Amazing nature, clean waters, ideal for swimming and fishing, castles, museums and parks, simple and delicious food are undeniable arguments in favor of a family holiday in Austria.
Thinking over a vacation itinerary is not an easy task: you need to take into account the interests of everyone in the family. Men usually want to relax and do water sports. Children can play with animals and ride rides. Women are attracted to the beach, excursions and shopping. The Salzburg Region provides opportunities to please all the heroes of the family drama and paint several scenarios for the perfect vacation, depending on the city where you find yourself tomorrow.
Gastein Valley
Want to tickle your nerves? Then you should walk across the 140-meter suspension bridge at the Stubnerkogelbahn station. It is located at an altitude of 2300 m above sea level. This is the highest bridge in Europe, and you can walk along it to a viewing platform with a transparent bottom. Then go “to the waters”: thermal springs in saturated with radon is the best way to strengthen and rejuvenate the body. This year, the Alpine Thermae opens a large outdoor thermal pool. Do not worry that the children will be bored: playgrounds, slides and a water cinema are built for them.
We advise young geologists to go to the mining museum in Beckstein. Several centuries ago, this area was the center of precious metals mining. Today you can look at the life of the Austrian village and pan for gold in the nearby river with your own hands.
If you are going on vacation in the summer, check the calendar: there are many interesting events taking place at this time. One of the brightest is the festival “Summer. Freshness. Art”, the opening of which will take place on July 8. The city center will become an arena where a large-scale spectacle will unfold: creative improvisations and installations by contemporary artists and artists.
Zaalbach
Mountain hiking is the center of attraction for fans of outdoor activities. The Seven Summits tour is for the most enduring: in 9 hours you need to overcome 24 kilometers and climb to a height of 2000 meters. If you are traveling with children, choose easier routes, such as exploring the flowers and herbs on the Reitheralm mountain, or going to rescue a sad clown on the Montelino Adventure Trail.
No less interesting adventures await in the Schnitza park: here all the toys are made of wood – from sea battle and chess to billiards, mini-golf and bowling. The founder of the park, woodworker Herbert Aschaber, nicknamed Schnitz, once a week holds master classes for children, during which everyone can carve a hiking stick for themselves – walks in the mountains.
Summer is the season for festivities, so make sure you catch the Saalbach Classic vintage car rally in June, Lake of Charity in July, and Farmers Market in August in .
Zell am See – Kaprun
The mountainous region of Kaprun pleases the eye at any time of the year. In summer, guides conduct one-day tours, during which you can visit four climatic zones. The icing on the cake will be a visit to the top of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier – it offers breathtaking views of the Alps. In addition, here on a specially equipped Ice Arena you can play snowballs and ride in a sled.
An exciting adventure awaits those who dare to climb Mount Schmitten: the transfer is provided by modern gondola lifts from Porsche designers. The reward will be the opportunity to enjoy the panorama of 30 Alpine peaks, and at the same time organize a disc golf tournament: in this game, instead of balls, there are frisbee discs, and instead of holes, special baskets. The little ones will be amused by the dragon Shmidolin, who helps to overcome the climbs and look for treasures in the cave.
Another center of attraction is Lake Zeller. There is a beautiful water complex here. with a 25-meter pool, slides, a dive site and a sauna. A huge ship is anchored right there, exploring which is an incredible happiness for all the kids.
Verfen
The world’s largest cave with a length of 42 kilometers is located in the Tennengebirge mountain. Without special training, you can get there only by funicular. Inside, icy halls and columns await you, stone walls are covered with crystals that shimmer in the light of torches. Ice figures, installations and frozen waterfalls are like illustrations to the fairy tale about the Snow Queen come to life. After that, you can visit a restaurant in the mountains, and if you have time and energy left, stop by the Hellbrunn Zoo and the medieval fortress Hohenwerfen.
Hallein
Since ancient times, Dürnberg has been known as a settlement of the Celts, who found salt deposits here and stayed for a long time. Subsequently, their burials and the remains of everyday life were discovered, which turned into an open-air museum. The village is a reconstructed settlement, artifacts are exhibited in the premises. You can also visit the salt mines there, but keep in mind that children under the age of four are not allowed to enter the mine. In the museum you can see items from the burial mounds of the Celts: coins, amulets, pottery, craft tools. All these details and decorative dioramas with wax figures introduce the way of life of the people. Here you can also drive down the mountain tunnel, which imitates those that were previously used in mines.
Salzburg
The birthplace of Mozart is known not only for its rich cultural life and baroque architecture. In the city and its suburbs there are parks with luxurious gardens “Volksgarten” and “Mirabelgarten”, the museum of the brewery “Stiegl”, a zoo, a puppet theater and a toy museum. The 60 sq. m in natural conditions live more than 000 animals – lions, rhinos, kangaroos, koalas and many others. Nearby is the Hellbrunn Palace Park (en.hellbrunn.at): while adults are relaxing, children can run between the jets of hidden fountains. The House of Nature deserves special attention: dinosaurs at the entrance, an excursion into the history of astronautics, a journey through the human body, an interactive science center, an aquarium and a terrarium – you will look at the world around you with different eyes.
Zeekirhen
The Fantasia fairy tale and amusement park in Zell am Wallersee is a place where childhood dreams come true. Over 50 exciting rides, including fully adult Wild Train rollercoasters and Dracula’s castle, terrifying. The park is divided into seven thematic areas: castle courtyard, mushroom house, East Africa, magical forest, western town, water park and dinosaur world.