Top Attractions - Austria

Attractions - Vienna

Austria

Once the heart of an empire that played a pivotal role in the political and cultural destiny of Europe... The setting for The Sound of Music... The location of some of the best skiing in the world... It could only be Austria.

Lying right in the heart of Europe, Austria occupies an area of 83,854 square kilometres and is home to 8.1 million people. The Alps make up the southern and western parts of the country and peak at the Grossglockner’s 3797-metre summit. The powerful Habsburg family ruled Austria from 1278 right up until World War I. Under this mighty dynasty Austria became one of the most dominant political forces in central Europe. The hills of Austria are genuinely alive with the sound of music. The country attracted countless European composers in the 18th and 19th centuries because of the generous patronage offered by the Hapsburgs. Beethoven, Brahms, Hayden, Mozart, Schubert and the Strausses all came to Austria at some stage in their careers. Today, this rich musical heritage lives on in the form of the Vienna Philharmonic, the unrivalled Vienna Boys’ Choir, the Musikverein and the Konzerthaus.

<The most dramatic Alpine scenery is found west of Graz and Linz in the Tirol. The capital of this breathtaking region is Innsbruck and it makes a great base for exploration. Winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, the plentiful hiking trails and the opportunity for romantic cruising on the Danube make Austria a year-round holiday paradise. The cities of Salzburg and Vienna are also well worth a visit. Straddling the Salzach river between Innsbruck and Vienna, Salzburg is Austria’s most picturesque city. Birthplace of Mozart, it is an intoxicating Baroque city whose skyline is punctuated with countless medieval spires, domes, belfries and turrets. Vienna, Austria’s capital city, bears the legacy of the 600-year Hapsburg dynasty. Bursting with architectural gems, it boasts an unparalleled musical ancestry. Sample some Wiener Schnitzel while here and indulge in some strudel, Austria’s most famous dessert. Consisting of baked dough filled with a variety of fruits and sprinkled with raisins, it can be accompanied by a cold glass of excellent Austrian beer. This should set you up nicely for an afternoon’s skiing!

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