Aussie spots wild sign in popular European country

There’s a running joke that an airport in one European country has a desk for people who have accidentally flown there instead of hopping on a flight to Australia.

Hilarious sign spotted in European city

There’s a running joke that an airport in one European country has a desk for people who have accidentally flown there instead of hopping on a flight to Australia.

And, Austria plays into the bit well. Two years ago, an advertisement from an intercom system company played up the joke with a sign at Salzburg Airport. At gift shops, there are mugs and T-shirts with Australian kangaroo signs on them warning that you won’t be able to find the national animal in the streets of Vienna. There’s even an Australian pub in the country’s capital city.

Austria jokes that there are 'no kangaroos'. Picture: news.com.au

The country plays into the Australia and Austria comparison. Picture: news.com.au

But, while the country makes a joke out of it, there is a lot that the world would be missing out on if it bypassed Austria. I was lucky enough to visit Austria as part of Scoot’s inaugural flight from Singapore to Vienna, and here is my list of must visits.

Dürnstein

If you’re ever lucky enough to float along the Danube — a river that originates in Germany, before spanning through Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia and Romania — then a stop in Dürnstein is a must.

The tiny town that takes a whopping 20 minutes to walk around is a little haven in what is essentially wine country. It used to be a strategic fortress along the river. Now, it’s a perfect spot for relaxation as a break from trawling along the river.

Durnstein from the river. Picture: news.com.au

There are two absolute standouts in the town — Stift Dürnstein and Hotel Schloss Dürnstein.

Stift Dürnstein is an Abbey, and if coming from the river you are greeted with it looming over you with its beautiful blue clock tower. The chapel was first built in 1372, and over the years was brought into the monastery and officially became a parish in 1745. Eventually, the monastery was dissolved but the parish remains. It still holds weekly church services, and the entire building is in the baroque style. It is absolutely stunning, and worth a tour. It’s also a lovely spot for some pictures over the river. It’s essentially a time capsule and is a great way to learn a bit of the history of the town you’re staying in.

But, if you’re looking for a more chill hideaway in the countryside, then you simply cannot go past the five-star Hotel Schloss Dürnstein. Formerly a castle, before it was purchased by the current owners, the hotel boasts room views over the river, two pools, a wine cellar that the family themselves created, and truly incredible food with the menu constantly updated by the season.

While I was there, it was all about apricots and everything I tasted was sensational. As a guest of the hotel, we were treated to a private wine tasting. As someone who has done wine tastings in France, Italy and Australia, I have to say — Austrian wine may possibly be my new favourite. But the majority of Austrian wine doesn’t make it out of the country (because clearly, they know they have the good stuff) so you have to venture to the European country to try it.

A little apricot spritz along the Danube. Picture: news.com.au

Besides that, the town is just a beautiful little time capsule. The sweet shops are to die for, and if I’d stayed a little longer I would have stocked up on some fresh deli meats for a picnic by the river.

Salzburg

If you’re a Sound Of Music fan, then Salzburg is a no-brainer stop for you. It’s where the hit Julie Andrews movie was filmed and it’s the 60th anniversary this year, so the city is pulling out all the stops in celebration of this. There are walking tours where you can visit filming locations, and even a bus tour that allows you to immerse yourself further. I am told on the bus tour, they even sing the songs.

Outside Cafe Tomaselli. Picture: news.com.au

A little sweet treat at Mozart's favourite coffee house. Picture: news.com.au

But, fair warning, a lot of locals aren’t huge fans of the film as it is a Hollywood version of something many still remember witnessing.

So, what are the highlights of the city? The food, obviously. Café Tomaselli was Mozart’s favourite coffee house in Salzburg — although rumour has it he loved to complain about the quality of the coffee. As a coeliac, I couldn’t indulge in the cakes (although they looked fabulous) so I treated myself to a spiked coffee and ice cream floating in prosecco. The building is simply gorgeous and it’s a great place to sit and watch the world go by. Another highlight is Hotel Sacher, known for its Sacher cake. The cake is a chocolate sponge, coated in a chocolate glaze with apricot jam in the middle.

Me rolling the strudel. Picture: news.com.au

My gluten free pretzel may look ugly, but it tasted delicious. Picture: news.com.au

If you want to combine music and food, another highlight for me personally was Edelweiss Cooking School. During the class, you learn how to make apple strudel and a pretzel before everyone sits down to enjoy a bowl of goulash and the baked goods — all while an opera singer performs. They even accommodated my dietaries with a gluten-free goulash and dessert, and it was all amazing.

I am also a sucker for a walking tour, so I highly recommend it. It’s a brilliant way to learn the layout of the city and learn about its history. On my walking tour, we got to see some of the beautiful universities, Mozart’s birth place and the fabulous Mirabell Palace and Gardens.

The glorious Sacher cake. Picture: news.com.au

Salzburg at night. Picture: news.com.au

However, my favourite thing I saw in all of Austria was Schloss Hellbrunn — a palace built by Prince Archbishop of Salzburg Markus Sittikus in 1619. Sittikus suffered from melancholy, and built a frankly insane garden as part of the castle. It featured a table area where water would shoot from the chairs, and disturbing statues inspired by mythology. It also has the infamous gazebo from The Sound Of Music.

Vienna

Sadly, I didn’t get to spend as much time in Vienna as I’d like. The city is filled with art galleries and museums that I would genuinely fly back for just to experience.

Hellbrunn's Trick Gardens. Picture: news.com.au

But, from what I did see, I was hooked. If you want to get a bird’s eye view of the city, drink cocktails and enjoy a delicious meal while you do, then 360° Ocean Sky is the place for you. The restaurant is built atop one of six former anti-aircraft gun towers left over in the city. It is one of the few reminders of World War II left in Austria and serves as a stark reminder of one of the darkest times in European history.

Again, I highly recommend a walking tour of Vienna, and a stop at Schönbrunn Palace. The palace itself is beautiful — and potentially the home to one of the best carrot soups I’ve ever had. Overall, it was an opera performance that really won my heart. The visit exposed me to things I’d never experienced before, and that’s the whole point of a holiday, isn’t it?

This journalist flew to Austria as a guest of Scoot and Austria Tourism