Travel Guide - Salzburg, Austria

If you are using Salzburg card, you can enjoy one-time free entry for the below attractions.

Salzach Crusie

The Salzburg cardholders should make reservation of the Amadeus Salzburg panorama speedboat in advance. You can select for the roundtrip cruise or one way trip from Old Town to Hellbrunn. You can pick up an original ticket at the ticket office at Hanuschplatz nearby Makart Bridge - where the pier is located at. Then you can experience the city of Salzburg with a boat cruise on the Salzach river.





Attractions in Old Town

Hohensalzburg Fortress (Fortress Musuem, Rainer Museum, Marionette Museum)


Take the oldest cable funicular in Austria up to the Fortress and explore different museums. You can find a stunning view of Salzburg there.


Come down from Fortress, you can see a DOM - Cathedral (Cathedral Museum, Cathedral Excavations), which is one of landmarks in Salzburg. Nearby DOM, there are Panorama Museum, Residenz State Rooms and Residenz Gallery, Salzburg Museum and Georg Trakl Memorial and Research Centre.





From Hanuschplatz nearby the Makart-steg (Bridge), you can visit Museum of Natural History and Technology and Museum of Mordern Art Salzburg Monchsberg. Although you are not museums' lover, you should take Monchsberglift (elevators) up to Museum of Modern Art Salzburg Monchsberg, because there is also the most stunning panorama terrace in Salzburg.

Toy Museum --> Festival Halls --> Michael Haydn Museum --> Museum of Modern Art Salzburg Rupertinum --> Collegiate Church and Alter Market


Mozart's Birthplace
The building is arranged as museum in all three floors, with the three exhibitions three exhibitions "Daily life of a prodigy", "Mozart on stage" and "The Mozarts – a family is being introduced". You can see the original instruments of Mozart , authentic portraits, even though furniture and objects of daily use of Mozart’s time.



Attractions in New Town

There is a Flea market in Mirabellplatz. Opposite side is Salzburg Baroque Museum and Mirabellgarten.

Mozart's Residence and Mozart Sound and Film Collection
This building was the former residence of the Mozart family. It exhibits relating to the life of the Mozart Family, the history of the building, as well as collection of audiovisual documents on W.A. Mozart and contemporary Salzburg composers.

You can walk past Makart-steg (bridge) to Old Town or wander along the Salzach river.

Attractions in countryside

Untersberg
Take Bus 25 and get off at "Grodig-St. Leonhard"

The Untersberg cable car (UBB) is operated by two-cable system. You can take the cable car to the 1853m summit of the Unterberg to enjoy a magnificent view of Salzburg.

Hellbrunn Palace
Take Bus25 and get off at "Schloss Hellbrunn"

Hellbrunn Palace is situated in the southern district of the city of Salzburg. It was only meant for use as a day residence of the Archbishops of Salzburg in summer. This palace is surrounded by beautiful park and trick fountains. "The Sound of The Music Pavilion" is in Hellbrunn Palace Park. This pavilion was used in 1964 in a scene of the musical film "The Sound of The Music", which described as the fate of the Trapp family. If you are interested in folk art, folk customs and devotional objects, you should visit in Folklore Museum in Hellbrunn.



Salzburg Zoo
Take Bus 25 and get off at "Salzburg Zoo", nearby Hellbrunn Palace.

Stiegl-Brauwelt
Take Bus 1 and get off at "Brauhausstrasse".
Stiegl-Brauwelt is the biggest beer exhibition in Europe. For Salzburg cardholders, you will have a free beer tasting in the brewery restaurant and a welcome gift.

Useful links:
The website of Salzach Cruise - http://www.salzburgschifffahrt.at/
The website of Monchsberglift - http://www.moenchsbergaufzug.at/
The official website of Museums in Salzburg - http://www.salzburgmuseum.at/
The website of Museum of Modern Arts - http://www.museumdermoderne.at/
The website of Residenz States Rooms - http://www.salzburg-burgen.at/
The website of Residenz Gallery - http://www.residenzgalerie.at/?L=1
The website of Mozart's Birthplace, Mozart's Residence and Mozart Sound And Film Collection - http://www.mozarteum.at/
The website of Untersbergbahn - http://www.untersbergbahn.at/
The website of Hellbrunn - http://www.hellbrunn.at/
The website of Folklore Museum - http://www.salzburgmuseum.at/
The website of Salzburg Zoo - http://www.salzburg-zoo.at/
The website of Stiegl-Brauwelt - http://brauwelt.at/

Travel Guide - Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg is the fourth-largest city in Austria. The Old Town with its world famous baroque architecture is one of the best-preserved city centres north of the Alps, and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. It is also the birthplace of 18th-century composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In the mid-20th century, The musical film The Sound of Music was taken place here. "The Sound of Music" Pavilion is also one of famous landmarks in Salzburg.

Transportation:

By train - Salzburg's main station ( Hauptbahnhof) is located to the north of the Salzach River within the New Town of Salzburg. The station is operated by both the Austrian Federal Railway Company (OBB) and the National German Railway company (DB).

By plane - The Salzburg W.A. Mozart International Airport (SZG) is situated about 20 minutes from the city center.


Salzburg card is the best travel card for you to explore Salzburg.

The adult price of Salzburg card is:
24hrs - Euro22 / Euro25 (peak season - 1st May to 31Oct)
48hrs - Euro30 / Euro33 (peak season - 1st May to 31Oct)
72hrs - Euro35 / Euro38 (peak season - 1st May to 31Oct)

It consists of free single admission to all the city's attractions and free use of public transportation throughout the city, including cable-car to Untersberg, Honhensalzburg Fortress cable funicular, Salzach cruise.


Useful links:
The official website of Austrian Federal Railway Company (OBB) - http://www.oebb.at/en/index.jsp
The official website of National German Railway company (DB) -http://www.bahn.de/i/view/GBR/en/index.shtml
The official website of Salzburg international airport - http://engl.salzburg-airport.com/
The details of Salzburg card - http://www.salzburg.info/en/sights/salzburg_card/

Travel Guide - Wien (Vienna), Austria

Transportation in Wien:

Vienna Card costs only Euro18.50 with validity of 72hours from date of issue. This card is valid for unlimited free travel by underground, bus and tram as well as 210discounts at museums and sights, theatres and concerts, in shops, cafés, restaurants and the ‘Heurige’ wine tavern ... It is available in hotels and at the tourist information centre on Albertinaplatz (open daily from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm) and the tourist information point at the airport (open daily from 6.00 am to 11.00 pm), at sales and information points of the Vienna Lines (e.g. Stephansplatz, Karlsplatz, Westbahnhof.)

Besides the Vienna Card, the following travel cards are available:
24-hour season ticket Euro5.70
48-hour season ticket Euro10.-
72-hour season ticket Euro13.60
This travel card is valid for unlimited free travel by underground, bus and tram within validity.

Taking Vienna Ring Tram is the best way to explore Vienna’s magnificent ring boulevard with all its glorious attractions , such as the State Opera House, Imperial Palace, Parliament, Vienna City Hall, ...

Attractions in Ringstrass

St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom)
Underground: Stephanspl U1 or U3

St. Stephen's Cathedral is the most important religious building in Austria's capital. It is also a landmark in the Ring area. You can see the tiles form a mosaic of the double-headed eagle (symbolic of the empire ruled from Vienna by the Habsburg dynasty) on the south side; on the north side, there are the coats of arms of the City of Vienna and of the Republic of Austria. Besides exploring the chapel, you also can climb the 343 steps up to the tower-keeper's room of St. Stephen's and enjoy a breathtaking view of Vienna.

Vienna State Opera House (Wiener Staatsoper)
Underground: Karls-platz U1, U2 or U4

Vienna State Opera House is located at the southern end of the Kärntnerstrasse in the 1st district of Wien. It is an opera house since mid of 19century and has a worldwide reputation for its first-class opera performances and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. You can experience the most impressive opera here.

Vienna's Imperial Palace (Hobfburg)
Walk around 5-10mins from Stphansplatz or by underground or trams
Underground: U3 (orange), alight at Herrengasse
Trams: 1 and 2, alight at Burgring

You can buy a Hobfburg ticket with audioguide to visit 3 imperial highlights ( Sisi Museum, Imperial Apartments and Imperial Silver Collection).

Nowadays there are "Österreichische Nationalbibliothek" (National Library), "Schatzkammer" (Imperial Treasury), "Museum für Völkerkunde" (Museum of Ethnography) and famous "Spanische Hofreitschule" (Spanish Riding School) in this palace. Sunday Mass in the "Hofmusikkapelle"(Chapel of the Imperial Palace) with famous Vienna Boys' Choir is required for reservation in advance. Please make reservation through hmk@aon.at .The Vienna Boys' Choir performs every Sunday from January through June and mid-September through end of December.

Just next to the palace, "Heldenplatz" is the square of heroes and is one of Austria's symbols of national identity. Walk past the square, MuseumsQuartier is in front of you. Turn right you can reach Volks-garten. Turn left you can go to Burggarten, where you can find Mozart Memorial statue there.

Opposite to Volksgarten, there is Parlament and Rathaus-park. In Rathaus-park, you can see a Gothic-style's building, that is Vienna City Hall.

The Votive Church (Votivkirche)
Metro: Schottentor Universitat U2 or walk around 10mins from Vienna City Hall

Votivkirche is one of the most important neo-Gothic religious architectural sites in the world. It is closed to University of Vienna.

Attractions outside of Ringstrass

Schonbrunn Palace

Ticket: Grand Tour with audio guide at rate of Euro12.90 takes approx 50mins.

Grand Tour begins in the west wing of the palace and take you through the Imperial Apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth (Sisi), through the central wing with the ceremonial and state rooms and into the east wing. After tour, you can wander around Privy garden, Maze & Labyrinth, Gloriette (Viewing terrace). You take Schönbrunn Panorma Train with charges or walk by yourself. You can enjoy the breathtaking view up to Gloriette.

Useful links:
The details of Vienna Card - http://www.wien.info/en/travel-info/vienna-card

The website of St. Stephen's Cathedral - http://www.stephenskirche.at/

The website of Staatsopera - http://www.staatsoper.at/

The website of MuseumsQuartier Wien - http://www.mqw.at/fset_en.html

The official website of Schoenbrunn Palace - http://www.schoenbrunn.at/en/home.html

Travel Guide - Hallstatt, Austria - SALZWELTEN

SALZWELTEN - Hallstatt Salt Mine Tour

Hallstatt Salt Mine Prices – combination ticket at rate of approx. Euro24/adult, including return rides on the Salzberg funicular railway and admission to the Salt Mine. The Salt Mine and Salzberg funicular railway both are open from end of April to end of Octobor only.

Take Salzbergbahn funicular railway up to the Mount. Plassen.

Walk up to the valley and pass-by open gravesite and Mirror pillars on the pathway to Miners' hostel

Enter into Miners' hostel - where the tour of Hallstatt salt mine begins

Visit Exhibition in the miners’ house to experience of the work and life of the miners’ in the 19th century before enter into mine

Walk into the depth of the mine and take the First miners' slide

View a slideshow about Time spiral : how it all began and Geology - how salt got into the mountain in the first

Take another 64meters mega slide with speed gun and photo shot

Reach Hornerwerk cavern (the subterrancean salt lake) where you can View information film about salt mining and storytelling about "Man in Salt" (Man in Salt was found in 1734.)

Ride back out on the mine train

Walk pass Vantage-point bridge and take Panorama lift before taking funicular back to the ground

Useful link:
The official website of SALZWELTEN - http://www.salzwelten.at/

Travel Guide - Obertraun, Austria

If you like nature and adventure, I highly recommend you to explore World Heritage cave and hiking world (DACHSTEIN) in Obertraun. Obertraun is also located near the Hallstätter See. So it is very convenient to go there by Postbus from Hallstatt to Obertraun.

DACHSTEIN has been declared “UNESCO historic cultural landscape Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut”.

Dachstein Cave world including Giant Ice Cave ( one of the biggest ice caves in the world), extensive Mammut Cave and Koppenbrüller Cave, is formed and shaped by water and ice. You can experience mystical underground world with unique and stylish light and sound effect inside these 3caves. Three Dachstein World Heritage cable-ways provide barrier-free access to Dachstein hiking world and panorama view on the way up to 2,000m above sea level.

Dachstein "5fingers" is a newly staged attraction, where is the most spectacular viewpoints of the Alps. There has five distinct stages(4x1m in each stage), which offer dramatic “insights and outlooks”. Also, one of stages is made of glass. Then you can enjoy breathtaking view from these platforms.

Due to barrier-free and convenient access, it is suitable for families and nature fans. Dachstein Caves and Dachstein World Heritage cable-ways are open daily from May to October.

Useful link:
The official website of Dachsteinwelterbe - http://www.dachsteinwelterbe.at

Travel Guide - Bad Ischl, Austria

Bad Ischl is situated in the southern part of Upper Austria, at the Traun River in the centre of the Salzkammergut region. It is located at northern part of Hallstattsee. Bad Ischl is well-known as a famous spa town.
Transportation : by rail or by Postbus
You can take Postbus to Bad ischl interchange in Gosumuhle Umst from Hallstatt, the bus terminates at Bad Ischl Railway station.

Attraction:
Kaiservilla - Emperor Franz Joseph spent most of his summers at this villa. Kaiserilla is surrounded by the imperial park. It's a perfect place for a walk.
Photomuseum - known as Marmorschlössl, which used to be the teahouse of Empress Elisabeth, but currently it holds today the Upper Austrian Museum of Photography.

Museum Der Stadt – Museum of the Township of Bad Ischl
This museum holds historic, cultural and traditional collections depicting the development of the town of Bad Ischl, the importance of the production of salt for the town and the town’s rise to a spa town and imperial summer residence.



Useful link:
Official website of Bad Ischl -
http://www.badischl.com/en/5-02-0-73273/start/sehenswertes.html

Travel Guide - Hallstatt, Austria

Hallstatt is a small lakeside village in Salzkammergut, Upper Austria. It is situated in the south-western shore of the Hallstätter See (lake). This village is is a World Heritage Site for Cultural Heritage. The first known salt mine in the world is also in Hallstatt.

Transporation:

By rail:
Take train from Wien Westbahnhof or Salzburg to Hallstatt via Atnang-Puchheim. Once you reach Hallstatt railway station, then go to a Pier to take a boat ride to Hallstatt.

By bus:
Postbus operates in between Obertraun / Bad Ischl and Hallstatt.You can find the bus-stop in front of Obertraun and Bad Ischl railway station.

Accommodation: Gasthof "Weißes Lamm"
Dr.-F.-Morton-Weg 166, 4830 Hallstatt, AUSTRIA

Gasthof "Weißes Lamm" is run by the Holl's family. The hotel is decorated in a typical traditional German style combined with comfortable furniture. Its restaurant serves breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner daily. The meal is delicious and in reasonable price. It is located in town and just behind the tourist information centre. The location is very good. Each spacious room has balcony, bathroom and toilet with internet access (LAN connection only).

Attraction:

Hallstatt World Heritage Museum - It is a door of history of Hallstatt. Once you step in, you will have an impressive travel through time. You will experience the history and delevlopment of Hallstatt.
Salzwelten - the oldest salt mine in the world

Salt culture theme trail - experience the life of miners

Protestant Church - is situated within a churchyard bordering the dark waters of the lake

Catholic Church with graves

Useful links:

Austria rail: http://www.oebb.at/en/index.jsp

Hallstatt official web site: http://www.hallstatt.at/

The web site of Gasthof "Weißes Lamm": http://www.weisses-lamm.at/en/index.php