Driving You in Austria 10 days / 9 nights

Your Austrian adventure begins in Vienna, the imperial heart of the Habsburg dynasty. Upon arrival, your private driver will escort you to your hotel in the city center. Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to take a short evening stroll along the Ringstrasse, passing grand landmarks such as the State Opera and the illuminated Parliament. Tonight, rest well, for the journey ahead is rich with discovery. Overnight in Vienna.

Breakfast at the hotel. The day begins with a short guided orientation of Vienna’s historic center. Here, beneath the soaring spire of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, you will step into narrow medieval streets that contrast beautifully with the grandeur of the Hofburg Palace nearby. After lunch, your driver will whisk you westward across Austria’s rolling countryside to Salzburg. The journey takes approximately three hours, arriving in time for an evening stroll through Salzburg’s old town, where pastel-colored houses line the Salzach River and church spires rise against the backdrop of the Alps. Overnight in Salzburg. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, an expert guide will lead you through Salzburg’s baroque heart. Begin at Mirabell Gardens, a floral masterpiece with views towards the fortress, before wandering along the Getreidegasse, where Mozart was born. Visit the Salzburg Cathedral, one of the most striking examples of early baroque architecture north of the Alps, and ascend to Hohensalzburg Fortress, which has stood watch over the city for nearly 1,000 years. The afternoon is yours to explore at leisure – perhaps a visit to Hellbrunn Palace with its whimsical trick fountains, or a Sound of Music–themed tour through the countryside. Overnight in Salzburg. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, the journey takes you deeper into Austria’s storybook landscapes with a stop in Hallstatt, one of the most photographed villages in the world. Nestled between the shimmering lake and towering mountains, Hallstatt enchants with its pastel-colored houses clinging to the hillside and its quiet cobblestone streets. Stroll through the market square, visit the 12th-century parish church, or, if you wish, ascend by funicular to the ancient salt mines, which gave this region its wealth and name. After time to explore and perhaps enjoy lunch overlooking the lake, your driver continues the journey through alpine valleys to Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol. Upon arrival, a local guide introduces you to this enchanting city, where medieval lanes open onto broad avenues framed by snowcapped peaks. Highlights include the Golden Roof, built for Emperor Maximilian, and the Hofburg Palace of Innsbruck, once a seat of the Habsburg court. Strolling along Maria-Theresien-Strasse, you will feel the lively pulse of Tyrolean life. Overnight in Innsbruck. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, the sparkle of crystal awaits. A short drive takes you to Wattens, home of Swarovski Kristallwelten, a museum/art installation. Here, art and nature combine in glittering installations created by renowned artists, a truly immersive experience. Built in 1995, the museum commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Swarovski company. The Chambers of Wonder, located inside the museum, is a collection of 16 show rooms featuring dazzling crystal structures and designs by various artists, designers, and architects. The museum also houses a fascinating garden with a shimmering crystal cloud installation, a Swarovski shop, and a cafe/bar. Kristallwelten is very child-friendly and features a four-level play tower, a playground, and a labyrinth for children and adults alike. The museum is ideal for all ages and is perfect in winter or summer! Returning to Innsbruck in the afternoon, the city is yours to enjoy. Perhaps ascend by funicular to Hungerburg and Nordkette for breathtaking views over the Inn Valley and the mountains beyond or linger in a café to sample apple strudel. Overnight in Innsbruck. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. The journey continues into the heart of the Austrian Alps. You leave Innsbruck and head west to St. Anton am Arlberg, a charming alpine village renowned for its stunning mountain scenery and traditional Tyrolean architecture. Even if you’re visiting outside ski season, St. Anton offers spectacular panoramic views, quaint streets, and opportunities for a short mountain walk or a coffee break in a cozy café surrounded by peaks. Continue your today´s journey and after a scenic drive past emerald valleys and rugged peaks, you arrive in Zell am See, a picture-perfect lakeside town. The town has its very own home mountain,' the Schmittenhohe, reached by hiking trails from the town centre. Further afield is the famous Kitzsteinhorn glacier, Austria's very first glacier ski region, and still a favourite with skiers and snowboarders, and also home to Gipfelwelt 3000, a complex at the summit. At over 3,000 feet above sea-level the views are utterly stunning, especially aided by viewing platforms with views of the valley, Lake Zell, and the seemingly endless chain of Alpine mountains. The National Park Gallery is full of fascinating information on the region's natural wonders, both geological and technological. Zell am See itself is not to be neglected, and there are many charming nooks and corners in this historic town. St. Hippolyte's Church with its ornate parapet resting on carved columns of precious marble is one such. The afternoon invites relaxation: stroll along the shore OR embark on a peaceful boat ride. The atmosphere here is tranquil, with a blend of mountain air and lakeside serenity. Overnight in Zell am See. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. oday’s route takes you across Austria to Graz, the country’s second-largest city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, a local guide reveals the treasures of this cultural gem. Climb the Schlossberg hill for views across red-tiled rooftops, see the medieval clock tower, and wander the Hauptplatz, where Renaissance, baroque, and modern architecture coexist. Don’t miss the futuristic Murinsel floating on the river – Graz thrives on contrasts. Overnight in Graz. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Returning eastward, your driver brings you back to Vienna. In the afternoon, you step into imperial grandeur with a guided visit of Schönbrunn Palace and its splendid gardens. In the evening, a highlight awaits: the performance of the world-famous Lipizzaner horses at the Spanish Riding School. The refined harmony of horse and rider is an art form preserved for centuries, and a fitting way to immerse yourself once more in the elegance of imperial Vienna. Overnight in Vienna. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Your final full day in Austria is devoted to Vienna’s crown jewels. Begin with a guided visit to Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburgs and one of the most stunning examples of Baroque architecture in Europe. As you wander through the palace’s 1,441 rooms, your guide will bring to life the history of the imperial family, from Maria Theresa to Emperor Franz Joseph. Inside, marvel at the ornate Great Gallery, adorned with crystal chandeliers and ceiling frescoes; the intimate Blue Chinese Salon, with delicate porcelain decoration; and the lavish Imperial Apartments, where daily life of the royals unfolds before your eyes. After exploring the interior, step into the Schönbrunn Gardens, a vast expanse of formal parterres, fountains, statues, and hedged pathways that offer panoramic views from the Gloriette terrace over the city. Take a leisurely stroll through the maze or admire the Neptune Fountain before returning to the city center. In the afternoon, continue to the Hofburg Palace, once the winter residence of the Habsburgs, now a complex of museums, state rooms, and the Imperial Treasury, and then to the Belvedere Palace, a baroque masterpiece that houses Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss and a celebrated collection of Austrian art. The evening is yours to savor – perhaps in a traditional coffeehouse, or browsing elegant boutiques along the Graben. This evening, Vienna offers one last chance for fine dining and music. Overnight in Vienna. (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. A private transfer brings you comfortably to Vienna International Airport for your flight home. You leave Austria enriched by its history, enchanted by its landscapes, and inspired by its culture – a journey that lingers well beyond the final farewell. End of our services. (B)