On 380 kilometres the Romantikstrasse connects Salzburg and Vienna crossing the most beautiful Austrian landscapes, passing fantastic sea- and mountain views and going through towns especially worth seeing. 

Salzburg, native town of Mozart, has a lot to offer in every season. The fortress Hohensalzburg, the largest well-preserved castle in Middle Europe, overlooks the city. Stroll through the Getreidegasse, the heart of the old town, where tourists and locals do their shopping with style. On the outskirts there is the palace of Hellbrunn with its famous trick fountains. Especially the mechanical theatre with 200 figures driven by water energy enacting the life in a baroque town is amazing for young and old. 

In Salzburg there are two houses from the Romantik cooperation: the Romantik Hotel Gmachl and the Romantik Hotel Die Gersberg Alm. The more than 700 years old former inn of the cloister Nonnberg ist today the Romantik Hotel Gmachl, the oldest family-run business in Austria. The excellent gastromical reputation is partly based on the in-house country butchery. Already during Mozarts lifetime the Gersberg Alm (Gersberg alp) was known and loved as destination for short outings. Overlooking the city of Salzburg it offers relaxation, indulgance and activity on the right balance. 

St. Wolfgang is one of the most famous holiday resorts in Austria thanks to its nice location in the Salzkammergut, a region full of seas and woods. The other seas close by and Bad Ischl, spa and sanatorium and the oldest saline bath in Austria are worth an excursion. 

A sight and paradise-like retreat at the same time is the Romantik Hotel Im Weissen Rössl in St. Wolfgang. Who does not know the romantic comedy or the operetta with the same title which made the hotel famous all over the world? Highlights of the house are the sea bath, constantely all year round heated to 30 °C, and the first swimming whirlpool in the world. 

Grünau im Almtal focuses on nature. Grey goose, common ravens, kingfisher and northern bald ibises have become flying "landmarks" thanks to the dedication of the Konrad Lorenz research centre. On 60 hectare the Cumberland wildlife reserve is home to 70 different animal species, some of them endangered, and all in all more than 500 animals. 

At the Romantik Hotel Almtalhof you find relaxation for body and mind. The interior of the guest rooms is made from local woods and in the kitchen products of the region are used.

The more than 1,000 years old romantic town of Steyr is known as a real juwel. There you find for example one of the most beautiful squares of Europe enframed by townhouses showing various architectural periods. But the best time of the year for a visit to Steyr is the festive season. Next to the pilgrimage church Christkindl you find the Christmas post-office handling 2 million letters around Christmas. The festive season is also the opening season for the first Austrian Christmas Museum. At the Bürgerspital, one of the oldest buildings of the town, visitors are enchanted by antique Christmas tree decorations. The Steyrer Kripperl, the popular night watchmen tours and the various Christmas markets create the special festive atmosphere.

The Romantik Hotel & Restaurant Minichmayr is found in a beautiful location at the junction of the rivers Enns and Steyr. Behind the walls of this listed building guests find the "Flößerstube" (rafters' parlour) hand-carved out of 100 years old wood as well as a restaurant with a fantastic view and a varied menu.

The Romantikstraße ends at the outskirts of Vienna. Besides numerous sights the town also offers some less known treasures. Have a look at the Augustinerkirche (church of St. August), where emperor Franz Joseph and his Sisi married and where you can find the Herzgruft (heart vault) with 54 hearts of members of the Habsburg family in silver urns. Rummage in the thousands of exhibits of the Hofmobiliendepot (museum for fictures and furnitures) to discover the unique living culture of the Habsburgs. Enjoy the successful musical "Rebecca" before it has its English-language premiere on Broadway.

How to get there:

Travelling the Romantikstrasse one needs his own car or a rental car. The whole tour can be divided into shorter trips, varying in length and travel time. Salzburg and Vienna, beginning and end of the Romantikstraße, are easily accessible by plane or train from all directions.