June 2024 Tour: 'Drunken Beauty of Eastern Europe: Classic Five-Country Tour of Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria in 12 Days' Group Tour Travelogue (Part 4) Austria

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Continued from 'June 2024 Tour: Drunken Beauty of Eastern Europe: Classic Five-Country Tour of Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria in 12 Days' Group Tour Travelogue (Part 3) Hungary

Austria - Vienna - Golden Hall - Concert

Austria - Vienna - Schönbrunn Palace - Schönbrunn Palace Gardens

Austria - Vienna - Austrian National Library

Austria - Vienna - Schönbrunn Palace

Austria - Hallstatt Village

Hungary - Budapest - Danube Riverbank - Parliament Building

Czech Republic - Prague - Prague Castle - Observation Deck - Overlooking Prague City

Slovakia - Bratislava - Hviezdoslav Square

For years, whenever I saw media reports or videos about Eastern European countries, especially the red roofs of Prague, the 'City of a Thousand Spires,' the Budapest Parliament Building on the Danube, and the Golden Hall of Vienna, the 'City of Music,' it always caught my eye and drew admiration. The magnificent scenery, long history, and unique charm were incredibly appealing, sparking a desire to travel to Eastern Europe and experience its enchanting beauty firsthand. How wonderful it is that this group tour finally fulfilled my wish to travel to Eastern Europe, filling me with genuine joy.

This journey started on June 23 and ended on July 4, a total of 12 days. We visited many cities, towns, and attractions in five Central and Eastern European countries: Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria. Along the way, I was constantly captivated by the colorful cities, outstanding architecture, beautiful landscapes, and ancient legends, naturally immersing myself in the picturesque urban scenery and lake-and-mountain vistas, making it hard to leave and leaving me feeling it was truly worthwhile.

Czech Republic - Prague - Old Town Square

Czech Republic - Český Krumlov (CK Town)

Hungary - Budapest - Fisherman's Bastion - Observation Deck - View of Parliament Building

Hungary - Budapest - Fisherman's Bastion

Hungary - Lake Balaton - Scenery

Hungary - Hévíz - Hévíz Thermal Lake

Germany - Würzburg - Street View

Germany - Munich - Scenery Along the Way

Stop 4: Austria (Days 7, 8, and Morning of Day 9)

Austria borders Hungary and Slovakia to the east, Italy and Slovenia to the south, Liechtenstein and Switzerland to the west, and Germany and Czech Republic to the north. Its land area is about 84,000 square kilometers, with a population of about 9.1 million. The capital is Vienna. Austria is world-famous as the 'Land of Music,' giving birth to many musicians such as Haydn, Mozart, and Schubert. The great composer Beethoven studied and created music in Austria during his youth and reached the peak of his artistic career there. The waltzes of the Strauss family are widely known, and Johann Strauss II is hailed as the 'Waltz King.'

Visiting Vienna, the 'City of Music'; Salzburg, the birthplace of musical genius Mozart; and Hallstatt, the 'most beautiful village in the world,' was undoubtedly the highlight of this 'Drunken Beauty of Eastern Europe' tour.

Austria - Vienna - Austrian Parliament Building

Austria - Vienna - Beethoven's Residence

Austria - Vienna - Street View

Austria - Vienna - Vienna City Hall

Austria - Vienna - Maria Theresa Square - Natural History Museum Vienna

Austria - Vienna - Johann Strauss City Park - Golden Statue of Johann Strauss II

Austria - Vienna - Austrian National Library

Day 7: Today in Vienna, we visited the University of Vienna, the Parliament Building (exterior), Vienna City Hall (exterior), Maria Theresa Square, Heroes' Square, Augustinian Church, Hofburg Palace Complex, Austrian National Library, the Plague Column, St. Stephen's Cathedral, Johann Strauss City Park, etc. In the evening, we went to the 'Golden Hall' in the Vienna Musikverein building to attend a classic concert (both the interior visit and the concert were optional paid activities).

Austria - Vienna - University of Vienna

Austria - Vienna - Heroes' Square

Austria - Vienna - Hofburg Palace Complex

Austria - Vienna - Augustinian Church

Austria - Vienna - Vienna Musikverein Building

Austria - Vienna - Vienna Musikverein Building - Golden Hall

Vienna, this city on the Danube, is world-famous as the 'City of Music.' After centuries, it still retains its unique character: the center is the old imperial city, while outward lies the new city, developing like the rings of a tree. This is a city full of spirit, where you can constantly feel the presence of the masters—Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and Johann Strauss lived here. This inclusive art, this art that transitions as softly as music, is evident from the city's very appearance.

Austria - Vienna - Plague Column

Austria - Vienna - St. Stephen's Cathedral

Austria - Vienna - Schönbrunn Palace

Austria - Vienna - Schönbrunn Palace - Schönbrunn Palace Gardens

Day 8: In the morning, we visited one of Austria's cultural landmarks, Schönbrunn Palace—where Emperor Franz Joseph married Empress Elisabeth (Sisi)—and the Schönbrunn Palace Gardens. In the afternoon, we visited Hallstatt village on the shores of Lake Hallstatt.

Hallstatt is a village in the Salzkammergut region of Upper Austria, located on the banks of Lake Hallstatt. Known for its beautiful scenery, it is called the 'most beautiful village in the world.' Historically, the area prospered from salt, earning it the title of 'the oldest salt town in the world.' Hallstatt has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is now a popular tourist destination.

Austria - Hallstatt Village

Day 9: In the morning, we visited Mozart's birthplace, Salzburg (optional paid activity), exploring Mozart Square, Mozart's Residence, the streets of Salzburg, the scenery along both sides of the Salzach River, and Mirabell Garden, one of the filming locations for the movie 'The Sound of Music.' With this, the true Eastern European tour came to a temporary end, after which we continued our journey to Munich, Germany.

Salzburg is located in western Austria, at the gateway to the Alps, and is the oldest city in Austria. The city's architectural style is predominantly Baroque, represented mainly by Salzburg Cathedral and Mirabell Garden. The garden's Hellbrunn Palace, along with its palace gardens and fountains, also attracts thousands of tourists. Salzburg's Old Town was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

Austria - Salzburg - View of Salzburg in the Distance

Austria - Salzburg - Mozart Square - Mozart Statue

Austria - Salzburg - Mozart's Residence

Austria - Salzburg

Austria - Salzburg - Salzach River - Riverside Scenery

Austria - Salzburg - Salzach River - Street Performer

The Eastern European countries of Czech Republic, Hungary, and Austria have long been dream destinations for me. Finally being able to make this trip and return successfully has fulfilled a major aspiration.

There, the ever-changing beautiful scenery accompanies you constantly, and every turn may bring a surprise. There, you can find both the joy of travel and a wealth of touching experiences. Every place visited is not only a visual feast but also a spiritual cleansing. Such unique landscapes, pleasant travel, and comfortable experiences leave unforgettable impressions and beautiful memories.

As for this 'Drunken Beauty of Eastern Europe: Classic Five-Country Tour of Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria in 12 Days' group tour, several features stand out. First, the timing was right, with pleasant weather. Most of the journey was sunny, with temperatures around 20°C, very comfortable for the human body. This not only made the scenery more vibrant but also helped alleviate the fatigue of long-distance travel. Second, the itinerary was compact and had high sightseeing value. Of the 12 days, excluding 3 travel days, the remaining 9 days covered multiple cities and towns in 5 countries, visiting numerous top attractions. Every day brought gains and surprises, both broadening horizons and delighting the eyes. Third, the cost was reasonable and offered good value for money. The basic group fee was just over 10,000 RMB (with a 'super value return price'), plus 3,000 RMB for visas and tips, and several hundred euros for optional activities. Compared with current European price levels, this total cost was quite appropriate. Traveling through so many countries and seeing so many cities, attractions, and historical sites was visually pleasing and rewarding. In short, it is worth recommending.

Additionally, this group tour benefited from the careful, meticulous, and responsible work of the tour leader (guide) and bus driver, as well as the sincere cooperation of the group members. Laughter and joy were constant along the way, and contentment and happiness were often visible on everyone's faces. The entire trip was compact, orderly, and successfully completed. This is commendable and very much worthy of praise.

Austria - Salzburg - Mirabell Garden - One of the filming locations for 'The Sound of Music'

1. Traveling in Europe is generally quite safe, but it is said that in some cities and tourist spots, pickpockets can be very active. So it is important to always be aware and vigilant against thieves, and to take good care of your belongings at all times.

2. This trip had relatively many optional paid activities, including the interior visit of Prague Castle, Danube River cruise, interior visit of Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, the concert at the Golden Hall in Vienna, and Salzburg in Austria. Each person spent a considerable amount. However, it still felt worth the money; otherwise, there would have been great regret.