I recently had the opportunity to join an educational trip to Vienna and Salzburg with Kirker Holidays, and what an incredible few days it was. From world-famous museums and palaces to beautiful scenery and great hospitality, the trip showed the very best of Austria and gave me plenty of inspiration to bring back to work.
My trip began with two nights at the iconic Hotel Sacher Vienna. Even though it’s world-famous, it still feels warm and welcoming. The team even call it a “house” rather than a hotel, as the Sacher family are still closely involved in running it. It was a perfect base for exploring Vienna and really showed the city’s history and style.
We started with lunch at Café Landtmann, one of Vienna’s most well-known cafés, dating back to 1873. It has been visited by well-known figures such as Gustav Mahler and Sigmund Freud. It was the perfect first taste of Vienna’s café culture.
One of the highlights in Vienna was a private visit to the Spanish Riding School. Seeing the Lipizzaner horses up close was a real privilege, and learning about the history behind it helped me understand the care and tradition involved in keeping it going.
That evening we returned to Hotel Sacher Vienna for dinner in the Rote Bar. With a pianist playing softly in the background, the atmosphere was unforgettable. I had a traditional Wiener schnitzel followed by the famous Original Sacher-Torte, still made to the same recipe today. It was one of those evenings where everything just felt right.
The next morning, after a delicious breakfast, we walked to the Kunsthistorisches Museum. Even before going inside, the building itself was stunning. Inside, the collection is just as impressive, and having a private guide made it even better, bringing the artwork to life through stories about artists like Canaletto and Bellotto. It’s a place I could easily spend hours in.
I then visited the Leopold Museum, which had a completely different feel with its modern Austrian art, before having lunch at Glacis Beisl in the MuseumsQuartier.
That evening we visited Belvedere Palace before finishing the day with a classical concert at Schönbrunn Palace. The palace was beautiful, but the concert was the part that stayed with me most. I had never seen a live orchestra or opera before, so hearing it there was unforgettable. Watching the conductor and musicians work together so closely was a real “pinch me” moment. I may have even shed a tear.
The next morning, I travelled to Salzburg by train. The journey was very comfortable, and the views made it feel like part of the experience rather than just getting from one place to another.
After checking into Hotel Sacher Salzburg, we had lunch at Sternbräu before going on a walking tour of the city. I loved Salzburg’s beautiful buildings, and the Sound of Music links throughout the city were a real highlight. We also visited Mozart’s birthplace.
Later, we visited the Salzburg Marionette Theatre to watch The Magic Flute. The way the puppets moved so smoothly across the stage was amazing to watch, and the skill of the puppeteers was incredible.
That evening I had dinner on the terrace of the hotel, overlooking the Salzach River. Watching the light change over the water while reflecting on the day made it a special final evening in Salzburg.
My last morning started with a visit to Hangar-7, followed by Hellbrunn Palace and its Trick Fountains, which brought a lot of laughter. We finished the trip with lunch at the Schlossrestaurant, surrounded by gardens and mountain views.
Looking back, this is a trip I’ll never forget. From hearing a live orchestra for the first time to exploring world-class museums and wandering through Salzburg’s Old Town, every moment felt special in its own way.
Since coming home, I’ve found myself thinking back on it with a big smile more times than I can count. It reminded me why I love travelling and the value of speaking to someone who has actually been there.
If you’re looking for a trip that mixes history, culture, music, and amazing scenery, I’d highly recommend Vienna and Salzburg.
If this sounds like your kind of holiday, I'd love to chat and share what I loved, what surprised me, and a few tips I picked up along the way. You can reach me at Miles Morgan Clifton, on 0117 4057 446 or by email at [email protected].
