If you love soaking yourself in Baroque architecture, Austria and Germany are for you! Caius, an iRecommend member, and his family spent over two weeks exploring the two countries and pinpointed three cities that left him in awe—Salzburg, Dresden, and Munich. He relied heavily on ChangiWiFi as they travelled from one city to another, navigating and planning to find the fastest route in real time. Plus, he had assignments due, so completing his work on the road with a stable internet connection was essential!
SALZBURG, AUSTRIA
Caius spent three days in the City of Mozart, exploring on foot since most attractions were within walking distance. The first thing they did upon arrival was getting the Salzburg Card, which offers free public transportation, free admission to most attractions and events, and discounts at certain restaurants.
He purchased the 48-hour pass even though many attractions were nearby as the card provided free entry to the sites he planned to visit—Hellbrunn Palace & Trick Water Fountains and Fortress Hohensalzburg.
The Hallstatt Salt Mine tour wasn’t free, but Salzburg Card holders are entitled to a 20% discount. However, Caius and his family opted not to use the card for this, as it wasn’t a cost-effective option for a day trip.
Caius emphasizes that German and Austrian railways are not cheap—but they are extremely punctual. Make sure to arrive earlier than on time!
Hellbrunn Palace & Trick Water Fountains
Originally built to entertain the Prince-Archbishop’s guests, Hellbrunn Palace features cleverly designed trick fountains that bring joy and laughter to visitors. They loved admiring the intricate fountain constructions and felt as if they have travelled back in time!
Fortress Hohensalzburg
It’s hard to miss the towering Baroque structure perched high above the city. Caius and his family took advantage of the free Fortress Funicular ride up and down the mountain from Festungsgasse, available on a one-time redeemable basis.
Every Sunday at 11:45 AM, the tower brass players will perform from the Trumpet Tower—a must-see experience!
Hallstatt Salt Mine
Caius pinned this place as one of his top favourites! Walking along the same paths trodden by prehistoric miners and strolling through the picturesque town of Hallstatt.
The 2-hour 30-minute mine tour includes a round-trip ticket for the Salzbergbahn to the Hallstatt Skywalk, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the region. Caius was fascinated by the so-called “white gold”—salt, which formed millions of years ago and it continues to captivate visitors today.
Hallstatt is approximately a two-hour bus ride from Salzburg. They booked their bus tickets via Salzburg Verkehr to secure the best available route. Tickets can be purchased in bulk via the website, but each ticket must be issued in respective traveller’s name. “Don’t make the mistake I made! We had to repurchase the tickets.” said Caius.
DRESDEN
Located 7 to 8 hours by train from Salzburg, Dresden is an underrated gem that museum enthusiasts should explore, as it boasts some of the best museums in Germany. Caius and his family spent three days strolling through its charming cityscape.
In his opinion, Dresden is one of the more affordable cities for shopping—offering great deals on shoes, clothes, and food! His favourite activity was wandering around the Old Town, also known as the Historic City Centre, immersing himself in its stunning Baroque architecture.
They spent a productive day exploring the baroque architecture landmarks on foot such as the (A) Augustusbrücke (Augustus Bridge), (B) Schloßplatz, (C) Kathedrale St. Trinitatis, (D) Zwinger, (E) Fürstenzug, and (F) Frauenkirche, as all are within walking distance, in the Historic City Centre. Caius highlighted 3 landmarks that left him in awe – Frauenkirche, Schlossplatz, and Fürstenzug.
The weather was perfect for a city stroll, complemented by sweet-tooth breaks at KeXerei cookies and CAMONDAS Schokoladen-Eis-Kontor’s gelatos.
A 30-minute ride on public transport will take you to the Grand Garden of Dresden. They also set aside half a day to visit Moritzburg Castle, which is about an hour away by public transport.
Frauenkirche
A powerful World War II relic, this iconic cathedral was rebuilt and reconsecrated between 1994 and 2005 after being destroyed by firebombs.
Entry: Free
Dome Ascent: €10 for adults
Schlossplatz
A historic city square in the heart of Dresden, located along the Königstraße shopping mile. While Caius’ family was there for the shopping, he was drawn to the architecture—particularly the cobblestone buildings with blackened bricks.The darkened façade resulted fromcenturies of weather exposure, gg lends the area a unique medieval charm.
Fürstenzug
Home to the largest porcelain mural in the world, stretching an impressive 102 meters along the outer wall of the Stallhof (Stables Courtyard) of Dresden Castle.
Caius took this opportunity to get a crash course on the ancestral lineage of the House of Wettin, as the mural features portraits of 35 margraves, electors, dukes, and kings from 1127 to 1904.
Grand Garden of Dresden
Caius took a break from the city’s architecture to admire the artistry of gardening and floral landscaping at the Grand Garden of Dresden.
One highlight was riding the Dresden Park Railway, a 74-year-old miniature steam train, which offered a breezy tour of the park.
Entry: Free for the Grand Garden, the Palace, and the Dresden Park Railway
Moritzburg Castle
One of the prettiest moated castles in Saxony, originally built as a hunting lodge for Moritz of Saxony, the Duke of Saxony.
The interior features an extensive collection of red deer antlers and other hunting trophies, which may feel eerie or culturally surprising to some visitors.
MUNICH
“A bustling city and one of the more expensive places in Germany, but that shouldn’t stop you from visiting—the scenery outside the city is marvellous!” shared Caius.
Since the city card didn’t cover the attractions on their checklist, they opted for Group Day Tickets instead, as they were traveling in a group of three. Like Salzburg, visitors can purchase day tickets based on the duration they need—24 hours, 48 hours, or more.
Caius advised: “The best way to determine your travel expenses is by using the DB (Deutsche Bahn) App, which provides accurate pricing and real-time train schedule updates!”
Neuschwanstein Castle
The famous “Disney Castle” stands on the foothills of the Alps. Visitors can choose to reach the castle by:
- Trekking (40 minutes uphill)
- Taking a bus
- Riding a horse-drawn carriage
While there is an entrance fee, Caius and his family were there mainly to admire the exterior, so they walked to the famous viewpoint for a breathtaking photo of the castle.
💡 Travel Tip: There is a bridge offering an even higher panoramic view of the castle. However, it’s extremely windy, involves a longer walk—but is absolutely worth the effort!
Zugspitze
The highest peak in Germany!
Visiting can be expensive, so Caius recommends going during non-peak months (July to September) for better rates. On clear days, you can see Austria’s borders and even distant mountain peaks. Interestingly, Austria and Zugspitze share the same mountain!
Ways to reach the summit:
- Take the cogwheel train to Eibsee, then a large cable car to the top.
- Ride the cogwheel train all the way to the top.
- Mix and match! Caius went up by cable car and down by cogwheel train to experience both routes.
Rothenburg Ob de Tauber
A beautiful medieval and romantic town that everyone should visit! Nestled above the Tauber Valley, this well-preserved old town looks like a storybook setting.
“It’s truly one of the most beautiful medieval towns I’ve ever seen in my life! The charming mini houses and the magical atmosphere are something I wish everyone could experience,” says Caius.
DELICIOUS EATS
Austrian and German cuisines are on the saltier end, hence, might not be for everyone but the food scene is still quite diverse. You can find many Chinese, Indian or mixed culture restaurants. Halal food is harder to find as many of their restaurants do use Pork in their dishes, but they could opt for vegetarian as most restaurants in Austria and Germany have specially curated dishes for vegetarians.
Caius shared a list of mix cuisines as he still misses Asian spices while he is away from home:
AUSTRIA
Gelato, Austria
Caius highly recommends getting gelato in Austria! Prices are around €2 per scoop, with an additional €1 for two flavours.
Standard flavours include mango sorbet, cookies and cream, and salted caramel, but in Hallstatt, he discovered two unique flavours—Earl Grey and Cotton Candy. Being a tea lover, he stayed loyal to Earl Grey.
GERMANY
L’Osteria Pizza & Pasta, Dresden, Germany
An affordable Italian restaurant with mains starting from €11.90.
His parents ordered the classics: Carbonara and Aglio Olio, both under €16 each.
Caius opted for the seafood risotto, which was fragrant, on the saltier side, and had a strong seafood taste.
The restaurant also serves standard Pilsner beer and cocktails.
Rated around 3.8/5 stars, it’s a good and reliable option if you’re craving Italian food in Germany or looking for an affordable choice in Dresden!
Augustiner-Keller, Munich, Germany
This restaurant offers authentic Bavarian and German cuisine in a cozy, open-air setting with wooden furnishings.
Caius and his family ordered:
- Roasted pork knuckle (Schweinshaxe) – The skin was super crispy, while the meat remained juicy and tender!
- Mixed grill platter – A selection of grilled duck and pork, cooked to perfection with a crispy outside and juicy inside.
💡 Must-Try: You can’t visit Germany without trying lager beer! Caius ordered a bottle of Augustiner Edelstoff, brewed in Munich.
“Boy, was it smooth! I’m not much of a beer drinker, but the beers here definitely got me hooked!” shared Caius.
BackWerk, Munich, Germany
A great grab-and-go breakfast spot, especially for a budget-conscious student like Caius!
With multiple branches around Munich, BackWerk fills the morning streets with the aroma of freshly baked goods.
- Prices range from €3-7 per bread.
- Offers a variety of flavours, from Teriyaki and Honey Onion Glazed Chicken to classic tuna.
- A great selection of vegetarian options.
Caius’ personal favourite? Salmon bread!
YGF Malatang, Munich, Germany
As a Chinese Singaporean, Caius craved Mala while travelling. When he spotted YGF Malatang in Munich, he had to try it!
- Affordable compared to other Munich restaurants—around €30 for three adults.
- The lady boss was super friendly, making the experience even better!
ShaoKao, Munich, Germany
A decent Chinese restaurant in Munich with standard pricing.
- “The noodles absorbed the broth, making them even more delicious!” Caius shared.
- The beef was super tender, and the broth was extremely flavourful.
- However, it was a little too spicy for his taste—so non-spice eaters, beware!
Having stable WiFi was essential for Caius to constantly update himself on the fastest routes and explore alternative transport options on the go.
With ChangiWiFi, he was able to download mobile applications recommended by locals on the streets, ensuring he got immediate and accurate information for seamless travel, creating memories with his family!
MAP OUT CAIUS’ FOOTPRINTS
Check out Caius’ travel footprints in Austria and Germany. Start planning yours!
OTHER iRECOMMEND DIARIES
Check out our other iRecommend Club members’ stories:
- Rachel @ Hong Kong
- Jaime @ South Korea
- Catherine @ Japan
- Haryani @ Italy
- Nicholas @ Thailand
- Wendy @ Indonesia
- Sheem @ Taiwan
- Nicholas @ Penang, Malaysia
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