From the promise of beautiful Viennese ambles to the skiing-town delights of the Tyrolean Alps and a musical history that includes a bow to composers Mozart and Strauss, friendly Austria has so much to share with the modern-day explorer.
To those of you beginning to plan your own Austrian adventure, every good holiday overseas starts with creating a sophisticated itinerary. Find out about your flying options for your Austrian trip here, and no matter which flight you opt for, the experience will be exactly what Austria has in store for you—creative, efficient, and totally worthy of your holiday memories.
A Symphony of Cities and Culture
The capital of Austria, Vienna, is one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, famed for its multitude of Baroque palaces, old world coffeehouses, and rich cultural life. Take in the Belvedere Palace, which houses Klimt’s most famous painting, The Kiss, or go on a Vienna State Opera guided tour. If you feel like a dose of local color, what about spending an afternoon idly sipping some coffee and downing a slice of cake at Café Central? Enjoy the same ambience as Freud and Trotsky, who frequented the place during their time here.
On the other hand, Salzburg is an absolutely fascinating city with its picturesque old town, framed by the Hohensalzburg Fortress on the hill above. This is the city where Mozart was born, and annually, every summer, the city comes alive to the sound of music during the Salzburg Festival. This is a series of opera, theatre, and classical music performances, simply too good to miss! Finally, Graz, Austria’s second largest city, has a charming combination of medieval interiors and bold futuristic exterior designs. It has been recognized as a UNESCO City of Design and is well worth a look.
Nature at Its Grandest
Austria is about more than its cities, with a landscape to delight the adventurous and the dreamer alike. The Tirollean Alps are some of the most-visited skiing destinations in Europe, and for good reason. The snow-covered mountains and charming mountain-side chalets encapsulate all the romance of a white winter. But that isn’t the only face of Austria’s mountainous terrain. Once the snow melts, nature takes over, with the mountains turning a vivid green and drawing hikers, climbers, and bikers from far and wide.
The Salzkammergut lake district should be your go-to for picture postcard views and crystal-clear waters. Hire a boat and discover the region by water—the water lilies will all but confirm that you are in nature’s romantic idyll. Nearby Hallstatt is often said to be one of the prettiest villages on earth, with its pastel-colored houses looking picture-perfect reflected in the waters of the lake.
Why Austria Deserves a Spot on Your Travel Bucket List
Whether you’re interested in its imperial history, love spending time in the mountains, or want to explore its modern culture, Austria is a country where curiosity will always reward you and where there is always something to fascinate you. Get started and plan your trip today; you might even find that it becomes the most special trip of all!
