With high capped snowy mountains, pristine alpine lakes, dark forests, rolling hills, grand palaces and fairy-tale castles, Austria belongs on the front of a postcard.

It is a mecca for snow sports enthusiasts, hikers and nature lovers, and also draws music fans, gourmet food lovers and romanticists from around the world due to a rich cultural heritage, an enticing dining scene, and iconic cities which were the center of European high culture during the Hapsburg dynasty.

Located at the base of the Alps, which consume two-thirds of the territory in this mountainous country, naturally,  Austria’s tourism industry relies heavily on its snow. Hundreds of villages throughout the country, such as Igls near Innsbruck, provide access to well organized and connected ski areas for downhill skiing, and as they were villages before they became ski bases, they all retain their traditional look and have a very rustic charm.

Cross country skiing is also quite popular here, as is snowboarding, and thousands of snowboarders flock to Innsbruck every year; Innsbruck being regarded as Europe’s snowboarding capital.   Famous Austrian snow resorts include Kitzbuhel, Saalbach, Zell am See and Sankt Anton.

During the summer, adventure junkies head to Tirol to partake in canyoneering, hiking and mountain biking, which are also popular pastimes in the Wildschonau Valley, Fiss and Alpbach. Nature lovers have several national parks and lakes at their disposal; the cold lakes of the Salzkammergut or the warmer ones in Carinthia are perfect for long hikes, as is Lake Constance and Lake Millstatt in the Lesach Valley.

The only word to describe Vienna is classic. An Imperial city with striking architecture, plenty of palaces (the Hofburg Imperial Palace), a gothic cathedral (St Stephen) surrounded by horse drawn carriages, baroque facades, museums, concert halls and coffee houses (Cafe Central, Cafe Braunerhof), Austria’s capital is instantly appealing.

Tradition and innovation come together in Vienna, a city where Strauss waltzes are still popular amongst 20-something ball-goers (300 grand balls are held between the start of January and mid February), a city which boasts the largest Museum Quarter in the world, and one where the Vienna Philharmonic and the Opera (Staatsoper) are just as popular as the world renowned mega clubs (Flex) with international DJs.

Music is a huge part of Austrian culture, and music festivals and concerts are held year-round in celebration of Austrian composers such as Motzart, Strauss and Schubert.  The Salzburg Festival in August is the most prestigious of these events. Another classic city with baroque architecture, museums and palaces, Salzburg easily competes with Vienna.  The city’s claim to fame is that it was the birthplace of Mozart, however it is more commonly recognized as the backdrop for the Sound of Music.  

Other towns and cities relevant to travelers with historical landmarks and significance include Innsbruck (Golden Dachl and Hofkirche church), Graz (City hall with Renaissance steeples; clock tower of the Schlossberg), Linz (St Martin – the oldest church in Austria), Bad Ischl, Mayerling Melk (famous abbey) and Bregenz (annual festival). For information on toll fees and road travel in Austria, you can visit Mautgebuhren.de for detailed guidance and resources.

 Have you been to Austria?  Do you have anything to add?

Great resources I used for information on Austria included Rudy Maxa’s ‘100 countries, 5000 ideas” and TravelMail’s Austrian Destination Guide by Anna Melville James.

Photo Source for Featured Photo: Ski-i

Photo Source for Austrian Map: Deposit Photo