Start your journey in Austria’s largest city, the seat of the former Empire and a multicultural metropolis. According to The Economist, Vienna is one of the most charming cities in Europe and the number 1 most liveable city in the world.

On the morning of Day 1, explore Schönbrunn Palace, a beautiful Baroque palace and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart played for Empress Maria Theresia here when he was just five years old. The extraordinary Imperial park houses the world’s oldest zoo and delivers spectacular views from the Gloriette monument, where you can also enjoy their famous hot chocolate.

Enjoy an afternoon stroll through downtown Vienna. Here you will find the Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Hofburg Palace, countless narrow streets, hidden squares and grand boulevards.

If you have time, stop at the Albertina or the MuseumsQuartier for spectacular art experiences. Take a break and enjoy a cup of coffee with some apple strudel at one of the many coffeehouses as part of a genuinely authentic Viennese experience.

In the evening, enjoy local fare and traditional music at a wine tavern in the neighbourhood of Grinzing (take tram 38) or a classical music night at the esteemed State Opera or the renowned Musikverein.

Head to Vienna’s Central Station (Hauptbahnhof), easily accessible by metro (U1 line). The newly rebuilt station is now as much a first-rate transit hub as a shopping centre and architectural attraction. From here, take the train to Graz (approx. 2h 30m).

The old town of Austria’s second-largest city is a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site, and exploring it is an excellent start to your first day here. Enjoy the fantastic views over the medieval roofscape from the top of the Schlossberg (city mountain), and marvel at the Armoury, with the world’s most extensive collection of medieval arms. Sample local delicacies at the farmer’s markets and end the day with dinner at the restaurant Der Steirer, which serves Styrian tapas.

Day 3: Time to explore Graz’s contemporary side. As a UNESCO City of Design, Graz features many architectural highlights such as the Kunsthaus: Blue and bubble-shaped, the construction looks like a spaceship landed in Graz’s stuccoed old town, located right along the trendy Mariahilferstrasse, with cute design & coffee shops.

The Mur-Insel, a shell-like construction in the adjacent river, is another significant contemporary accent. Graz’s innovative architecture follows you all the way back to the train station, located conveniently close to the city centre. The main terminal’s interior is decorated with abstract graphics, and the platform shelter is one undulating metal wave.

The train ride to Salzburg takes about 4 hours. We recommend buying the 48h Salzburg Card as ÖBB Plus Ticket together with your train ticket in the ÖBB ticket shop. The Salzburg Card offers free public transport and entry to attractions.

Magical mountains surround Salzburg, and its old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is most famous as the birthplace of Mozart and the film location of The Sound of Music. Its true attraction is its magnificent Baroque architecture, the Hohensalzburg Fortress castle perched majestically on the Mönchsberg mountain and its many internationally renowned cultural events. For splendid city views and a great contemporary art experience, take a walk to the Museum of Modern Art.

Try local dishes, such as Kaspressknödel (bread dumplings filled with cheese) or Salzburger Nockerl, at one of Salzburg’s most attractive markets on Universitätsplatz square. Through a narrow passage, walk to Getreidegasse, the iconic main street with many interesting shops, charming courtyards, and Mozart’s birthplace.

Day 5: Take Bus 25 to Hellbrunn Palace to experience the unique trick fountains. Then dive into Salzburg’s famous beer culture and relax in one of the many beer gardens. Learn about local brewing history at the Stiegl-Brauwelt. Salzburg is renowned for its music, and seeing an opera or a concert at the famous Salzburger Festspiele in the summer month is an unforgettable experience.

In the morning, take the Railjet from Salzburg to Kufstein (1h 10m). In the centre of the beautiful town in Tyrol’s north, you will find an impressive medieval fortress. Explore the stronghold and enjoy the spectacular views over the region. Kufstein’s fortress has a local history museum and the world’s largest free-standing organ. Next, stroll through the town centre and down Römerhofgasse, a charming street lined with wine taverns. Kufstein’s parish church is a late Gothic building dating back to around 1400.

About a 15-minute walk south of the church, you will find a traditional Tyrolean glassmaker: Riedel’s glasses are known worldwide for their delicate design. At the factory, you can watch the glassblowers do their work, then shop Riedel’s collection of stemware and artful decanters.

Depending on the time of year, you might be able to watch a performance at the Tirol Festival Erl. The classical music festival’s repertoire spans popular operas and is known for its Passion Plays.

Take an early train from Kufstein to Innsbruck (40min). We recommend buying the Innsbruck Card, which includes free public transportation in the city and surrounding villages and access to many attractions and cable cars. You can save money when purchasing the Innsbruck Card (ÖBB Plus Ticket) along with your train ticket in the ÖBB ticket shop.

This beautiful alpine city with its medieval old town is nestled in the Nordkette mountains. Hungerburgbahn Station is one of Tyrol's most magnificent examples of modern design by world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid. A rack railway and a cable car take you up to an Alpine landscape at over 2,000 meters (6,562 ft), from where you can enjoy stunning city views. Save money by purchasing the ÖBB Plus Ticket 'Top of Innsbruck' alongside your train ticket in the ÖBB ticket shop.

If the mountain air has made you hungry, try local specialities such as Schlutzkrapfen (dumplings stuffed with cheese or spinach), Käsespätzle (pasta tossed with onions and cheese) and Tiroler Gröstl (a pan of potatoes, meat and vegetables) in one of the traditional restaurants. Dedicate the rest of the day to sightseeing and shopping in the city centre.

Day 10: Spend the day visiting three emblematic places around Innsbruck. Take tram 1 to the Bergisel Ski Jump, then continue to the small mountain village of Igls (only 15 min on the J bus). In the afternoon, take tram 3 to Ambras Castle, with beautiful gardens and a unique art collection.