Salzburg

As fairytale cities go, even Hans Christian Anderson couldn't conjure up one more enchanting than Salzburg. Its magical setting on the banks of the winding River Salzach between the dramatic Kapuzinerberg and Mönchsberg mountains, is populated by captivating architecture, a colourful profusion of baroque, medieval, and renaissance buildings lining picturesque streets.

Add to that its buzzing beer gardens in the warmer months and gregarious coffeehouse culture in the colder months, and you'll understand why it rivals Vienna for the post of best Austrian destination.

One of the major highlights is the vast 11th-century Hohensalzburg Fortress, visible for miles on a 120m-high ledge above the city, and offering splendid vistas to the north. Below it, on the south bank of the river, is the Altstadt (Old Town), which is mainly pedestrianised, and interlaced with courtyards, markets, little medieval lanes, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site to boot.

Don't miss the 17th-century Domkirche cathedral, millennium-old Peterskirche, or indulging in a sortie down the bustling main shopping thoroughfare of Getreidegasse. Make a stop at number 9 (Mozart's birthplace) in between buying chocolates and liqueurs bearing the great man's name.

Nearby, the Haus der Natur (Natural History Museum) is crammed with interesting exhibits as well as a remarkable aquarium, while in the new town on the opposite bank the major attraction is the palace of Schloss Mirabel, whose gardens you might remember from the all singing, all dancing classic, The Sound of Music.

You could easily lose a week just soaking up the city at your leisure, but if you're remotely interested in fresh air frolics don't forgo the region's other attractions. Fantastic hiking, walking and even year-round skiing and snowboarding are all on offer nearby, along with the scenic attractions of the Wolfgangsee Lake District and the awesome Eisriesenwelt Höhle (Ice Caves) at Werfen. Munich's less than a two-hour rail journey away, too.