Goodbye, Germany, “hallo,” Austria!
Our Austrian home for the next several days is Bad Hofgastein, a resort village nestled in the Gastein Valley of the Central Eastern Alps. In the winter, this area is a skier’s paradise, but your visit will be marked by lush, green hills, outdoor cafes and a relaxed summer vibe. From this home base, we’ll venture to Salzburg for a day of history, music, architecture and more.
Let’s explore, shall we?
Welcome to Austria!
We’ll cross the border into Austria, stopping for lunch along the way before we reach the village of Bad Hofgastein for dinner and some rest before our Austrian adventures tomorrow. Here are just a few highlights you can start daydreaming about:
A Day in the Village
Your time in the village of Bad Hofgastein can be as relaxing or adventurous as you choose! Hop on the famous Gastein cable car for a stunning Alpine summer view – mountains above, village below. Or you may prefer to soak your morning away at the thermal spa, where you can float in thermal bathing “lakes” with a panoramic view. Later that evening, fresh from your mountain activities, you’ll gather in the heart of the village and perform in Bad Hofgastein’s Alpenarena.
Salzburg City Tour
You’ll be whisked to Salzburg’s city center for a morning of exploring, shopping and a delicious snack or two. The Mirabellgarten is a stop in our travels today – if the gorgeous landscape looks familiar, just picture Maria and the von Trapp children singing “Do-Re-Mi” along the paths and walkways.
Stop for a delicious lunch at one of the traditional Austrian restaurants in the city, such as the famous Stieglkeller, with its beautiful view and incredible schnitzel. As you explore the city center, take in the stunning architecture all around you – and don’t miss Mozart’s house and the iconic dome of the Salzburg Cathedral. Your day may include a performance within the dome itself!
Our day (and our tour) ends back in Bad Hofgastein with a farewell dinner at the famous great hall of the Gastein Alm, where you’ll enjoy a fantastic meal and traditional Austrian folk music to celebrate our time together.
As you fly home, thinking back on all that you’ve seen and done, how will you commit those experiences to memory? Will you journal about your time? Share photos with new (and now lifelong) friends? Tuck keepsakes and souvenirs into the corners of your life?
However you choose to take this experience with you, we know you’ll come home with more than you left with – more joy, more perspective, more excitement. And we can’t wait to see where those memories take you.
A note – every group’s itinerary varies slightly, so this daydream may be a bit different than your on-the-ground adventure when it comes to the order of destinations, attractions you’ll visit, etc.