Vienna was the city of the Habsburgs for centuries, so it is hardly surprising that almost every major turn reveals a new palace, museum collection, or grand façade. During the day, you admire lavish architecture; in the evening, you can end up by the Danube, where bars and clubs take over the waterfront in summer.

If I had to choose the classic stops, I would put Belvedere, Hofburg, and Schönbrunn on the list without hesitation. Belvedere is one of those Viennese sights you almost expect — and yet it still surprises you. Hofburg is not just a palace, but an entire world of museums, courtyards, and imperial history. Schönbrunn, meanwhile, comes with its former summer residence and a huge garden, which for me personally is one of the most beautiful parts of the city.

Vienna is not interesting only because of its major landmarks. Naschmarkt is also an excellent stop, with more than 120 stalls and food vendors, or MuseumsQuartier, a large arts and culture district where an entire afternoon can easily disappear. If you visit during Advent, the city gains another layer. Christmas markets are almost an institution here. Christkindlmarkt on Rathausplatz, in front of City Hall, is considered one of the largest and oldest in the world.

Salzburg is Mozart’s birthplace, and you can feel that almost everywhere. You can visit the house where he was born and stop for coffee at Café Tomaselli, where he once used to go.

The city is also closely connected to The Sound of Music, as some of its most famous scenes were filmed here, taking you along the trail of the Von Trapp family.

But Salzburg is not interesting only because of Mozart and the film. It has the 11th-century Hohensalzburg Fortress, the Renaissance palace Schloss Hellbrunn, beautiful walking routes, cobbled streets, inviting cafés, and views toward the Alps. All of it is tied together by a distinct Baroque elegance.

Hallstatt is almost the perfect day trip from Salzburg, as it lies about an hour away. It is a small, very picturesque village under UNESCO protection, and it is compact enough that you can genuinely experience it in a single day.

For the view, it is worth heading up to the viewing platform above the village. If heights are not your favourite thing, you probably will not feel entirely relaxed up there. The ascent takes about an hour on foot, but you can also take the Salzbergbahn Hallstatt funicular, which takes around five minutes. Nearby, you will also find the lake with swans, a waterfall, an ossuary with more than 6,000 decorated skulls, and the surrounding mountains, which offer plenty for lovers of greater elevation. You can also visit the nearby salt mines, considered the oldest in the world, or set out on a panoramic boat ride across the lake.

Hallstatt, however, is not only a destination in itself. It is also a very beautiful base for the wider Salzkammergut region, where lakes, forested mountains, and old villages line up so naturally that you quickly get the feeling one day is not enough.

Linz is the third-largest city in Austria and the capital of Upper Austria, located on the Danube. In December, the city centre transforms with Advent markets held in several locations. Hauptplatz, one of the largest town squares in Austria, stands out most. Within the wider urban route through Austria, Linz works well as a stop between Vienna and Salzburg.

In 2009, the city was awarded the title of European Capital of Culture, and today it hosts Ars Electronica, one of the leading centres for art, technology, and society. Then evening comes, and the city shows another side — concert-driven, raw, and unforgettable.

Beth Hart is an extraordinary American singer known for her raw vocals and emotionally charged performances. After the very first song, it was clear that the drive north to Austria had been more than worth it.

Graz’s old town is protected by UNESCO, and the numbers alone say enough: more than a thousand buildings stand here, many of them dating back to the Middle Ages. If you enjoy history and architecture, this is one of those city walks you do not want to rush.

The centre is very pleasant to explore: street cafés, galleries, shops, and enough life that the city never feels like a static exhibit. A beautiful view opens up from Schlossberg, the castle hill above the city, reached by 260 steps. A guided tour of the area will lighten your wallet by around €20.

Graz is Austria’s second-largest city, yet compared with Vienna it has noticeably fewer tourists. That can make it even more appealing to some. And to prevent the city from feeling too calm, its many universities give it a lively but unobtrusive energy — exactly the kind that fits well with its historic character.

Turracher Höhe is a smaller but very well-organized ski centre with reliable snow conditions. With 43 kilometres of slopes, it offers perfectly decent recreational possibilities, while an altitude of up to 2,205 metres also ensures wonderful panoramic views. The ski area has 16 modern lifts, and almost the entire area is supported by a snowmaking system. One small drawback is that the pistes are not always marked especially well, but there are not many of them, so you quickly find your favourite.

You will enjoy Turracher Höhe most if you like wide, easy, and intermediate pistes, along with a slightly calmer skiing atmosphere. Prices here also tend to be a little friendlier than at Austria’s biggest ski resorts.

Bad Kleinkirchheim offers a solid 100 kilometres of slopes. The resort lies within the Nockberge Biosphere Reserve and is known for its pleasant combination of skiing and wellness. One special advantage of the place is Thermal Römerbad, where after a day on the snow you are met by numerous saunas and thermal pools.

Katschberg lies between Carinthia and Salzburg and offers around 70 kilometres of groomed slopes and 16 modern lifts, with skiing taking place between roughly 1,640 and 2,220 metres above sea level. A major advantage of the resort is also its 100% snowmaking coverage, which ensures reliable conditions even in seasons with less natural snowfall. It is true, though, that skiing in March can quickly become less pleasant because of wetter and heavier snow.

Katschberg is often described as very family-friendly, while still being large enough that it is not interesting only for beginners.