Austria Offering A Blend Of Natural Beauty And Cultural Richness

Photo courtesy of Tourismus Salzburg

Austria offers a captivating blend of natural beauty and cultural richness. From the sweeping, rocky alpine panoramas and lush valley farmland to world-class skiing and hiking, there’s adventure for every season.

Immerse yourself in the country’s musical heritage with a visit to Mozart’s birthplace and iconic Sound of Music filming locations, explore historic palaces, and relax in rejuvenating thermal baths. With direct flights to Vienna from Denver, as well as to nearby Zurich (Switzerland) and Munich (Germany), Austria is easily accessible for a European getaway.

Discover a world of wellness at Aqua Dome, a sprawling alpine spa resort in the Tyrolian region of Öztal. This luxurious four-star hotel offers 12 indoor and outdoor pools, each with its own unique temperature, mineral content and therapeutic focus. Immerse yourself in the bathing-suit-free sauna world and Spa 3000, the latter of which is exclusive to hotel guests, and embrace the European tradition of nude bathing for a truly authentic spa experience.

Hiking is a national pastime in Austria, and with all the ridiculously beautiful vistas, one doesn’t have to look hard to figure out why. Whether traversing across a suspension bridge, summiting a peak, or wandering alongside an alpine stream, the natural beauty of Austria can be found in abundance. Inviting the hungry and thirsty hikers, hütten (huts) are also along many of these trails, typically family-run establishments that have their own specialty dishes and locally sourced fare. Don’t be intimidated by the intimate environment; most Austrians speak fluent English and are very welcoming.

Photo courtesy of AQUA DOME

Atop a mountain peak, Restaurant ice Q is a must while in Sölden. The gourmet restaurant was awarded two toques by Gault & Millau and is an exceptional dining destination, accessible by scenic cable car. With panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and an elevated atmosphere, ice Q’s food is as much art as it is a meal. A specialty Pino 3000 wine vintage is available exclusively at ice Q and its sister Hotel Das Central, aged on-site at the high altitude for a unique finish.

Next door to ice Q, which was utilized as a filming location in the James Bond Spectre film, the 007 Experience is an immersive museum with riveting behind-the-scenes content and props from the Bond film franchise. Recall the exhilarating chase scene with Bond as he takes to the Austrian skies and bursts through an alpine barn in an airplane fuselage (on display in the museum).

Photo Guenter Breitegger

On the northern border of Austria is charming Salzburg. The birthplace of Mozart, the city is very walkable, and the bridges across the Salzach River make for stunning photos. The 60th anniversary of The Sound of Music will be celebrated throughout 2025, with a gala at Felsenreitschule and Captain’s dinner at Schloss Leopoldskron with the Von Trapp family in October. Several musical acts, symposiums and tours of the filming locations will have you humming along as you visit familiar sites, including the gazebo where Liesl and Rolf sang Sixteen Going on Seventeen, the cathedral where Maria married Captain Von Trapp, and Schloss Leopoldskron, where all the children fall out of the boat into the lake.

Photo Rudi Wyhlidal

The baroque palace Schloss Leopoldskron, once the home of “Uncle Max”— based on Austrian theater director Max Reinhardt—is now a luxury hotel. Its salons and libraries host seminars and lectures, and the bright and airy dining area offers breakfast with a view. An idyllic spot to call home while in the area, the palace backs to a lake and is surrounded by established trees and gardens.

The restaurant St. Peter Stiftskulinarium has served hungry diners since the year 803. Lauded guests have included Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johann Faust and Christopher Columbus (yes, you read that right!). One cannot help but feel the history while enjoying a meal.

With such an enchanting cultural scene paired with the stunning landscape brimming with natural beauty year-round, Austria is truly a bucket-list-worthy destination.