Austria

AUSTRIA

Austria is a landlocked country located in central Europe, sharing borders with Germany and the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland to the southwest.  Austria has been a country of enormous power throughout history, especially during the centuries that it was ruled over by the Habsburgs.  It is mountainous and lies mostly on the eastern side of the Alps.  Due to the altitude much of the country contains glaciers, snow-fields and snowy Alpine peaks along with woodland and forests.  The major river is the Danube. 

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In the south-east of the country lies the city of Graz with a lovely old town area which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Graz is the birthplace of one of many famous Austrians, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who went from body builder to movie star to politician and then Governor of California.  Many other famous people were born in Austria, including Daniel Swarovski, of crystal fame and the painter Gustav Klimt.

Austria is a very popular tourist destination, both in summer and winter.  Skiers flock to the Austrian Alps for the fantastic winter sports resorts and facilities, and summer is the time to explore the country’s many beautiful cities, mountains and lakes.  Vienna is the capital and largest city in Austria.  Other large cities include Graz, Salzburg, Innsbruck and Linz. The currency is the Euro. The official language is German.
 
Website:  www.austriatourism.com

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for UK residents

Vienna

Located in the east of the country at the base of the Alps and on the river Danube, Vienna is the capital and largest city of Austria.  It was the center of power during the rule of the Habsburgs.  The Hofburg palace is a very popular attraction for visitors. If you want culture then you have found the place as Vienna oozes culture with its many concert halls, galleries and museums. Stop in at one of the cafes for a coffee and Viennese pastry and relive the atmosphere of the café society.  On the list of most visitors will be a night at the Vienna State Opera and to hear the Vienna Boys Choir, but it is best to check and book in advance.  Anyone who has heard of the magnificent Lipizzaner stallions of the Spanish Riding School will want to see them perform.  Other places to see are the Sigmund Freud Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, Opera House, Natural History Museum and Belvedere Palace. Tour the city and admire the wonderful architecture which ranges from Baroque to Art Nouveau. During the Christmas period there is a Christmas market at the city hall (Rathaus) and concerts are held there during the summer.

Vienna’s many attractions may take a few days to see as they are spread across the city.  The Ringstrasse is the modern part of the city where there is plenty to see and do. The lovely Old Town is mainly a pedestrian area and many of the main sightseeing locations are to be found there such as the enormous Hofburg Palace which contains the Spanish Riding School and many other attractions. 

For some light entertainment try Prater Park an amusement park which dates back to the eighteenth century. The Habsburg’s summer residence, the Schonbrunn Palace is a very popular place to visit and includes beautiful gardens, historical items and a zoo.  In the nearby town of Baden are the famous natural mineral baths.

The homes and museums of many famous Viennese or former residents of Vienna are on display, including Sigmund Freud, Johann Strauss Jr., and Haydn. You can also visit the graves of Mozart, Brahms, Schubert, Beethoven and Schoenberg.

Website:  www.wien.info

Salzburg

Salzburg is located in the western central part of Austria and is famous for its castles, gardens and fountains.  
 
The composer, Mozart and his family lived in Salzburg and the former residence is now a museum of his life.  One of Salzburg’s most visited attractions is Hellbrunn Castle which was the location where some scenes from The Sound of Music were filmed.  Many of the country’s winter resorts and spas are located in this area.  The city sits on the banks of the river Salzach, surrounded by hills and has many famous buildings and castles, such as the Benedictine Abbey, 17th century cathedral and Mirabell Castle. 

Salzburg also had many famous inhabitants, including Christian Doppler who discovered the concept of the Doppler effect. The conductor Herbert von Karajan was involved with many famous orchestras in Salzburg throughout his career, including the Vienna State Opera and Vienna Symphony.  

Who could watch The Sound of Music and not fall in love with many of the characters and the beautiful scenery of the Austrian Alps in the Salzburg area.  The film was based on a true story about the Von Trapp family who eventually fled to the United States. 

Website: www.salzburg.info

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