Austria Travel Guide
Austria or Österreich in German means "the Eastern Realm". It is located in
Central Europe and is land-locked between
Switzerland,
Germany,
Slovakia,
Czech Republic,
Hungary,
Slovenia and
Italy. Contrary to popular views, Austria is not all mountain terrain. In fact,
only half of Austria is occupied by the Alps. A visit to Austria will not only
provide you with breathtaking views of the Alps but will give you the
opportunity to wander its famous cities and beautiful landscapes.
About a quarter of Austria's population live in the capital, Vienna. It is the
center of the country's musical, artistic and architectural life. You might want
to concentrate on exploring the historic center and the Ringstrasse which
surrounds Vienna's old town. Several of the city's best sites are inside or on
this ring that is two and half mile long. This once protected the city of Vienna
during World War I.
Another city you should not miss visiting when in Austria is the city of
Salzburg. Home of the famous classical musician Mozart, it makes music an
integral part of the city's core. There is even an impressive statue of him in
Mozart Square and the city celebrated Mozart's 250th birthday in 2006. A must
visit in the city is the Old Town which contains many structures that features
Baroque architecture. It is a pedestrian-only town which makes touring more
enjoyable.
The city of Graz houses the most preserved old town in the whole of Europe. It
is a city that calls to any visitor to explore its narrow alleys, beautiful
courtyards and varied architectural styles. When in Graz be sure to visit the
famous clock tower at the Glockenspieplatz, the Chateau Eggenberg, the Landhaus
and the Cathedral and Mausoleum among many other tourist destinations.
Site of two winter Olympics, Innsbruck is considered to be one of the best ski
resorts in Europe. Innsbruck's sceneries are gorgeous with historic building
framed by snow-capped mountains and in the summer the area becomes a hiker's
paradise with twenty five villages to visit and explore.
A visit to Austria will not be complete without a tour of the famous Danube
valley. It is one of the major attractions in Austria and is the unifying
element of the country. Sightseeing the Danube is best done on a deck of a
cruise ship or on one of the sightseeing boats that ply the river. The route is
scenic and dotted with interesting towns, beautiful countryside and fascinating
castles.
The best time to visit Austria is between the months of april and october where
the weather is warm. Visiting during summer (july to august) can become
troublesome because crowds are bigger which means the prices are also at a high
and the temperatures can reach uncomfortable levels. June and september are busy
months for the country's tourism because these are the best months for city
trips and hiking in the Alps.
Winter in Austria can get bitterly cold and the reason for few tourists and
cheaper prices. Skiing season depends on the altitude of the resort. In the
glaciers, skiing is possible all year round however, for the Alpine resorts it
can be very quiet from april to june and in november to early december.