Culture meets Nature: City Trips with a Bonus

Museums, Imperial palaces, restaurants, rooftop bars – city breaks are full of adventures for culture and history fans, no doubt. But what if you need a quick break from the buzz, the noise, and all the people around you, especially during peak travel season? If you travel to Austria, you can call yourself lucky. Here, holidaymakers don’t have to choose between exciting city adventures and relaxing nature breaks – they can have both, even in one day.

Many of Austria’s most popular city destinations double as nature escapes. Picture yourself wandering through an art exhibition in the morning, then enjoying lunch at an award-winning restaurant before spending your afternoon on a mountain bike tour or at a local countryside vineyard. In Austria’s cities, sightseeing meets nature experiences – an intriguing combo for travellers wanting to max out their holiday.
 

INNSBRUCK: IMPERIAL SIGHTSEEING, SUMMIT HIKES AND MOUNTAIN BIKE TOURS 

Tirol’s capital scores with its geographic location: Sitting amidst the Alps, visitors benefit from a unique urban-alpine mix, allowing them to sip their coffee at a trendy bar in the Old Town while enjoying gorgeous mountain panoramas. Innsbruck’s centre is perfectly walkable and filled with Imperial elegance, featuring Baroque and Gothic architecture as well as landmarks including the Golden Roof, the Imperial Palace and Gardens, the City Tower (walk up 133 steps for stunning views of the centre) and the Court Church with its 28 life-size bronze figures. Then, there’s Ambras Castle, overlooking the city and housing the first museum in the world, as well as the family-run Grassmayer Bell Foundry, which has produced bells for almost 100 countries since 1599.

Straight from the Old Town, visitors can hop on a lift or cable car and get whisked up the Nordkette range in less than half an hour. Hafelekar peak (2,300 m) is probably the most spectacular viewpoint of the city, with the medieval streets to your feet and Karwendel nature park peeking just behind the centre. Nordkette is also the perfect place for all kinds of outdoor activities, ranging from an easy summit hike to the equally family-friendly Path of Perspectives hiking trail and a more challenging mountain bike tour. Another highlight is the Alpine Zoo, Europe’s highest zoo, and home to eagles, bears, wolves, otters, and other local species.
 

GRAZ: MODERN ART, LIPIZZANER AND A WINE ROAD AT YOUR DOORSTEP

Austria’s second largest town wows with its artsy vibe, foodie scene, and Mediterranean climate. If you’re new, head to the Schlossberg to get a first sense of Graz: Climb up the 260 steps or take a short ride with the funicular or glass lift from the centre, then marvel at the Old Town from above, an UNESCO-awarded maze of intricate façades, and courtyards hidden away from the main streets. Afterwards, make your way back down and check out the Clock Tower, another city landmark. The Kunsthaus Graz (Museum of Contemporary Art) is the place to be for arts and architecture fans. Floating like a mysterious balloon between the rooftops and named “alien” by its creators, it is spectacular inside and outside. To cap the day, enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants and sip a cocktail at the futuristic Island in the Mur.

That being said, it’s not all about the urban lifestyle in Graz. The Schöckl, Graz’ local mountain, is a popular recreational spot for hikers and mountain bikers that is quickly accessible from the centre by cable car (or on foot). The city is also surrounded by vineyards, with the South Styrian Wine Road just a 30-minute drive away. Soak up the beautiful landscapes, a mix of forests, flowery meadows and, of course, wine-growing estates, then stop at one (or more!) of the wine taverns, called Buschenschanken, for a glass of local wine and some traditional snacks. Horse fans will love the Lipizzaner Stud Farm Piber, where the stars of Vienna’s world-famous Spanish Riding School grow up.
 

SALZBURG: MOZART, THE TRAPP FAMILY AND HIKING TRAILS FOR ALL AGES 

If you think of Salzburg, chances are, “Sound of Music” and Mozart will instantly come to mind. The whole city is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the film this year, with location tours, a puppet version of “Sound of Music” at the Marionette Theatre, and Trapp-themed picknicks and menus waiting for fans. Those more interested in classical music will surely enjoy wandering around Mozart’s birthplace on famous Getreidegasse before listening to a concert or two. The Mirabell Palace and Gardens, the Dom Quartier with all its galleries, Hohensalzburg Fortress and the Museum of Modern Art are other hotspots heavily frequented by history geeks and those adoring all things art.

City breakers hoping to include a quick nature escape in their trip (that goes beyond the Salzburg’s many parks and gardens) are equally well catered for: Salzburg’s local mountain, the Untersberg, makes a great destination for a relaxed walk with postcard-perfect city views. It is also home to the Salzburg Open Air Museum, featuring more than 100 rural buildings from the 16th to the 20th century. Nearby Gaisberg mountain on the other hand is a favourite among the sporty crowd, with hiking and mountain biking trails and a paragliding club.  
 

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