When Vienna swelters, the Viennese have a secret: the Rax — their own Alps, just over an hour from the city. At nearly 1,600 m (5,200 ft) above sea level, the air stays fresh and cool all summer, and the plateau opens into gentle panoramic walks for every fitness level.

We follow the footsteps of Emperor Franz Joseph and Sigmund Freud, who came here to breathe. We’ll explore the elegant Fin-de-Siècle resort towns with their grand villas, enjoy coffee in a historic pavilion, and take the Rax cable car — the first in Austria — carrying you to the cool summit. On the way back, we stop at Semmering to admire the UNESCO-listed mountain railway with its monumental stone viaducts.

Pre-booked Skip-the-Line Cable Car Tickets included. You’ll travel comfortably with a dedicated duo: Vlad handling the driving, and Jenny guiding (and capturing photos of you at all the best scenic spots!). At just 7–8 hours door-to-door, it’s the most effortless and refreshing alpine escape Vienna has to offer.