As one of the most established destinations for tourism within Europe, Austria provides an immense variety of attractions to people wanting to visit. From the high culture of Vienna's Opera to white water rafting in the Oztaler region around Innsbruck. Austria also contains some of the finest skiing resorts in the world. The scenery in the Alps is truly majestic, and depending on what you want to do there, can be visited and enjoyed throughout the year.
Situated in Central Europe and sharing its border with Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Hungary, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic, landlocked Austria has held a huge cultural influence across Europe for centuries.
The centre of the main cities, Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck are traditional, with some truly over the top architecture that really stops you in your tracks when you see it. The shopping is good, although Austria does have a reputation for being quite pricey. The Christmas markets are well worth visiting to pick up some local goods as presents. Austria has had a reputation for high culture since the days of Mozart, and this is true to this day, with Opera and ballet attracting people from across Europe.
Away from the main cities, and most notably in the Tyrol, Austria has the picture postcard look you would expect. Small villages made up of small traditional chalets clinging to the sides of spectacular mountains look as though they come from a bygone era, but as a result of such villages popularity during the ski season, there is plenty of lively entertainment to appeal to most age groups.
Facts for the Traveller:
Name: Republic of Austria
Capital: Vienna
Area: 88858 sq km
Population: 8.18 million
Language: German
Flight Time: 2 Hours from London
Currency: Euro
