7-Day Austria Itinerary (with Tips for Saving Money!)

Day 1: Vienna - Classical and Rebel 📍 Schönbrunn Palace: Arrive at 9 a.m. to avoid crowds (buy the Sisi Ticket combo, which includes the Hofburg). 🎻 Golden Hall: Stand for a concert (tickets for 15€ on-site; wear a suit to snag a seat). 🍖 Dinner: Enjoy Wiener Schnitzel at Naschmarkt Market (around 10€ per person with sauerkraut). 🏨 Accommodation: Stay in a hostel in the Mariahilf district (recommend Wombats, around 150 RMB per night including breakfast). Day 2: Vienna - Art Marathon 🖼 Museum of Fine Arts: See Bruegel’s "Tower of Babel" (half-price admission on Thursday evenings!). 🌈 Hundertwasser House: Dress in colorful clothes to photograph the colorful building (free photo spots at the café across the street). 🚂 Night Train: Vienna to Salzburg (ÖBB Nightjet seat ticket for 29€, saving one night’s accommodation). Day 3: Salzburg - The Sound of Music Tour 🎬 Mirabell Palace: Recreate the movie scenes by jumping on the steps (the garden is empty at 8 a.m.). 🏰 Hohensalzburg Fortress: Take the cable car up the mountain (student ticket for 12€ with audio guide). 🍫 Mozartkugel: Buy authentic Mozart chocolate balls at Furst’s flagship store (look for the blue and silver packaging!). Day 4: Hallstatt - Heavenly Paradise 🚌 Bus 2h: Salzburg to Hallstatt (Postbus day ticket is more cost-effective). ⛰ Salt Mine Adventure: Wear miner’s overalls and slide down wooden ladders (ticket for 40€ includes a salt jar; must-visit observation deck at the top). 📸 Postcard Angle: Capture reflections at Marktplatz pier in the early morning (bring bread to attract swans into the frame). Day 5: Dachstein - Snow Mountain Adventure 🚡 Cable Car to the Summit: Five-finger viewing platform + suspended ice cave (24h pass for 55€). 🍎 Alpine Hut: Enjoy Kaiserschmarrn (royal pancake with apple sauce). Day 6: Innsbruck - Heart of the Alps 🚂 Train 3h: Hallstatt to Innsbruck (Westbahn special ticket for 19€). 🏔 North Chain Mountain Cable Car: Summit views of snow-capped peaks surrounding the city (afternoon light is best for photographing the Golden Roof). 🛍 Old Town Shopping: Buy Swarovski crystals (40% cheaper at the flagship store than in your home country). Day 7: Vienna - Ultimate Shopping Spree 🎁 Souvenirs: Demel royal pastries, Manner wafers, and Mozart liqueur. ✈ Tax Refund Tips: Use the Global Blue self-service machine at the airport to refund to Alipay (lower fees). “In Austria, every mountain hides a symphony, and every cobblestone is filled with tales of Empress Sisi.” #TravelTheWorld #TravelWithPurpose #TravelersParadise