When you are contemplating a vacation in Austria for the whole family, the easiest way to describe what you’ll encounter is that the country is like a big dessert. The landscape with the snow covered peaks looks like a sundae with plenty of whipped cream topping. The tri-level castles that have long signified the rise and fall of numerous empires are akin to sponge cakes that rise in your oven. It’s a veritable baked pastry that dates back to the time of the Roman Empire.Where family-friendly places in Austria are concerned, it’s a matter or having so many options that deciding on what you should do next could be a mite challenging. During the Renaissance Period, Austria was recognized for putting forth some the best classical music composers. In 2006, city of Vienna celebrated the 250th anniversary of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as well as the birth of one of the country’s most well-known residents.
The choices for adventure and a family outing in Austria are too numerous to list here. However, the following 5 are the ones you should include in your vacation plans if you want your children to enjoy that adventure as well.
Boat ride on the Danube
Always an enjoyable excursion worth encountering whenever you visit Austria. Wachau Valley is by far the most beautiful part of the cruise and is located between Krems and Melk. You’ll be intrigued as you pass by all the abbeys and castles along the river, especially Durnstein, the town where they held Richard the Lionhearted prisoner during the Anglo-Saxon and Norman conflict of the 11th century. If floating the river via boat is not your cup of tea, you can even enjoy this via the bike path that has been constructed along the river’s edge.
Salt mines
Mined in Austria for thousands of years, salt has been a valuable part of the area’s economy. The salt mines today are beautifully restored and have tours for 4-year olds and up.
Salzwelten Altaussee: You’ll be amazed as you stand inside Sandling Mountain, made of salt and the hiding place of valuable art that the Nazi’s pillaged during WWII. The train ride winds through the mountain, affording you a glimpse of the mountain’s rock layers and rock salt formations.
Salzwelten Hallstatt: The world’s oldest, active salt mine (dates back 7,000 years) that is still going strong. You’ll be amazed by the “Man in Salt”, which was discovered in 1734. He’s still in his clothes, carrying his tools, and perfectly preserved.
Salzwelten Salzburg: The “salt castle” is a must see for families with children. Float on a wooden raft on the salt lake underground, slide down an authentic miner’s slide, ride in a mine car, and visit a Celtic settlement to experience how the miners lived and worked in centuries passed.
Photo of street sign in Alberg, Austria by fffriendly
Topic: Travel with kids |
0 Comments
Tags: Austria, family, kids
About the author
Anita Choudhary is a freelance writer and travel blogger based in New Delhi, India. She loves to travel and has traveled extensively in India. Exploring new places, reading and writing are her hobbies.
Leave a comment