Rolling green hills, rocky mountains that jet out and invite the first flurries of snow early in fall, long train rides through winding valleys, and the freshest food and wine possible…this is Austria. If you want relaxation and adventure rolled into one for your honeymoon, here’s why I suggest you start in a little town called Leogang, set in the Austrian Alps, and end in the dazzling, artful city of Vienna.

Photos courtesy of Naturhotel Forsthofgut

For a hotel that got its start as a simple forestry operation and farm about 400 years ago, it’s safe to say Naturhotel Forsthofgut is something special. About a two-and-a-half-hour drive from the Munich airport, Naturhotel Forsthofgut is a sanctuary at the base of the Asitz ski slopes and the launching pad to an incomparable honeymoon.

Photos courtesy of Naturhotel Forsthofgut

The name itself tells the story of this evolution: Forst (forest), Hof (homestead), and Gut (luxury estate). While the property was a humble family farm renting just five rooms in 1980, it truly found its current rhythm in 2006 when host Christoff Schmuck took over. Now, the hotel’s popularity precedes itself, especially with the recent addition of the massive WaldSPA! Despite the Forsthofgut’s expansion from five to 112 rooms across four houses, including stunning Garden Lofts in the lake house, the vibe remains intensely personal. With almost 70 percent of the staff residing on the property, there is a true sense of being welcomed into someone’s home.

Photos courtesy of Naturhotel ForsthofgutPhoto courtesy of Naturhotel Forsthofgut

The Adults Only area of this wellness mecca offers a deep breath of fresh air for true serenity. The sprawling 25-meter rooftop infinity pool, whirlpool with mountain panorama, and extensive sauna world ensure that balance is maintained even on passive days. An outdoor sauna overlooks the surrounding wildlife, while each of the Berg Loft Suites features an outdoor sauna and hot tub on a private loggia for those who want a truly private experience. Wellness is taken seriously, but always in the spirit of playful, deep connection to nature.

Photos courtesy of Naturhotel Forsthofgut

The WaldSPA feels like a vault of rejuvenation where treatments are inspired by the power of the trees. Couples can essentially book any treatment together, be it a summer massage in the woods or some high-tech health assessments, such as metabolic checkups and hypoxic training for cell regeneration. If you need to reset your energy or tackle inflammation, a morning session in the cryo chamber is something not to be missed.

Photos courtesy of Naturhotel Forsthofgut

The culinary experience here is as diverse and rooted in nature as the hotel itself, with specific menu items that follow the “R50” philosophy, which means ingredients are sourced from within a 50-kilometer radius of Forsthofgut! (The hotel even produces its own private wine label in the nearby Styria region and sources milk from the Zieferhof producer close by and organic goods from Biohof Stechaubauer.)

1617: This restaurant is the main dining area and concentrates on regional flavors and traditional Austrian cuisine. It is the right place to spend one’s evening in comfort, perhaps enjoying a traditional Austrian fondue evening in a relaxed atmosphere.

The Fine Dining Restaurant presents a sophisticated interpretation of Austrian and international cuisine in a stylishly appointed ambiance, often complemented by creative menus and wine recommendations.

Noon: It is the perfect venue for a light meal in between spa treatments. The afternoon greeting can be enjoyed with guests, normally with a delicious buffet or á la carte.

Photo by Nicky Webb

Once you soak up the alpine air, trade in the mountains for the country’s cultural heartbeat. A scenic train ride deposits you at the capital. If you want a quintessential Vienna experience, I highly suggest you check into the awe-inspiring Altstadt Vienna.

Situated in the hip Spittelberg quarter, conveniently located next to the MuseumsQuartier, Altstadt Vienna is part of the Small Luxury Hotels network. But, honestly, it feels less like a hotel and more like the private residence of a great art collector. Founded in 1991 by Otto Wiesenthal, a former tech executive who left the US corporate world at 40 to pursue his passion, this hotel is a real masterclass in individuality. Otto’s daughter, Saskia (somewhat of an art collector herself), ensures this museum-like refuge invests much of its resources in a dynamic interior that changes constantly, with two to three rooms being redesigned every year!

The aesthetic is bold, using primary colors and iconic furniture in each room, inspired by an element of Vienna. Nods to the city’s history, landmarks and important players work their way into the design too, including an entire suite dedicated to the Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist, Sigmund Freud, featuring the same chair and daybed-couch design used by the icon. In fact, every room has a QR code explaining the thought behind its unique design. A few rooms stand out specifically for honeymooners, including (but not limited to) the Josef Hoffmann Suite #36, Felix Suite #9, Library Suite #35, Josef Frank Suite #78, White Suite #61, Andi Lackner Room #56, Lilli Hollein Suite #67, and Violet Suite #19.

Photo by Cathrine Stukhard // Painting by Iris Kohlweiss

Perhaps the best part of this artful property is the Red Salon, where breakfast is served each morning, and a humble bar whips up craft cocktails in the afternoons, turning the space into a vibrant social hub for guests to enjoy in between their explorations.

Dining & Exploring Vienna

Speaking of exploring, Vienna is a city of endless possibilities and inspiration, but this carefully crafted itinerary has been tailored for the foodie and art enthusiast couple.

Photo by Lauren Ertl

For a really deep dive into local tradition, Kruste & Krume offers a chance to book a baking class. You will be welcomed into the Viennese baking world of tradition to learn how to shape traditional Kipferl, the forerunner to the croissant, while learning practical advice to take back to your own kitchen.

Photos by Lauren Ertl

Later in the day, when your stomach growls, head to Meinklang Hofladen for dinner. Ever since landing on the “T List” in 2022, Meinklang Hofladen has been the undisputed darling of the cool crowd. This place is farm-to-table to a T: their restaurant serves ingredients sourced right from their own farm in the Seewinkel region, repped alongside their iconic natural wines within a Nordic-minimalist setting.

Photos by Lauren Ertl

Meanwhile, the menu at MAST says bistro, but with a green conscience. The place is run by sommeliers Matthias Pitra and Steve Breitzke; it boasts a Michelin Green Star for sustainability, with organic wines and hyper-local grapes the focus.

Photos by Lauren Ertl

Between meals, delve into the city’s artistic soul at the Leopold Museum in the MuseumsQuartier. It houses the most eminent Egon Schiele collection in the world, alongside major works by Gustav Klimt, such as “Death and Life”.

Photos by Lauren Ertl

Finally, to find a souvenir you’ll use and treasure for years to come, book a couture shopping tour with Shopping with Lucie. Lucie is a shopping professional with a knack for the unique who will take you off the beaten path to find the best Austrian designers and hidden treasures.

Overall, Austria is a country that offers a very unique form of luxury: one that balances the wild, restorative beauty of the Alps with the cultured, effervescent energy of a historic capital city. What could strike a better balance for your honeymoon abroad than that?