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June 2024 – Austria

THE PLAN

Ever since i was a kid, my mid-June birthday almost coincided with the grand event of school end. The imminent 3 months summer break added more and more anticipation and excitement along the years. 🙂

For the sake of honoring that feeling, the start of summer is when a roadtrip plan is in the make. And it usually means…it’s holiday time!

This June we wanted to try a new driving route from the Netherlands to the heart of Europe, but also to keep the basic recipe from our last roadtrips.

From waking up in a dreamy Alpine setting surrounded by towering peaks, to leisurely walks in nature, challenging treks, discovering cultural gems, while fueled by hearty food, Austria ticks all the boxes.

CONSIDERATIONS

The new element is that we carefully chose the overnight stops in Germany, getting much more than just a place to sleep only to move on the next day. Secondly, we knew that after crossing the mountains and reaching the Inn valley, we wanted to use the Innsbruck – Salzburg area as a base. We had the freedom to do day trips, but also got the much needed rest without being rushed by changing accommodations.

And because it took a while to plan this trip, we’re sharing the itinerary with you. Where to stay, what to eat, what to visit and much more, coming next.

ROADTRIP ITINERARY NETHERLANDS TO AUSTRIA

1. Limburg an der Lahn, Germany (1 night)
2. Ulm, Germany (1 night)
3. Innsbruck, Austria (5 nights)
4. Salzburg, Austria (6 nights)
5. Hallstatt, Austria (day trip from Salzburg)
6. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany (2 nights)

ROADTRIP MAP NETHERLANDS TO AUSTRIA

RECOMMENDATIONS: WHERE TO STAY/EAT, WHAT TO VISIT

1.Limburg an der Lahn, Germany

Limburg welcomed us with one of the best preserved historic sites in the region. In fact here is the oldest timbered house in Germany, dating from 1289!

• Where to stay:
  • Hotel Huss

• Where to eat:
  • Gasthaus Burgkeller

2.Ulm, Germany

Ulm, our second stop in Germany, was just as memorable. Einstein was born here!

But the nicest part in Ulm was seeing the Danube river. We immediately called our parents back home, knowing that somewhere downstream, the same water will reach Romania.

• Where to stay:
  • Leonardo Royal Hotel Ulm 

• Where to eat:
  • Wirtshaus zur Brezel

3.Innsbruck, Austria

The moment we landed in Innsbruck was a sight to remember. Surrounded by mountains from all sides, it felt Alpine and imperial at the same time. That was already amazing, but you should see it from above at 2000+ meters.

Innsbruck was exactly what we were looking for as a roadtrip base. So we took a moment to just breathe and finally got into holiday mode.

• Where to stay:
  • Rufi Hotel

• Where to eat:
  • Restaurant Stiftskeller

• What to visit:
  • Hofburg Castle
  • Tyrolean Folk Art Museum
  • Funicular + 2 cable cars to Hafelekarspitze (Top of Innsbruck)

* the Innsbruck card is useful if you want to combine several visits and benefit from free public transportation

4.Salzburg, Austria

Coming from Innsbruck, in Salzburg i felt i should have booked more nights. Mostly known as the birthpace of Mozart, this city is packed with historical treasures and a vibrant cultural scene.

Salzburg is also the perfect gateway to discover the picturesque Austrian countryside. Not only we didn’t get bored, but would have needed more time to see all those beautiful lakes in the area.

• Where to stay:
  • Hotel Pension Herbert

• Where to eat:
  • Chez Aurélie – french breakfast
  • Augustiner Bräu Mülln – brewery and beer garden
  • Bärenwirt – traditional
  • Zwettler’s Wirtshaus – traditional
  • Cicchetti Salzburg – italian
  • Café Tomaselli – dessert

• What to visit:
  • Schloss Hellbrunn + Zoo
  • Fortress Hohensalzburg
  • Salzburg Boat Trip
  • Mozart’s Birthplace
  • DomQuartier Salzburg
  • Mirabell Palace

*all the above and more are included in the Salzburg card, it’s a really great (& cheaper) choice to combine multiple visits

5.Hallstatt, Austria

Going to Hallstatt was a dream come true. Now really, I was kinda tired from staring at that puzzle we had on the wall for years.

Turns out this town has more hidden treasures than we thought. Here is the oldest salt mine in the world, going back 7000 years!

We checked it out from above by funicular, from the lake by boat, took its pulse from ground level as well. Conclusion: Hallstatt is charming from every single angle.

• What to visit:
  • Boat trip Obertraun & return
  • Salzbergbahn to Hallstatt Skywalk & Salzwelten (salt mines)

6.Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Staying in Rothenburg was like living on a medieval movie set. I mean, it still has the defensive wall built in 1200 intact, and you can walk on it!

Eating a Schneeball on the way in between the Christmas museum and the Medieval Crime museum is just a regular day in good old Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

• Where to stay:
  • Hotel Merian Rothenburg

• Where to eat:
  • Tavern Zur Hoell
  • Restaurant Don Gallo

• What to visit:
  • Medieval Crime museum
  • Roderturm + walk city walls
  • German Christmas museum

ROADTRIP IN A NUTSHELL

This roadtrip had its surprises, from dealing with several road works while crossing Germany, then coping with an unexpected heat wave, to snow walking at 2300 meters in Austria. But above all, we lost track of time, which means we loved it.

ROADTRIP BUDGET

• Accommodations: 2200 EUR
• Food: 1300 EUR
• Fuel (~2300 km): 200 EUR
• Attractions, parking: 350 EUR

*for 15 nights/2 pers.

AUSTRIA WEATHER

Austria has typically 4 seasons, with stunning summer weather of 30+ degrees Celsius and below 0 temperatures in winter.

Hiking though needs special attention. Take hiking boots, several layers of clothes, hat, sunscreen, plenty of water with you. We left from 33 degrees in the city center of Innsbruck, but reached no more than 17 on top of Hafelekar peak.

VIGNETTE IN AUSTRIA

If you’re driving into Austria, make sure to purchase a vignette. Unlike nearby countries where we’ve done roadtrips before, a digital toll sticker is compulsory on Austria’s motorways and expressways.

As we found out by post later, the fine for not having a vignette in Austria is 120 EUR. That will surely be an incentive to not forget about it next time.

Wishing you all a fine-free summer. May the road take you to where you need to be. 🙂

Safe travels!