I’m Brian 👋 an American dad living in a small German village near the Austrian border, south of Rosenheim. I live here with my wife Shauna, our boys Noah and Elijah and our pups Scout & Moose. We moved here in June 2024.
Why Austria?
Because it starts just over the border from us. Kufstein, with its big fortress on the rock, is a short train ride away, Innsbruck and Salzburg are easy day trips, and Vienna is the big trip we save up for. On weekends we enjoy things like biking along the Inn river into Tyrol and taking the train to the Christmas markets.
We started Vacation in Germany to share what we learned about our new home. So many of our questions were about the Austrian side of the border, though, that Austria got its own site: the Christmas markets, the Krampus runs, the trains and the practical bits like the vignette.
How I write these guides
- Checked, then dated. Opening dates, hours, ticket prices and timetables come from the official websites. Each post has an “Updated” line and a list of sources at the bottom.
- Train-first. We’re a train-first family, so every guide tells you how to get there without a car. If a place really needs one, I’ll say so.
- Family-friendly. I plan with two boys in mind: short walks, warm drinks, a carousel or a sled run nearby. It works just as well if you’re traveling as a couple.
- Kind about every place. The famous spots are famous for a reason. When somewhere is very popular, I’ll give you the quieter time to go instead of telling you to skip it.
- Honest about what we’ve done. If I write about a place we know well, I’ll say so. If I’m sharing research, I’ll say that too.
Shauna’s corner
Shauna helps with these guides, and she’s the reason our plans always leave room for a break and a warm drink ☕.
A note on links
Some links on this site are affiliate links, for example to hotels or tours. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what I recommend.
Say hello
Questions about your Austria trip? Write to contact@vacationinaustria.com. I answer as many as I can, and the best questions become posts.
Pfiat di (take care),
Brian