Austria Family Adventure: Palaces, Lakes & Alps

Today the family explores imperial Vienna in a fun, child-friendly way. You visit the glorious Schonbrunn palace, touring its grand rooms where emperors and a young Mozart once played, then spend time in its sweeping gardens with a fun maze, playground and the world's oldest zoo, Tiergarten Schonbrunn, home to giant pandas, elephants, penguins, big cats and more, a highlight for children. You might glimpse the white Lipizzaner horses, ride an old-fashioned carriage, and pause for Sachertorte and hot chocolate in a grand cafe. The palace, gardens and animals delight all ages. In the afternoon, you might visit an interactive museum or simply enjoy the gardens. This evening is relaxed, perhaps a casual family dinner near your hotel. Rest well, for tomorrow brings the giant Ferris wheel and more Viennese fun.

Today the family enjoys the lighter, playful side of Vienna. You visit the Prater, Vienna's famous fun park, where the whole family can ride the giant Ferris wheel, a Vienna icon, for sweeping views over the city, and enjoy carousels, rides and treats among the leafy avenues. You explore the medieval heart around soaring St Stephen's Cathedral, admiring its patterned roof, and might climb its tower or ride up for views, then wander the lively squares and lanes, spotting street performers and enjoying an ice cream. You could visit an interactive science or natural history museum, popular with children. The fun and grandeur delight all ages. This evening is free for a relaxed family dinner. Rest well, for tomorrow you journey by scenic train westward to Salzburg, gateway to the beautiful lakes.

This morning the family boards a comfortable, scenic train westward across beautiful Austria to Salzburg, watching lakes and mountains roll by, then settles into your hotel near the enchanting Old Town. Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, is a beautiful baroque city crowned by a mighty fortress, and it enchants families. Together you begin to trace beloved scenes from The Sound of Music, running through the Mirabell Gardens singing Do-Re-Mi, and exploring the elegant Old Town, the Getreidegasse with Mozart's birthplace, and the grand squares. You taste Mozart chocolate balls and Salzburg's famous fluffy Nockerl. The music, beauty and fun are magical. This evening, enjoy a relaxed family dinner in a cosy tavern. Rest well, for tomorrow brings a real salt mine and the beautiful lakes of the Salzkammergut.

Today the family enjoys a thrilling day in the beautiful Salzkammergut lake district. You travel through storybook scenery of jewel-like lakes and green mountains to a real, ancient salt mine, where everyone dresses in miners' overalls and ventures deep underground, whooshing down long wooden slides used by miners of old, riding an underground train and gliding by boat across a glittering salt lake, great fun for all ages. You visit the impossibly pretty lakeside village of Hallstatt, wandering its flower-decked lanes, and, in warm weather, swim or paddle in a clear, beautiful lake. The adventure and beauty are unforgettable. As the day ends, you return to Salzburg, full of stories. This evening, enjoy a relaxed family dinner. Rest well, for tomorrow brings the mighty fortress and more Salzburg fun.

Today the family explores Salzburg's mighty fortress and enjoys relaxed time together. You ride the funicular up to the great Hohensalzburg fortress, one of the largest medieval castles in Europe, exploring its ramparts, dungeons, towers and knights' and marionette displays, with breathtaking views over the city to the Alps, a thrilling castle adventure for children. The afternoon is free for the family to enjoy at your own pace, perhaps a puppet show, a chocolate workshop, more Sound of Music sights, a riverside stroll, or simply relaxing at your hotel. This flexible time lets everyone recharge and follow their own interests. The castle and free time delight all ages. This evening, enjoy a final Salzburg dinner in a welcoming tavern. Rest well, for tomorrow you journey into the spectacular Tyrolean Alps and the city of Innsbruck.

This morning the family journeys by scenic train deeper into the Alps to Innsbruck, the beautifully situated capital of the Tyrol, ringed by breathtaking snow-capped peaks, and settles into your hotel. Together you explore the colourful Old Town, taking in the famous Golden Roof and lively arcaded streets, then ride a thrilling cable car that soars from the heart of the city high into the mountains, for breathtaking views, mountain playgrounds and easy family walks in the pure Alpine air, an exhilarating highlight. You might visit the dazzling Swarovski Crystal Worlds, with its giant playground tower and glittering wonders. The mountains and thrills are exhilarating. This evening, a traditional Tyrolean dinner brings hearty mountain fare and folk warmth, a lovely finale. Rest well, reflecting on your fun-filled family adventure across Austria, ahead of your departure tomorrow.

After a final morning amid the beauty of Innsbruck, perhaps a last stroll through the Old Town beneath the mountains, a hot chocolate or some souvenir shopping, the family is transferred to the airport for your onward departure. You leave having shared a fun-filled adventure across the very best of Austria, Vienna's palaces, zoo and giant Ferris wheel, the lakes and salt mine of the Salzkammergut, The Sound of Music and mighty fortress of Salzburg, and the thrilling cable cars of the Tyrolean Alps. The images stay vivid long after you land, the pandas at Schonbrunn, the whoosh of the salt mine slides, the fortress high above Salzburg, and the snow-capped peaks around Innsbruck. Austria has given the whole family beauty, adventure, ease and shared joy in abundance, and you depart already dreaming of a return to this beautiful, welcoming and endlessly fun country.