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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.
Ways to Travel
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.
Christmas Markets
- Enjoy a private tour of Belvedere Palace and Gardens.
- Taste some of the best regional holiday bites in our favorite Christmas Markets.
- Visit the Mönchsberg mountain where you will have a private cooking class.
Contact us to plan your personalized Austria trip today.
What our Happy Travelers Say
The Founder's Trip to Turkey this month was amazing in every respect. From start to finish, just perfection! Greg's personally curated outstanding itinerary set the stage for the best small group trip we have ever taken. From our greeting at the Istanbul Airport to our goodbye in Bodrum, everything was seamless ---first class hotel accommodations; fabulous guide; excellent drivers/vehicles; and wonderful dining venues. Every day was filled with history, joy and new friends. We cannot wait to travel with Exeter International again! Kris & Chris
All my trips with Exeter have been amazing. I worked with Ala and Gwen for different trips and they go above and beyond to make the trip exceptional. They have access to places others don’t, they plan everything from the perfect hotel, experiences and even incredible restaurants. Even better, they communicate within so Ala was able to get with Gwen and tell her my likes and dislikes. You work with the person with the most knowledge of the area you are going and they genuinely know it inside and out. I totally trust Exeter with my travel planning. They are the best.
This trip was as close to perfection as one can get.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
We just returned from a fabulous trip that included Stockholm Sweden, Helsinki Finland and Amsterdam Netherlands, all arranged by Leigh Landis at Exeter International. Leigh was amazing. She put together individual excursions in each country, arranged hotels, assisted with restaurant suggestions and reservations, purchased train tickets and the tickets for the Silja Line ship to cross the Baltic Sea. Leigh gave us the phone number of an Exeter contact in each city in case of a problem but we did not have to contact them. Still, it was reassuring knowing that we had someone to contact if needed. Each of them reached out to us when we arrived to let us know they were available. The itinerary, guides and tickets were all arranged in advance by Leigh. She spent a lot of time with us before booking anything. We communicated by emails or phone. It was clear to us from our first contact with Leigh that she wanted to make sure the trip had exactly what we wanted.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!
My wife and I completed our second trip with Gwen's team at Exeter last month. Our first trip a few years back included Vienna, Prague, Budapest. This trip was Amsterdam, Berlin and Munich. Gwen is absolutely terrific and does a fabulous job of listening to client interests and preferences ex ante and then presenting options and framing the trips. Gwen's advice on hotels and specific rooms in hotels and the Exeter private touring options was consistently spot on. And ALL the guides she uses are terrific which really makes the trip. I was very pleased with both itineraries before the trips started and like any travel experience, circumstances and weather changed during the trip. Gwen and her team were always on top of quickly making changes. They possess the unique combination of pliancy about the route taken coupled with an adamantine resolve to give the client the experience they want and get them to see the things they wish to see. The team also has access to private experiences that were amazing. A tour of a tulip farm, a visit to a closed museum and medieval library, a wine and cheese tasting with a local expert. Not only did we have two good trips, on the second trip, Gwen started with all her notes and preferences from our first trip which made things even easier. I have used many operators in my travels and my experience with Exeter and Gwen Kozlowski in particular was truly top notch.
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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