7-Night Escape to a Czech-Designed Retreat in Austria’s Lake District

Next, take a 2.5-hour train ride to Prague, the capital of Bohemia. 

After settling in at your hotel, begin your city exploration. Start with a scenic boat cruise along the Vltava River, taking in historic architecture across the city’s five districts: the Old Town, New Town, Jewish Quarter, Castle District, and Lesser Town. This ancient city is renowned for its artistic heritage and rich traditional music, offering an abundance of cultural treasures to savor at a leisurely pace.

Romantic Bohemia—Prague. Use the included half-day city tour to immerse yourself in the city’s Bohemian charm. Explore the Castle District, home to churches, palaces, and gardens. Highlights include the grand Old Royal Palace, the landmark St. Vitus Cathedral, and the famous Golden Lane immortalized by Franz Kafka.

Next, visit the Lesser Town, featuring the Baroque masterpiece St. Nicholas Church, with interiors crafted by the era’s leading artists. Many of the grand Baroque palaces now serve as embassies but still retain their historical charm. Don’t miss Wallenstein Palace and Gardens, with its ponds, pavilions, fountains, and bronze sculptures.

Stroll along the Charles Bridge, lined with statues of saints and animated by street artists, creating an open-air art market. Indulge in a beer spa, marvel at the Dancing House, and let yourself be enchanted—Prague is truly a city you won’t want to leave!

At the Dresdner Residenzschloss (Dresden Royal Palace), you can explore a fascinating mix of architectural styles, from Romanesque to Baroque. Want to experience multiple eras of architecture in one visit? This is the place!

The palace’s origins date back to around 1200 as a Romanesque structure. In the mid-16th century, Renaissance elements were added. Following a fire in 1701, Augustus II rebuilt much of the palace in the Baroque style. Over time, additional rooms were added, including the Collection Room, Silver Room, Armorial Hall, Kaminzimmer (Fireplace Room), Jewelry Room, Ivory Room, and Bronze Room. In the early 20th century, the palace underwent a Neo-Renaissance renovation, introducing modern amenities such as underfloor heating and electric lighting installed in 1914.

How to get to Dresden ? 

Dresden is located in eastern Germany, very close to Prague. Take a regular EuroCity train from Prague to Dresden — about 2 hours 16 minutes. From Berlin in the north, EuroCity trains take approximately 2 hours 10 minutes to reach Dresden.

Discover one of Eastern Europe’s most beautiful medieval fairy-tale towns — Český Krumlov, Czech Republic. 

The Český Krumlov Castle is the country’s second-largest castle after Prague Castle. Inside, a Baroque theatre has been remarkably preserved along with some original scenery and props. Due to its historical significance, the theatre hosts performances only once a year, featuring primarily Baroque operas. Český Krumlov is also an important cultural hub in the Czech Republic, hosting annual festivals and commemorative events.

The town’s name is symbolic: “Český” refers to Czech or Bohemia, while “Krumlov” comes from the German for “curved meadow.” Carved into a natural U-shaped bend of the Vltava River, the town has a Castle District on one side and an elliptical Old Town enclosed by the river on the other. From the castle overlooking the town, you’ll be captivated by the charm and fairy-tale beauty of Český Krumlov.

In the 14th century, under the rule of the Rosenberg (Luxembourg) family, Český Krumlov thrived. Its strategic location near the borders of Czechia, Austria, Bavaria, and Northern Italy allowed the town to absorb diverse cultural influences. This cultural blend is evident in the castle, where the brilliance of the Italian Renaissance can be experienced. By the 17th century, the town transitioned to Baroque architecture, establishing its distinctive style. In 1992, Český Krumlov was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserving its unique historical and architectural character.

Today, take a private transfer from your hotel in Český Krumlov to the gateway of the Alps — Salzburg. Known as the “City of Salt,” Salzburg derives its name from the German word Salz (salt), reflecting the city’s historic connection to salt production. As Austria’s fourth-largest city, Salzburg’s train station is located outside the city center, so upon arrival, you’ll need to take a bus or tram to reach the Old Town.

Before entering the historic center, stroll through the Mirabell Gardens, famously featured in the movie The Sound of Music. 

In the Old Town, Getreidegasse is Salzburg’s busiest shopping street. Its signature wrought-iron shop signs clearly indicate what each store sells, and even international brands embrace this unique local tradition.

At No. 9 Getreidegasse, you’ll find the renowned Mozart Geburtshaus (Mozart’s Birthplace). Mozart lived here until age 17, and the house preserves many of his personal artifacts — including his living quarters, musical manuscripts, pianos, and even a lock of his hair!

From Alter Markt, stroll to Residenzplatz, home to the majestic Baroque Cathedral (Dom), where Mozart was baptized. The cathedral boasts one of Europe’s largest pipe organs and is a key venue for the Salzburg Festival (Salzburger Festspiele) held annually from mid-July to August. Behind the cathedral lies Kapitelplatz, distinguished by its giant golden sphere art installation. Continuing through, you’ll reach Stiftskirche St. Peter, Salzburg’s only Romanesque church.

Another must-see is Hellbrunn Palace, famous for its trick fountains — you never know where the water will spray next! Be sure to ride Austria’s oldest vertical funicular, the Festungsbahn, up to Hohensalzburg Fortress, one of Central Europe’s best-preserved military fortresses, offering panoramic views of the Old Town. Inside the fortress, explore the Marionette Museum, showcasing a collection of puppets, including characters from Mozart’s The Magic Flute.

Winter is an especially magical time to visit Salzburg. From November onward, the city is filled with festive Christmas spirit. Salzburg is also the birthplace of the famous carol Silent Night. Its Christmas markets, considered some of Austria’s most beautiful, take place around the castle and Old Town, offering music performances and traditional stalls every day through the holiday season.

Cross the German border and journey toward the majestic Alpine mountains. Along the way, visit Obersalzberg, once known as the “Second Headquarters of the Third Reich,” home to Hitler’s former residence.

The highlight of this tour is Königssee, a stunning lake nestled within the steep peaks of the Bavarian Alps, dominated by Germany’s second-highest mountain, Watzmann. On the return journey, stop at the picturesque town of Berchtesgaden, where you can sample some of Bavaria’s local specialties.

Please note: This tour is not included in the base package and requires an additional booking.

Nestled in central Austria, Hallstatt is often called the “most beautiful lake” and even dubbed a fairy-tale paradise. This UNESCO World Heritage site resembles a secluded hermit, quietly tucked into the mountains — understated, yet impossible to hide its natural brilliance.

In the Celtic language, Hall means “salt” and statt means “town.” While Hallstatt’s scenic beauty captivates visitors, its UNESCO designation is largely due to its 7,000-year-old salt mine. Today, visitors can explore the Salt Mine, with a 1–1.5 hour guided tour that includes an exciting long slide, providing insight into how miners worked deep within the salt tunnels.

The crystal-clear lake, framed by distant mountains, creates a picture-perfect scene. The calm water mirrors charming lakeside houses, evoking a sense of timeless serenity.

To start your last day in Hallstatt perfectly, catch the sunrise. Set your alarm early — when the sun peeks over the mountain ridges, its golden light shimmers on the lake, making the town’s colors more vibrant. Witnessing this magical moment, you’ll feel that waking up early has never been so rewarding.

Not for the faint of heart! The 5 Fingers Viewing Platform is arguably one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the Alps.

Comprising five uniquely designed platforms, it offers unparalleled perspectives of Hallstatt. One platform is entirely made of glass, while another frames the town through a giant Baroque-style picture frame, providing a unique and breathtaking view of Hallstatt Lake and the Salzkammergut Lake District all at once.