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Snow, fresh air and serene calmness- Austria entails all this and much more. The cosmopolitan nature of its major cities makes this country attractive to tourists, who benefit enormously from the warmth of its people and the range of facilities on offer. Madhusmita Sahoo has the details.
In the very heart of Europe, Austria is a country which could have been created with activity holidays in mind. It is a land of majestic mountains, tranquil lakes, deep forests, undulating meadows, charming villages which cling fiercely to their architectural traditions and cities which still reflect the artistic grandeur of the old Austro Hungarian Empire. The Austrians have long played the host to an influx of foreign visitors and approach the business of making their guests feel at home with gusto. Language is rarely a problem since every one knows sufficient English to help soothe out any problems. The Austrians are friendly, warm-hearted, have a great sense of humour and an almost obsessional desire to see their guests enjoying themselves. There are dozens of places where you can spend a week or fortnight engaging in one particular specialist sport or leisure activity but most tourists would want to cover the main cities or spas of the country listed below:
Vienna:
Vienna owes its universal appeal to the way it excitingly combines imperial nostalgia with a highly creative cultural scene, responsibly cultivating a precious heritage and charming traditions whilst taking on board the latest trends. Architecture dating from imperial times has left an indelible mark on the city. Magnificent edifices, predominantly in baroque, historicism and art nouveau styles, and the city's grand scale make you to forget that this is the capital of the small Republic of Austria with only 8.4 million inhabitants. In Vienna, you re-live the romance of a long-lost empire.
Salzburg:
Known from "The Sound of Music" and as Mozart's birthplace, Salzburg is a city steeped in tradition and surrounded by nature that presents itself as a modern cultural centre in the heart of Europe.
Salzburg owes its international fame not only to the film "The Sound of Music" and to Mozart but also to the unique charm of its cityscape and the beauty of its picturesque surroundings. The city's silhouette is unparalleled: Hohensalzburg Fortress, the baroque Cathedral, the Franciscan and Collegiate Church at the foot of the Mönchsberg and the mighty, legendary Untersberg in the distance. The entire historic center of Salzburg has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO which characterizes it as "an outstanding example of an architectural ensemble that represents a significant period in man's history." And the scenery around Salzburg impresses with alpine landscapes in the south, tranquil lakes in the north and the world-famous Salzkammergut Lake District in the east.
Innsbruck:
Keen on mountains or culture vulture? Medieval lanes or urban shopping? In Innsbruck - the capital of the Alps, home of the winter Olympics 1964 and 1976, you can do and get everything you could possibly desire. The countryside starts right on the town's doorsteps and sports events go hand in hand with cultural highlights. Amidst the charming Old Town, a classic Austrian hybrid of Gothic and Baroque, you will find Innsbruck's greatest tourist attraction and certainly its most characteristic landmark: The Golden Roof.
Zell am see:
Zell am See is kind of an unusual resort - not a rustic village like most of its small Austrian competitors, but a lakeside town with a charming old centre that seems more geared to summer than winter visitors. The town has been a health spa resort since 1961. Its lake Zell provides the town with a natural reservoir of 175 million cubic metres of the purest of drinking water. Naturally, the 4.5 square kilometres of its water surface are wonderfully suited for water and ice sports. Like all towns in Austria, Zell am See is not without its share of cultural attractions. Its parish Church, St Hoppolyt and the town's museum are ample proof of that.
All major cities offer city cards which is an easy way to see the sights and save money at the same time. The city cards are usually valid for one to three days and offer the holder various benefits and free entrances along with travel on the public modes of transport within the respective cities. For eg, the 3-day Vienna card (approximately Euro 19) gives one unlimited travel on the bus, tram and the underground along with reductions or benefits at 210 museums, sights, theatres, concerts etc..
The most popular way of travelling between cities is the Austrian rail Pass which offers unlimited travel on the national rail network of Austria. The pass is flexible and allows one to travel for a period of 3 days to 8 days. If you are travelling with family you can opt for the saver pass which starts from as low as euro 100 per person. In fact, a wide range of cheap point-to-point tickets are available on which children under the age of 6 can travel free.
Accommodation options in Austria are as varied as the country's landscape. You can opt for quaint family run hotels, top-of-the-range 5-star properties and even apartment stays which can be the perfect option especially for Indian families who would like to cook their own meals. Apartments are normally booked on a weekly basis starting on Saturday.
In the very heart of Europe, Austria is a country which could have been created with activity holidays in mind. It is a land of majestic mountains, tranquil lakes, deep forests, undulating meadows, charming villages which cling fiercely to their architectural traditions and cities which still reflect the artistic grandeur of the old Austro Hungarian Empire. The Austrians have long played the host to an influx of foreign visitors and approach the business of making their guests feel at home with gusto. Language is rarely a problem since every one knows sufficient English to help soothe out any problems. The Austrians are friendly, warm-hearted, have a great sense of humour and an almost obsessional desire to see their guests enjoying themselves. There are dozens of places where you can spend a week or fortnight engaging in one particular specialist sport or leisure activity but most tourists would want to cover the main cities or spas of the country listed below:
Vienna:
Vienna owes its universal appeal to the way it excitingly combines imperial nostalgia with a highly creative cultural scene, responsibly cultivating a precious heritage and charming traditions whilst taking on board the latest trends. Architecture dating from imperial times has left an indelible mark on the city. Magnificent edifices, predominantly in baroque, historicism and art nouveau styles, and the city's grand scale make you to forget that this is the capital of the small Republic of Austria with only 8.4 million inhabitants. In Vienna, you re-live the romance of a long-lost empire.
Salzburg:
Known from "The Sound of Music" and as Mozart's birthplace, Salzburg is a city steeped in tradition and surrounded by nature that presents itself as a modern cultural centre in the heart of Europe.
Salzburg owes its international fame not only to the film "The Sound of Music" and to Mozart but also to the unique charm of its cityscape and the beauty of its picturesque surroundings. The city's silhouette is unparalleled: Hohensalzburg Fortress, the baroque Cathedral, the Franciscan and Collegiate Church at the foot of the Mönchsberg and the mighty, legendary Untersberg in the distance. The entire historic center of Salzburg has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO which characterizes it as "an outstanding example of an architectural ensemble that represents a significant period in man's history." And the scenery around Salzburg impresses with alpine landscapes in the south, tranquil lakes in the north and the world-famous Salzkammergut Lake District in the east.
Innsbruck:
Keen on mountains or culture vulture? Medieval lanes or urban shopping? In Innsbruck - the capital of the Alps, home of the winter Olympics 1964 and 1976, you can do and get everything you could possibly desire. The countryside starts right on the town's doorsteps and sports events go hand in hand with cultural highlights. Amidst the charming Old Town, a classic Austrian hybrid of Gothic and Baroque, you will find Innsbruck's greatest tourist attraction and certainly its most characteristic landmark: The Golden Roof.
Zell am see:
Zell am See is kind of an unusual resort - not a rustic village like most of its small Austrian competitors, but a lakeside town with a charming old centre that seems more geared to summer than winter visitors. The town has been a health spa resort since 1961. Its lake Zell provides the town with a natural reservoir of 175 million cubic metres of the purest of drinking water. Naturally, the 4.5 square kilometres of its water surface are wonderfully suited for water and ice sports. Like all towns in Austria, Zell am See is not without its share of cultural attractions. Its parish Church, St Hoppolyt and the town's museum are ample proof of that.
All major cities offer city cards which is an easy way to see the sights and save money at the same time. The city cards are usually valid for one to three days and offer the holder various benefits and free entrances along with travel on the public modes of transport within the respective cities. For eg, the 3-day Vienna card (approximately Euro 19) gives one unlimited travel on the bus, tram and the underground along with reductions or benefits at 210 museums, sights, theatres, concerts etc..
The most popular way of travelling between cities is the Austrian rail Pass which offers unlimited travel on the national rail network of Austria. The pass is flexible and allows one to travel for a period of 3 days to 8 days. If you are travelling with family you can opt for the saver pass which starts from as low as euro 100 per person. In fact, a wide range of cheap point-to-point tickets are available on which children under the age of 6 can travel free.
Accommodation options in Austria are as varied as the country's landscape. You can opt for quaint family run hotels, top-of-the-range 5-star properties and even apartment stays which can be the perfect option especially for Indian families who would like to cook their own meals. Apartments are normally booked on a weekly basis starting on Saturday.
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