10 Places in Austria You Can Visit Right Now, Virtually

Austria's 48-kilometre Großglockner High Alpine Road links the provinces of Salzburg and Carinthia. Whether you start from the Salzburg side or from Carinthia’s Mölltal, crossing this Alpine ridge offers impressive views all around and the opportunity to explore a variety of vegetation zones. You'll pass by Alpine meadows, mountain forests, massive rock formations, and finally the Pasterze glacier before summiting the Großglockner, the country’s highest mountain at 3,798 metres. And the great thing is that you can now enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding towering peaks from home.

Normally, adventurers venture into the depths of the mountain in groups as part of a guided tour. Then it’s time to climb stairs: one ascends 100 vertical metres through the huge “Posselthalle”, whose floor is completely covered with ice. Columns and towers of ice line the path. 

Today, however, we embark on the adventure-filled excursion right from our living room: floating in a 360° perspective between the rock walls bearing a glittering coat of furry crystals. Enormous ice formations shimmer in turquoise in the light of magnesium torches. A narrow passageway leads straight to the “Dome”, the largest room on the tour. The ice floor is as smooth as glass in the “Ice Palace”, some 400 metres beneath the surface. From here, the fantastical journey takes us past the “Ice Gate” and back to the entrance by way of a 100-metre-long tunnel carved into the ice.

A series of 360-degree videos take you on interactive hikes to the most beautiful spots in Saalfelden Leogang near Salzburg. Simply press play and look around for yourself:

• 360° Hike to Saalfelden Leogang's hermitage: Built into the rock above Lichtenberg Castle in the 1600s, the local hermitage is a place to relax and recharge. The hike up to 1,006 metres above sea level offers impressive views of the surrounding mountains. See for yourself!
• 360° Sunrise Hike to Saalfelden Leogang's Lookout: Nothing quite beats seeing the sun rise over untouched landscapes. Hike along Ritzensee lake to the lookout and enjoy great views of the town and the surrounding mountains.
• 360° Hike up to Riedlspitz Viewpoint: Make your way through lush forests and over blooming meadows to this viewpoint at 1,480 metres. Along the way, a wrought-iron swing lets you relax and just take in your surroundings before you continue to the viewpoint with its valley panorama.

Let's take an imaginary trip: The deep blue Wörthersee lake lies at your feet. Would you like to leap into its crystal-clear waters or go out for a sailboat ride? We'll dock in Pörtschach or Velden, or one of the many other charming resort towns lining the lake and enjoy the sun.

It is no wonder that Gustav Mahler, Johannes Brahms, and many other celebrities regularly spent their holidays here. While right now, we can’t enjoy an iced coffee on the promenade or climb the Pyramidenkogel (the world’s highest wooden observation tower), we can embark on a virtual voyage of discovery to the island of Maria Wörth or to Klagenfurt. And in summer, we’ll be there in person.

Want to watch a baby polar bear enjoy her lunch? Play with giraffes at eye level? Take giant leaps with Australian kangaroos? The Schönbrunn Zoo’s extensive video collection allows you to experience its animals at close range – without having to leave home. 

In the course of its history, Vienna's Schönbrunn Zoo – the oldest of its kind in the world – has developed into a centre for nature and species conservation, contributing to environmental sustainability. 

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