Overview of Austria

This European beauty is well-known for its idyllic landscapes and vistas with startling green pastures of grass and flowers contrasted against the pale greys and blues of the Alps rising in the background. In addition to the natural beauty of Austria, there is a strong historical story to tell as well. With the help of important buildings, awe-inspiring museums and galleries you won’t be lacking in information and history. Beyond buildings, think of the ground-breaking people that have come out of Austria, including musical geniuses Mozart and Schubert, as well as a the famous psychologist Sigmund Freud. Don’t be fooled by the fairy-tale look of the country—there is a lot more to this country than the sugar-coated, picture-perfect images you see in travel guides and online. Get in touch with the heritage, history and happiness of Austria by spending time in its cities and getting to know its people.

Things to See and Do

Try New Winter Sports

The Alps run directly through this winter sports lovers’ dream destination and as such there are all kinds of winter sports for you to try. Try skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, sleigh riding, curling and ice skating. If you are in the Alps once the snow has melted—don’t fret. There are plenty of walking and hiking trails through the Alps’ varied landscaped. You can see forests, green slopes, glaciers and rock formations all while travelling through the Alps. If you want an easy going walk, try the Vorarlberg’s alpine pastures, or if you want more of a challenge, head to Hohe Taurern National Park for tougher trekking.

Revel in the Coffeehouse Culture

Sit back and watch as the world goes by as you enjoy a delicious and steaming hot cup of coffee, or kaffee. The coffeehouse is pervasive in Austria and once you try the lifestyle, it’ll be hard not to linger over a mid-day cup of coffee back home. There are a number of cakes and puddings often served along with the coffee in the cafes. But rest easy—no need to feel guilty for sampling one, two or three of the cakes as they are a part of the national tradition and you’ll just be upholding a national institution.

Visit Vienna

Vienna is a city full of elegant baroque influences. They are most notable in the First District, though can also be spotted in Salzberg and the Alstadt (old city). Make sure to visit other city favourites like St. Peter’s Abbey which is complete with cemetery and catacombs, or the Domkirche which was designed to rival St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. When you’re done sightseeing, head to the Alter Market for a glimpse into the past and a chance to shop the old market square with the locals.

Trek through Tirol

In the heart of the Alps and a popular ski area, Tirol’s alpine scenery will feel quintessentially Austrian. It is the most mountainous province within the country and boasts natural sights like forests, pastures, valleys, mountain lakes, picturesque alpine villages, churches and even castles! Take the cable car or the funicular to get a new view on Tirol before you head out to discover what Tirol has to offer yourself.

Participate in the Lederhosen Festival

A perennial favourite accoutrement for traditional dressing in Austria, there is an entire festival dedicated to the Lederhosen. While it isn’t a requirement to wear the lederhosen yourself to attend the festival, you will have plenty of opportunities to learn about the garment, enjoy a few drinks and watch the “Miss Lederhosen” competition. It takes place in Windischgarsten every year.

Seasonality

What you want to do in Austria will help you determine the best time of the year to go. If you are a general tourist not looking to participate in any season-specific events, there really isn’t a bad time to go. Summer is the obvious time of the year to go for hiking, mountain biking, swimming and more—warm weather tends to fall from April through October. The largest crowds head to this region in July and August and the prices go up along with the crowds. Cities will be less crowded in winter outside of ski resorts, and all winter sports are in full swing from mid-December through March.

Travel Tips

• The World Health Organization recommends that everyone travelling to Austria should be covered for the diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and polio vaccinations. As it takes upwards of two weeks for immunity to be produced, be sure you schedule your physician’s appointment at least six weeks before you leave.
• There are extreme temperatures and terrain in parts of Austria’s national parks and natural adventures. Always come prepared for all weather conditions, take an adequate map and consider taking a guide with you if you’re taking a difficult route.
• Austria is one of the safest countries in the world to travel through—crime levels are low by international standards.
• Beware of the symptoms of altitude sickness and if you start presenting with symptoms, be sure to take care of yourself and seek medical attention if the symptoms get worse.
• You won’t need a visa for a visit to Austria for a stay of up to three months.

Prevention is the key to staying healthy when you are travelling abroad and one of the best ways to prevent problems from becoming a trip-changer, is to get a travel insurance policy. With youGo in your back pocket, there’ll be someone available to help in the case of an emergency no matter what arises in Austria.