Visit Salzburg, Austria, one of three ways: on a budget, spending a bit more, or when the getaway calls for a splurge.
Trip tips: When dialing direct, use the prefix 011 followed by 43 (country code) + 662 (city code) + phone numbers shown below. The Salzburg Card (one-, two- or three-day cards from 23 euros) provides free single admission to Salzburg's museums, free use of the Fortress funicular, the Untersberg cableway and public transport and discounts on concerts, theater performances or excursions to destinations in the Salzburg vicinity; www.salzburg-ticketshop.at. Find numerous city and countryside tours at www.salzburgtours.net.
Getting there: Lufthansa offers a round-trip rate of $1,064 on departures started on or before March 20; $1,210 through mid-May.
BUDGET
Stay: Guests of Hotel Rosenvilla will have a 15-minute walk to the historic city center (buses run every 10 minutes). Romantic guest rooms start from 116 euros, including Wi-Fi. The vast breakfast buffet (rated the fifth best in Europe!) is 11 euros per person. Höfelgasse 4, 621765, www.rosenvilla.com.
Eat: Two butchers breed their own curly coated pigs and handcraft an Austria specialty sausage, Salzacher, at Die Geheime (meaning secret) Specerey. Other gourmet choices include goulash, pastas, risottos, fine tuna and choice Italian and Austrian wines; from 9 euros-15 euros. Sigmund-Haffner-Gasse 16, 699-1750-1806, www.felleis-knittelfelder.at/fkt.
Experience: Salzburg is one of the best preserved city centers in the German-speaking world and noted for its stunning Alpine setting. Its most famous sight is Fortress Hohensalzburg, built in 1077, and today reached by a funicular railway. Tour the fortress courtyards, observation tower, State Rooms, torture chamber, museums and a sound/sight show with an audio tour (no handicap facilities); 11 euros, including funicular ascent and descent. Mönchsberg 34, 842430-11, www.salzburg-burgen.at.
MODERATE
Stay: Accommodations at Hotel Wolf have varied interiors with a historical flair. Built in 1429, this chic property is an ideal base for sightseeing and attractions. Double rooms from 110 euros-188 euros, including breakfast buffet and taxes. Kaigasse 7, 843453-0, www.hotelwolf.com.
Eat: Mozartkugel, a delicate handmade truffle, was invented in 1890 and is sold only at four Salzburg confectioners (28.50 euros for a box of 25). You'll see imitations sold elsewhere, but opt for the original wrapped in silver-blue foil. While at the cafe, enjoy a wide choice of Austrian pastries such as Sacher tortes, Esterhazy cakes, apple strudel, petits fours and a selection of 60 other delicacies. Cafe Konditorei Fürst, Alter Markt, Brodgasse 13, 843759-0, www.original-mozartkugel.com.
Experience: Following thousands of performances on Broadway, in London and in Europe, the award-winning "Sound of Music" musical production will be performed at the 1,000-seat Salzburger Landestheater through May. The story of the novice, Maria, who comes to work for the Trapp family as a governess just before World War II, marries the widower, Georg von Trapp, and becomes famous with the family choir, has been world-famous since the 1965 movie. Tickets from 16.50 euros-65 euros. Schwarzstrasse 22, 871512-0, www.salzburger-landestheater.at. The exhibition "The Trapp Family – Reality and Sound of Music" at the Panorama Museum portrays the Trapps through numerous original objects, props, interactive photo displays and contrasts historical facts and the myth created by the film industry; through Sept. 15, 3 euros. Residenzplatz 9, 620808-730, www.salzburgmuseum.at.
SPLURGE
Stay: Hotel Palace Mönchstein sits at the north end of the Mönchsberg, a large city park of wooded paths, trees and benches. This romantic and elegant five-star hotel was built in 1358 as a guesthouse and today features interiors decorated with crystal chandeliers, fine carpets and brocades and leaded windows. A "Salzburg Winter Magic" package includes a two-night stay, welcome drink, castle breakfast, use of the spa, a limo ride along Lake Wolfgang, a horse-drawn carriage ride to St. Wolfgang and more. This serene region of Salzkammergut is a picture-perfect winter Alpine setting. Package rate is 500 euros per person, double; valid through January or March 5-31. Room-only rates from 310 euros. Mönchsberg Park 26, 848555-0, www.monchstein.at.
Eat: Enjoy an evening likely to have taken place in 1790 — in the candlelit baroque hall of Stiftskeller St. Peter (part of the famous Benedictine monastery) having a dinner based on 18th-century recipes, listening to a concert with musicians in period costumes and the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; 54 euros. An "exclusive" option at 89 euros includes preferred seating, welcome cocktail, a program and an extended gourmet menu. Sankt-Peter-Bezirk, 828-695, www.mozartdinnerconcert.com.
Experience: Live concerts in Mozart's birthplace and residence are performed with original instruments from his private collection. Ticket average 70 euros. Other chamber music concerts are performed in the Viennese Hall through June 18 with renowned chamber musicians and young instrumental soloists, singers and ensembles; from 20 euros. Schwarzstrasse 26, 88940-0, www.mozarteum.at.
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