central Alps.
Most tourists come to
Austria attracted by the winter sports.
Modern
alpine skiing developed around 1900, when many skiing
clubs were formed. Ski legend Hannes Schneider started his career as an instructor
in 1907, and by 1930 already had developed the tradition of pan-Alpine skiing.
In some areas ski season begins in late November, but more often for Christmas.
Lasts until April, but in recent years this period varied widely due to global
warming and unusual weather conditions. In areas with glaciers you can ski
all year round but during the summer is more expensive .
Main ski areas are almost everywhere in the Alps. Resorts are rather divided
on the skill level of skiers. For beginners the most suitable ski resorts are
Lech
am Arlberg, Tyrol regions, east of
Innsbruck (Ötztal
Alps,
Alpbach,
Niederau and
Obergurgl),
most areas of
Salzburg (
Neukirchen,
Skiwelt Amade), Styria and Carinthia (
Bad
Kleinkirchheim). In these areas you'll find not only lighter ski
tracks but also facilities for families with children .
The main tourist attractions in Austria:
- Admire the Baroque elegance of Vienna,
especially in First District, Innerstadt. Hapsburgs Residence was in the
Hofburg, where the Imperial Apartments contained the Crown Jewels. Imperial
Palace Schloss Schönbrunn summer palace is the viennese version of the
Versailles Palace in Paris. Within the palace park you can find the oldest
botanic garden.
- Take your time and visit the famous galleries Akademie der bildenden
Kunste and other art galleries in Vienna. In the city there are
over 50 museums including the Natural History Museum and the Museum of
Modern Art.
- Explore the city of Graz by
foot. The attractions include: Johanneum Landesmuseum, gothic paintings from
Neue Galerie Herbenstrein Palace, Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II, Old
Town, Schlossberg and Glockenturm .
- Watch the famous lipizzan horses performing dressage figures on the Viennese
music .
- Admire the crystalline lakes of Austria - Worthersee, Wolfgangsee, Traunsee,
Hallstattersee and Mondsee, one of the warmest lakes in the Salzkammergut region.
- Explore the mountainous province of Tyrol, with forests, meadows, valleys,
mountain lakes, alpine villages, churches and castles. In the capital Innsbruck
there are several historic buildings, including a XII century castle. For
spectacular views take the funicular up to Hungerburg, then cable car to
Hafelekar at 2.334m high .
- Visit the birthplace of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Salzburg. In
the city you can admire the Baroque architecture and splendor. The historic
center is Hohensalzburg fortress. Other attractions include the Church Peterskirche,
Domkirche and Alter Markt. Salzburg Festival offers a wide variety of programs,
singers, orchestras and opera .Visit Eisriesenwelt in Werfen - ice caves
hidden deep in the mountains which lies to the south of Salzburg .
- Visit the medieval city of Retz,
which boasts with full quality wine cellars, restored city walls, windmills
and a Dominican church.
- Visit the last protected tropical forest in Europe in Donau-Auen National
Park, an area which shelter a vaste diversity of plants and animals .
- Linz city
was declared European Cultural Capital for 2009 .
The most appropriate time to visit Austria depends on what you want. Skiing
is best for Christmas and New Year and from january till the end of march.
This is the top season, and when prices are higher. But if you'll take the
time to browse our list of
hotels
in Austria there is no way you can't find unbeatable accommodation
rates for this season. Book now the
cheapest hotels in Austria with the
cheapest hotels rates only with TodayDeals.co.uk!
Pleasant summer months are from may to september, if you're lucky you will
find some sunny days in april and october. Generally, it is useful to have
several types of clothing - alpine terrain can be very cold even in summer
.
Tips: Austrians tend to display a corporate identity in society
and in business. Presentations are made using the last name, but after the
first meeting interlocutors often tend to be not so formal (Du means you ).
Frau appellation is used for ladies such as Osterreich Frau and Herr for men.
It is considered a disrespect to enter a restaurant or shop and not say Guten
Tag or Gruss Gott, or go out without saying Auf Wiedersehen. Austria is the
country where if your train is late for five minutes you will hear an apology
from the staff. Punctuality is generally a very valued and respected. At a
dinner a delay of 5-10 minutes is tolerated, but if you come 15 minutes later,
the host might get upset. The church has an important role and is very respected
in the Austrian society. German is the official language, but there are dialects
that differ by region.