Things to do in Styria

Explore the stunning region of Salzkammergut, a Unesco World Heritage Site on a guided tour. See the snow-white castle, the beautiful alpine regions, Hallstatt town, and more. Enjoy a convenient pickup directly from your centrally-located Vienna hotel or opt to head to a central meeting point if you're staying at a hotel outside of the pickup area or in other accommodations like an apartment. Board your bus and depart to the stunning region of Salzkammergut. Your first stop is the Schloss Ort, a snow-white castle where countless couples dream of celebrating their weddings. Take the opportunity to snap some photos on its famous wooden bridge. Continue to the heart of the Salzkammergut region, the fabulous town of Hallstatt, set on the shores of an azure-blue lake. Ascend to the Skywalk to enjoy breathtaking views over the town, lake, and mountains. You will have some free time for lunch, or to wander the narrow streets of the town. Admire the unforgettable natural landscape of the area, before continuing to Vienna where your tour will end at the Vienna State Opera.

After convenient pickup from the center of Vienna, head straight to Parndorf in an air-conditioned shuttle. After a quick 1-hour drive, you’ll arrive at the McArthur Glen Designer outlet, where you can find discounts of up to 70% on brands like Adidas, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Calvin Klein, Reebok, and much more.

Immerse yourself in Austrian tradition as you attend a folk program with singing, dancing, yodeling, and more. Let the Gundolf Family–a staple in Innsbruck since 1967–entertain you with a 1.5-hour presentation. For many people, the Gundolf Family is a group of musical ambassadors representing Innsbruck and the historical region of Tyrol around the world. With a varied and attractive program, you will be delighted as you watch Tyrolean dances and “shoe-slapping.” You will also hear typical Tyrolean songs and yodeling. Don't be surprised if you find yourself wanting to dance, sing, and clap along too. In addition to the show, you will have the option of enjoying a drink or taking part in a 3-course meal before or during the show. This includes: Clear soup with sliced pancakes Roast pork with potatoes and mixed salad Apple strudel with whipped cream Program: Music / Schuhplattler – "Reith im Winkel“ (folk-dance) / Yodel-song / Tyrolean figure-dance / Song on the singing saw / Yodel-song / Schuhplattler (folk dance) - Cross Polka / Solo on the country-harp / Alphornklänge = alphorn-sounds / Solo on special tuned cow-bells / Yodel-song / Hackbrett – typical Tyrolean string instrument / Tiroler Holzhackertanz = Woodchoppers dance Intermission Innsbruck Fanfare / Yodel-song / Solo on the zither/ The millers dance / Raffele = old tyrolean string instrument / Jealousy dance / Hölzernes G`lachter = wooden xylophone / Cowbell dance / Yodel-song / Miners dance / Bozner Bergsteigermarsch = the march of the mountaineers Finale (popular songs of visiting countries) Songs, dances and music of this program have been recorded on DVD, video, and CD (which can be purchased on the spot). 

Embark on a boat trip along the Danube Canal through the historical and modern city of Vienna, once known as the “Vienna Water,” the “Vienna Arm," and the “Little Danube." Choose to indulge in a delicious lunch on the boat or enjoy the live commentary of a street art guide on Sundays. On this tour, see important buildings including the Uniqa Tower, the Urania Observatory, hotels and commercial buildings by Jean Nouvel, and the Media Tower by Hans Hollein. Take a look at the Schützenhaus by Otto Wagner, the Ringturm, the Rossauer Barracks, and the waste incineration plant of Spttelau designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Choose to enjoy a 2-course lunch or schnitzel dinner during your trip. Below the lock, the boat turns around and heads back to the starting point. Let the new Vienna and its countless graffiti art pieces and trendy areas enchant you as they pass by. On a Sunday you can choose to have a street art guide discuss the graffiti art pieces.

Begin your journey 560 meters above sea level, not far from the heart of Innsbruck's old town with its historical buildings and the world-renowned "Goldenes Dachl" (Golden Roof). Planned and designed by star architect Zaha Hadid, the Hungerburg funicular is a unique architectural achievement. Hop aboard your panoramic cable car and begin your upward ascent. As you rise upwards, admire how the elegant modern design of the stations contrasts with the rugged mountain landscape. Continue along Seegrube and Hafelekar and notice how the picture changes: your attention will now be caught by the painstakingly renovated station building, which was designed by the Tyrolese architect Franz Baumann. Savor the peace and beauty of nature as your ascent continues and the bustle of the city gives way to the tranquillity of the mountain. All that remains is a spectacular view of Innsbruck. By day it seems so far away it looks like a toy city, at night it shimmers like a sea of lights. After reaching the upper station at 2,256 meters above sea level, you can enjoy the breathtaking view of the city of Innsbruck on the one side and the unforgettable vista of untouched, pristine nature on the other. A visit to the Nordkette, set between the mountain range and the town, promises to be an unforgettable experience. Here you can enjoy a unique combination of relaxation, the wonder of nature, and modern architecture.

Explore all facets of crystal at Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens, and discover the magic of the crystal at exhibits and attractions such as the gardens of The Giant, and the “Crystal Cloud” of 800,000 hand-mounted crystals. Go to the “Chambers of Wonder” and experience the magic of crystal in a dimension that has never been seen before. Discover unique art installations in the museum's gardens, and take the kids to the play tower, an innovative outdoor playground landscape for children of all ages, with plenty of space to play and climb. A café and restaurant by the gardens offer amazing views of the surrounding landscape and provide an unforgettable culinary delight for those interested in exploring unique flavors.

See Mayrhofen from above on a tandem paragliding flight with an instructor. Let your pilot take care of the steering while you admire the mountainous landscape of Tyrol. Feel the thrill of paragliding through the air on a flight suitable for all experience levels. Start the activity by getting fitted in your seat harness and helmet. Learn about the safety measures and flight procedures from your experienced instructor, see them carry out the final checks, and get secured into the paraglider. Start the take-off run and feel yourself lifting into the air. Fly at speeds of up to 40 km/h and take in the stunning panoramas below you. Talk with the instructor as you're flying, try out techniques like quick turns and smooth gliding, and even take control of the steering if you want to. You can choose a flight lasting either 15 or 25 minutes, and will touch ground safely before finishing up at the activity base.

Embark on a whitewater rafting adventure for beginners in the picturesque Ötztal. Paddle through the rapids in Imster Canyon and feel the thrill of fighting through the big waves. After changing into your whitewater equipment, go by minibus or taxi to the starting point. Listen to a detailed safety talk from your guide before getting into specialized rafting boats and setting off. Enjoy the calm stream and the swimming areas before the canyon turns into a rushing whitewater river. Fight through the waves as a team as your guides snap photos of your experience with waterproof cameras. At the end of the tour, toast to a successful day of rafting with a drink before heading back to the rafting base. Unwind with hot showers, spacious changing rooms, and an outdoor swimming area.

Experience Vienna on board the MS Wien and MS Vindobona ships. The MS Vindobona was lovingly designed by artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser and with its distinctive coloring is now one of the city’s attractions itself. Let the Viennese scenery pass by on the Great Danube Tour and enjoy “green Vienna” (route A) and “modern Vienna” (route B). This tour starts at the Vienna/City station at Schwedenplatz, passing the Urania observatory and continues through the ‘green heart’ of Vienna and the woods of the Prater area. Downstream from the Freudenau lock, the ship docks at the Marina Wien station. Following the shores of the Danube Island and past a grain silo that was converted into a hotel and a stadium, your tour continues to the Reichsbrücke station. From the Reichsbrücke or Marina Wien station onwards, see ‘modern Vienna’ with its Danube plateau skyline, Danube Tower, and Millenium Tower. Via the Nussdorf lock system, reach the Danube Canal, where you will experience ‘historic Vienna,’ as well as the interesting architecture of the The Hundertwasser District Heating Plant in Spittelau, the Roßau Barracks, Ringturm, the Urania observatory, and much more. The tour terminates in Vienna’s center at Schwedenplatz station.

Depart Vienna and journey by bus into the Austrian Alps to explore the Unesco World Heritage Site of Salzkammergut, famous for its scenic lakes, limestone mountains and historic castles. Continue to the beautiful village of Hallstatt on the Hallstätter See and learn more about the development of the village and its salt production industry, dating back to prehistoric times.  Next, climb aboard a boat and cruise across the tranquil waters of the Hallstätter See (only in the summer). Get some free time to explore the village on your own before making your way back to Vienna.