Austria and Switzerland: The Perfect Alpine Escape

Vienna: day 1

Landing in Vienna on a rainy April day in 2023, I got to my hotel and slept for eight hours. I knew I would have the best time exploring the city if I was well-rested. I ordered room service at Renaissance Wien, and went promptly to bed, sleeping through the afternoon and into the morning to cure myself of jet lag. Breakfast at Renaissance Wien is an all-you-can-eat assortment of Vienna sausages, Viennese pastries, coffee and more. Delicious!

Walking the streets of Vienna, one is transported to the heyday of classical music. Much of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's life was lived in this bustling city. I took a tour at Mozarthaus, where he lived with his wife Constance, as well as where he died. The tour details Mozart's works, his complicated relationship with his father and his marriage. Fascinating, especially if you love classical music.

In the heart of Vienna, and not far from Mozarthaus, stands the epic majesty of St. Stephen's Cathedral. Free to enter, you can experience the gothic architecture of medieval Vienna and even attend a concert or two inside the stone walls.

Spend a night at the opera at the Vienna State Opera House (Wiener Staatsoper). I attended a production of Parsifal, by Wagner. Little did I know the opera was five hours long (a little research goes a long way). Vienna is widely considered the music capital of the world, so an evening at the opera was the perfect way to end the first day.

Vienna: day 2

A must-visit site in Vienna is the famous Schønbrunn Palace. I took a self-guided tour through the grand summer home of some of Austria's most prolific rulers. Including Emperor Joseph II, who was a major supporter of the arts and a fan and contemporary of Mozart, and his very famous sister, Marie Antoinette. Because of bad weather, I wasn't able to tour the famous Schønbrunn Palace gardens, but strolling through is highly recommended.

Salzburg

The hills are still alive in beautiful Salzburg, Austria, located about three hours by train from Vienna. This ancient city hewn from salt and stone is a must-visit if you feel like twirling on a mountaintop like Fråulein Maria in The Sound of Music. The sweeping scenery, the delicious cuisine, medieval architecture and castles, as well as the nods to the aforementioned classic film make Salzburg one of my favorite places to visit on this trip.

I stayed at the Altstadt Amadeus Hotel, a charming bed and breakfast not too far from the train station. My room overlooked an old church, which provided a unique ambience. The cemetery behind the church was particularly beautiful, with a very old but picturesque mausoleum that was a quite place to walk and reflect.

For dinner, I visited Stiegl-Keller for delicious schnitzel and a tall glass of beer. Located in the heart of Salzburg, the views from this restaurant are spectacular, offering a panoramic look at the city just below the Hohensalzburg Fortress.

Take a tour of the famous shooting locations of The Sound of Music. This cheesy, yet nostalgic bus tour takes you to many of the Salzburg locations where the classic movie was filmed.

A quick train ride to Werfen, about 45 minutes outside of Salzburg, is also recommended. It's a short hike from Werfen to the spot in the mountains where Julie Andrews and the Von Trapp children filmed the famous picnic scene. If you watch the film, the stunning vistas are exactly what you'll get in person. Absolutely breathtaking.

Other fun activities in Salzburg include:

• A strings quartet concert at Mirabell Palace

• Visiting Hohensalzburg Fortress

Across the border into Switzerland

From Salzburg, I journeyed to Zurich, about five hours by train and bus. This is where I lost my laptop. I was doing some work and was distracted by the gorgeous scenery on the bus right before we disembarked at the Swiss town of St. Gallen. I forgot I had slipped my laptop in the bus seat pocket, and realized as soon as I got on the train bound for Zurich that I didn't have it anymore. Frantic, I got off the train and ran with my luggage back to the bus station, but the bus had already left.

Needless to say, when I arrived in Zurich, I was stressed. I was able to enjoy myself in this charming, rich European city. Food trucks lined up along the Limmat River, and I got myself a delicious Bratwurst with mustard, sampled some delicious Swiss chocolate and wandered the streets of Zurich.

Note: Zurich is widely considered one of the most influential financial capitals in the world. It is a very expensive city. In fact, Switzerland is an expensive country, so prepare to spend more money here than you would in other European destinations.

A fun and delicious tourist trap is a tour of the Lindt Chocolate Factory, about 20 minutes outside of Zurich. I left with a smile on my face and a tummy ache from sampling so much chocolate.

Lauterbrunnen

From Zurich, I took the train to Lauterbrunnen, one of the most charming spots I've ever visited. Located in the Jungfrau region of Switzerland, you are greeted by a stunning view when you get off the bus. This small town is very walkable. The main drag is probably two miles long.

I stayed in the charming Hotel Staubbach, where the clerk kindly helped me make phone calls to find my lost laptop. The view from my hotel window was to die for, which is why I would recommend a room facing the waterfall.

Walking around Lauterbrunnen, you get a sense of what Swiss farm life is like. The brown milk cows grazing in the pastures look as if they are ready to produce the chocolatey milk you've ever tasted (if you can't tell, I like chocolate).

Visit the restaurant at Hotel Oberland for a variety of Swiss specialties, including fondue, rosti and apple streudel.

I highly recommend a day trip from Lauterbrunnen to Grindelwald for more stunning views. You can also take the tram from Lauterbrunnen to Jungfraujoch, the highest point in Europe, overlooking Italy, France and Germany.

Visit Austria and Switzerland in summer and not in early spring. The weather was questionable for most of my trip, but the experience was still incredible. I traveled solo, but I highly recommend a couple's getaway to these beautiful locations.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Europe. In need of further inspiration? Check out Emily Brown's guide, Essential Travel Tips for Europe.