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.

Morning/Mid-Day

Visit the Hellbrunn Palace and Gardens

Built as a summer palace by Salzburg's Prince-Bishop, the Hellbrunn Palace is a picturesque palace surrounded by even more beautiful gardens.  The early baroque palace was built exclusively for the purpose of entertainment, as the Prince-Bishop would actually return to Salzburg in the evening.  It can be toured with an audio guide and includes several beautiful frescoed ceilings. There is a great deal to discover in the gardens - hidden grottos, clever statues, reflecting pools, as well as flora and fauna. And the trick fountains are a must for every visit. Both the transportation (bus #25) and the entry are covered by the Salzburg Card.

Early Morning to Early Evening

Excursion to Hallstatt

Hallstatt is one of the most picturesque settings in Austria. The tiny town is wedged between the shores of a pristine alpine lake and dramatic mountains rising directly behind it. In addition to being blessed with an amazing setting, Hallstatt was made prosperous from nearby salt mines. The wealth from salt mining financed many impressive historic buildings as well, which now make the town even more picturesque.

To Be Determined

Transfer to Airport

Salzburg has one main airport, Salzburg Airport, although many depart from nearby Munich Airport (see below). Your hotel can arrange a reliable taxi or if you have the app, Uber is also a good option. You can also arrange a private transfer. If you are picked up about 2.5 hours before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with a little over two hours to spare, depending on traffic. If you are leaving during rush hour, you may want to budget an extra fifteen minutes. Keep in mind though that Salzburg Airport is a very small airport, so you may end up departing from Munich instead. The Munich airport has its own rail station, making it easy to take an approximately 2-hour train ride from Salzburg.