The air is crisp, sunlight dances on Lake Fuschl’s glassy surface, and the Austrian Alps frame this scenic view. With the rhythmic crunch of frosty snow beneath my boots, I enjoy a contemplative early morning hike through a destination once favoured by Austrian royalty.
Lake Fuschl
Perched elegantly on the lake’s edge, Schloss Fuschl was built in 1461 as a hunting lodge for Salzburg’s prince-archbishops, hosting court gatherings for centuries. In the 1950s, it was a location for the Sissi film trilogy about Empress Elisabeth of Austria, with lead actress Romy Schneider staying there.
Following meticulous restoration, the storied castle has been reborn as Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, Austria’s second Rosewood hotel. Melding imperial grandeur with modern sophistication, it offers a rare opportunity to experience aristocratic heritage with contemporary comfort – just a 30-minute drive from Salzburg.
The hotel’s refurbishment by G.A Group and Austrian firm Bauer Stahl honours its past with grand chandeliers, restored period furnishings, hand-painted murals, velvet upholstery, and rich wooden panelling. Yet, the atmosphere remains modern and understated, with bright rooms, soft ambient lighting, and a colour palette inspired by the Alpine landscape – deep greens, lake blues, and earthy neutrals.
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Rosewood Schloss Fuschl
Embracing the region’s restorative nature, the 1,500 sqm Asaya Spa offers a modern take on Austria’s wellness traditions. Guests can indulge in indoor and outdoor infinity pools, saunas, and steam baths, or even take a bracing dip in the lake’s pristine waters.
Naturally, a massage or facial is a must. The spa uses cult skincare brand Dr. Barbara Sturm for facials, while massage therapies incorporate local alpine herbs and intuitive healing techniques to ease tension and jet lag.
Rejuvenated, I head to Schloss Restaurant, where head chef Julian Schwamberger crafts menus from the freshest seasonal ingredients. Signatures include a refined take on local comfort food – fried boneless free-range chicken leg – and saddle of Mattigtal lamb with black truffle. I could not resist the daily special: A salt-baked trout, freshly caught from the lake, its tender flesh flaking right off the bone – the perfect Austrian welcome.
As it is, the country’s culinary landscape is experiencing a renaissance beyond the elegant dining rooms of Schloss Fuschl. This year, the Michelin Guide has expanded its coverage beyond Vienna and Salzburg to encompass the entire country, shining a spotlight on Austria’s rich and diverse gastronomy where many innovative chefs are embracing sustainable, hyperlocal sourcing of the country’s bounty of fresh produce while pushing boundaries in their culinary creations.
For example, at the two Michelin starred Restaurant Ikarus in the outskirts of Salzburg, executive chef Martin Klein works with a guest chef hailing from a top restaurant from a different part of the world every month, to co-create an entirely different menu each time. It demands a level of talent, versatility, and team spirit that few restaurants can match, resulting in an ever-evolving dining experience that keeps even the most seasoned gastronomes intrigued.
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Statue of Johann_Strauss in Stadtpark
Equally momentous is Austria’s deep connection to music, which takes centre stage in 2025 with two major anniversaries. In Vienna, the city is celebrating 200 years of Johann Strauss – the "Waltz King" whose compositions still set the rhythm of grand balls and concert halls today (more on this later). Meanwhile, Salzburg marks 60 years of The Sound of Music, the iconic film that continues to draw visitors retracing the footsteps of the singing nun Maria von Trapp, played by Julie Andrews, through the Alps.
Naturally, it is a must when in Salzburg to sign up for a walking tour of some of the movie’s most famous locations, such as the Mirabellgarten, where scenes like the Do-Re-Mi were filmed. But, travellers will also quite quickly find out that this movie is not quite as beloved here as it is around the world – perhaps locals do not see their hometown accurately reflected in this Hollywood depiction. Nevertheless, it is still fun to ham it up for some social media posts.
What is less embedded in popular consciousness is the fact that Salzburg also happens to be the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, widely regarded as one of the most talented classical musicians. So, it is certainly worthwhile to spend some time at the two Mozart museums in the city – his Birthplace and Residence – where artefacts like his childhood violin, piano, and even a lock of his hair have been carefully preserved.
Just 2.5 hours by high-speed train from Salzburg is Vienna, the capital and cultural heart of the country, which is marking the 200th birthday of composer Johann Strauss with a yearlong series of workshops, events and concerts. He is most well-known for his waltz The Blue Danube, which pop culture aficionados may recognise as the haunting refrain in K-drama, Squid Game.
But in its country of origin, it is the beloved signature tune of Vienna. On every New Year’s Eve, this tune will be played on the streets as a countdown and every Austrian knows this is their cue to gracefully break into a waltz to usher in the new year. A highlight of the celebrations is Johann Strauss – New Dimensions, a cutting-edge multimedia exhibition that reimagines his legacy through immersive visuals and interactive installations, offering a fresh perspective on his timeless waltzes.
In contrast to this new-fangled, immersive experience, the Art Nouveau Secession art museum across the road offers a more classical tribute to Austria’s artistic heritage. The building houses a Gustav Klimt masterpiece, the monumental Beethoven Frieze, which was inspired by Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and visually interprets its Ode to Joy tune. Here, visitors may stream the musical composition as they view the art installation for a viscerally profound experience that underscores humanity’s timeless pursuit of beauty and unity through the eras.
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Rosewood Vienna
To be situated smack in the middle of all these cultural riches, stay at the Rosewood Vienna, the brand’s other Austrian property. Set in a 19th-century neoclassical bank headquarters in the heart of Vienna’s historic First District, the hotel has been masterfully transformed by A2K Architects, BEHF Architects and London’s Alexander Waterworth Design Studio. Honouring Vienna’s traditions of fine craftsmanship and innovative design, it reinterprets historical elements with contemporary sophistication and offers panoramic views of the Old Town at every corner.
The rooms are furnished to evoke an upscale city residence, with tasteful interiors such as an armoire bar, dining table, and a marble-clad bathroom. Its location is second to none, placing guests within walking distance of the Old Town’s famed landmarks from St Stephen’s Cathedral to Vienna’s popular coffee houses, once the preferred meeting spots for intellectuals, writers, and revolutionaries. These grand cafes, such as Cafe Central, remain beloved institutions where patrons linger over coffee and newspapers while soaking in the city’s timeless charm.
Equally iconic is Vienna’s humble yet revered sausage stand, recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage as a place where everyone from bankers to late-night revelers enjoy a freshly grilled meal.
And so it was that I found myself in line at a stand one evening, gleefully ordering a Kasekrainer cheese sausage – and a pint of beer to wash it down. After so much high culture and fine cuisine, indulging in something hearty and unpretentious felt like the perfect conclusion to an Austrian holiday.
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