1. Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens
Declared world heritage site by UNESCO in 1996, the palace and gardens of Schönbrunn are a must-see for lovers of princely Baroque and Gesamtkunstwerk - a German word for a unified work of art. The impressive palace was the residence of the Habsburg emperors from the 18th century to 1918. Emperor Franz Josef I, known in popular culture films and books as the husband of Sissi, lived most of his life here. The Schönbrunn gardens are also home to the world’s first zoo, dating back to 1752. The palace offers several fun tours, including an Imperial Tour, a Grand Tour and a Children’s Tour, that can be booked online.
2. The Semmering Railway
Built between 1848 and 1854, the Semmering Railway runs 41 km (25 miles) between Gloggnitz (Lower Austria) and Semmering (Styria) in a spectacular high mountain landscape. A must for railway enthusiasts, this great work of civil engineering and a masterpiece in the combination of technology and nature is internationally recognised as the first true mountain railway. With its 100 stone bridges, 11 iron bridges, 16 viaducts and 14 tunnels, it is the true prototype of mountain railway lines and is still in use today. You can ride this piece of train track on the train from Vienna to Graz (in itself a world heritage site since 1999). Sit on the left, for the best views. On the way back from Graz to Vienna, sit on the right.
3. Hallstatt-Dachstein Salzkammergut
This great alpine region in Upper Austria, Styria and Salzburg is of extraordinary natural beauty. As far back as the 2nd millennium BC, salt deposits were exploited here, hence the region’s name Salzkammergut, which translates to Chamber of Salt Estate. A must-see for nature and architecture lovers. Popular towns in the Salzkammergut include Hallstatt, Altmünster, Fuschl am See, Ebenau, Traunkirchen and Obertraun. The region is also known for its culinary delicacies, including a kind of sugared pancake with raisins called Kaiserschmarrn, award-winning wines and famous fish restaurants.
4. Historic Center of Salzburg
The Old Town of Salzburg is a splendid example of baroque architecture and in 1996 it was deservedly added to Unesco’s list of world heritage sites. It is one of the best preserved city centers in Austria and presents a dramatic Alpine setting. Salzburg has of course been a long time favorite for music lovers as well. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born here, and his birth house and residence are now open to the public. Most of the scenes from the film The Sound of Music starring Julie Andrews were filmed here. In July and August Salzburg becomes the setting for the famous Salzburg Festival, a summer opera event that attracts hundreds of thousands of international visitors each year.
Photo of Schönbrunn Gardens originally posted by 29cm
Topic: General |
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Tags: Austria, culture, family, Salzburg, Vienna
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