Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / Austria
 |  | Destination Guide : Austria |
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| | | Jaw-dropping scenery |  | Why go on holiday to Austria?
Austria's former status as the dominant power in central Europe is reflected in its glorious and sometimes overblown architecture.
Not only this, but the Alps are Europe's greatest mountains, offering jaw-dropping scenery and top winter sports facilities.
How much does it cost?
A return flight to Vienna costs around £150. Vienna hotels start from £40 but book early - £70 is more of an average. One-week packages to the lakes and mountains cost from £300. Costs will vary.
When should I go?
Austria is a year-round destination. Temperatures vary according to altitude.
The summer high season is in July (max. 25C/77F in Vienna) and August - prices are high and attractions are crowded.
People have cottoned on to this, resulting in June and September getting busier, too. Winter sports are in full swing from mid-December to late March, but Christmas, New Year and February are the busiest.
Austria has masses of all kinds of festivals all year round - including the Lederhosen and Dumpling festivals.
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| | | Cultural heaven |  | What should I do when I'm there?
Vienna is one of Europe's grandest and most impressive cities.
Packed full of architectural gems and blessed with a peerless musical heritage, Vienna is a fitting monument to the once all-powerful Hapsburg family.
St Stephen's Cathedral, the Imperial Palace (Hofburg) and the Museum of Fine Arts will impress you before you even get inside.
Outside the city centre the Belvedere Palace is another must.
What other cities are a must?
Salzburg is dominated by the image of a certain WA Mozart, esq. This medieval town is stunning, set among mountains and straddling the Salzach river.
It's a beautiful place to wander around, and you can get a stunning overall view from the Hohensalzburg Castle, way above the city.
What else is Austria famous for?
Its lakes and mountains. Fabulous Alpine scenery is to be found in the Tyrol region, which pulls in around seven million tourists a year with its classic wooden chalets nestling amid the mountain peaks.
There's great walking and skiing, not to mention apres-ski, in chic Kitzbuhel or intriguing Innsbruck.
Off the beaten track?
Rust in Burgenland is a grand wine-producing town, notable for its high number of storks in the spring and early summer months.
The town of Gurk, just north of Klagenfurt, is worth visiting for its marvellous Romanesque cathedral.
A more serious day can be spent in Mauthausen, where the Nazis built a concentration camp by the quarries. A museum now tells its sad story and visitors can see the prisoners' quarters and the infamous gas chambers.
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| | | Luscious desserts | | Where's good for nightlife?
For a night out in Vienna hit the central zone around the Danube Canal - countless pubs and clubs will beckon you. For the smart set, the casino in Karntner Strasse is open to 3am.
In Salzburg the liveliest area for bars, clubs and discos is near the Radisson Hotel on Rudolfski. Outside the cities tourist resorts offer a variety of bars and clubs.
What's the food like?
Meat, potatoes, dumplings and pastry are the order of the day. The most famous dish is, of course, Wiener Schnitzel - a veal cutlet fried in eggs and bread crumbs. Goulash is popular, as are stuffed peppers.
Vegetarians will have to be at their most tolerant, particularly when it comes to Austrian favourites like Beuschel - thin slices of calf's lungs and heart.
Austrian desserts and cakes are justly famous - from strudel to the chocolate onslaught of a Mohr im Hemd, those of you with a sweet tooth will think you have died and gone to heaven.
What should I buy?
Like most things in Austria, shopping is not cheap - popular buys are textiles, pottery, painted glassware and wood carvings.
What is there for children to do?
Children who love the great outdoors will be in their element, with plenty of water and winter sports.
Europapark in Klagenfurt in the popular lakes region of Carinthia has lots of summer activities for children including Minimundus - scale models of 160 world-famous buildings.
Tourist office
Austrian National Tourist Office, 14 Cork St, London W1X 1PF. Tel 020 7629 0461.
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| | Available rental properties in Austria |
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| |  | | Ski Chalet, Stadl an der Mur
Traditional Austrian self catering 2 bedroom ski chalet which sleeps up to 8. Close to several major skiing regions. In one of the most snow sure areas of Austria
|  | | Haus Wildling
The large detached house Wildling is situated directly in the friendly village Stumm. You will find an in 2006 completely renovated holiday house on t
|  | | Chalet Singer
Chalet Singer is in an situated in an idyllic rural location. The attractive, good standard chalet is set in 1000 m²) of private ground on the edge of
|  | | Landhuis Arbeiter
House Arbeiter is at the end of a cul-de-sac in Tröpolach which lies 54 km. west of Villach. This house contains two somewhat simple, but tidy 2-4 pe
|  | | Appartement Erlengrund Type E
This apartment and the accompanying campsite are located in a quiet area in the beautiful Gasteinertal at 900 metre height, from which you have a wond
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