Did you know?
Lake Worthersee is Carinthia's largest lake, measuring 1.6 km wide and 17km long.
Visas
Visas are not required by the vast majority of nationalities, including those from the EU, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Travellers from the EU and Switzerland may stay as long as they like, though if they are taking up residency they should register with the local police within five days of arrival.
Getting there
Styrian Spirit offers flights four times a week from
London Luton Airport.
Getting around
Walking is easy and there are guided tours available.
Costs
Coffee is around 70p to £2, small beer is £1, a 36-exposure film is about £5 and a city centre bus ticket is about 75p.
Weather
In July and August, temperatures hover around 25C. April-September is the best time to visit, unless you want to go skiing. Temperatures in January dip well below freezing.
Time difference
GMT/UTC + 1
International dialling code from the
UK 00 43 area 463
Opening hours
Banks are open 8am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, except Thursday when they close at 5:30pm. Operating hours for shops are from 8 or 9am up to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
On Saturdays some close by noontime.
Restaurants serve lunch from noon to 2pm, and dinner from 6pm to 10pm.
The Post Office is open Monday to Friday, beginning business at 8am, closing for a two-hour lunch break beginning noontime, then staying open until 6pm.
Health - Before you go
Be aware of the dangers of hypothermia if you're intending to 'climb every mountain'.
Health - When you are there
In Austria, British citizens only need to show a British passport to take advantage of reciprocal health agreements. If you're visiting other European countries it is worth getting a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which has replaced the E111 form. Check your insurance covers you if on a skiing or climbing holiday.
Warnings
If you're trekking at high altitudes or in a cool, wet environment, be prepared: take waterproof clothing even if the weather looks fine to stop yourself being at risk from hypothermia.
Emergency
Police - tel 133; Ambulance - tel 144 (out of hours - 141).
Customs
Say Gruss Gott (hello) when you enter a store or somewhere and say Tshus (goodbye) when leaving.
Tipping
As for tips, the standard is usually 10 percent or just rounding up the bill, Give 10% to 15% of the cost to taxi drivers, and some kind of tip to porters, bellboys and theatre and cloakroom attendants.
Tourist office
Austrian National Tourist Office, 14
Cork St,
London W1X 1PF. Tel. 020 7629 0461