Austria

Alpine Slopes, Quaint Towns and Sound of Music at Amazing Austria

Picture biting into a steaming hot Weiner Schnitzel, while riding a horse drawn carriage that makes its way through cobbled streets, taking you on a journey you’ll never forget. Austria offers a unique blend of urban surroundings and lush, rolling landscapes. The beautiful Alpine range, crisp Austrian air, funky restaurants and quaint towns – in short, there’s something here for everyone.

The country that gave the world Mozart, and, of course, the Von Trapp family is one that should surely feature on your list of destinations to visit before you die. As you walk through Vienna, Salzburg, and Salzkammergut, you won’t stop yourself from marvelling at how the hills truly are alive! 

Step into a fairy-tale adventure filled with stunning scenery, great food, marvellous art and culture by planning a trip to Austria.

Highlights Of Austria:

Cities Of Austria:

When planning your itinerary, you must include a stop in Vienna. Of the many things synonymous with Vienna, Coffeehouse Culture is something that every traveller must experience when travelling through this city. Born in 1683, the Coffeehouse culture is exactly what it sounds like – hanging out at a café, reading, writing, and drinking fine brew. It is such an immutable part of Viennese culture that UNESCO even added it to its lists of intangible cultural heritages.

If you’re looking for something a little more potent than coffee, then you must head down to the Wachau Valley to enjoy award winning wines like Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. The aged wine and stunning landscape of the vinery will be more than enough to make you feel giddy with excitement.

Unleash your wild side at the Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth districts of Vienna, which is where you’ll find the most exciting nightlife. From tamer options like dance clubs and cocktail spots to underground night clubs that blossom in the basements of closed restaurants, you’ll find a lot to do on any day of the week. Do keep in mind that the Seventh district is also the most hipster place in Vienna if your tastes run in that direction.

If the very thought of Austria has you humming Do Re Me, then you should definitely book your place on The Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg. The tour takes you through all the major landmark locations in the film and you can sing your heart out at each one of them.

Innsbruck, a bustling city that combines urban landscapes with alpine views is another one that travelers must take out the time to visit, even if just for a day. This medieval town is home to the Golden Roof, which is a very popular tourist attraction built for Maximillian 1, the Holy Roman Emperor. With copper tiles all over the roof, the building really looks like it’s made of gold during the day. 

Tourist Spots In Austria:

The Wachau, also known as the Danube Valley, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its stunning beauty. With a breath-taking view of vineyards, apple orchards, the pristine Danube snaking its way through the mountains, and the lush green valley, this is a sight that will stay with you forever.

If you’re looking for an experience that will guarantee an adrenaline rush, you must visit Eisriesenwelt Cave, which is a stunning complex of ice caves below ground. You must climb down a total of 700 steps to reach this marvellous spot, and we assure you that once you see how beautifully the light sparkles off the walls of ice, you’ll know that every step was worth it.

Finally, you must also add the Stephansdom cathedral to your itinerary as you simply cannot escape the looming shadow of its spires and tiled roofs when you’re in the heart of Vienna. Also take a stroll through the Central Cemetery and walk through the 4,000 graves there. 

Adventure sports In Austria:

Austria is home to many ski resorts, each more stunning than the last. Kitzbühel, St. Anton am Arlberg, Lech-Zürs am Arlberg, Ischgl and the Silvretta Arena, Sölden, Mayrhofen, Zell am See, and Saalbach-Hinterglemm are a few of the many ski resorts that you simply must visit when in Austria. Stay at any of the inviting lodges in the area, warm your hands around a cup of coffee in the mornings, and enjoy skiing down pristine mountain slopes. 

Austria is also a great place to enjoy some rock climbing. Laserz is a limestone tooth that’s relatively unexplored and filled with multiple routes for rock climbers to enjoy. Though incredibly rough, the rocks are naturally well-structured enough to make them a haven for climbers with different experience levels. Laserz was discovered as a rock-climbing route in the early 2000s, which is why it has only recently begun to receive the attention it deserves. Tourist don’t just come here to explore the limestones; there are multiple hiking trails in the nearby forests for you to enjoy. 

The cuisine Of Austria:

Austrian food is all about meat, meat, and meat! From the aforementioned Weiner Schnitzel, to the Vienna Sausage Tafelspitz, Tiroler Gröstl, Potato Gulasch, and Brettljause, you’ll have more options to gorge yourself on that you could ever imagine. Of course, there is a lot of vegetarian food available too in the form of hearty stews, flaky pies, and breads. If there is one huge take-away from this cuisine, it’s that it is rich and filling. Whether you’re off hiking with a bag filled with snacks or about to enjoy a warm meal right before you hit the slopes, one thing is for sure – every meal will always feel perfect.

Interesting facts about Austria

• The oldest zoo in the world is located in Vienna and it’s called the Schönbrunn Tiergarten
• The Austrian flag is one of the oldest ones in the world
• A quarter of Austria’s entire population resides in Vienna

Austria Location:

Austria is completely landlocked. Located in central Europe, this tiny country shares its borders with Switzerland, Germany, Liechtenstein, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Italy and Slovenia. 

Best time to visit in Austria:

If you want to avoid running into the masses of tourists, then the best time to visit Austria is between April – May and September – October, which are the shoulder months. The months of June, July and August see high amounts of tourist activity and you’re also likely to find that accommodation prices skyrocket during this period. 

Fewer tourists visit Austria between November and March, as most of the quaint towns along the mountains shut down due to the cold season. However, it is important to note that most of the cultural festivities that happen in the country start during these months and if you want them to be a part of your experience, then you should definitely plan your holiday around this time.

How to reach Austria:

By Air: Austria’s main international airport is located in the capital, Vienna, and has flights connecting to all global airports. There are also international airports present in other cities like Salzburg, Klagenfurt, Graz, Linz, and Innisbruck. You can take domestic flights from these airports easily. 

By Car: As Austria’s neighbouring countries are all a part of the Schengen Agreement, travellers bag packing their way through Europe can enter the country by road. 

By Train: The largest railway hub in Austria is Vienna, which plays host to multiple day and night trains coming in from neighbouring countries. Travellers with a Schengen visa will find many convenient trains to enter Austria. 

History Of Austria:

Austria was formed in 1918 after the First World War. It was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938 and functioned as a part of the same during the Second World War. However, towards the end of the war, Austria began distancing itself from Germany, and was eventually divided into occupation zones in 1945. Eventually, it regained its independence in 1955 after signing a treaty that helped end the Soviet and Allied occupation. One of the conditions of the treaty was that Austria would never unite with Germany again.

Now, Austria is a federation composed of 9 states that have their own unique cultural identity. This makes Austria a treasure trove of experiences for travellers looking to explore new cultures and lifestyles. Interestingly, there is no overarching Austrian culture that one can define. Austrians themselves are more comfortable pointing out what they aren’t, as opposed to what they are, and their lack of expression regarding the same is what sets them apart from many other European countries. Austrians particularly dislike displays of nationalism, which is a sentiment that probably stemmed from the Third Reich and the over-patriotism during that era. 

At its most, Austrian culture is defined as one that’s mild-mannered, and focused on social activities such as going to Coffeehouses and getting drinks with friends. In many ways, this makes it a haven for travellers who just want to absorb their surroundings in peace and quiet. 

If the thought of visiting Austria sets your heart racing with excitement, then check out the amazing tour packages offered by Thomas Cook. From well-planned itineraries to the best possible flight and accommodation deals, you’ll find everything you need!