A glimpse of Austria’s highlights!
A weekend trip to Austria offers a variety of beautiful landscapes, cultural experiences, and historical sites. Whether you’re interested in exploring cities, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the rich Austrian culture, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here’s a suggested itinerary for a weekend trip to Austria:
Day 1: Vienna
– Start your trip in Vienna, the capital city of Austria. Known for its stunning architecture, rich history, and vibrant cultural scene, Vienna has much to offer.
– Begin by visiting Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburgs. Explore the beautiful gardens and take a guided tour of the palace.
– Head to the historic centre of Vienna, where you can visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the symbol of the city. Climb the South Tower for panoramic views of Vienna.
– Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the pedestrian-only shopping street of Graben and Kohlmarkt, lined with elegant boutiques and cafes.
– In the evening, experience Vienna’s famous music culture by attending a classical concert or opera performance. The Vienna State Opera is a popular choice.
Day 2: Salzburg
– Take an early morning train from Vienna to Salzburg, a charming city known as the birthplace of Mozart and the setting for “The Sound of Music.”
– Explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed historic centre of Salzburg, including the iconic Mirabell Palace and Gardens.
– Visit the Salzburg Cathedral and enjoy a walk along Getreidegasse, a bustling shopping street with unique stores.
– Take the funicular up to Hohensalzburg Fortress, one of Europe’s largest and best-preserved castles. Enjoy panoramic views of the city from the fortress walls.
– If you’re a fan of “The Sound of Music,” you can join a guided tour that takes you to the film’s iconic locations around Salzburg.
– In the evening, savor traditional Austrian cuisine at a local restaurant and perhaps catch a Mozart concert.
Day 3: Innsbruck
– Catch a morning train from Salzburg to Innsbruck, the capital of the Austrian Alps. Innsbruck is known for its stunning mountain scenery and historical architecture.
– Visit the Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl), an iconic landmark of Innsbruck. It’s a balcony with a roof covered in over 2,600 gilded copper tiles.
– Explore the historic Altstadt (Old Town) with its colourful buildings and charming streets. Don’t miss the Imperial Palace (Hofburg) and the Court Church.
– Take the Hungerburg Funicular to Nordkette, a mountain range offering breath taking views. Enjoy a hike or simply take in the scenery.
– If you’re interested in winter sports, you can visit the Bergisel Ski Jump Stadium, which offers panoramic views of Innsbruck.
– End your trip with a visit to the Swarovski Crystal Worlds, a unique museum and art installation showcasing the famous Austrian crystals.
This itinerary provides a glimpse of Austria’s highlights, but there’s much more to explore in the country.
What currency will I need?
The Euro (€) is the official currency of the Eurozone, which consists of 19 of the 27 member states of the European Union (EU). It is also used by several other European countries and territories outside the EU as their official currency, or as a de facto currency. The Euro is one of the most widely used and traded currencies in the world.
The Euro is divided into 100 cents, and it has seven different banknotes denominated in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 Euro, as well as eight different coins denominated in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents, and 1 and 2 Euro. The banknotes and coins are standard across all participating countries, with the same design and security features.
The Euro has had a significant impact on trade, investment, and economic integration within the Eurozone, as it has eliminated transaction costs and exchange rate risks associated with multiple currencies. However, it also presents challenges, such as managing the monetary policies of a diverse group of countries with different economic conditions and addressing issues related to fiscal policies, financial stability, and political coordination among member states.
Overall, the Euro has become a symbol of European economic and monetary integration, and it plays a crucial role in the global economy as a major reserve currency and a benchmark for financial markets.
Should I use travel cash or a card?
According to Mintel, 90% of British travellers take some travel cash with them. It’s perfect for tips, taxis, street-side vendors and locations which do not have card machines (or where they are not working). It’s easy to budget with, and share with other members of your party. It’s also not prone to technical faults, does not require internet access, and you won’t be charged to use it.
Having a debit card is also a great idea as backup – just make sure you know what fees the card issuer charges to make payments in the foreign currency (better still, find one that makes no charges at all). Bigger purchases should be made on a travel-friendly UK-issued credit card to get that additional Section 75 protection (see https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/credit-and-purchases/how-youre-protected-when-you-pay-by-card). Make sure when paying by card that you ALWAYS pay in the foreign currency – do not let the card processor do the conversion to GBP as you will always get a worse rate. That applies even if the foreign currency is already loaded onto a prepaid multi-currency card – the card issuer will decide whether to settle from your foreign currency wallet or not.
Where can I buy currency?
You will typically get a better deal buying your travel cash here in the UK before you travel. Look for the highest possible foreign currency exchange rate to indicate the best deal. For example, a rate of EUR €1.1225 is better than EUR €1.0952 when buying Euro (EUR). Airports tend to offer the worst rates – especially if you have not pre-ordered – and you may find a bureau de change on your High Street, in a supermarket or department store, in many travel agents, and at major transport hubs.
You can also buy Hungarian Forint from Travel Money Club for next business day despatch to home via fully insured Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm. Unlike the competition, we don’t hide fees and charges in our exchange rates – you just pay a fair and transparent handling fee based on how much you are exchanging. Get an instant quote now at https://yourtmc.link/quote-eur.
