You don’t know how beautiful Austria is if you don’t go there.

Austria, a country located in the heart of Europe, is famous for its magnificent Alpine scenery, brilliant musical heritage, Baroque architecture and romantic towns. Whether it is the royal grandeur of Vienna, the musical soul of Salzburg, or the lake and mountain scenery of Hallstatt, Austria displays the sophistication and elegance of Central Europe everywhere. The following is a practical guide for an in-depth tour of Austria to help you plan a double feast of culture and nature! ‌🌍 Things to know before you go‌ Visa: Schengen visa (reservation required in advance, materials include itinerary, hotel reservation, etc.). ‌Currency‌: Euro (€), most places accept credit cards, keep a small amount of cash ready for tips. Language: German is the main language, but English is widely spoken in tourist areas. ‌Best time to travel‌: ‌May-September‌: Mild climate, suitable for hiking in the lake area and city sightseeing. ‌December-January‌: Christmas market season, Vienna and Salzburg transform into a fairy tale world. ‌Winter (December-March): Peak ski season in the Alps (Innsbruck, St. Anton). ‌📍 Must-visit cities and attractions‌ 1. Vienna Highlights: The capital of music and the glorious legacy of the Habsburg dynasty. ‌Must-check-in‌: ‌Schönbrunn Palace‌: Princess Sissi’s summer residence, with a garden viewing platform overlooking the entire city. ‌Hofburg‌: Imperial Palace, visit the Royal Treasury and the Spanish Riding School. ‌St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom): Climb to the top of the Gothic spire and overlook the red roofs of the old town. ‌Musikverein‌: Listen to a performance by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (book your tickets 2 months in advance!). ‌Hidden gameplay‌: In the evening, take the Prater Park Ferris Wheel (Wiener Riesenrad) and feel the romance of "Before Sunrise". Visit the Naschmarkt and try Kaiserschmarrn (Austrian pancakes). 2. Salzburg Highlights: Mozart’s hometown and the filming location of “The Sound of Music”. ‌Must-check-in‌: ‌Festung Hohensalzburg‌: Take the cable car to the top and overlook the old town and the Salt River. ‌Mirabell Gardens‌: The filming location for the movie "Do-Re-Mi". Getreidegasse: Mozart’s birthplace (yellow house), and a small shop with vintage signs. ‌Nearby recommendations‌: Hallstatt (1 hour drive): The most beautiful lakeside town in the world, with a postcard-perspective view at the Classic Village Viewpoint. ‌Lake Wolfgangsee‌: Take a steamboat tour of the lake and climb the Schafberg mountain train. ‌3. Innsbruck‌ Highlights: A medieval city at the foot of the Alps, host of the Winter Olympics. ‌Must-check-in‌: ‌Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl): Gothic balcony inlaid with 2,657 gilded copper tiles. ‌Nordkette‌: Go straight up from the old town to the snow-capped peaks of the Alps and feel the shock of "from city to glacier". ‌Swarovski Kristallwelten‌: Giant crystal maze and art installations (20 minutes drive from the city). ‌ Skiing Recommendations ‌ St. Anton am Arlberg: One of the world's top ski resorts, suitable for experts to challenge. ‌Ischgl‌: Wide slopes, suitable for family skiing. ‌4. Graz‌ Highlights: A "design capital" that blends Renaissance and contemporary art. ‌Must-check-in‌: ‌Kunsthaus Graz‌: an alien-like blue modern building. ‌Castle Hill (Schlossberg): Climb the bell tower to overlook the red-tiled old town, and take the glass staircase down the hill. ‌World Cultural Heritage Old Town‌: medieval arcades and Baroque courtyards. ‌🚞 Transportation Guide‌ ‌Intercity Transportation‌: Train: ÖBB (Austrian Railways) covers the whole country, Vienna → Salzburg 2.5 hours (Westbahn company has more favorable fares). Self-driving: Recommended! The mountain scenery is stunning and you will need to purchase a highway pass sticker (Vignette). ‌Intra-city transportation‌: Vienna: Buy a Citybike shared bike or a 24/48 hour transport pass. Salzburg: The old town is suitable for walking, take bus No. 25 to suburban attractions. ‌🍽️ Food recommendations‌ ‌Viennese Schnitzel‌: served with potato salad, Figlmüller (a century-old restaurant) is recommended. ‌Sacher-Torte‌: The originator of chocolate cake, the most authentic one can be found in the Sacher Hotel Café. ‌Tafelspitz‌: Served with apple horseradish sauce, a must-try at Plachutta Restaurant. ‌Alpine cheese fondue (Käsefondue): an Innsbruck mountain specialty. Street food: Bosna sausages (Salzburg), Kaiserschmarrn (Emperor's pancakes). ‌🏨 Accommodation Tips‌ Vienna: Choose the Innere Stadt or Museum Quarter for easy walking tours. Salzburg: Stay in the old town or on the river bank. We recommend boutique hotels converted from monasteries. ‌Hallstatt‌: Book a lake view room (such as Heritage Hotel) six months in advance. Innsbruck: Choose a B&B near the old town or in a wooden chalet at the foot of the Alps. ‌🎯 Classic itinerary recommendation (7-10 days)‌ ‌Cultural and Musical Tour (7 days)‌ Day 1-3: Vienna (Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg, Golden Hall) Day 4: Take the train → Melk Abbey → Wachau Valley (Danube cruise) → Overnight in Krems Day 5-6: Salzburg (Fortress, Mirabell Palace) → Hallstatt (overnight) Day 7: Return to Vienna or fly away ‌Alps In-depth Tour (10 days)‌ Day 1-3: Vienna Day 4-5: Salzburg → King's Lake (Germany, optional) → Hallstatt Day 6-8: Innsbruck (skiing/hiking) → St. Anton Ski Resort Day 9-10: Graz → Return ‌⚠️ Notes‌ ‌Ticket Booking‌: Purchase tickets for popular attractions (Schonbrunn Palace, Hohensalzburg Fortress) in advance on the official website to avoid queuing. Tipping culture: Restaurant bills include service charges, and you can leave 5-10% in change as a token of gratitude. ‌Environmental protection rules‌: You need to pay for shopping bags in supermarkets, so please bring your own eco-friendly bags. ‌Safety Tip‌: Be wary of pickpockets in tourist areas, especially in the Vienna subway and at Christmas markets. Austria is like a symphony, combining the splendor of Vienna with the natural rhythm of the Alps. Whether you want to follow the footsteps of music masters or indulge in the beautiful scenery of lakes and mountains, this place can satisfy all your imaginations of Europe! 🎻🏔️