Four Cities I Once Called Home
The Goldenes Dachl in Innsbruck, Austria
There are plenty of places I love in the world. But there’s a short list of cities that feel different because I’ve actually lived there.
After 10+ years in London, London will always be my #1. But at various points in my life, I’ve lived in Innsbruck, Salzburg, Munich, and Berlin. I know what these places feel like on a random weekday morning when you really need a takeaway coffee, which restaurants locals still go to, and which hotels feel right when you’re arriving jet-lagged from the U.S. (My mom’s family is German and I majored in German in college, hence all the expertise in the German-speaking world. Also hence my name! Krista aber mit K!)
These cities make a fantastic Central European itinerary because they connect easily by train.
Here’s how I usually think about each city when I’m planning trips for clients: where to stay, what’s worth doing, and where to go for a proper Austrian or German meal.
Pretty and colorful Innsbruck, on the River Inn
Innsbruck, Austria
I spent my entire sophomore year at the University of Notre Dame in Innsbruck and I’ve been back countless times since. Innsbruck sits dramatically in a valley surrounded by the Alps. The mountains rise so abruptly around the city that the whole place feels like it was built inside a postcard.
The first thing I tell clients is that Innsbruck is surprisingly manageable. It’s not a place that needs a packed sightseeing schedule. A couple of great meals, a wander through the old town, and time in the mountains is often exactly the right pace. Ready to talk about the Tyrolean Alps? Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.
Where to Stay
Luxury hotels are more limited here than in Munich or Salzburg, but there are a few very good options.
Hotel Goldener Adler– stylish boutique hotel with personality, right in the old town.
Hotel Schwarzer Adler – historic property with a rooftop spa and mountain views.
Stage 12 Hotel – modern, comfortable, and right in the heart of the old town.
Experiences I Recommend
Take the Nordkette cable cars from the city straight into the mountains. The contrast between medieval streets and high alpine landscape is dramatic.
Walk the Altstadt early in the morning before the day-trippers arrive. The Golden Roof gets the attention, but the surrounding streets are just as beautiful. There’s also a beautiful walking path along the River Inn.
Head up to Seegrube for lunch with sweeping views over the valley. I love a mountain hut with sausages and beer!
Traditional Places to Eat
Stiftskeller – a big, atmospheric Tyrolean restaurant with classic Austrian dishes.
Gasthaus Weisses Rössl – cozy and traditional with hearty alpine cooking.
Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg is almost impossibly pretty. The old town sits beneath a fortress, the Salzach River cuts through the center, and church domes rise up everywhere you look.
Because it’s so visually perfect, people sometimes rush through Salzburg too quickly. My advice is always to slow down a little. Find a cafe for some coffee and cake (and some Mozartkugeln, the traditional Salzburg chocolate marzipan balls) and then head to Augustiner for some beer and snacks.
Where to Stay
These are the hotels I typically recommend.
Hotel Sacher Salzburg – elegant riverside hotel with views of the old town. I stayed here back in 2024 and loved it.
Hotel Goldener Hirsch– historic property right on Getreidegasse with a fantastic sense of place. This is a Marriott Stars & Luminous property where I can add perks and amenities to your stay.
Hotel Schloss Mönchstein – small luxury hotel set above the city with beautiful views.
Experiences Worth Your Time
Enjoy a cold beer at Augustiner
Visit Hohensalzburg Fortress for panoramic views over the city and the Alps.
Spend time wandering Getreidegasse, the charming historic shopping street where Mozart was born.
Traditional Austrian Restaurants
St. Peter Stiftskulinarium – one of Europe’s oldest restaurants and still wonderfully atmospheric. Get the Nockerl, the traditional Salzburg dessert.
Zum Zirkelwirt – relaxed traditional Austrian cooking in a historic setting.
Bärenwirt – excellent schnitzel and classic Austrian comfort food.
Ich liebe Munchen
Munich, Germany
Munich surprises many travelers. People arrive expecting beer halls and lederhosen and quickly realize the city is far more elegant and affluent than that stereotype suggests.
Yes, you should absolutely experience the classic beer halls. But Munich is also a city of grand hotels, leafy parks, palaces, and excellent restaurants. I feel so lucky to have lived in Munich. It is such a classy city with a very high quality of life.
Where to Stay
These are three of my favorite hotels to book.
Mandarin Oriental Munich – intimate luxury property with an excellent rooftop terrace.
Hotel Bayerischer Hof – a long-standing Munich institution with multiple restaurants and a rooftop pool.
Rosewood Munich – one of the newest luxury hotels in the city and already very popular.
Platzl Munich – don’t get me wrong, I love a 5 star hotel. But I also love the 4 star Platzl with all of its loden fabric interwoven into its design. (Loden is the fabric used for traditional Bavarian and Tyrolean clothing.)
Experiences I Love
Browse the food stalls at Viktualienmarkt, Munich’s famous outdoor market.
Bike through the Englisher Garten, with a stop at the biergarten.
Visit Käfer, the beautiful grocery store and restaurant. I used to get lunch here a few times a week and didn’t realize how good I had it!
Traditional Bavarian Restaurants
Augustiner-Bräustuben – classic Bavarian beer hall near the train station. (Yes, the same Augustiner from Salzburg.)
Hofbräuhaus München – historic and lively. Yes, it’s touristy — but it’s still fun. I got the best compliment ever here when some Germans I was talking to just assumed I was German too. (Apparently I have a great accent auf Deutsch.)
Ayinger am Platzl – excellent Bavarian cooking in a more refined setting.
Berlin never gets boring for me.
Berlin, Germany
Berlin feels completely different from the other cities on this list. It’s larger, rougher around the edges, and constantly reinventing itself. That contrast is exactly why I love it so much.
One thing I always tell younger clients: Berlin makes a lot more sense if you understand the history before you arrive. The Cold War, the wall, and the division of the city still shape how Berlin feels today. Honestly, I will never forget November 9 1989, the day the Berlin Wall fell. My family sat glued to the TV, convinced tanks would start rolling in.
Also weird — being in Berlin in 1992. I remember there was construction cranes everywhere in East Berlin.
Berlin is a sprawling city—much larger than you’d think—so hotel location matters. That being said, public transportation is very efficient and easy to use!
Where to Stay
These are three of the most reliable luxury options.
Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin – iconic hotel right next to the Brandenburg Gate.
Hotel de Rome – Rocco Forte property in a former bank building.
The Ritz-Carlton Berlin – polished and centrally located.
Experiences That Matter
Walk through Brandenburg Gate, one of Europe’s most important historical landmarks.
Visit the Berlin Wall Memorial to understand the story of the divided city.
Visit the Stasi Museum. This is one of the most interesting museums I’ve ever been to! (And if I can recommend some great Cold War TV shows set around this time — check out Deutschland 83/86/89, Counterpart, and Gleiche Himmel/Same Sky.)
Traditional German Restaurants
Max und Moritz– hearty German cooking in a historic Kreuzberg building.
Zur letzten Instanz – Berlin’s oldest restaurant.
Schwarzwaldstuben – cozy southern German comfort food.
Why These Cities Work So Well Together
One of the reasons I love recommending this part of the world is how easily the cities connect by train. Munich to Innsbruck takes under two hours. Salzburg sits perfectly between Munich and Vienna. Berlin is an easy connection north. It’s one of the most enjoyable ways to explore Europe — beautiful cities, great food, and scenic rail journeys linking everything together.
And because I’ve actually lived in these places, I can help clients experience them in a way that feels natural rather than rushed. Ready to talk Austria and Germany? Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.
About Krista
I’m a Virtuoso travel advisor based in West Palm Beach, Florida. I attended the University of Notre Dame for undergrad and I have my MBA from the University of Chicago. Before building my travel business, I spent 20 years in the investment management industry and over a decade living and working in London, England. I’ve personally traveled to 80 countries and now design thoughtful, highly customized trips for travelers who value expertise, access, and a seamless experience.
I offer a complimentary 30-minute consultation for travelers considering a custom itinerary or luxury cruise. Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.
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What I Offer…
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