Join me for a visit to the stunning country of Austria. In Innsbruck, we take the Nordkettelbahn up to the mountains, see the vertiginous Olympic ski jump, and then visit Swarovski's Crystal World (like Legoland but more sparkly).

In Salzburg, visit Mozart's birthplace, see stunning views from the Fortress, get squirted by trick fountains in Hellbrunn Palace.  It's also a great place to get in touch with your inner Julie Andrews. Next is charming Hallstatt, which looks like a storybook village. Literally. Seriously.

In Graz, we visit a farmers' market, see art in a unique free-form museum (known locally as The Friendly Alien), and daytrip to a winery and pumpkin seed mill.

We end in the stunning city of Vienna where we are blown away by the Baroque architecture, the glittering art of Gustav Klimt,  and spend an evening at a Heurigen - wine garden - mixing with the locals.

Oh - and the delicious food... If I lived there, I'd double my weight!

Today we meet in person for the first time and start by getting settled into our rooms.  We staying just outside the center of the old town, right on the gorgeous Inns River.

Dinner will be at Ottoburg, a wonderful (and beautiful!) local restaurant.  Be sure to save room for dessert!  (Austria is no place to diet...)

After dinner, those who want, can join me for a walk along the river.

Meal included: Dinner

Today we have a full day with our wonderful Innsbruck guide, Monika!  She will show us around the city, take us up the mountain on the Nordkettebahn (funicular) for a bird's eye view, and show us sights only locals know about.  Her family has lived in Innsbruck for over 500 years!  We will be in good hands.

Dinner will be at another local restaurant - and some of Monika's friend will join us. It's wonderful to meet local ladies when we travel!

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner.

Kristalwelten is sort-of like Legoland, but with more sparkles.  This is Swarovski's Crystal World - full of amazing and beautiful things!  There is also a outside area with a garden maze and a carousel covered in over 15 million crystals!  Words aren't really able to describe the experience - and photos just don't do it justice.

You will be free to spend as much - or as little - time as you want, your return trip to the city is covered by your Innsbruck Card.  The afternoon and evening are free to wander, shop, or just sit at a cafe and eat cake!

Meal included: Breakfast.

We start the day taking a scenic train trip to Salzburg.  (Newsflash - ALL train trips in Austria are scenic.)  

Once we settle into our lovely hotel, we have a quick lunch and head out for a tour of this most-walkable city.  We will wander through the Old Town, visit the Cathedral and St. Peter's Abbey, see Mozart's Birthplace, and maybe grab a snack at the oldest café in town.  

That evening, we share a delicious dinner at the Augustiner Brau, a real working brewery with a huge patio.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner.

The powerful Prince-Archbishop  Markus Sittikus had this pleasure palace built in 1612.  It's situated at the foot of a well-watered mountain which provided the theme for the Palace. Hidden in the shade of bushes and trees, jetting out from unexpected hiding places, the world-famous Trick Fountains have been the main attraction at Hellbrunn for over 400 years.  Amazing to think they're all done mechanically, just as they were when they were new!

This morning we'll take a Water Fountain Tour and visit the Palace itself.  In the afternoon, we'll take the funicular up to the Fortress for amazing views of the city.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner.

This is a free day in glorious Salzburg!  You can get in touch with your inner Julie Andrews on a Sound of Music Tour, immerse yourself in Mozart by visiting his birthplace and museum, or just spend the day wandering about and stopping for coffee at one of the (very) many coffeehouses.  Your choice!

Meal included:  Breakfast.

Another morning (and, yes, scenic!) train trip brings us to charming Hallstatt.  Once we arrive at the tiny train station, we board a boat for the short trip across the lake to the village.  

After checking into our hotel, we're off on another walking tour to see and get some background on the village. This area has been inhabited for a staggering 7,000 years, owing to the salt deposits which were so crucial in food preservation in the ancient world.  If there's time, we'll visit the village museum after the walk.

In the evening, we will dine alfresco on the lake beneath lanterns hung in the trees.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner.

This morning we spend a couple of hours riding around the lake on electronic boats.  Then we're up the funicular to the Sky Walk and lunch in the restaurant overlooking this amazing vista.

Those who want to visit the Salt Mines, have a 15 minute hike to reach the entrance (although it's not strenuous).  The other option is the Ice Caves which are farther away and require much more walking.  NOTE:  neither the Salt Mines nor the Ice Caves are included in the tour. You will be responsible for the entrance fees (although - with the Saltzkammergut Card provided - you get a discount on admission).

Those who aren't interested in either of these options, can take the funicular back down to the village to do some more wandering or just sit by the lake and relax.

Meals included:  Breakfast & Lunch. 

Another day, another scenic train ride, this time to the wonderful city of Graz!

In the afternoon we take a guided tour that focuses on Graz's many hidden courtyards and exquisite culinary treats.  After our tour, we head to the focal point of the city, the Kunsthaus Art Museum.  This is an example of "blob architecture" (yes, there really is such a thing!).  The free-form building has a skin made of iridescent blue acrylic panels that also double as photovoltaic panels. It is known in local vernacular as the "Friendly Alien".

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner. 

Just outside the city, in the gentle hills of southern Styria, excellent white wines are created. We enjoy a wine tasting and cellar tour at the 300-year-old Seggau Castle.  Then we visit a pumpkin seed mill where you can taste the "black gold" of Styria.

Meals included: Breakfast & Brettljause (snack) with wine.

This morning we take our last scenic train ride in Austria, heading to its most famous city, Vienna.  

Once we settle into our hotel, we have lunch then meet our guide Alexa who takes us on a tour of this stunning city.  More famous composers have lived in Vienna than any other city in the world - Mozart, Haydn, Mahler, Beethoven, Brahms are just a few that called it home.  It was also the home of artist Gustav Klimt - more about him tomorrow!

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch.

This morning we get our Klimt fix at the gorgeous Belvedere Museum complex.  

The complex consists of the Upper Belvedere and Lower Belvedere Museums connected by formal gardens.

The Lower Belvedere houses a total of 24 Klimt works but he is best-known for artworks covered in glittering gold.  The Kiss, his most famous piece, is here and so is Judith, another of his gold pieces. And - as so much of the architecture in Vienna - the building itself is a work of art!

The remaining part of the day is free to wander this amazing complex or to use your Vienna card to visit other spots in the city.  We will meet up for a group dinner.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner.

I DO love a good design museum and Vienna has one of the best.  That's where we'll start the day.

Did you know that there are vineyards *inside* Vienna's city limits?  There are numerous wine gardens offering al fresco dining and lovely wine.  Our dinner will be at Wolff Heurigen where the food is homemade and the wine delicious.  The outside garden is a joy to sit in but - should the weather not cooperate - there is ample seating indoors.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner.

Our tour will end after breakfast.

Meal included: Breakfast.