Austria

Vienna is the city of music, imperial grandeur, and coffeehouse culture. The former heart of the Habsburg Empire impresses with its Baroque palaces, world-class museums, and a cultural scene that rivals any European capital. Classical concerts, Sachertorte, and wine taverns in the Vienna Woods — it's refined without being stuffy.

Mozart's birthplace is a Baroque masterpiece nestled against Alpine peaks. The Altstadt (Old Town) is a UNESCO site of domes, spires, and elegant plazas, while the Hohensalzburg Fortress towers above. Sound of Music fans will recognize the surroundings, but Salzburg's real draw is its combination of culture, mountain scenery, and Austrian charm.