Hohensalzburg Fortress alone makes Austria worth the trip

I'll be honest — I went to Austria primarily to see Hohensalzburg Fortress, and it delivered beyond what any photo prepares you for. But the surrounding region surprised me just as much. Innsbruck has a character I didn't anticipate, and wandering without a plan for an afternoon turned out to be one of the highlights.

The food is extraordinary. Sachertorte sounds simple but here it's done with real craft. stunning alpine scenery added another layer to the experience. Spent 7 days and honestly could have used a week more.