Ice Caves, Red Bull Hangars & Michelin Restaurants: A Guide to Austria

We enjoyed hiking through the gorge when we were in Germany, and the fact that it was so close to where we were in Salzburg. The food was amazing.

The countryside was prettier than a postcard, and the people were incredibly friendly.

Our son had wanted to see Berchtesgaden, since he has been such a fan of Band of Brothers. We made the drive over there while we were in the region and had such an incredible visit.

Peter: We had a Salzburg Nockerl at a Michelin Star restaurant while in Salzburg at the oldest restaurant in Europe. The location was beautiful. Our service was amazing and the food was exceptional. This restaurant is located in the courtyard of what was St. Peter’s Abbey in the old town of Salzburg. It was an unforgettable experience.

Hofbrauhaus: We had visited Hofbrauhaus Munchen when we were stationed in Germany, and had to go back when we had our son with us on the trip. It’s only a 2 hour drive between the two locations, and the scenery made it fly by. Hofbrauhaus Munchen is world famous. There is wonderful beer, great schnitzels and brats, and traditional live Bavarian music. It’s an experience for the senses, and we loved sharing the beer and good food with our son.

Red Bull Museum (Hangar 7): If you have anyone in your group who enjoys checking out planes, this is a can’t miss experience. My husband and son are both pilots, so they loved walking through and checking out all of the displays. I loved watching them be excited and enjoying the cocktails at the Outdoor Lounge. It was a comfortable and “chill” environment to sit outside in nice chairs and take in the museum from an outside view.

Berchtesgaden: We went up to Berchtesgaden to see Eagle’s Nest. What a view. Our son wanted to go all the way to the top of the peak, and while he did that, my husband and I enjoyed a beer and wine from one of the cafes set up on the mountain top. There were options for food, etc., but we were interested in the experience and keeping hydrated while up in the hills. Travelers can definitely fend off their hunger pains after a little sightseeing, so don’t feel like you have to carry a picnic or eat before you arrive.

Eisriesenwelt: While visiting the ice cave in Eisriesenwelt, about 20 miles from Salzburg, we popped into the cable car mountain station for a quick beer. We had a great time sitting on the patio, resting our feet from all of the walking, and enjoying just being in Austria.