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Luxury Trips to Austria: Vacation and Travel Guide
Experience an unforgettable European adventure with our custom-designed Austria vacations and insightful travel guide.
Why Visit Austria: Alpine Elegance, Cultural Riches
Discover the breathtaking beauty of Austria, a country that has stunning scenery, a captivating history, and a renowned musical legacy. Packed with charming towns, spectacular alpine landscapes, and cultural treasures, Austria is a traveler’s paradise.
From majestic mountain peaks to idyllic villages and vibrant cities brimming with art and culture, this is a destination that offers endless exploration opportunities. Whether you’re an avid hiker or simply love to soak in the countryside, Austria is the ultimate escape.
Immerse yourself in Austria’s rich historical tapestry, where traditional customs seamlessly blend with a modern outlook. Architecture enthusiasts will be delighted by the grandeur of Hofburg Palace or the whimsical charm of Vienna’s Jugendstil district or enjoy a day in Vienna’s Museum Quarter.
Let’s not forget the world-class music and festivals that define Austria. From the works of Mozart, Beethoven, and Haydn to captivating performances at the Salzburg Festival or Vienna State Opera House.
Indulge in Austria’s culinary delights, developed over centuries of tradition and innovation. Whether it’s the exquisite wines or the delectable pastries, Austrian cuisine is a foodie’s dream come true. Treat yourself to a day in the Wachau Valley and uncover the secrets of Austrian winemaking.
No matter your passion, Austria has something to offer everyone. Whether you’re a nature lover, a history enthusiast, a music aficionado, a food connoisseur, or simply seeking a place to unwind, Austria is the perfect choice.
Austria Fun Facts at a Glance
The Sound of Music is based on a true story that took place in Austria.
The Sound of Music, one of the most beloved musicals of all time, is based on the true story of the von Trapp family, who fled Austria during World War II. The von Trapps were a real family who lived in Salzburg, Austria, and made headlines for escaping the country on foot after the Nazi invasion. Today, visitors can visit the von Trapp villa in Salzburg, which now operates as a hotel. Exeter International have planned many trips with a Sound of Music interest!
Austria is one of the world’s largest producers of wine.
Although Austria is best known for its beer, the country is also one of the world’s largest producers of wine. The vineyards of Austria produce a wide variety of white and red wines, including the popular Grüner Veltliner and Zweigelt varietals. We recommend that travelers spend a day in the Wachau valley with our expert wine guide.
Austria is famous for its coffee culture
Austrians love their coffee, and the country has a vibrant coffee culture that dates to the 17th century. Vienna is the heart of Austria’s coffee culture and is home to many historic coffee houses where locals and tourists alike can enjoy a cup of coffee and a delicious pastry. Some of the most famous coffee houses in Vienna include Café Central, Café Hawelka, and Café Sacher. Take a food safari in Vienna with our local culinary expert who will show you behind the culinary scenes.
Austria Vacation Experiences
Embark on a captivating journey through the Spanish Riding School, indulge in the enchantment of a Swarovski experience, pedal through a Sound of Music-themed bike tour in Salzburg. Delight your taste buds on a thrilling food safari in Vienna. Immerse yourself in the grandeur of a private tour of the Liechtenstein Palace, or be entranced by an expertly guided art tour on your Austria vacation.
Personalize Your Austria Itinerary
Unlock the extraordinary experiences Austria has to offer with our custom itineraries tailored to your unique preferences, desired pace, and interests. Below are some samples, designed to inspire your Austria vacation. Custom private itineraries start at $750 per person per day.
A Perfect Austrian Vacation
- Taste the best Vienna has to offer!
- Experience wine from the vineyard to the glass!
- Explore the Austrian countryside.
Essential Austria
- Enjoy a private cooking class in Salzburg.
- Go on a food safari in Vienna.
- Drive along Vienna’s famous Ringstrasse.
Gwen's Christmas Markets Adventure
- Enjoy a private tour of Belvedere Palace and Gardens.
- Taste some of the best regional holiday bites in our favorite Christmas Markets.
- Visit the towns of Salzburg and Innsbruck
Contact us to plan your personalized Austria trip today.
What our Happy Travelers Say
The trip included travel to five of the six Balkan countries formerly known as Yugoslavia … Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro (Macedonia is the sixth). While a complicated and extensive political and religious history connects these countries, each had its own fascinating identity, culture and people. My local guides were phenomenal, most having been born and raised in each city/town that I toured, which made their storytelling all the more rich with unique detail. Milan, my guide in Belgrade, was also a professor of art history at the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts as well as an opera singer and an actor. He had just published a book which he graciously signed and gifted to me.
Highlights from each country …
Slovenia … Old Town Ljubljana was a delightful mix of history, art, architecture, nightlife and shopping … I could plan a trip there this fall and do ALL of my Christmas shopping … a day trip to picturesque and historic Lake Bled provided a great contrast.
Croatia … a fascinating combination of food and cultures (depending upon which border we were close to) … truffle hunting with a cute young brother and sister in Prodani, casual strolls through picturesque historic walled towns in the mountains of Istria, fresh oysters and mussels prepared by a local farmer in Ston ( just outside of Dubrovnik), a stunning flight along the Adriatic coastline from Istria to Dalmatia, waterfront dining in harbors tucked away among the Pakleni Islands, a private cooking class in Split, and a sunset boat ride accompanied by dolphins off the coast of Rovinj.
Serbia … in Belgrade a deep dive into the history of Yugoslavia and Tito’s regime from a scholar’s perspective … personal time with a master violin maker and local “naive” artists and their galleries in Kovacica … and shopping at a local grocery store for the favorite foods Serbs like to eat.
Bosnia and Herzegovina … my biggest and most pleasant surprise of the trip (Belgrade came in a close second) … Sarajevo was a fascinating city with something to see and learn about around every corner. My local guide, Muhammad, was instrumental in describing a very complicated history, but also showing me the very vibrant multicultural atmosphere that it is now his adopted city.
Montenegro … a coastline and atmosphere that consistently makes you think you are on a movie set … Kotor, Perast, and Herzeg Novi … a tour by boat of the hidden submarine tunnels from WWI, and a day trip up the historic Serpentine Road (22 switchbacks that follow the old caravan route that Roman traders used) to the Old Royal Capital of Cetinje.
I would be remiss if I didn’t say a word about the very personal attention that Arina paid both leading up to my departure and also as my trip progressed in real time. A few weeks before my departure I developed some concerns about news that I was reading about political unrest in Bosnia and Serbia. Arina, who lives in Belgrade, was able to assure me that everything remained very peaceful. I’m really pleased that I followed her advice because I didn’t find anything remotely similar “on the ground” to what I was reading in the international press. Arina also arranged many lovely personal touches during my travels and helped me understand occasionally unique local logistics.
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We had an amazing trip and could go back tomorrow. All the guides were great (as well as the drivers) and were well prepared for our requests and also had great suggestions for other things to do. Everything went as planned which is a real bonus these days. The hotel locations were great and we especially enjoyed the Raffles in Warsaw and our room with a balcony in Gdansk at Blu.
Thanks again for all of your help in planning this trip, and look forward to working with you on a future trip.
Bill
We're very glad we listened to Silvia’s hotel recommendations (they were so nice) and acted on many of her preferred restaurant recommendations. We ate extremely well and enjoyed the wines immensely.
Overall, we could not have been more pleased.
Thank you to Exeter and especially Silvia for bringing us this enchanted journey. We cannot wait for the next one.
Ala and her team created the most perfect Croatian vacation trip for me, my husband and the other couple that we were traveling with this month. I've had the good fortune to have travelled all around the world and never have I experienced such an incredible team to ensure that literally every detail, every activity, every hotel we stayed at was top-notch.
If you are even considering a vacation to this incredible country, I would highly recommend speaking with Ala and her team first. I know I will be recommending Ala friends and family that want to visit Croatia and I can do it with complete peace of mind knowing I am referring them to the best!
Nikki Davidson
The guides in each city were so fantastic. They each had a wealth of experience as guides, planned the routes well and asked about our interests when we first met so they knew what we wanted to see and do. They were all spot on time! The guides made the trip a truly special experience. They helped us to understand each city, its history, special characteristics and helped us with questions about how to navigate the city and use public transportation. The guides expedited getting into busy museums or other venues because our guides had passes to jump queues. They maximized our time so that it was spent enjoying the sights and venues instead of standing in lines and figuring out how to purchase tickets. They knew where to go and when to go there. Some venues required advance tickets and Leigh took care of that. Leigh arranged our very own private saloon boat tour of the canals of Amsterdam. Leigh checked in on us along the way on our trip and sent us special notes. She arranged to have a gift sent to my hotel room in Helsinki on my birthday.
Leigh arranged really great hotel rooms with the best views possible. And our stateroom on the Silja line cruise from Stockholm to Helsinki had an amazing view so we saw the sunset and sunrise over the Baltic from our room and that was stunning. With Exeter involved in making the hotel reservations we were treated like special guests at each hotel by the staff.
The drivers were all outstanding. They were polite, helpful, on-time and made all our connections and excursions seamless and stress free. We actually started our trip in Gothenburg Sweden at the Volvo factory. After that Exeter took over and we proceeded on our dream trip to Stockholm, Helsinki and Amsterdam. We did no driving. We used trains and boats all arranged by Leigh at Exeter. And in each city we used drivers arranged by Exeter for excursions outside the city centers, such as when we went to the delightful town of Porvoo, Finland.
When we took the train from Gothenburg to Stockholm our train was over an hour delayed and it was late evening when we arrived in Stockholm. The driver who met us in Stockholm, arranged by Exeter, had waited for us. While waiting she arranged for the hotel to have food for us upon arrival. Also when we arrived at our room at the hotel Leigh had arranged for a lovely charcuterie tray to be sent to our room. So although we arrived late and were worried about being hungry, everyone involved made sure that was taken care of without having to ask.
I can't say enough positive about Leigh Landis and Exeter International. I feel we got more than our money's worth. Without Exeter we would have wasted so much time trying to figure out what could be seen each day in each city, how to get tickets, how to find a good restaurant and figure out how to make reservations etc. We did not have to worry about any of that. All the details were taken care of in advance and all we had to do was enjoy it!
We will be forever grateful for Leigh and Exeter!
Austrian Cities to Explore
Austria offers a unique blend of historical significance, architectural marvels, and stunning landscapes. Vienna, the capital, is famed for its cultural legacy, imperial palaces, and vibrant music scene, including the iconic Vienna State Opera and the majestic Schönbrunn Palace. Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, combines its musical heritage with baroque architecture and the picturesque backdrop of the Eastern Alps. Graz, a UNESCO World Heritage site, charms with its medieval core, innovative art scene, and food culture. Innsbruck, tucked in the Tyrol region, offers a gateway to spectacular mountain adventures.
Our Favorite Austria Hotels
Best Time to Visit Austria
Austria has a continental climate. High summer (July & August) can be hot and more crowded than usual. November and December are becoming popular due to Christmas Markets and New Year festivities.
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What to Do in Austria
Austria is a country with so much to offer travelers, from stunning Alpine landscapes to rich cultural experiences. From picturesque towns and villages to imposing medieval castles, Austria is a destination that truly has it all. But with so much to explore, it can be hard to know where to start.
We’ve compiled a list of the top 5 things you absolutely must experience while visiting Austria.
Explore Vienna
The country’s capital city is packed with stunning architecture, beautiful gardens, and world-class museums. Be sure to check out the Schönbrunn Palace and its expansive gardens, which have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Belvedere Palace is another must-visit, home to famous artworks like Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss.”
See Salzburg Old Town
Salzburg’s Old Town, or Altstadt, is a picture-perfect example of an Alpine city. With its narrow streets, medieval architecture, and charming squares, it’s no wonder that the city’s historic center has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Visit Innsbruck
Located in the heart of the Austrian Alps, Innsbruck offers access to some of the most breathtaking mountain scenery in Austria, with soaring peaks and crystal-clear lakes. Crystal lovers should not miss a visit to Swarovski Crystal Worlds just a 20-minute drive away!
Discover The Wachau Valley
The Wachau Valley is a region of Austria known for its stunning vineyards, Gothic architecture, and picturesque villages. Take a day trip from Vienna to explore the area, taking in the stunning views from the Dürnstein Castle and sampling local wines at one of the many vineyards.
Taste delicious Austrian cuisine
Austrian cuisine is hearty, rich, and full of flavor. It is a fusion of German, Hungarian, and Italian cuisine, with a focus on meats, potatoes, and dumplings. Some of the most famous Austrian dishes include Wiener Schnitzel, Spätzle, and Sachertorte.
Austria Travel FAQs
Austria is in the heart of Central Europe, bordering Switzerland, Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, and Lichtenstein.
The top ten things that Austria is known for are – The Imperial history of the House of Habsburg, Classical Music, The Waltz, Swarovski Crystals, Gustav Klimt, Wiener Schnitzel, The Spanish Riding School, Coffee houses, The Alps, The Sound of Music!
German is the official language of Austria.
The Euro is the currency in Austria.
The top cities to visit in Austria are Vienna, Salzburg, Graz, and Innsbruck.
Subject to your interests, anything from 3 days in Vienna to 10 days exploring the whole country.
Exeter private custom touring including accommodation in top hotels starts at $750 per person per day upwards.
Keep Exploring Austria
Why Travel with Exeter?
Europe awaits. From hidden gems to classic cities, our experts have firsthand knowledge of the places you’ve been longing to go. For us, Europe is about experiences, not just ticking off boxes on a sightseeing “best of” list. We work with our in-the-know local experts to open doors to adventures that are often closed to the general public. For you – the discerning traveler – this means customized, impeccably planned vacations that go beyond the ordinary. Let’s start crafting your ideal Europe vacation today.
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