A soccer stadium, a summit cross, and dinosaurs don’t typically belong in the same vacation story—but for us, they did. In between, there were waterfalls, turquoise water nestled among the mountains, a palace filled with glittering details, and an evening spent watching the lights of Prague slowly flicker on below us.

From July 20 to July 28, 2025, we gathered a diverse collection of vacation memories. Austria was the heart of this journey. Munich served as the prelude, Prague as one of the final stages—and in Kleinwelka, an encounter with a very distant past awaited. Anyone who sees only our mountain photos, therefore, knows just one part of the story.

A mountain landscape, part of the story of the Schönleitenspitze—a tale already told.

A mountain landscape, part of the story of the Schönleitenspitze—a tale already told.

Our vacation begins amidst rows of red stadium seats.

Before the mountains appeared in our photos, our planned stopover took us to the Allianz Arena. The itinerary included the fan shop, the museum, and a stadium tour. While we are fans of FC Bayern, we are also staunch supporters of 1. FC Magdeburg. On this first day of our trip, there was room for both: the anticipation of our time in Austria and a glimpse behind the scenes of a major football stadium.

The many trophies and championship shields, in particular, left a lasting impression. Afterward, we continued our journey to Lesach, near Kals am Großglockner. The vast, circular stadium gave way to a backdrop of mountains.

The full story is already available: Day 1: A stopover at the Allianz Arena.

The "Jungfernsprung" (Maiden’s Leap) on the second day of our trip.

The "Jungfernsprung" (Maiden’s Leap) on the second day of our trip.

First the sound of rushing water, then a view from the summit.

The following day, the spotlight was on the "Jungfernsprung." Water cascaded down a green slope, framed by trees and steep cliffs. A wooden railing, a lookout point, and a photo taken together in front of it—sometimes, a vacation moment doesn’t need much more of a backdrop.

Tuesday took Lena, Felix, and Ralf to the Schönleitenspitze. The route led across meadows and rockier terrain, eventually reaching the summit cross. The experience included an encounter with a herd of cows and an unplanned detour along a steep slope. Above all, it was about reaching the top together. An image like this tells more than just where you’ve been; it serves as a reminder of how you got there.

This day, too, has already been recounted in detail: A trip to the Schönleitenspitze with Lena and Felix.

Water remains a constant theme.

A visit to a thermal spa on Wednesday provided a different kind of experience amidst our various excursions. After all, a family vacation should also include a day whose value isn’t measured by the distance covered.

Following that, we encountered water in two very different forms. In Kaprun, it lay still and turquoise nestled among the mountains. Standing by the dam walls, the sheer scale became truly tangible: tiny people, massive structures, and a landscape where clouds clung to the mountainsides. Beyond the views, there were also exhibitions focused on hydroelectric power.

In Krimml, little of that stillness remained. In our photos, we stand before white, rushing water and fine mist; one family snapshot even captures just how close we were to the water. Later, the images take us further up, through the forest and toward the upper waterfall. The same leg of the journey, the same element—and yet, an entirely different kind of day.

Turquoise water amidst the mountains near Kaprun.

Turquoise water amidst the mountains near Kaprun.

A shared moment in front of the Krimml Waterfalls.

A shared moment in front of the Krimml Waterfalls.

From the mountains to the grand halls of Schönbrunn

On Saturday, the setting shifted completely. Instead of rock faces, we found ourselves surrounded by the ornate rooms of Schönbrunn, filled with chandeliers, large mirrors, and gleaming floors. In some rooms, the ceilings alone are worth a closer look.

Outside, the story continued—with the yellow palace, the gardens, and sweeping views back across the grounds. The journey had taken on a whole new hue. Following the abundant greens and grays of the mountains, shades of gold, red, and the bright "Schönbrunn yellow" entered the scene.

Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens.

Schönbrunn Palace and its gardens.

A Sunday with a surprising number of shifts in scenery.

In our sequence of images, July 27th begins in the Vienna Prater. This is followed by encounters with wax figures, playful photo opportunities, and, finally, the view from the Ferris wheel. The red gondolas and the metal framework are among the images captured that morning.

Later, the setting changes once again: colorful market stalls, recreational activities, and then—Prague. Overlooking the Vltava River, a family portrait was taken in which the city fills the entire background. Later still, the rooftops and lights appeared beneath a deep-blue evening sky. Between the morning at the Prater and this evening view, there are many impressions—enough to fill a chapter of their own.

The family, with Prague and the Vltava River in the background.

The family, with Prague and the Vltava River in the background.

And then, suddenly, there are dinosaurs.

On July 28th, our travel chronicle takes us to Kleinwelka, near Bautzen. Amidst the trees, we encounter large dinosaur figures, strange prehistoric creatures, and scenes from a world from the distant past. Next to these colossal models, we humans appear pleasantly small in the photographs.

This final leg fits perfectly with the rest of our trip: once again, it’s all about observing, discovering, and finding a subject to capture together. Clearly, a vacation doesn’t need to stick to a single theme to feel like a cohesive experience.

An encounter with the dinosaur figures near Kleinwelka.

An encounter with the dinosaur figures near Kleinwelka.

What remains of these nine days

When we lay the photos side by side, they form more than just a list of destinations. There are the grand vistas—stadiums, mountain peaks, dam walls, waterfalls, castles, and city skylines. But interspersed among them are family snapshots taken by a railing, curious gazes directed at an exhibition, and small figures standing beside towering dinosaurs.

That is exactly what this series is about. Each day has its own place—and together, they reveal a vacation that packed a wealth of variety into a single stretch of summer.

Where would you like to begin? With the sound of rushing water at the Jungfernsprung, a stroll through Schönbrunn, or the day that took us from the Prater all the way to the rooftops of Prague? You can find the stories for each individual day in the trip overview.

Tips for your own family trip

  • Plan one main focus for each day. A single major excursion combined with some free time leaves more room for breaks and spontaneous discoveries than a packed schedule of back-to-back activities.
  • Keep mountain days flexible. For excursions or high-altitude destinations, always check the weather, access routes, and opening status shortly beforehand. Have an alternative plan ready, such as a visit to a thermal spa or a city.
  • Consider the journey and the experience as separate elements. Remember to factor in the time spent searching for parking, traveling to and from the site, going through ticket checks, and the return journey—all of which are in addition to the time actually spent at the destination.
  • Consider the total cost for the whole family. Beyond the admission price, take into account parking, transfers, food, and any potential optional extras. Only opt for combination or family tickets if you truly intend to make use of everything they include.
  • Keep a small day bag packed. Water bottles, snacks, weather-appropriate clothing, and a dry cloth for cleaning mobile phones and glasses are very useful when visiting a mix of mountains, water, and urban areas.
  • Capture your memories right away. Jot down two or three favorite moments each evening and organize your photos by the day they were taken. This makes it much easier to turn a large collection of images into a personal story later on.

These points are editorial planning suggestions. Specific conditions and official information can be found within the individual daily chapters.

Research conducted: November 4, 2026. These planning tips are separate from the travelogue covering the trip in July 2025; please verify current prices, dates, and terms via the linked websites of the respective operators.

Continue exploring our vacation journey

Post updated on November 5, 2026.