One week in Baroque Austria: Vienna and Salzburg

Along the Ring: on the right bank of the Danube, this circular boulevard, bordered by important historical monuments (Opera, City Hall, musée des Beaux-ArtsBurgtheater, Parliament), is an ideal route to discover the historic and imperial Vienna. From the National Opera, the Mecca of classical music, walk northwest along the Ring towards the Hofburg. On the way, you cross the Burggarten garden with a statue of Mozart. The Habsburg residence is a real city within the city. Indeed, the Hofburg houses the Imperial Treasury, the Imperial Apartments, the new Sissi Museum, the Chapel, the National Library, the Vienna School d'équitation espagnole, many exhibitions... Once past the palace, you arrive at the Town Hall and, opposite, at the National Theatre (Burgtheater), built in 1888. Heading towards the Scottish Gate, after passing through the great Ring Tower, take the docks and contemplate the Danube. To keep up this moment of strolling, go to the Stadtpark, one of the most intimate gardens in Vienna. Finish your walk with a glance at the Naschmarkt, the city's main market. Finally, don't end the day without taking a break in the Viennese institution that is the Central Café.

In the heart of the typical Vienne, walk along Rotenturmstraße, one of the most picturesque streets in the capital, towards Saint-Étienne Square and the cathedral of the same name (Stephansplatz and Stephansdom in German). With its green, white, black and yellow zebra roof, this Gothic monument is one of the symbols of Vienna. Behind the cathedral, you can access the Domgasse, the street where the Mozarthausone of the residences where the famous composer lived. Then you can do some window shopping on Graben or Kärtnerstraße. And end the day by visiting the Belvedere to admire Klimt's most famous paintings, including The Kiss.

Schönbrunn, the "Versailles Viennese", an architectural ensemble of some 1 400 apparat! The site is a little eccentric, and we have to reserve half a day to be able to stroll through its French park and immerse itself with its imperial atmosphere. From Schönbrunn, direction the Hundertwasser museum and its famous houses. The museum cafe-restaurant is the ideal place for a break in lush vegetation. Finally, if the season is ready, spend the evening in a traditionnelHeuriger De in order to taste wine and local specialities.

Towards the Salzburg region: borrowing the Danube Valley to enter one of the most beautiful Austrian wine-growing regions: the Wachau. The Heurigen are innumerable. Go to Melk, known for its beautiful Benedictine abbey, and then to the lakes region of the Salzkammergut.

The first day will be devoted to the old city. Domplatz is the ideal starting point for our visit. Saint-Rupert Cathedral, a baroque building where Mozart was baptized, is famous for the richness of its marbles and paintings. Take the funicular to reach the Hohensalzburg, an old castle of the archbishop princes dating from the 11th century. On the way down, stop at Nonnberg Abbey, a 7th century convent. A few steps away is St. Peter's Cemetery, which was Faust's setting and houses the graves of Haydn and Mozart's sister. Along Getreidegasse, one of the main arteries of Old Salzburg, you will discover Mozart's birthplace, where he composed his first works. A little further on, in the Tanzmeisterhaus, we stay in the Mozart universe with this master dancer's house which was Mozart's residence between 1773 and 1781. Partly destroyed during the Second World War, it now houses a museum to the glory of the brilliant musician.

Hellbrunn Castle, built at the beginning of the 17th century, has a style similar to that of the villas in Veneto. Gardens and sumptuous water games.

Near Salzburg, the Gaisberg Summit (1 288 m) offers a fantastic view of the city as well as the Salzach Valley and the Salzbourgeoises Alps. The lakes in the region are well-equipped for fishing and boating. Built in the mountains, they offer visitors wonderful panoramas. Not far from Salzburg, you can visit St. Wolfgang's Lake and visit the romantic village of the same name.