If you want to reduce your travel carbon footprint, being based in Vienna truly gives you a headstart. Of course, Vienna's geographical position, as the hub for travel between eastern Europe, makes daytime train travel to many destinations in Europe very easy. But that is only the beginning of the story.
What makes Vienna really special for train travellers is the growing network of night trains radiating from or passing through the Austrian capital.
The ÖBB, as the Austrian Railways are known, were the first major national train operator to re-introduce night services about a decade ago. They have continued to grow their fleet of aptly named ÖBB Nightjet ever since.
No wonder Vienna has literally become the night train capital of Europe.
Rome is one of the destinations you can reach by night train from Vienna © Gloria Cretu/Unsplash
Currently, the ÖBB Nightjet, links Vienna with Italy, France. Belgium and the Netherlands stopping there, and keeps on adding new routes. So I will have to update this post quite regularly!
A Nightjet carriage © Simon Tartarotti/Unsplash
Venice, Amsterdam, Budapest? Where can you travel to from Vienna by train?
Back to the present. Are you ready to start planning a long week end by train from Vienna to somewhere in Europe right now?
Day train services are run by ÖBB and Railjet. The latter specialises in day time fast train. So check their website first. Night trains at the moment are all run by ÖBB, under the Nightjet brand. The Trainline is also good place to start looking at options. Alternatively you can start with Rome2Rio.
Depending on your destination, make sure you check the national rail operators of France, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy as well as the multinational operators Thalys and Lyria, if you need more flexibility in designing your break.
Below is a list of journeys you can comfortably undertake from Vienna even for a long weekend
1.Rome
For a long weekend, the ideal way to travel between Vienna and Rome is the Nightjet train service, which will deliver you to the Eternal City in the morning, ready for sunshine and sightseeing.
If you have more days, you could travel by day train too, The journey is memorable. You will change train in Innsbruck and then again in Bologna, crossing he Alps and then follow the Apennine. If you do so, I recommend a stop over in Verona or Bologna to stretch your legs, as the trip is almost 13 hours.
Trevi © Michele Bitetto/Unsplash
Once in Rome, you will have to make some choices, as there is so much to see. You can focus on specific interests, such as baroque Rome, Renaissance Rome, ancient Rome, or simply walk around the various districts of the centre and soak up the atmosphere.
The famous view of St Peter's dome from an Aventine keyhole © Nicolas Weldinghe/Unsplash
For some ideas, check out my blog post on a flightless long weekend from Munich to Rome.
2. Bologna
Palazzo di Re Enzo © Lorenzo Megna/Unsplash
There Nightjet night train services from Vienna to Rome stop in Bologna in the early morning, so there is really no reason to catch ta flight! There are good day train connections changing in Venice or Innsbruck if you are happy to admire the views for around 10 hours.
The capital of Emilia Romagna, the seat of the oldest university in Europe, boasts a beautifully preserved medieval centre, a rich creative scene, excellent museums, and considered by the Italian themselves as the pinnacle of Italian food.
Typical bolognese pasta store © Nik F/Unsplash
The heart of the centre runs from Piazza Maggiore, with its medieval cathedral of San Petronio and medieval palaces such as Palazzo di Re Enzo, to the Due Torri (medieval 'two towers') that you can climb for incredible views, Between them is a grid of characterful tiny medieval roads brimming with artisan food stores, leather and fashion boutiques. The unmissable late Roman/Lombard/early medieval complex of Santo Stefano boasts a 2000 year old late Roman Christian church.
The extraordinary Bologna Porticos, now on the UNESCO World Heritage list. were built as an extension to city dwellings throughout the middle ages and the Renaissance, and they are a journey (literally as well as symbolically) through the city's creativity. They also make sure you do not get wet when going out and about in the city. I studied in Bologna and can attest that if you confine yourself to the centre you can easily get by without an umbrella.
San Petronio seen from one of Bologna's UNESCO Heritage portici © Bianca Ackermann/Unsplash
If it rains, you can visit some of the very interesting city museums - many are free with the Bologna card . And if you are feeling active the steep uphill climb up to the Sanctuary of San Luca - on a hill outside the centre - will reward you with fantastic views. No need for umbrella, a portico with steps will shelter you all the way.
You can scratch the surface in a couple of days or, if you have one extra day, combine it with a day trip to Ravenna or Ferrara. These two cities, both one hour away from Bologna, will dazzle you with their Byzantine mosaics (Ravenna) and Renaissance art (Ferrara).
For my in-depth guide to Bologna, check this post.
3. Verona
Verona's Roman bridge, Ponte Pietra © Patrick Pahlke/Unsplash
Daytime train trips between Vienna and Verona take over 8 hours. However, if you book the option with a change in Innsbruck it may be worth it for the sheer beauty of the journey. First the the peaks of the Austrian Tirol roll before your eyes, and then you'll enter Italy though the Dolomites, vineyards and mountaintop castles of Suedtirol and Trentino.
Night train journeys are super-easy. You leave Vienna at dinner time and arrive in Verona in the early morning!
After the journey, let's focus on the destination. Thanks to its compact city centre, Verona is perfect for a short break. Besides, it is magical at any time of the year. I have memories of eating roasted chestnuts in the fog on a cold November day, as the great churches and palaces took on the ghostly appearance on buildings in impressionist paintings, and then warming up in a riverside osteria, with a hearty traditional meal of polenta, sipping some local Valpolicella.
Follow the river Adige for incredible views of the city, crossing the Roman Ponte Pietra, and visit the Arena, its iconic Roman amphitheatre, linger in Piazza Bra for a pre-opera dinner, visit Castelvecchio, the medieval residence of the lords of Verona, or its 4 great churches (the cathedral, San Zeno, San Fermo and Sant'Anastasia) or watch the world go by in Piazza delle Erbe, built over Verona's Roman forum, and still the city's official meeting place, with its outdoor cafés and colourful market.
Juliet's balcony © Maksym Harbar/Unsplash
4. Milano
Milano's Duomo © Ouael Ben Salah/Unsplash
A daytime journey between Munich and Milano takes over 10 hours. It will become faster when the high speed link between Verona and Milano is complete. For now, the recently introduced Nightjet is the perfect option if you want to maximise your time in Milano.
Make sure you step inside the Duomo, Milan's majestic cathedral, which took five centuries to complete, and get yourself a ticket to the rooftop terrace, from where you can catch an incredible view of the city and beyond, with the Alps in the distance.
You can admire the Duomo itself from the Museo del Novecento (while walking through the Kandinskijs, Modiglianis and Picassos, or from the top floor of the Rinascente department store.
If you are into Italian fashion, be it as a buyer or as a window shopper, the 19th-century Galleria Vittorio Emanuele is a must, as are Via Montenapoleone and Via della Spiga.
Milano's Navigli , popular for aperitivo © Cristina Gottardi/Unsplash
Milan is famous in Italy and beyond for its opera, and the La Scala theatre is one of the temples of the genre. together with the Arena of Verona. Amongst my personal highlights are the Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio, built when the city was the capital of the Western Roman empire, and the Pinacoteca di Brera, a fantastic art ciollection in one of Milan's most bohemian districts. With a bit of planning, you can also book yourself to see Leonardo's Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie. Keep an eye on their website, as bookings are only open on specific days every three months and and are snapped up immediately.
Milano's Brera district © Simone Daino/Unsplash
5. Prague
Charles's Bridge © Martin Krchnacek/Unsplash
The journey between Vienna and Prague takes just over 4 hours and is direct. The splendid capital of Czechia is one of these cities where charm is everywhere. There is the iconic Charles Bridge, the Astronomical Clock of Old Town Square, the wonderful gothic Cathedral of Saint Vitus and the romanesque Basilica of Saint George, both part of the magnificent Castle complex, but you will discover the charm of Prague in minute details - the beauty of a doorway, a courtyard, the pastel coloured buildings lining a cobbled street.
Other recommended highlights are the Jewish Quarter - with its synagogues and the Old Jewish Cemetery, the inspiration of one of Umberto Eco's books, and the Jewish Museum-, and the Lennon Wall, a symbol of peace since the 80's.
You can work out your appetite before a hearty Czech meal by climbing up Petřín Hill for panoramic views of the city, or take a different perspective, on and go on a river cruise on the Vltava.
6. Munich
Vienna and Munich are just over 4 hours from each other.
Although the two cities speak the same language, and share some architectural penchant for baroque and apple strudel, as well as a lot of history, Munich is a very different experience from Vienna
The Munich city centre is very compact, and you could squeeze in a decent amount of sightseeing even in a day: Marienplatz, the Frauenkirche, the elegant Konigsplatz, with its green expanse surrounded by neo-classical buildings. If it is relaxation you are after, you can lunch in a historic brewery, go for a stroll and a nap in the vast Englischer Garten, watch the surfers catch a wave on the Eisbach river, and then stock up for Bavarian delicacies and relax in the beer garden at the Viktualienmarkt.
Marienplatz © Ian Kelsall /Unsplash
You will definitely need more than a day if you plan to visit any of its grand buildings and museums. I enjoyed the sprawling Residenz, the former royal palace gradually developed by the kings of Bavaria from the Renaissance to, and the nineteenth-century, and the delightful Nymphenburg, the king's summer residence surrounded by a delightful formal garden. There are 18 museums in the art district alone, and if you are into science and technology the Deutsches Museum is a must! And you do not need to be a car lover to enjoy the BMW Welt.
Given the short journey, it makes sense to travel to Munich from Vienna at day time. However, the many ÖBB Nightjet services from Vienna to to western Europe stopping in Munich give you some additional options. You can leave Vienna late in the evening - say between 7 and 10 depending on the services, and get to Munich by midnight or earlier. Consider it to make the most of a long weekend!.
7. Paris
Notre Dame © Martin Gilbert/Unsplash
Getting to Paris from Vienna is now very easy, thanks to the Nightjet. You leave Vienna in the evening, and arrive in Paris before 10am the next morning!
If you are not visiting large museums, even an overnight can get you a pretty good feel for the centre, stroll along the Seine from the Eiffel Tower to the Latin Quarter (One of my favourite activities in Paris), hop into stunning churches and elegant palaces... You can still fit in one or two famous attractions, or explore smaller museums not so crowded but equally fascinating.
And of course if you have time to stay longer, you can explore in depth. World-famous museums, great patissiers, literary hangouts, the choice yours. You can book tickets to the top attractions on line at Paris Je t'aime.
8. Amsterdam
Amsterdam canal © Wix
The Nightjet is the most convenient option for travelling between Vienna and Amsterdam by train. You will wake up in Centraal, fresh and ready to explore the canals and Amsterdam's cultural highlights.
I love going in winter, when it is quieter. The roads along the picturesque canals become very peaceful, and you can wonder around the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum without the crowds. If you arrive during a particular cold spell, you may catch the locals ice-skating on the frozen canals! Book a boat day or night tour on the canals to admire the grand houses in all their splendour - the city looks so different from the water level. Utterly magical.
9. Venice
La Serenissima © Joshua Stannard/Unsplash
If you are dreaming of a memorable and yet comfortable rail journey, the night service to Venice is as good as it gets. Your train leaves the Austrian capital at around 9.30 in the evening, travels through the Alps at night, and arrives at Venice station - not at the airport, in the lagoon - at 8.30 in the morning! You will feel very proud of yourself for travelling to the Serenissima, without being responsible for her rising waters!
The train station of Venezia Santa Lucia is so well placed, that once you disembark you can walk to Piazza San Marco in about 40 minutes. I could think of worse ways of stretching my legs! And the moment you step out of the train station, you can begin the sightseeing in earnest The Rione Cannaregio with the Jewish Ghetto as well as the Rialto Bridge are en route, and you can easily hop across to the delightful and slightly less visited San Polo.
The tourist office offers helpful suggestions for 'respectful itineraries' that allow you to enjoy the city at a slower pace. The only means of transport you will need is a Vaporetto if you want to head to one of the more distant islands such as Burano, Murano, or my beloved Torcello.
Torcello © Maria Laura Gionfriddo/Unsplash
10. Budapest
A journey on the Danube between Vienna and Budapest has been on my 'best experiences in Europe ' bucket list for a long time. But a day time train ride between the two cities only takes between 2 and 3 hours and is direct. In the early morning or late evening, you can also make of of the night train service (run by Hungarische Bahn, part of the ÖBB Nightjet network) although given the short duration of the journey you will not need a cabin or a couchette.
Bastionso © Tobias Reich/Unsplash
Budapest is one of my favourite capital city break destinations because it can be as busy or as relaxing as you make it. Split into two parts by the Blue Danube it is a city defined by earth and water.
The sights of Buda, such as the UNESCO World Heritage palace complex, and the deeply moving Matthias church, are incredible, and the views of the city from the Fisherman's Bastion simply unforgettable. A wander through the charming cobbled and paved streets of Castle Hill, lined with beautiful old houses, shops, and restaurants, can be magical.
The Pest side, although less dramatic, is incredibly vibrant, with opera houses, food markets, and the iconic neo-gothic domed Hungarian parliament.
The Hungarian Parliament on the Pest riverside Seth Fogelman/Unsplash
I mentioned water. Not many cities give you the opportunity to combine sightseeing along a majestic river and relax in a thermal bath! Széchenyi is the largest and most famous, but a favourite of mine is Gellért, with its stunning Art Nouveau architecture.
Széchenyi Baths © Louise Spurgeon/Unsplash
Apart from Paris and Rome, not many cities have an island in the middle . Budapest's Margaret Island is a peaceful park in the middle of the Danube River,with gardens crisscrossed by walking paths.
11. Brussels
The Atomium, © Mehrsa/Unsplash
You can get to Brussels from Vienna by night train with the ÖBB Nightjet. And once you arrive in the capital of Europe...Stroll in the stunning eclectic mix of gothic and Renaissance/Baroque styles of the UNESCO-listed Grand Place, and the covered galleries in the nearby streets; climb up the twentieth century Atomium; visit to one of the city's museums, such as the 6 grouped under the Royal Museums of Fine Arts Belgium, dedicated to different artists and periods from the Flemish Old Masters to Magritte. immerse yourself into Brussels comic book culture by following the Comic Strip Trail; visit the European Parliament quarter; enjoy the parks and the outdoors.
Treat yourself to a delicious beer stew or waffles, and of course some chocolate, but also try traditional Belgian food to discover why Brussels is considered one of the gourmet capitals of Europe.
12. Strasbourg and the Alsatian villages
The Nightjet night train to Paris stops in Strasbourg in the very early morning.
Strasburg is a medieval wonder, with a UNESCO-Heritage-listed medieval city centre, la Grande Île. The cathedral is hailed as a gothic masterpiece. If you have an interest in contemporary politics, you can visit the European parliament. In the evening, you can relax over a hearty Alsatian meal washed down with a delicious local beer or wine.
Strasbourg © Harvid Heidahl/Unsplash
If you prefer to get away from big cities, you can base yourself in one of the delightful Alsatian villages, such as Colmar which is only 30 minutes from Strasbourg by train. Colmar, is surrounded by other equally interesting villages such as Eguisheim. (16 minutes by bus).
Colmar © Aswathy N/Unsplash
If the centre of Strasbourg has reignited your passion for medieval history, you will be in heaven. An 18-minute train ride from Strasbourg to Sélestat, plus a 30-minute bus ride, will take you to the 900-year old Haut-Koenigsbourg castle, perched on top of a mountain overlooking the Rhine valley. You can visit Haut-Koenigsbourg also from Colmar, and the train journey is even short (11 minutes).
Haut Koenigsbourg in winter © Ronan Potier/Unsplash
13. Dijon and Burgundy
Fancy a Burgundian getaway? You can leave Vienna at a quarter to 8 on the Night jet, get off in Strasbourg at 5.20 and from there board a high speed train to Dijon (2 hours 25).
Burgundy is one of France's most fascinating historical regions, a former duchy and before that an independent kingdom, and Dijon is its worthy capital. The distinctive polychrome roofs, toits bourguignons, add character to the architecture of a city brimming with building ranging from medieval Gothic to art deco.
Close-up of the façade of Notre Fame de DIjon © Fred Clery/Unsplash
Visit the Palais des Ducs, also home of one of France's great museums, the Musée de Beaux Arts, pause to admire the stunningly elegant Notre Dame de Dijon with its slender gothic columns, or step inside to admire Notre-Dame de Bon-Espoir (Our Lady of Good Hope), one of the most ancient French statues of the Virgin Mary. Visit the cathedral of Saint Bénigne, walk through the ancient streets to soak in the atmosphere, or if you are feeling more epicurean visit the Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin.
Surrounded by vineyards, Dijon is the starting point of the the "route des Grands Crus", where eight of the world's top ten most expensive wines are produced. The 'route des grand crus' ends in stunning Beaune, which is 20 minutes away from Dijon by train. Wander through the half-timbered houses of the Old Town, admire the Hospices de Beaune (Hôtel-Dieu), and hike or cycle the Chemin des Grand Crus to visit wine cellars the active way.
Beaune's toit bourguignon © Herve' Marmillot/Unsplash
14. Berlin
The Branderburger Tor © Reisehu/Unsplash
If you love Christmas markets, this will be the night journey of your dreams, between the two European capitals that take Christmas most seriously. Having said that, both Vienna and Berlin are ideal all season destinations, with world-class museums to keep enchant you when it is cold outside, delightful autumn foliage and spring blossoms in their many parks, and long bright summer evening.
Reichstag © Jannick Kress/Unsplash
Berlin is a sprawling city so it will take you more than a weekend to explore it properly. But you can fit in the most famous sights and some of the great museums in a couple of days.
Start the day with a walk through the vast Tiergarten, that you come back to relax later in the day, before heading to the iconic Brandenburg Gate and the nearby Reichstag (the German parliament building, famous for its glass dome.
Face 20th century history in all its horror by stopping at the Holocaust Memorial, and the Topography of Terror, an outdoor/indoor museum on the site of the former Gestapo building, documenting the Nazi regime's atrocities.
Then face postwar tragedy at Checkpoint Charlie, which will really bring home the trauma of the divided city. By then you will have started to notice portions of the Berlin wall. Specialised tours take you many of the most interesting parts.
Checkpoint Charlie © Markus Spiske/Unsplash
After the tragedies of history, discover the incredible beauty and culture of Berlin, starting with Museum Island, home to some of the world's most important museums. A day pass will let you into the Neues Museum (Nefertiti's bust), the Altes Museum (Excellent Graeco-Roman and Etruscan collection, the Bode Museum (Grand Masters), and the currently closed Pergamon Museum (home of the most incredible Hellenistic art on earth and the Ishtar Gate of Babylon)
When you feel overwhelmed by culture, go shopping at Alexanderplatz (known for the TV Tower) and elegant Kurfürstendamm; take a boat tour on the Spree - or a walk on its bridges, and discover the delights of its neighborhoods, with parks, rivers and even lakes!
If you have one extra day, I strongly recommend a day trip to UNESCO-World-Heritage Potsdam, a delightful city which used to be the residence of the Prussian kings. The delightful Sanssouci Palace, the summer home of King Frederick the great, is considered Prussia's answer to Versailles.
A view of Potsdam's Sanssouci Palace © Lynda W./Unsplash
15. Cinqueterre
Vernazza from above © Josh Hild/Unsplash
A new ÖBB Nightjet route between Vienna and Liguria opened last year, and it conveniently stops at Monterosso, one of the 5 villages which make up the Cinqueterre - the others are Vernazza, Manarola, Corniglia, and Riomaggiore).
The beauty of the Cinqueterre is that they are virtually car-free. You either catch the local train between them on hike the coastal paths that connect them. The Cinqueterre paths get very busy in high summer, so go outside peak season if you can, to be kinder to this fragile coastal environment and have it almost to yourself. Liguria's microclimate means a lot of year-round sunshine anyway.
Manarola © Jack Ward/Unsplash
You will struggle to decide which one to make your base, as they are so beautiful and yet so distinct. Monterosso has a dark sand beach. Vernazza is blessed with a delightful Portofino-style harbour, Manarola has a spectacular hilltop location. From Corniglia, the most elevated and secluded, you'll have incredible panoramic views of the Ligurian sea. Riomaggiore, surrounded by vineyards like Corniglia, is a vertical landscape of steps and uphill paths, and its pastel houses seem to almost encircle the sea.
To protect the environment, the Cinqueterre area has been turned into a national park. Entrance is free, but if you want to hike a specific section called Sentiero Blu between Monterosso and Vernazza you will need to buy a ticket. It makes sense to get a Cinqueterre Card, which also gives you other local discounts.
16. Florence
Florence needs no introduction. Who would not want to spend a long weekend admiring Brunelleschi's dome, the magnificent Duomo, the sculptures of the Baptistry, the David, the palaces and monumental tombs of the Medici family, the Botticelli's and Michelangelo's in the Uffizi, the graceful Boboli Gardens, the tombs of the great Italians (Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo to name a few) in Santa Croce, and the pictorial and architectural wonders of Santa Maria Novella, which is just outside the station?
The cathedral and Brunelleschi's dome © Marian Brandt/Unsplash
The ÖBB Nightjet departs drops you at Firenze Santa Maria Novella early in the morning, ready to explore the wonders of the birthplace of the Renaissance.
Ponte Vecchio by night © Josh Hild/Unsplash
If you have more than a couple of days, bus no.7 to beautiful hilltop Fiesole, with its Roman-era theatre, medieval churches, and residences of the Medicis and the foreigners who settled in Italy after the Grand Tour.
17. Zürich
The Altstadt © Wix
There are now direct trains night trains between Vienna and Zürich.
When you step off your train in the elegant Hauptbanhof, you will soon appreciate that Zürich is far more than a financial centre and the largest Swiss city. there. Wander through the narrow streets of the Old Town (Altstadt), take a stroll along the peaceful shores of Lake Zürich, visit the Kunsthaus, one of Switzerland's most important contemporary art collections, or the FIFA Football Museum. If the weather's nice you can go hiking on the Uetliberg, Zürich's mountain, and reconnect with nature. It is a city for all seasons too. There is a lovely Christmas market, foliage in autumn, and glittering waters all around you.
18. Basel - the crossroad of Switzerland, France and Germany
The Rhine in Basel © Johannes Siebler/Unsplash
If you catch the night train to Zürich, and easy change in the Hauptbanhof and a comfortable one hour journey amongst a pristine landscape of valleys, rivers, and lakes takes you Basel.
Basel is an extremely interesting city, and has a lot in common with Vienna, from the reputation as a global art centre to a celebrated Christmas market. It also boasta a delightful city centre, with a medieval cathedral, a cobbled Altstadt, a minster, and of course many museums, Make your way to Dreiländer Deck, where your gaze can span over three countries (France, Germany, and of course Switzerland).
If you feel like an active break, with your tourist BaselCard you can hire a bicycle to explore the town centre for 20 CHF. Or you can hike the 5km Rehberger-Weg which connects Basel and Weil am in Germany. And then there's the Rhine, the lifeblood of Basel. You can cycle or walk along it, book a boat tour, and in summer try that unique and unforgettable Basel - swimming in the Rhine!
19. Épernay, Reims and the Champagne region
Reims Cathedral © Pascal Bernardon/Unsplash
If you are dreaming of a long weekend escape to the Champagne region from Vienna, your dream can come true!
The Nightjet to Paris drops you off in Strasbourg at 5.20, and from there you can catch a connecting high speed TGV to Champagne-Ardennes (1 hour and 18 minutes) - from where you can get on a local train to Reims Maison Blanche (6 minutes. If you prefer to stay in Épernay, the smaller where many of the famous producers are based, from Reims Maison Blanche you will need to catch another local train for 26 minutes.
Either works as a base to visit the region. Épernay is the main centre in the legendary Champagne producing area of La Montagne de Reims. Reims has champagne houses in town and is also a very important city in French history. Its beautiful gothic cathedral is the site where the kings of France used to be crowned..
If you need inspiration, check my post on a long weekend to Champagne by train.
20. Krakow
Market Sqaure in Krakow Old Town © Grafi Jeremiah/Unsplash
Another night train from Vienna will take you to the Polish city considered one of the gems of Eastern Europe - Krakow.
This former capital of Poland, is a beautiful city with a rich history, a UNESCO-heritage-listed Old Town, some incredible art, and a vibrant cultural scene.
Amongst the unmissable sights, Market Square and its legendary St Mary's Basiica, rebuilt after being destructed by the Mongols in the middle ages, the Cloth Hall, deemed to be the world’s oldest shopping mall, and the former royal residence of Wawel Castle, at the top of the hill of the same name, next door to the Cathedral.
The historic Jewish quarter of Kazimierz, with its synagogues, Jewish Cimitery, vibrant street art, and cafes..
Krakow is also a very green city. The Old Town is surrounded by Planty Park, with its beautiful gardens and sculptures.
Perhaps the biggest surprise for me was discovering the incredible art collection of the Czartoryski princes. The story of how the Czartoryski family started and grew their collection is worthy of a film, and amongst their remarkable purchases are paintings by Rembrandt, Hans Holbein, Mantegna, and Leonardo's incredible Lady with an Ermine.
Saint Mary's Basilica, Maksym Harbar/Unsplash
In conclusion
There are many other destinations I could not include. I hope this post will give you an idea of the many possibilities you have and how easy it is to ditch the plane.
If you live or stay in Vienna, you are in the best place on earth to travel sustainably by train to almost anywhere in Europe, and turn your long weekend getaways into real adventures.
Make the most of it!
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