JayWay Travel efficiently organized a customized trip for us, one that I would have been too intimidated to plan on my own. They also gave us great support throughout the trip.
- Monica, Timothy & Mary - California
Taste Austria
- Price
- from $4,350
- Duration
- 10 days
- Destinations
- Vienna, Krems, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz, Vienna
Get a price estimate for this trip
This time we invite you to taste Austria region by region. You wouldn't believe how diversified the culinary delights are in this small country. Your gourmet journey will start in the UNESCO listed Wachau Valley, in Lower Austria, where crisp white wines and tasty apricot dishes will flavor your stay. From here you will travel to Salzburg, the home town of the Salzburger Nockerl local sweet, great beers and Mozart, and of course the Mozartkugel marzipan chocolate ball. In Innsbruck, you will taste famous Tyrolean veggie and meat dumplings, to mention just one mouthwatering dish. Graz will spoil you with Styrian wines, desserts, and specialties made of pumpkin. The farmers' markets are a must-visit. Let's go for a Wienerschnitzel and spend some time at a Heuriger, as your tour finishes in Vienna. Make your gourmet experience in Austria a celebration by attending classical dinner concerts in Salzburg and Vienna. Nourish your mind too on the walking tours in the visited cities and return home fulfilled.
Carefully selected gourmet experiences, accommodations, and transportation services make this culinary package a fantastic vacation. By the end of your trip, you will feel like a local in Austria.
In addition to or instead of the tours included we can arrange a number of excursions based on your own interests. All of our tours are custom, and this is just a sample meant to give an idea of what our trips are like, and the opportunities our destinations provide.
One of our team members in the region will be available to you leading up to and during your trip to answer any questions and arrange local services. You will receive access to your Guest Page, with its information on the best these destinations have to offer, including things to see and do, and other inside tips from restaurant recommendations to tipping advice. Upon arrival, we will provide you with a local SIM that you can use to reach your local JayWay contact throughout your trip. In all of our destinations, we offer a variety of memorable 3-5 star accommodation options, including boutique hotels, charming B&Bs, and spacious apartments. With our first-hand experience, we can ensure they are all clean, comfortable, and centrally located, with local ambience.
Itinerary
Day 1 Day Stop in Vienna / Arrival in Krems
Vienna is a timeless city of high culture, grand cafes, breathtaking architecture and more, all set on the banks of the majestic Danube River. The moment you set foot in the city you’ll see why Vienna’s center is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Often regarded as the world capital of music, Vienna is the place where Beethoven and Mozart made history. Even today a visit to the opera or a classical music performance at one of the city’s sublime concert halls is an unforgettable experience. Stephansplatz, Vienna's main square, is dominated by the impressive eponymous gothic St. Stephen's Cathedral. Inside you’ll find a rich collection of artistic treasures, and the view from the tower is well worth the climb, offering amazing views over the city. But the cathedral is only one of the most visible attractions in Vienna. You won’t want to miss the magnificent Schonbrunn Palace and the imperial Hofburg Palace. Explore the city on foot, in a car, or by bike: the choice is yours. If you’d like to go farther afield you can even take a river cruise to nearby Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, or a bike trip to local wineries. But you don’t have to leave Vienna to have a wonderful time. Simply strolling through the pedestrian zones in the city center and stopping for a coffee and a slice of cake make for a truly enjoyable vacation.Upon arriving at Vienna's airport, we'll have a driver waiting to greet you and transfer you to your accommodation.
Today you'll be picked up by a driver at your Vienna accommodations and taken to your accommodations in Krems, an hour away.Officially Krems an der Donau ("Krems on the Danube,") Krems is no longer the size of Vienna, as it was during its 12th century heyday, but it still punches above its weight, thanks to its wines and Marillenschnaps apricot brandy. Located at the eastern entrance to the Wachau Valley, Krems' grand buildings deserve a visit, and its wines a tasting or two.Upon your arrival in Krems your driver will take you directly to your accommodation.Day 2 Your First Full Day in Krems
Wachau Valley Culinary River Group Cruise
Join a culinary cruise in Krems and bathe in the picturesque landscapes that the Wachau Valley is famous for. Along the way, you'll enjoy a three-course meal, and have some time to walk around Melk, with its extraordinary abbey.Included in your vacation package price
3 Hour Private Guided Biking Tour in the Wachau Valley
Biking in the Wachau Valley is definitely an unforgettable experience that you wouldn't want to miss. Hop onto a nice E-bike or Mountainbike together with your guide and enjoy the picturesque view that the valley has to offer and visit the iconic town of Dürnstein.Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package
The Best Way to Explore Krems
The best way to explore Krems is with a hike, although finding the right route isn't always easy. We'll be happy to offer tips, but if you'd prefer to be accompanied by a local expert, we recommend enjoying one of the following guided tours.Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice
Gems of Wachau Easy Small Group Hike
Enjoy an easy, fairly flat hike along forested paths. Half of the trail you'll take runs along the Danube, past vineyards and orchards. Along the way, you'll pass wine taverns, where you can stop for refreshments and a bite, and can always swim in one of the Danube's quiet branches.Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice
Wachau Valley World Heritage Trail Small Group Hike
Want to see the fascinating nature of the Wachau Valley from a different perspective? Put on sturdy shoes, and embark on a half-day hike, taking you along the circular World Heritage Trail from lesser known yet still charming Spitz and back. Let the air, breezes, tradition, and heritage touch you, and learn about nature, wine, and history from an expert guide.Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice
Day 3 Traveling to Salzburg by Private Transfer / Arrival in Salzburg
Today you'll trade the Wachau Valley for Salzburg. Based on your preferred departure time, we will arrange for a driver to pick you up at your accommodation in Krems and bring you directly to Salzburg, three hours away. For a fee, we can add a non-guided stop at Linz or Hallstatt along the way.With its perfectly preserved UNESCO-listed Old Town, Salzburg is internationally renowned for its baroque architecture. Add in the alpine backdrop and you’ve got a city that makes for an unforgettable vacation. The imposing Salzburg Cathedral and Hohensalzburg Fortress dominate the skyline, while in the center you’ll find plenty of grand cafes and fine restaurants. Salzburg’s two biggest claims to fame are that it was the birthplace of Mozart and the stage for the timeless musical The Sound of Music. But there’s more than just history here. Today the city is a vibrant destination for travelers looking for a mix of classic culture and modern flair. Strolling through Salzburg is one of the great pleasures of Europe. The local cuisine is hearty and there are more than enough restaurants, bars, and cafes to keep you busy. Beer lovers shouldn’t miss sampling a stein or two of delicious local brew at the Augustiner brewery. But there is so much to see in the surrounding region that no visit to the city is complete without a day trip or two. You could tour the pristine countryside and visit the stunning Hellbrunn Palace. History buffs will want to venture farther afield to visit Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest perched high in the German Alps in Berchtesgaden.When you arrive in Salzburg, you'll be brought directly to your accommodation.
Stiegl Stands for Beer
Salzburg isn’t just the birthplace of Mozart, it’s also famous for its Stiegl brewery. Today we’d recommend visiting the Stieglbrauerei to get a taste of the local brew along with some delicious traditional cuisine. You can tour the brewery and also stop at the beer hall for a lunch or dinner with plenty of authentic atmosphere.Suggestion to explore on your own
Day 4 Your First Full Day in Salzburg
Salzburg Private Walking Tour
Discover the beauty of Mozart's hometown as an experienced guide leads you on a walk through the UNESCO-listed city of Salzburg. Your walk includes all the sightseeing highlights, such Mozart's birthplace and residence, the Getreidegasse, Cathedral, Residenz Palace, and Mirabell Palace, with its splendid gardens. If you come across anywhere you'd like to spend more time and go inside, your expert local guide will tailor the tour to your interests.
Included in your vacation package price
Spoil Your Senses in Salzburg
Prepare a traditional Austrian lunch with this cooking class, from an apple strudel to pork fat and cheese dumplings, while an expert chef walks you through all pats of the process, step-by-step. Cooking the foods will be just as fun as making them!Included in your vacation package price
Mozart Concert and Dinner in the Baroque Hall
This will be an unforgettable evening and perhaps the highlight of your visit to Salzburg. It's an evening of fine dining and world-class music as you enjoy fantastic entertainment at your own private table in the fabulous Baroque hall of Saint Peter's Monastery, making for a great way to sample the high culture of this musical city. This popular possibility sells out fast.Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package
Day 5 Traveling to Innsbruck by Train / Arrival in Innsbruck
Today you will leave Salzburg to Innsbruck on one of the regular daily trains running on this route. We will arrange for a driver to take you to the train station from where it's a quick, 2-hour journey. We will book 2nd class train tickets based on your preferred departure time. 1st class tickets can be arranged at extra fee.
You can upgrade your transfer
Innsbruck By Private Transfer with a stop at Swarovski Museum
Upgrade for an additional cost
Having hosted several Olympics, Innsbruck has an international reputation as a winter sports destination. Nestled in an alpine valley, the city is surrounded by picturesque mountains complete with ski slopes and funiculars. Whether you’re there in the winter or summer, you can have an active vacation in the mountains. In the town itself, you’ll find charming cobblestone streets, winding alleyways, quaint cafes and welcoming restaurants serving hearty Tyrolean cuisine. Innsbruck is a unique destination that combines breathtaking natural scenery with a comfortable, small-town feel. There’s a mix of Imperial Austrian architecture and newer creations, so just strolling the streets offers a feast for the eyes. The restaurants here are also wonderful, with a variety of cuisines ranging from traditional to contemporary with a youthful edge, thanks to its many students. Innsbruck is a place where you can really unwind and enjoy your vacation at your own pace.A driver will greet you at the train station and take you to your accommodation in the center of Innsbruck.Day 6 Your First Full Day in Innsbruck
Innsbruck at its Best
Discover historical highlights of Innsbruck with a knowledgeable and passionate tour guide who will show you and tell everything you could wish to learn about the city. Your walk will take you through the Gothic Old Town, the Arch of Triumph, the St. Anne's column as well the imperial palace court and the St. James Cathedral. You'll get a chance to admire the magnificent Baroque architecture, and to savor the city's panoramic views of the impressive peaks of the Nordkette mountains.Included in your vacation package price
Huts Outside, Inns Inside
Innsbruck has several excellent places for trying traditional Tyrolean cuisine. For more adventurous types, we recommend a gastronomy trip in the surrounding mountains combined with an easy mountain hike. Alpine restaurants like Arzler Alm or Buzihütte situated around 1000 meters above the sea level await guests with local dishes like a good dumpling or a 'Groestl'and rural flair. If you prefer to stay in the city center, make sure to seek out Riese Haymon or Gasthaus Goldenes Dachl. Enjoy your meal!Suggestion to explore on your own
Tyrolean Evening Show
If you want a memorable introduction to Tyrolean culture, visit one of the Gundolf family's Tyrolean Evenings, one of Europe's best folk performances. There, you can enjoy authentic Tyrolean music, folk dances, unusual instruments, and “shoe-slapping” as well as typical songs and yodeling.Included in your vacation package price
Day 7 Traveling to Graz by Train / Arrival in Graz
Today you'll be heading to Graz by train. There are several daily departures. We'll arrange 2nd class tickets for you, and can also reserve 1st class tickets for an extra fee. The train transer taks approx. 6 hours. We will also arrange a driver to pick you up at your accommodation in Innsbruck and take you to the train station for your departing train.
You can upgrade your transfer
Graz by Private Transfer
Upgrade for an additional cost
Graz is a town with a long and interesting past. It has buildings and historic sites dating back over 800 years. Being the second largest city in Austria, it combines medieval heritage with creative modern architecture and culture. During the day, the most interesting part is the Old Town, while in the evenings, Graz becomes a lively city with great bars, clubs, and restaurants. It's also famous for festivals featuring everything from classical to modern music and performances. Despite its size, Graz is overshadowed by Salzburg and Innsbruck in terms of tourists, making it a much more authentic place to visit and experience everyday Austrian life.Much of the accommodations we offer in Graz are within easy walking distance of the train station, or a very short cab ride. There is a taxi stand at the station. By walking or taking a cab rather than having us arrange a transfer service (which is, in our opinion is overpriced in Graz) you will save at least $50.
Sweet-Toothed Styria
Styrian cuisine is famous for its sweets. Taste local treats made of elderflower blossoms or rhubarb during the spring or apple strudel and other apple creations year-round. The local forests are rich in game, rivers in fish, and nearly any kind of high-quality, organic meat can be found on Graz's restaurant tables. There are many dining facilities with excellent cuisine. Choose a glass of Styrian wine for an appetizer and a fruit brandy as a digestive—or the other way around. You can't go wrong.Suggestion to explore on your own
Day 8 Traveling to Vienna by Train / Arrival in Vienna
Graz Private Walking Tour
A city of delights awaits, with its fascinating historic and modern architecture, charming landscape, and opulent past and present. Experience young, vibrant Graz, and hear the stories behind its facades from a knowledgeable local guide, as you visit the city's major landmarks, and some more hidden corners.Included in your vacation package price
Today, you'll travel by train from the charming city of Graz to Austria's grand capital, Vienna. We will arrange a transfer to the train station and book economy-class tickets according to your preferred departure time. For an additional fee, you can upgrade to first class. The train journey will take approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.
You can upgrade your transfer
Vienna by Private Transfer with a Stop at a Lipizzaner Stud Farm
Upgrade for an additional cost
Vienna is a timeless city of high culture, grand cafes, breathtaking architecture and more, all set on the banks of the majestic Danube River. The moment you set foot in the city you’ll see why Vienna’s center is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Often regarded as the world capital of music, Vienna is the place where Beethoven and Mozart made history. Even today a visit to the opera or a classical music performance at one of the city’s sublime concert halls is an unforgettable experience. Stephansplatz, Vienna's main square, is dominated by the impressive eponymous gothic St. Stephen's Cathedral. Inside you’ll find a rich collection of artistic treasures, and the view from the tower is well worth the climb, offering amazing views over the city. But the cathedral is only one of the most visible attractions in Vienna. You won’t want to miss the magnificent Schonbrunn Palace and the imperial Hofburg Palace. Explore the city on foot, in a car, or by bike: the choice is yours. If you’d like to go farther afield you can even take a river cruise to nearby Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, or a bike trip to local wineries. But you don’t have to leave Vienna to have a wonderful time. Simply strolling through the pedestrian zones in the city center and stopping for a coffee and a slice of cake make for a truly enjoyable vacation.A driver will greet you at Vienna's Westbahnhof Train Station and take you to your accommodations.
Vienna's Wine Taverns
Austrian wines, especially whites, can be a real treat. Wine and food lovers who also like a little historic adventure with your meal should plan a visit to one of Vienna's heurigers. A heuriger is basically a wine tavern which only serves Viennese wines, typically from the attached or nearby vineyards. Not only is the wine really local, it’s also really fresh – by law only wines from the current vintage are on offer, and the time for the sale to end is traditionally November 11, St. Martin’s Day. You can learn more about these lovely wine taverns in this blog post.Suggestion to explore on your own
Day 9 Your First Full Day in Vienna
Vienna Private Walking Tour
Map out Vienna's Old Town with an insider! The personalized route starts from your hotel and takes you to all the must see sights of the Austrian capital. You'll enjoy a pleasant walk through the Hofburg (Imperial Palace) and its gardens, along the famous Ring Street, then passing by and entering magnificent ecclesiastic edifices like the Stephansdom. The tour will be spiced with stories, fun facts, and recommendations for places to eat, drink, and explore further. By the end, you'll feel like a local.
Included in your vacation package price
Authentic Tastes of Vienna Small Group Tour
Join this culinary adventure around Vienna and discover the incredible sweet and savory food scene of Austria’s dazzling capital city.Included in your vacation package price
Schonbrunn Palace Self-Guided Grand Tour
The Schönbrunn Palace sits atop many people's list of must-see sights within Vienna. Join the self-guided Grand Tour and learn about the lives of the royals who lived within the Schönbrunn's walls with skip-the-line tickets, which come with a 60-minute audio guide tour and entrance to 40 rooms. After the tour we recommend continuing to explore the palace's sprawling grounds on your own.Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package
Day 10 Departure Day
Based on your flight departure time, we'll have someone pick you up at your accommodation and take you to the airport.
Vienna, Krems, Salzburg, Innsbruck and Graz
What's Included in your trip
Here are all the services provided as part of your complete vacation package. See what every JayWay trip includes. Please let us know if you'd like to upgrade any transfers or add any additional tours or excursions to your itinerary.
Included
- 2 nights accommodation in Krems
2 nights accommodation in Salzburg
2 nights accommodation in Innsbruck
1 night accommodation in Graz
2 nights accommodation in Vienna - Breakfast (hotels only)
- Vienna Airport Transfer
Vienna - Krems Private Transfer
Krems - Salzburg Private Transfer
Salzburg Train Station Transfer
Innsbruck Train Station Transfer
Innsbruck Train Station Transfer
Graz Train Station Transfer
Vienna Westbahnhof Train Station Transfer
Vienna Airport Transfer - Salzburg - Innsbruck Train
Innsbruck - Graz Train
Graz - Vienna Train - Wachau Valley Culinary River Group Cruise
Dumplings and Apple Strudel Small Group Cooking Class
Salzburg Private Walking Tour
Innsbruck Private Walking Tour
Tyrolean Evening Show
Graz Private Walking Tour
Vienna Private Walking Tour
Authentic Tastes of Vienna Small Group Tour
What's excluded in your package
- Flights to and from Europe.
- Tips for Tour Guides, Drivers and Local Reps.
- Meals (other than breakfast if included in room rate and meals listed as included in food tours and excursions, unless explicitly stated otherwise).
- Parking fees for your Rental Car (if you are booking one with us) unless otherwise indicated. Some hotels provide free parking facilities.
- Travel Insurance. See the insurance link on our website
Benefits of traveling with JayWay
A JayWay vacation is more than the sum of its parts. Our team work tirelessly to ensure your experience is memorable for all the right reasons. Your trip is personalized to maximize your enjoyment. You're taken care of every step of the way.
A travel advisor who speaks your language
We will make sure that all your requirements and interests are taken into account in preparing your itinerary.
Detailed pre-trip preparation to make the most of every day
Your Europe-based Tour Manager will be in touch by email and phone a month before you arrive to finalize timings.
A totally tailored itinerary for your vacation
Your trip is customized for you by an experienced trip planner and an expert on the region.
A choice of hand-picked hotels and excursions
We've personally inspected and tested all the hotels and local tour providers we work with to ensure quality.
Personalized Guest Page to make sure you're not missing out
Packed with detailed information and recommendations curated by locals on the best things to do, see and eat.
On-trip concierge service to smooth out any bumps in the road
Your tour manager is at your service throughout your journey. We'll provide a local SIM so you can stay connected.
Glowing Reviews From Our Guests
Would recommend to everyone. Fantastic experience.
- Albert, Dawn, Katherine & Anthony - Tennessee