In Austria, the land of the Alps, you can experience beautiful, versatile landscape with snow peaked Alps, glaciers, valleys, gorges, wooded foothills, plains, vineyards, and historical towns. Those interested in winter sports, trekking or mountain biking will have plenty of opportunities in the fascinating landscapes of this mountainous country. Home to many magnificent historical attractions, Austria also offers unforgettable cultural experiences for those interested in music, opera, theater and ballet.
Mountain & nature destinations. Sankt Anton ski resort in Austrian Tyrol offers excellent skiing, hiking, biking and rafting. Zell am See is one of the most popular ski resorts in Austria with magnificent mountain landscapes and high class facilities for outdoor sports. The largest steppe lake in Europe surrounded by unique Austrian nature, Lake Neusiedl offers great biking, birdwatching, hiking, windsurfing and relaxing summer holidays for the whole family. The scenic Salzkammergut region is perfect for nature holiday in mountainous settings, with cultural attractions around as well.
Local transportation in Austria is easy. There are excellent and modern bus, plane, and train connections between all major cities and tourism destinations in Austria. Local roads are in good condition and well signposted, making traveling in Austria by car easy for foreigners. Visitors may also prefer renting a car to travel around in Austria independently.
Culture, history and outdoor activities - Destinations in Austria
Austria's capital and also the center of its cultural life is Vienna. This lively city has a beautiful old town with historic buildings to admire, as well as an array of attractions from concerts to museums. Salzburg is the birthplace of the famous Austrian composer Wolfgang Mozart and a popular destination for those interested in arts, architecture or award-winning world-class restaurants. Situated in the Alps, Innsbruck offers wide winter sport and outdoor activities as well as beautiful historic buildings to admire. Graz on its behalf is a lively university city which hosts a historically interesting castle, and a UNESCO World Heritage -nominated Old Town.Mountain & nature destinations. Sankt Anton ski resort in Austrian Tyrol offers excellent skiing, hiking, biking and rafting. Zell am See is one of the most popular ski resorts in Austria with magnificent mountain landscapes and high class facilities for outdoor sports. The largest steppe lake in Europe surrounded by unique Austrian nature, Lake Neusiedl offers great biking, birdwatching, hiking, windsurfing and relaxing summer holidays for the whole family. The scenic Salzkammergut region is perfect for nature holiday in mountainous settings, with cultural attractions around as well.
Practical information for your trip to Austria
Austria is a landlocked Central European country by the Alps, which cover 3/4 of the country. It is easy to travel to Austria by plane, as there are five international airports in the country, the one in Vienna being the most popular of them. There are also fast and comfortable train connections to Austria. The most inexpensive way to travel to Austria is by bus and there are good bus connections to Austria from most major European cities. Austria and its neighboring countries are all part of the Schengen contract, so there are no border controls, making traveling to Austria by car quite straightforward. However, be prepared for traffic jams in the motorways from neighboring countries at the beginning of holiday seasons in July and August.Local transportation in Austria is easy. There are excellent and modern bus, plane, and train connections between all major cities and tourism destinations in Austria. Local roads are in good condition and well signposted, making traveling in Austria by car easy for foreigners. Visitors may also prefer renting a car to travel around in Austria independently.
Photo: Fr Antunes, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
Year-round destination. Austria offers activities to visitors a year round. Climate in Austria is temperate Central European climate with some rain throughout the year. The winters are cold with frequent rain and some snow in lowlands and snow in mountains. Austrian Summers are moderate with occasional showers. The Austrian Alps have short summers, long winters, and a high annual rainfall. Visitors in the Alps are recommended to prepare for the variation of temperatures and the intense sun radiation in the high altitudes. Winter ski season in the Austrian Alps lasts from December to April.
History and culture of Austria
From 1278 to the First World War Austria was ruled by the great Habsburg dynasty, which also ruled many other parts of Europe those days. After the collapse of the large Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1919 Austria was reduced to a small republic that was later annexed by Germany. After the Second World War the country's status remained unclear until 1955 when the country was declared independent. Today, Austria is a neutral country lead by a bicameral parliament elected every fourth year. Austria joined the European Union in 1995 and European Monetary Union in 1999.The cultureof German-speaking Austria is a mixture of its neighboring cultures. The Austrians enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world. Austria is also one of the safest countries in the world, where it is safe to walk around at any time of the day. You should still be aware of pickpockets here, especially in crowded city centers.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Salzkammergut, Graz, Cesky Krumlov, Salzburg, Berchtesgaden, Kranjska Gora, Zell am See
