[via fanpop.com]

The original plan was to stay 3 days in Vienna and soak in some culture, music, and pastry.  But as I started planning, I realized we’d be remiss to go all the way to Austria and not see the country-side. So while looking for places nearby that we could visit for the day, I came across this beautiful picture of Hallstatt.  This idyllic town is about 3 hours away from Vienna by train, nestled between a lake and towering mountains in the backdrop.  

If this looks familiar to you, it’s because this picture and others like it have been used in many screen savers. In fact, this place is so beautiful that a replica of the village has been created in China. I can’t wait to see the real thing for myself in a few months.