Austria Among Lakes and Mountains

About the destination: Munich, located at the river Isar in the south of Bavaria, is famous for its Word-class museums, beautiful parks, the annual Oktoberfest beer celebration and architecture. The beautiful public buildings and monuments are testaments to the imperial aspirations of the Wittelsbach family, rulers of Bavaria from the 12th to the 20th century. Although it was heavily damaged by allied bombing during World War II, many of its historic buildings have been rebuilt and the city center appears mostly as it did in the late 1800s including its largest church, the Frauenkirche, and the famous city hall (Neues Rathaus). An odd mix of proud traditionalism and avant-garde culture will keep you interested and active and the town does stay up until all hours, with its many students and earthly Bavarian joie de vivre.

About the destination: Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart, lies at the border of Austria and Germany. The Salzach River separated Salzburg’s old and new towns. The old town is impressive and concentrated. It centres around the broad Residenzplatz, and is largely a pedestrian zone. The relatively new town centres around Mirabellplatz and Markartplatz. Salzburg’s impressive hills rise straight out of the old town. The most conspicuous hilltop fortification is the Hohensalzburg, build over the centuries on an ancient Celtic and Roman site, and now the largest fully preserved medieval castle in Europe. For splendour of another sort visit the Schloss Mirabell and its Gardens, located right next to the Salzach River and the Mozarteum University of Music and Arts. The castle was built by an archbishop for his beloved courtesan. You can wander around extravagant rose and flower gardens and marvel at the stone dwarves in the Zwerglgarten. To learn about Mozart and his life, go to his Geburtshaus, Mozart's birth house. The street itself is worth a look, the guild signs and painted wall decorations are much as they were at the time Mozart’s birth. The house exhibits pictures, letters, and stage sets for the various operas Mozart wrote. Protected by forested mountains, Salzburg is a city of enchantment whose voice is expressed in some of the world’s most sublime music, composed by favourite son, Mozart. The age that produced the unrivalled musical genius of Mozart also built the beautiful castles and churches of Salzburg, and spawned a love of music that lives on today in Salzburg’s countless concert series and annual summer festival.

About the destination: Lying on both sides of the famous Danube, the city of Linz is Austria's third largest city and a busy Danube port. Not only is the city one of Austria's most important industrial centre, it is also a city full of history, art, technological advances and many cultural gems. The city's roots stretch back to before the time of the Romans. Within the city, the attractive historic part of town has preserved its mostly Baroque appearance and Biedermeier facades, and as a result, it's a perfect place to just meander through the many side streets and explore the huge Hauptplatz, the city’s main square, which is the largest enclosed square in Austria. In the centre of the square is the trinity column, carved in white marble and built in 1723. The architecture of the buildings that surround the square reflect the Renaissance, Baroque, and Rocco periods. The Rathus on the right side of the square was built in 1513. The large church on the square is the Alter Dom, the old cathedral, built for the Jesuits in 1669. On the north side of the square is the Mozarthaus where Mozart wrote the "Linz symphony" in 1783. Also great is just relaxing at one of the many cafés! Outside the city centre, you find many things to see as well. The area surrounding Linz has many historic sites, excellent trails for hiking and biking, and countless towns with cultural treasures of their own. As the capital of the Upper Austrian province, it serves as an administrative centre. While an administrative centre and industrious city may not sound like the ideal places to visit, Linz makes up for it greatly by being at the forefront of new art and new technology as well as preserving its historical wealth. It is truly a lovely city on the Danube and well worth a visit.

About the destination: Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a city where imperial history and contemporary culture blend seamlessly. Grand boulevards, elegant palaces, and ornate coffeehouses create an atmosphere of old-world charm, while vibrant neighborhoods, modern museums, and a thriving creative scene keep the city firmly in the present. From the Ringstrasse lined with monumental buildings to cozy side streets filled with local shops and bakeries, Vienna invites you to explore at a leisurely pace. No visit is complete without discovering Vienna’s imperial heritage. Start at Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer residence of the Habsburgs, with its lavish interiors and expansive gardens. In the city center, the Hofburg complex houses the Imperial Apartments, the Sisi Museum, and the Spanish Riding School, where you can watch the famous Lipizzaner stallions. Nearby, St. Stephen’s Cathedral rises above the old town, offering panoramic views from its tower over the rooftops and the Danube. Vienna is equally renowned for its cultural life and music. The city was home to Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss, and you can still feel that legacy in venues like the Vienna State Opera and the Musikverein, where classical concerts are held almost every night. Art lovers should head to the MuseumsQuartier to explore the Leopold Museum and the MUMOK, or visit the Kunsthistorisches Museum for one of Europe’s finest collections of Old Masters. In between sights, relax in a traditional coffeehouse, sipping a Melange and tasting a slice of Sachertorte. Beyond the monuments, Vienna is a city of green spaces and relaxed living. Walk or cycle along the Danube Canal, picnic in the Prater park beneath the iconic Giant Ferris Wheel, or take a short tram ride to the vineyards on the city’s outskirts for a glass of local wine at a Heuriger (wine tavern). Efficient public transport, safe streets, and a compact center make it easy to explore, whether you have a weekend or a week. Vienna’s mix of history, culture, and laid-back charm makes it a rewarding destination in any season.

About the destination: Graz, Austria's second biggest city, is a pretty Central European town where various architectural styles and artistic movements have blended since the Middle Ages. Partly surrounded by the Alps, at the ford of the river Mur, with the Schlossberg, the castle hill, in the centre, Graz is a perfectly located city. The hike up the Schlossberg takes less than 30 minutes and rewards walkers with excellent views. At the top there is an open-air theatre, a small military museum and the bell tower which dates from 1588. Graz's Hauptplatz is a wonderful square where you can find Graz's town hall, a bustling market and a lovely fountain. There are many ornate buildings next to the square. Graz's position as European Capital of Culture in 2003 brought contrast between the very old and the ultra-modern to the city’s architecture. Two examples of great modern design are the Kunsthaus, a futuristic exhibition centre located on the banks of the River Mur dubbed the "Friendly Alien", and the Mur Insel, an artificial island on the Mur River made of metal and glass. Grazers love to hang out at any time, meet friends and chat in the cosy ambience of the many city cafes. Nice and sunny days will fill the streets with people. Every cafe and pastry shop has a small street terrace, especially those located in a city squares. The large student population helps propel the nightlife and vibrant arts scene, creating a pleasant, active and liveable city.

About the destination: Kitzbühel is a small medieval town situated along the river Kitzbuhler Ache in Tyrol, Austria and the administrative centre of the Kitzbühel district. Kitzbuehel, the sports capital in the heart of the Alps, combines tradition and lifestyle as charming as any other city. The city is famous not only the unique charm, but also the energy of the city as well as the sporty top hotel industry and catering alike and makes Kitzbuehel the celebrity hot spot in the Alps. Kitzbuehel Hahnenkamm hosts ski races, snow polo, triathlon and tennis trophy. The city's heart beats loud and strong. The excellent restaurants, small cafes and bars, the discos, the casino and the cinema in the center of the city are part of the wide choices on offer. Many sport activities are organized during all the year, as hiking, cycling, cross-country skiing or sky touring. Furthermore there is a The Mercedes-Benz Sports Park, that covers a big area and is a perfect combination of sports and fun with an attractive offers for the whole family, for groups and for Singles - from large to small, from junior to senior.

About the destination: Innsbruck, provincial capital of Tyrol and fifth largest city in Austria, is the country’s centre of winter activities and occasionally of the world’s alpine interest, having hosted the Winter Olympic Games twice. The Nordkette cable car and an extensive network of mountain paths radiate from Innsbruck, making the stunning surrounding Alps equally accessible for winter skiers and summer hikers. The Altstad is the centre of Innsbruck, and the Goldenes Dachl, Golden Roof, is both the centre of the Altstad and the city’s emblem. The building from the 15th century, is a mixture of Gothic and Baroque, and of course has a golden roof. The frescoes in the interior show scenes from the aristocrat's life of that time. All of the decorations on the current structure are carefully executed replicas. The original reliefs are on permanent display in the Tyrolean State Museum, also known as the Tiroler Landesmuseum. Housed in the building is the Golden Roof Museum which has an exhibition about Emperor Maximilian I and his times, as well as the history of Innsbruck's emblem. Lovers of the Gothic art shouldn’t miss the Tiroler Landesmuseum, its collection includes beautifully coloured, delicately etched stained glass windows, a few altars and paintings and an array of modern works. Maria-Theresien Strasse is Innsbruck's main street and a wonderful place to stroll around or sit at one of the side cafes and watch people go by. At one end there is the Triumphal arch which leads to the old town. Maria-Theresien Strasse is a lovely pedestrian area, with pavement cafés, Baroque architecture, restaurants, and views of the stunning mountains. Innsbruck offers a fairly unique winter holiday proposition, mixing gorgeous mountain scenery with architectural grandeur, and big city buzz with hundreds of shops, restaurants and funky bars.

About the destination: Munich, located at the river Isar in the south of Bavaria, is famous for its Word-class museums, beautiful parks, the annual Oktoberfest beer celebration and architecture. The beautiful public buildings and monuments are testaments to the imperial aspirations of the Wittelsbach family, rulers of Bavaria from the 12th to the 20th century. Although it was heavily damaged by allied bombing during World War II, many of its historic buildings have been rebuilt and the city center appears mostly as it did in the late 1800s including its largest church, the Frauenkirche, and the famous city hall (Neues Rathaus). An odd mix of proud traditionalism and avant-garde culture will keep you interested and active and the town does stay up until all hours, with its many students and earthly Bavarian joie de vivre.