Austria is in Central Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia.

Austria may not be the first place people think of when planning their holiday. More famous for its skiing and schnapps than anything, it has to be said that Austria is like a paradise for those who enjoy the outdoors.

Sight seeing in the summer and skiing in the winter make it an ideal destination all year round. It has incredible scenery and magnificent mountains popular with walking/hiking fans, as well as some striking architecture and incredibly hospitable people.

There are over 600 winter sport resorts, and the choice of skiing schools and instructors exceeds 400. Not surprising then that Austria is so popular to lovers of this winter sport, and that most Austrians seem to have been born with skis on, making the rest of us feel like beginners, and not really as good as we thought we were! St Anton in the Arlberg Alps is loved by skiers from all over. The World Cup skiing is held here every December.

Vienna, Austria’s capital is renowned for its sophisticated cultural life, architecture and classical music. Filled with museums, theatres, palaces and numerous shops and parks. Home to Mozart, Strauss and Mahler, its association with classical music is not surprising, today having the Vienna Boys Choir and the Vienna Philharmonic to keep up the tradition.

In keeping with the musical traditions, Salzberg is the city of music. The birthplace of Mozart, church bells and symphonies can be heard throughout the day and fill the concert halls at night.

Carinthia, the region that borders Italy and Slovenia is more of a tourist centre during the summer, with its sunny weather and many lakes it is an ideal place to sit back and relax.

Summer visitors to Austria can take in the scenery whilst walking, hiking, mountain biking or horseback riding. All of the towns offer some form of guided trek or tour in the Alps.

The people in Austria, as well as being natural skiers, are very hospitable, reserved but very friendly. However, a few glasses of Schnapps later they also prove themselves to be very good-humoured and thoroughly enjoy having a good time!

WEATHER IN AUSTRIA

Temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain in lowlands and snow in mountains; cool summers with occasional showers in the mountains but plenty warn enough for many.

Skiing is one of the most obvious things to do in Austria and one of the main reasons people visit. Whether it is on the slopes or cross-country, Voralberg, Tirol and Salzburg Province are the most popular areas.

Although skiing is obviously not the only winter sport available, ice skating and tobogganing are there for those who wish, and if being a less active part of winter is more your style then there is always the option of taking a ride in a horse drawn sleigh

Walking (or hiking for the more energetic) and exploring the Alps are firm favourites with visitors to Austria. For something a bit different hang-gliding and ballooning, water-skiing, windsurfing and sailing are also all available and very popular.

A river cruise on the Danube is highly recommended for anyone visiting Austria, an extremely pleasant way of taking in the scenery at a steady pace – glass of wine, optional!

Visit the Austrian Lizpanner riding school where dressage to classical music is taught and performed. Quite a spectacle if you enjoy that type of thing…

Taking in one of the summer festivals may be the highlight of the holiday for some. The Vienna International Festival, the Salzburg International Festival or the Midsummer night’s celebrations all include music, bonfires and dancing, and provide any visitor with great memories to take home with them.

Austrian nightlife can be somewhat reserved for some. Civilised and quiet, locals often take a trip to the theatre or the opera. However, an evening in one of the wine gardens is a pleasant way to spend time with friends to say the least.

Lonely Planet: Austria ~ Mark Honan (Paperback - February 1999)

AA Essential Austria ~ Des Harrison (Paperback - 31 May, 2000)

Austria: Charming Small Hotel Guides ~ Paul Wadeed (Paperback – 31 March 2000)

Austria is most famous for the extravagant balls in Vienna, fantastic skiing and many festivals. The skiing season ranges from November to May. The Vienneese Balls are prevalent between the end of December and the end of February. The most well known probably being the Opern Ball, teeming with celebrities and the world’s press at the end of January. A must have ticket for the social climbers out there. We have listed some of the other amazing events celebrated in Austria

End of March in Solden – ‘Snow Glam’ festival with music, parties and festivities specially for gay sportsmen

Start of April in Obertauern – Beatles Forever – yearly celebration in the town where the Beatles film ‘Help’ was filmed.

Mid April – Saltzburg Easter Festival

May - Formula 1 Grand Prix just outside Vienna

Opening June 2001 is the Museum Quartier Wien in Vienna, which will also become the main venue for the Vienna Summer festival.

June / July in Salzburg – The Salzburg festival, probably the most famous of them all

July / August in Ossiach – Carinthian Summer Festival uniting festival with activity

July – Bludenz Chocolate Spectacle, a great chocolate feast for all the family

October – 12 day Viennale Film Festival in Venice, attracting 60-70,000 members of the public

October 26^th – National Day, lots of flag waving goes here….

HOTELS IN AUSTRIA

There are approx 98 Youth Hostels scattered throughout Austria with costs ranging from ATS 160-220 pppn. Contact the Austrian Tourist Board for details.

Vienna and Salzburg house the majority of the hotels, particularly the top class one such as the Sheraton Salzburg Hotel and Hotel Radisson SAS Palais in Vienna.

Hotel Bayrischer Hof in Salzburg costs from £72 per room in off peak Season, this is a standard 4 star hotel in central location with ‘normal’ facilities in European standards and Slightly lower prices can be expected throughout the rest of the country with the exception only of Vienna. For example the ‘Hotel Central’ in Innsbruck costs approx £60-£65 for a standard double room

VISAS AND INNOCULATIONS

UK citizens do not require a visa to enter Austria. Please seek further official advice.

There are no recommended vaccinations for tourists to Austria. If you have not previously been immunised against diphtheria, polio or tetanus this is an ideal opportunity to have the immunisations carried out.