Guide to Day Trips around Vienna, Austria. Stay in Vienna, see Eastern and Western Europe

Enjoy a memorable trip to Vienna, the capital of the Republic of Austria, on guided tours in Vienna that take you to some of the most celebrated, impressive, and historic landmarks and attractions in this beautiful city. Vienna City Tours offers a variety of excursions in Vienna, including private tours and group tours perfect for all travelers.

When it comes to tours in Vienna, our Vienna tour offerings whisk you away to some of the most remarkable locations in this city known as the true heart of Europe. Vienna City Tours is a renowed  company that offers quality guided tours in Vienna along with conveniences like airport transfers, hotel accommodations, incentives, team building events, conferences and excursions in Vienna along with extended Vienna tours of Austria and Europe.

Vienna's Top Cafés. Visit one of these historic Coffee Houses, Kaffeehaus on your Austria Vacation

The Kaffeehaus (traditional coffee house) is a typical Viennese institution. Basically a café for enjoying a good cup of coffee with friends or accompanied by a newspaper in a relaxed atmosphere, different other treats (such as tea, drinks, cakes and small snacks) are served as well. Visiting a couple of these places reveals a great variety and is definitely a must for every visitor to Vienna.

 The Vienna coffeehouses are said to date back to the 17th century Ottoman wars: When Vienna was liberated from the second Turkish siege by an Polish-Habsburg army in 1683, the victorious allies captured numerous sacks with coffee beans they initially thought were camel feed. A wise Polish army officer, understanding the actual value of these beans, is said to have asked his king Jan Sobieski for the coffee bags and thus was able to open up the first coffeehouse in Vienna - consequently establishing the long tradition of the Viennese Kaffeehaus.

Innsbruck: Travel Guide to the Alpine city in Austria. More than a Winter Olympic Ski City, Innsbruck Shines in Summer

The capital of Tirol is one of the most beautiful towns of its size anywhere in the world, owing much of its charm and fame to its unique location. To the north, the steep, sheer sides of the Alps rise, literally from the edge of the city, like a shimmering blue-and-white wall—an impressive backdrop for the mellowed green domes and red roofs of the baroque town tucked below. To the south, the peaks of the Tuxer and Stubai ranges undulate in the hazy purple distance.

Squeezed by the mountains and sharing the valley with the Inn River (Innsbruck means "bridge over the Inn"), the city is compact and very easy to explore on foot. Reminders of three historic figures abound: the local hero Andreas Hofer, whose band of patriots challenged Napoléon in 1809; Emperor Maximilian I (1459–1519); and Empress Maria Theresa (1717–80), the last two responsible for much of the city's architecture. Maximilian ruled the Holy Roman Empire from Innsbruck, and Maria Theresa, who was particularly fond of the city, spent a substantial amount of time here.

Hallstatt, Austria Guide. Visit a fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site on Lake Hallstatt

As if rising from Swan Lake itself, the town of Hallstatt is the subject of thousands of travel posters. "The world's prettiest lakeside village" perches precariously on what seems the smallest of toeholds, one that nevertheless prevents it from tumbling into the dark waters of the Hallstättersee. Down from the steep mountainside above it crashes the Mühlbach waterfall, a sight that can keep you riveted for hours. Today, as back when—Emperor Franz Josef and his Elisabeth took an excursion here on the day of their engagement—the town is a magnet for tourists, and accordingly a bit too modernized, especially considering that Hallstatt is believed to be the oldest community in Austria. More than 1,000 graves of prehistoric men have been found here, and it has been such an important source of relics of the Celtic period that this age is known as the Hallstatt epoch.

Baden, Austria Travel Guide

The Weinstrasse brings you to the serenely elegant spa town of Baden. Since antiquity, Baden's sulfuric thermal baths have attracted the ailing and the fashionable from all over the world. When the Romans came across the springs, they dubbed the town Aquae; the Babenbergs revived it in the 10th century; and with the visit of the Russian czar Peter the Great in 1698, Baden's golden age began. Austria's Emperor Franz II spent 31 successive summers here. Later in the century Emperor Franz Josef was a regular visitor, his presence inspiring many of the regal trappings the city still displays. In Baden Mozart composed his "Ave Verum"; Beethoven spent 15 summers here and wrote large sections of his Ninth Symphony and Missa Solemnis when he lived at Frauengasse 10; Franz Grillparzer wrote his historical dramas here; and Josef Lanner, both Johann Strausses (father and son), Carl Michael Ziehrer, and Karl Millöcker composed and directed many of their waltzes, marches, and operettas here.

With some exceptions, food in this region, while influenced by Viennese cuisine, is on the simple side. The basics are available in abundance: roast meats, customary schnitzel variations, game (in season), fresh vegetables, and standard desserts such as Palatschinken (crepes filled with jam or nuts, topped with chocolate sauce). However, imaginative cooking is beginning to spread, and most places have fresh fish and other lighter fare. Look for at least one vegetarian course on the menu.

Villach, Austria Travel Guide. Foodie Stopover on the Trail of Wolfgang Puck

Villach Things to Do

The church in the citypark is protestant and was built in neo gothic style from 1901-1903. Behind the church you will find a park with a garden. Also in the city park you will find a large children's playground.

The church of the holy cross was built from 1726. The benediction of the church was in 1744 and the inauguration in 1751. The church is built in baroque style.

Until the end of the Austrian-Hungarian monarchy the church was very popular with pilgrims and later for weddings. Since WW2 it is one of the parish churches of Villach.

The church is situated in the Perau part of town which used to be an independent village once upon a time. Today it's still walking distance from the old town.

Bregenz, Austria Guide. Relax or Philosophize on the Famous Lakeside Promenade of Bregenz

Lying along the southeastern shore of the Bodensee (Lake Constance) with the majestic Pfänder as its backdrop, Bregenz is where Vorarlbergers themselves come to make merry, especially in summer. Along the lakeside beach and public pool, cabanas and candy floss lure starched collars to let loose, while nearby an enormous floating stage is the open-air site for performances of grand opera and orchestral works (Verdi, Rimski-Korsakov, Strauss, and Gershwin are just some of the composers who have been featured). Bregenz is the capital of Vorarlberg, and has been the seat of the provincial government since 1819. The upper town has maintained a charming old-world character. The lower city is the vibrant part of town with pedestrian streets, shops, the railway station, restaurants, and offices.

 

The gastronomic scene of Austria's westernmost provinces is as varied as its landscape: first-rate gourmet restaurants, traditional inns, rustic local taverns, as well as international chains and ethnic cuisine are all part of the mix. In small towns throughout the region restaurants are often the dining rooms of country inns, and there are plenty of these.

Innsbruck, Tirol, and Vorarlberg Hotel Reviews
In Innsbruck travelers do not seem to stay long, so there is a fast turnover and, almost always, a room to be had. Travelers opt to set up their base not in town but overlooking it, on the Hungerburg Plateau to the north, or in one of the nearby villages perched on the slopes to the south. In any case, the official Innsbruck Reservation Center, online at www.innsbruck.info or www.ski-innsbruck.at, offers a booking source for Innsbruck and the surrounding villages.

Salzburg, Austria Travel Guide. How to Visit the Town in Austria

Art lovers call Salzburg the Golden City of High Baroque; historians refer to it as the Florence of the North or the German Rome; and, of course, music lovers know it as the birthplace of one of the world's most beloved composers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-91). If the young Mozart was the boy wonder of 18th-century Europe and Salzburg did him no particular honor in his lifetime, it is making up for it now. Since 1920 the world-famous Salzburger Festspiele (Salzburg Festival), the third-oldest on the continent, have honored "Wolferl" with performances of his works by the world's greatest musicians.

 Salzburg has some of the best—and most expensive—restaurants in Austria, so if you happen to walk into one of the Altstadt posh establishments without a reservation, you may get a sneer worthy of Captain von Trapp. Happily, the city is plentifully supplied with pleasant eateries, offering not only good, solid Austrian food (not for anyone on a diet), but also exceptional Italian dishes and newer-than-now neue Küche (nouvelle cuisine) delights. There are certain dining experiences that are quintessentially Salzburgian, including restaurants perched on the town's peaks that offer "food with a view"—in some cases, it's too bad the food isn't up to the view—or rustic inns that offer "Alpine evenings" with entertainment. Some of the most distinctive places in town are the fabled hotel restaurants, such as those of the Goldener Hirsch or the "S'Nockerl," the cellar of the Hotel Elefant.

Vienna Austria Travel Guide. Guide to Planning Your Holiday Travel to Vienna

There is much to see: From Gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral to the Imperial Palace to the Art Nouveau splendor of the Secession, from the magnificent baroque palace Schönbrunn to the Museum of Fine Arts to modern architecture at the MuseumsQuartier. Record-breaking: In Vienna, there are over 27 castles and more than 150 palaces.

Vienna is old, Vienna is new – and so varied: from the magnificent Baroque buildings to “golden” Art Nouveau to the latest architecture. And over 100 museums beckon…

Imperial Vienna
Walk in the footsteps of the Habsburgs, visit the splendid baroque Schönbrunn and Belvedere Palaces, or stroll along the magnificent Ring Boulevard and take a look at the heart of the former vast Habsburg empire, the Imperial Palace. Get a sense of the luster and glory of the old empire by visiting St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Spanish Riding School, the Giant Ferris Wheel at the Prater, as well as the sarcophagi in the Imperial Vault.
Schönbrunn Palace

Family walking holidays in Austria

Travel to one particular valley deep with the Austrian Alps, and each day, at five o’ clock in the afternoon, you will hear the mountains echo to the deep, dulcet tones of a large bronze bell.

This is the huge Peace Bell that hangs in a giant frame at the southern end of the village of Mösern above the spectacularly beautiful Inn valley. It is the largest open-air bell in the Alps*, placed here in 1997 to mark the 25th anniversary of the founding of an Association of the Alpine states of Bavaria, Tyrol and South Tyrol, which promotes co-operation and good neighbourliness in matters of ‘environmental, cultural, social and economic concern’ between its eleven members. The Peace Bell, or Friedensglocke, is its iconic symbol.

The ARGE-Alp Association first met at the Hotel Inntaler Hof in Mösern (above), whose grounds adjoin the site chosen for the bell. The hotel is an ideal base from which to explore this beautiful area and is very well geared up for active family holidays with a host of facilities and local activities for children of all ages to enjoy.

Skiing in St Anton, Austria

You may have seen my recent staff snaps taken in Egypt, where I saw the New Year in with my family, and you’ll be pleased (or shall I say really jealous) to hear I’ve spent the past week carving up the ski slopes in Austria! I’m not sure how I wrangled two holidays in January, but I did, and I loved it.

I was very excited to be back on the snow as I hadn’t been skiing since 2009 in Tignes. Also, when phones 4u got in touch with the chance of borrowing the snazzy Nokia Lumiar 1020 to take pictures with, I couldn’t turn them down.

I tried out the phone’s cool functions and 41 mega pixel camera, which definitely made my eight mega pixel digital camera pretty redundant! Here are some of the great photos I took whilst testing it out…

My good friend Jenny, her dad John and his wife Judith flew in to Zurich and looked around the city for a few hours before catching a train to St. Anton in Austria. The train took us through picturesque hamlets, alongside misty lakes and between valleys with snow dusted mountains. It was beautiful. We stayed at Hotel Grischuna, a lovely hotel with a cosy chalet feel, complete with a sauna which was heaven after a day skiing.

Ten Must See Places in Austria

Austria is well known for its beautiful landscapes and cultural reserves. The magnificent castle in Austria is a proof of what existed in medieval times. Located in the heart of Europe, it attracts the attention of millions of visitors each year. The travel site in Austria is ideal for history buffs, nature-lovers and adventure lover. The travelers are sometimes spoiled for choice during Austria Holidays.The building in Austria is a sample of the stunning architecture that huddles in close with scenic beauty. The Austrian Alps form a breathtaking setting for various activities that include walking, hiking, biking and swimming. Listed below are ten most attractive tourist sites of Austria.

Visit Austria to Witness Panoramic Beauty

Austria is a beautiful country situated in the Central Europe. This beautiful country is segregated in nine federal states. Each state has its unique culture; although, there are not easy to categorize owing to prevalent Austrian culture in all states. Austrians are quite modern in their outlook, and continued to fetch the attention of globe trotters. People arrive here specially to explore the beautiful scenery. White landscapes of  snow covered peaks to green mountain meadows  to lush green valleys, there is no dearth of exciting places. As the season changes, the landscape varies substantially, but it is stunning in all weathers. In fact, you can visit Austria at any time of the year, a blissful  experience is assured.  However, if you  are looking to explore the hiking, mountain biking and lake swimming activities, then summers are the best time to arrive here.  Whereas, ski conditions are favorable during the winters only. Destinationtravels.in  offers the Austria holiday packages to explore the beauty of this country.  A list of packages they offer, includes  2 nights Vienna trip, 5 nights romantic Austria trip, and 6 nights Austria covering Vienna, salzburg & Innsbruck, and many more.

Austria with Derek and Wendy

Everyone arrived at Heathrow in good time. We had first time flyers in Dennis, Patsy & Nigel. They were fantastic. Well done to them.

We arrived at our beautiful hotel after a lovely journey through the marvellous scenery. After unpacking our cases, we settled in to our hotel with some refreshments before going out for the evening and having enormous pizzas. It had been a long day and we were happy to get to bed at a reasonable hour.

The next day, after a relaxing breakfast, we took a stroll around our lovely Austrian village. David & Nigel played chess on a giant chess board in the village square. We looked into the church and were surprised at how beautiful it was inside. It was nearing lunch time, so we bought some provisions and headed back to our hotel and sat out on one of our balconies and had lunch in the glorious sunshine. Off to Zell am See for a trip on a boat around the lake and time for a drink and an ice cream. There were mountains all around the lake. It was beautiful. We went back to the hotel to freshen up for the evening. It was off to another nice restaurant for dinner. This was where we met a couple of very nice ladies (mother & daughter) from Germany and we all enjoyed each other’s company during the evening!

Austria, Sound of Music Tour with Colin & Pat

Our flights all went well, travelling smoothly between Heathrow and Munich, with just a short journey from the airport to our hotel in the state of Salzburg, Austria. We quickly settled into our homely accommodation, with stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

We had a continental breakfast on offer each morning, and ate out at various restaurants in the evenings, sampling the local cuisine and joining in with Austrian customs. One evening we went to ‘Schafflinger Schialm’, a very traditional Austrian restaurant. Here we watched a local dancing show and after dinner we were all out on the dance floor, joining in.

We saw many of the local sights. We visited the largest ice-caves on the planet at Werfen, though we decided against taking the steps 134m down into the cave. In Bad Gestien we saw the beautiful waterfall that flowed through the centre of the village.

Austria Public holidays in 2014 In list statutory holidays of Austria , festival off days

Austria Public holidays in 2014 In list | statutory holidays of Austria , festival off days

welcome to public-holidays-in-2014.blogspot.com . Austria Public holidays in 2014 In list | statutory holidays of Austria , festival off days .Are you searching For The Austria Public holidays in 2014 In list so here you can get all the details of statutory holidays of Austria Here you can get Details about list of all festivals and statutory holidays of Austria in 2014 year. it Gives Overview of list 2014 year Public holidays In Austria and you can find many Holidays In Austria during the year 2014. This post may include all   Austria Public holidays in 2014 with List of festivals in Austria 2014 ..this Public holidays In Austria blog is useful to all govt employees and all people In Austria like students business people .this Public holidays list available in pdf format.

For First holidays in Austria is The New Year 2014 is to begin on 1st January 2014, Wednesday and here we had listed all the 12th months public and national Public holidays list In Austria for all the states.

Family Holidays: Austria – Hotel Seitenalm

In anticipation of winter I'd like to tell you about one of my favourite kids' hotels in Austria, Seitenalm. We celebrated the 2013 New Year at this beautiful 4 star location.

To give you an overview of Austria, this is a beautiful country, and is especially good for holidays for families with children. In the summer there is ample opportunity to enjoy the mountains and the lakes, and in the winter the mountains become a skiing paradise. The only thing missing is the sea, otherwise Austria is, in my opinion at least, an ideal country :).

Although there is plenty to say about Austria, I'm going to focus on winter ski vacations for this review.

My criteria for selecting our hotel were:

- Proximity to Vienna, Austria (where we live): We drove from Vienna to Seitenalm in approximately 3 hours, which is manageable when you are travelling with kids. In contrast, going to the Tyrol, where most people like to go skiing, takes sometimes more than 5 hours, which could be pretty tiresome for small children and those travelling with them!

Family Holidays: Austria - Finest Familyhotel in REITERS RESERVE SUEDBURGENLAND

Another blog post about holidays with kids in Austria! This time, though, I’m writing about a hotel that is great to visit at any time of the year, whether it’s warm and sunny, or rainy and cold.
The hotel is the Finest Familyhotel (Reiters RESERVE SUEDBURGENLAND, 4 star, formerly known as ‘Reiters Avance Hotel’).
An important note to start: This is not a ski-lodge or suitable for a skiing holiday!

Our friends recommended this hotel to us as they have two small children (a two year old girl and a four year old boy), and are regular guests at this hotel. They stayed here more than ten times last year, mostly for just a week or a weekend – they were here practically once a month! This was a pretty good recommendation so we couldn’t resist :).

There are in fact two hotels on this site, connected by a gallery: the Familyhotel (4 stars) and the Supremehotel (5 stars). Both hotels belong to the same hotel chain: Reiters. As you might imagine, the FamilyHotel is designed for those on a family vacation, whereas the 5-star hotel is for adults only :). Both hotels are so-called therme hotels, with thermal water. A few years ago we stayed in the Supremehotel, without our daughter, but this time we were focusing on a family holiday.

Family Holidays: Vienna, Austria

The idea has long been in my mind to write about holidays with children in Vienna, Austria, but there is so much to say! I’ve had to spend a while structuring my thoughts as I am so overwhelmed by emotion… I am in love with this city!

We have lived in Vienna for a long time. We fell in love with it at first sight, and the feeling appears to be mutual :). My appreciation for Vienna has only increased over time (like all great love affairs), and the expansion of our family on the arrival of our lovely daughter meant that I started appreciating Vienna even more. In my opinion, Vienna is one of the best cities in the world, perfectly adapted to family life and leisure. It is safe, clean, and green, has good infrastructure, and has a great public transit system on which you can easily use a stroller.

The best time to visit Vienna:
Vienna is great for all kinds of activities, whatever the weather. If you want to spend more time outdoors then it is better to come in the warmer seasons (spring, summer, and autumn) although it can be very hot in mid-summer.
In winter it is a lovely idea to visit Vienna for the Christmas markets (they run from the end of November until Christmas). Vienna shines as a magical city as if from Christmas stories! Please note, however, that on Christmas day itself Vienna is very quiet and empty, everything is closed (shops and restaurants) as it is a public holiday which families usually celebrate at home.

Family Holidays: Austria, Lutzmannsburg, hotel Sonnenpark

I love kid's hotels! Of course, it was only after my daughter was born (she’s now six) that I first started to really appreciate them. When you travel with small kids you quickly find that you have different priorities and that you begin to pay attention to seemingly small things that can be adapted to make things more convenient for kids and families.
So, today’s blog post is about the wonderful kids’ hotel - Sonnenpark (4 stars), where you can relax all year round in any weather (especially the cold!) and with children of any age (even tiny ones!).
Some of our friends invited us to accompany them on a trip - it’s always fun traveling in a group and, indeed, it was great!
We went to Sonnenpark for the weekend from Friday to Sunday. It took us about an hour to get there by car from our home in Vienna, Austria, making this quite a comfortable journey with kids.

The hotel is fairly new but don’t expect to find it luxurious. This hotel is primarily focused on convenience and practical things for family vacations. It is, however, a very nice hotel...

‘Best of’ Lower Austria – the cradle of Austrian wine

In what may be Mother Nature’s most perfect shade of green, let your eyes wander over the gorgeous rolling landscape of Lower Austria, where the distinctive rows of some of the country’s finest grape vines stretch in almost limitless directions. Time changes little in these parts, and to its residents they wouldn’t have it any other way, for here, in this sprawling northeastern province, a laid-back relaxed atmosphere makes everything just that little bit more enjoyable.

Immerse yourself in true Austrian wine culture on this ‘best of’ experience that introduces you to the beautiful sights and tantalising tastes of the Weinviertel (“Wine Quarter”) of Lower Austria.

Gain a bit of history into Austria’s most popular white grape variety, Grüner Veltliner DAC, covering some 50 percent of the vineyards in the Weinviertel. Known for its trademark peppery accent, it can have smoky characteristics but also hints of fruity flare, and has the wonderful adaptability to accompany most foods.

‘Best of’ Salzburg – enjoy a lead-free holiday

While the city of Salzburg has firmly established itself in visitors’ Austrian itineraries year after year due to a host of attractions which include the Mozart birth house, a grand selection of vibrant festivals, an Old Town famous for its baroque architecture, and of course the city’s draw as the setting for the beloved film The Sound of Music, the province of SalzburgerLand, home to Austria’s ‘Lake District’, proves no less alluring.

In fact, on this ‘best of’ experience, you’ll be introduced to a charming mountain town that, for the past 15 years, has been trailblazing its way into eco-friendly (and cool!) mobility initiatives. For guests in the all-season, alpine resort of Werfenweng, getting around is all part of the fun on a car-free holiday. You’ll be introduced to the town’s own soft mobility project – SAMO – as you test drive some of the unique e-vehicles available to visitors and on a horse-drawn carriage ride en route to a hearty snack at an inviting summer lodge amidst high alpine pastures. After adding to Werfenweng’s 250,000 annual visitor overnights tally with one of your own, day two beckons with the promise of outstanding views as you ride the Ikarus cable car up Bischling mountain where you’ll have an incredible vantage point of over 40 peaks.

‘Best of’ Vorarlberg – architecture that mirrors identity

Vorarlberg has crafted itself a distinct identity from the ground up. Literally.

Austria’s westernmost province is one of astounding architectural contrast. Here, past and future collide in the most unassuming way and perhaps that’s what makes the scene so visually arresting and a real draw for holidaymakers to the region. Appealing wood architecture that has long stood the test of time and approval shares the landscape with contemporary glass structures, minimalistic in design and the talk of many in the European architectural community. However, regardless of outer structural differences, all of the architectural highlights share a common adherence in Vorarlberg to a strong code of sustainable building regulations, the careful use of natural resources and the conscious use of local materials. This ‘best of’ experience aims to highlight Vorarlberg’s link between cultural identity and architecture.

Following a morning walk through the well-preserved mid-18th century village of Schwarzenberg, you’ll visit the ‘Werkraumhaus’ in Andelsbuch which opens to the public on 6th July 2013. This important venue, with international reputation, operates as a coming-together point for some 90 regional craftsmen and artisans, offering exhibition space and workshops, and acting as a centre for independent research and development; ultimately also influencing the structural identity of the region. There is a shop on the premises, so perhaps now is a good time to rethink the size of your suitcase…

‘Best of’ Tirol – national park on the roof of Austria

Here’s a tall feat – 241 peaks over 3,000m. Wow.

The undisturbed rugged mountain terrain of East Tirol (nicknamed the ‘roof of Austria’) is a true reminder that we are really just guests within the natural habitats of our world, and the best way to experience these inspiring settings is by simply – and respectfully – letting nature lead the way.

Those who choose to follow this ‘best of’ experience can be part of a newly launched ‘hands on’ adventure in National Park Hohe Tauern that allows volunteers, accompanied by a park ranger, to lend a hand with sustainable practices such as planting young trees, laying down climbing routes or cutting grass on the farm.

‘Best of’ Upper Austria – gracefully into the future

An eclectic one, this province is. And that, for visitors to Upper Austria, is a very good thing indeed.

From its capital city Linz with an arts scene bursting at its cultural seams, to the Danube asserting its place as Europe’s second longest river; the tranquility of pristine national park scenery, to historic towns full of character; the modern exploration of natural sciences to a loyal following of traditional well-being therapies. What’s your pleasure? On this ‘best of’ experience you are invited to make your own Upper Austria discoveries with a choice between three different itineraries.

With an E-Bike to help you on your way, you’ll tour along Lake Hallstatt from the pretty village of Obertraun through the Bad Goisern valley where the Goiserer boots were invented to the Agatha Wirt Hotel, a 16th century storied inn that’s been featured in literature and works by renowned painters, such as Gustav Klimt, and has even hosted royalty. Then, pay a visit to the spirited town of Gmunden, best known for its ceramics and its unique ‘lake castle’, Schloss Ort.

Vienna – Can you keep a secret? Neither can we!

Fancy paying a visit to Vienna off the beaten tourist track?  Looking for dining opportunities that will make your stay even more memorable? We asked a real Vienna girl – our intern Nadine – for her hottest Vienna recommendations.

Pssst, don’t tell anyone, but you will find Nadine’s top secret tips below…

Dachboden at the 25hours Hotel
Feasting, dancing, relaxing – start the day with a Disco Brunch

Get your day off to a rocking start with delicious food accompanied by a DJ and stunning views above the rooftops of Vienna. The Dachboden at the 25hours Hotel, Lerchenfelder Straße 1-3, 1070 Vienna invites you to its Disco Brunch, hosted once a month from 10:30 a.m. – 03:00 p.m. Tickets to this event at one of the best design hotels in Vienna cost just 18 Euro (approx. £15). To secure your place, be sure to make a booking, as seating is restricted to 120 guests only!
www.25-hours-hotels.com/wien

Family Hollywood visits a Kinderhotel (Children’s Hotel in Austria)

Mrs. Kim Hollywood kindly send us her family’s experience of her stay (26 Oct – 2 Nov 2013) at Europe’s 1st Baby and Children’s Hotel. Read what the family thinks of Kinderhotels…

Autumn half-term break.  There, I’ve said it, and for many a parent it’s a stressful what-do-we-do-with-the-kids time when the weather can be questionable, and UK attractions crowded to the max.  As I’m writing this after the fact, let me just preface this short report by saying that we lived through half-term and we loved it – in Austria.

After a quick (1 hour and 45ish min), and fairly inexpensive  Ryanair flight, my husband, two daughters (2  ½ & 4) arrived in Salzburg. From there, the hotel had organised a transfer service complete with two appropriate car seats already secured in the car. Our destination was ‘Europe’s 1st Baby and Children’s Hotel’, a member of the Kinderhotels collection of hotels that for some 25 years have found great success in specifically catering to families.

Luxury Chalets in the Austrian Alps

Drying the ski gear by the fireplace in a freezing mountain hut or setting off on a half-day hike to source dinner could be classed as romantic, but if you like a few creature comforts on your hard-earned holidays then a chalet stay can still be an option in Austria!
For sweeping slopes with guaranteed snow in winter and sunny trails leading to glistening lakes in summer, head to Carinthia. Traditional Alpine huts, comfortable hunting lodges and generous chalets form the exclusive Almdorf Seinerzeit, including a rustic restaurant, wine cellar, swimming pool and spa. Right by the Nockberge Biosphere Reserve, one of Austria’s beautiful national parks, the scenery and attentive chalet staff make guests feel like they have found a secret haven.

INNs HOLZ Chalet Village is located in the Bohemian Forest of Upper Austria. A special focus was placed on the materials used for the 11 chalets, with traditional loden and cloth playing the main role alongside wood. Each chalet has its own Finnish sauna and outdoor area, and guests can also use the wellness area of the INNs HOLZ Hotel.

Austria’s Different Slopes for Different Skiers

by Jennifer Lewis

What is great for one person can be terrible for another, so choosing where you want to spend your precious time off in the snow needs some consideration. There are some great ski holiday deals leaving the UK out there, all you need to do it know which of the various ski resorts is right for you. With a couple of months left before the snow starts to melt for the summer, what better time to take a look at the many different ski resorts peppered across the Austrian Alps. Every resort is a little different, from ones with small village charm to others full of bustling bars and restaurants, but the one thing that they all have in common is the abundance of fresh air and picturesque scenery that comes hand in hand with being in the mountains. No matter what you are after out of a ski and snowboard holiday, you can find it here in Austria, so read on to find out which resort will suit you best.

Austrian Adventure: Visit Ischgl

For the average skier, the resorts of Austria hold endless amounts of appeal. Whether you’re a beginner or a veteran, an après-ski fan or a family man – there’s bound to be a resort to suit your personality as well as your budget.

If we had to pick a resort to visit before this season comes to a close, there’s one which stands out among the pretty villages and peaceful slopes. Located between the Silvretta and Verwall mountains, Ischgl greets visitors with the slogan “Relax, if you can….”. It is a place with a wild reputation, and thanks to tales of outrageous après-ski and celebrity concerts, it is in danger of being dismissed purely as a party town. It’s safe to say, we think Ischgl offers far more than just a lively bit of nightlife. If you’re sceptical, here are our reasons for viewing it as one of Austria’s very best…

Austria’s Different Slopes for Different Skiers

Following up from our earlier post about finding the right place for you, we have now selected another three top ski resorts which are best suited for a particular type of skier or snowboarder. Winter sports are big in Austria, and the country really does offer such a wide variety of different ski areas and levels of accommodation that pretty much any requirement can be met.

On a Budget

For the budget-conscious skiers and snowboarders out there, a week’s stay in Austria doesn’t have to cost the earth. In fact, there are some resorts where you can get very good value for money hotels and eat at reasonably priced restaurants, so you won’t have to always be checking the exchange rate to the Euro. If you decide to travel to Söll for your ski holiday, you should find yourself with a bit of extra travel money once you have got the essentials out the way. Why is it cheaper than neighbouring resorts? Well, it’s part of the SkiWelt and has the most hotels in the entire region, resulting in prices being better than elsewhere because of the competition. Also, it is sometimes deemed a less desirable resort because it is a 1km ski bus ride to the lifts. These two factors make finding a cheap hotel or chalet to stay in much easier. While skiing and snowboarding in Söll is not the best on offer in Austria, there is plenty of choice to keep even the most ardent skier or snowboarder happy. The SkiWelt area is the biggest connected ski area in Austria and consists of somewhere in the region of 250km of ski trails. There is something for everyone here, whether you want blue runs or black runs, so if you need to tighten your belt then Söll is the place for you.

No need to pack the skis away early in Austria

Even though it may feel like summer is finally arriving, some diehard skiers might still be wishing they were back on the slopes. If you haven’t managed to make it skiing this season or you just want to go back and get some more, Austria has a fantastic selection of late opening ski resorts.

If you aren’t quite ready to store the skis away yet then you could find yourself taking a last minute ski holiday in Austria and visiting one of the high altitude resorts still offering quality skiing. The partying doesn’t stop just because the season is slowing down either. Many resorts have end of season parties and festivals that will make your late season visit extra special.

‘Best of’ Vienna – two wheels instead of the big wheel

While many visitors to Vienna enjoy a unique bird’s eye view of the city from atop its landmark 200m Giant Ferris Wheel, another unique vantage point can be had on two wheels along Vienna’s 1200km of cycle paths.

This ‘best of’ experience in the Austrian capital gives you access to Velo-city 2013. Held at the impressive city hall, this is the largest international conference on cycling, bringing together some 1000 participants ranging from planners and architects to social marketers, environmentalists and industry representatives. Highlighted themes this year include ‘cycling cities’ and ‘cycling benefits’, along with the newly introduced topic of ‘cycling cultures’.

What better way to toast Vienna’s rich cycling traditions than with a fine award-winning wine! Treat yourself to a spot of wine-tasting at Heuriger Wieninger, a traditional Viennese wine tavern, where your third-generation host Leo Wieninger will guide you through the tavern’s wine cellar and offer you a taste of authentic Viennese wine. And did you know that Vienna is only city in the world that boasts vineyards fully within its boundaries? We say a hearty ‘cheers’ to that!

A trip to the Austrian Burgenland – renew your own energy

Just an hour’s ride from Vienna lies Burgenland, Austria’s easternmost province, and often overlooked by holidaymakers in favour of its more mountainous provincial counterparts to the west. But, isn’t it often the case that it’s those hidden treasures that make some of the most fulfilling and memorable travel memories?

So, let’s let you in on a little secret (or two)…

Your ‘best of’ experience in Burgenland takes you to the topographically unique lake-land region that’s home to Lake Neusiedler-Seewinkel National Park. This part of Austria, situated between the eastern border of the Alps and the Small Hungarian Plain, is particularly noteworthy for its shallow steppe lake, some 45 salt water lakes (a rarity within inland Europe), and over 300 species of birds that migrate through the area annually. The warm Pannonian climate (over 2,000 hours of sunshine a year!), together with moist soil conditions, also creates ideal grape-growing conditions, with some outstanding Burgenland wines garnering industry attention.

‘Best of’ Carinthia – natural cuisine and jewels of nature in Austria

In its enviable sun-kissed location on the ‘southern balcony of the Alps’, Carinthia truly splashes out on visitor fun with over 200 warm bathing lakes, the majority of which have drinking water quality!

Marvel at the sights of National Park Hohe Tauern, home to Austria’s highest mountain, the Grossglockner, and the largest natural protected area in the Alps. Originally established in Carinthia in 1981, its boundaries now stretch over three provinces – Carinthia, Salzburg and Tirol. Surrounded by mountains that stretch some 3000m skywards, and amidst tranquil greenery, on a ‘best of’ experience you tuck into lunch on a terrace at the charming 4-star Holiday Village Moserhof, set upon a historic manor house estate.

With energy levels up, it’s then time for a tour through the impressively scenic wilds of the Rabisch gorge in the company of a national park ranger. Cameras at the ready for even a waterfall or two! Dinner is at your choice of one of the cosy, traditional guesthouses which uphold a centuries-old tradition and a culinary philosophy adhering to organic ingredients.

‘Best of’ Styria – get to know the culinary side of Graz in Austria

Sure, “bon appétit” works too, but when in Austria, why not give the local lingo a try and wish your fellow travelers “Mahlzeit” (“mealtime”) as you sit down to your latest delicious discovery on this ‘best of’ experience to Austria’s capital of culinary delights.

Graz is a foodie’s dream come true, an epicurean experience at every turn amidst a vibrant city scene. Here, in the Styrian capital on the banks of the River Mur, a host of internationally-acclaimed restaurants, friendly bars and colourful local markets can be found dotted amongst the visually-striking buildings. It is clear that in Graz the architectural highlights of the region come together and the various styles collide in the most pleasing of ways.

On a culinary themed city tour, you’ll have a chance to stroll through one of Graz’s 16 farmers’ markets that are a source of fresh and organic products to the city’s culinary outlets. Bet you won’t resist a tempting taste here and there! At a relaxed pace, discover the historic Old Town (a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site) as you exchange stories with fellow visitors. You’ll also enjoy an exclusive tour of the newly re-opened Natural History Museum.

A Storybook Christmas in Austria’s Salzburg

Advent festivities and Christmas Markets on a seasonal trip to Salzburg

Christmas is a beautiful time of year for relaxing with loved ones, witnessing children’s faces light up and immersing in beautiful music and décor. But for many, it can be a stressful time, being busy with holiday preparations or, worse yet, left disappointed because their magical expectations of a joyous season fell below the mark.

If you have felt this way about Christmas in the past, a visit to the city of Salzburg can renew your joy in this enchanting time of year. For the entire Advent season, this city located in SalzburgerLand becomes alive and contagiously spreads the Christmas spirit to every visitor that enters its realm.

Storyteller visits Austria

As a professional storyteller I had already heard about the Fabelhaft International Storytelling Festival  from colleagues in the United States and Germany. I caught up with festival director Tessa Tegetthoff in Café Promenade, a light airy coffee house and popular meeting place in Graz.

This international festival was founded in 1988 by Tessa’s father, storyteller Folke Tegetthoff. Originally based in Graz, the festival is nowadays centred on Bad Schönau in the Bucklige Welt region, with other festival locations in St. Pölten, Baden and the Schallaburg Castle. By taking the event out of the city, the aim is to attract visitors to the beautiful landscape and to encourage local people to share their stories.  Special signs have been erected at places of interest, telling stories about them. There are specially organised tours so that visitors can meet local craftspeople and learn about the culture of this picturesque and “un-touristy” part of Austria.

Life in Saalbach Hinterglemm (Austria)

This summer I got to spend two months in London doing an internship at the Austrian National Tourist Office.  London is an exciting city with lots of great places to visit, but it is very different from my small village Saalbach Hinterglemm in Austria. My parents own the Theresia Gartenhotel ****Superior and the attached Aparthotel**** Johann.  Since I was a small girl I have loved welcoming guests to our family-run hotel, and it has always been my dream – as the fourth generation – to continue with our tradition and take over the hotel.

Even though I have enjoyed my time in London, the past two months have also made me realise just how beautiful my home really is.  Unique landscape surrounds the valley all year round, and the mountains literally make you feel free. In summer, Saalbach Hinterglemm offers a wide choice of hiking trails across the grassy hills of the Pinzgau, as well as lots of fantastic mountainbike paths. For those who like a challenge and are in good physical condition, I highly recommend the Seven Summits Tour.

Autumn in Tirol

The best time of year to embark on a walking holiday, as the experts from the Touching Nature Web Guides know best.

Austria is a great destination for walking holidays and for good reason. A combination of breathtaking scenery, mountain peaks, lush valleys, intriguing towns with culture and welcoming locals make this alpine country a favourite for lovers of the great outdoors from near and far.

Autumn, for many, is the best time of year for exploring Austria’s varied landscapes on foot. Throughout September and October, the air seems almost fresher, the temperature less stifling, making for a more pleasant walking experience. It is also less touristy during the autumn months, creating a more tranquil ambience along the trails. And when the foliage turns the golden shades of autumn, the vista views and canopy-covered paths are that much more awe-inspiring!

Winter Walks in Salzburger Land (Austria)

Winter is not all about skiing, as Touching Nature Web Guides know for sure. Set out on a winter walk on your holiday in SalzburgerLand, and enjoy rosy cheeks and fresh alpine air at a slower pace.

When it comes to winter activities in Austria, your mind probably wanders to downhill skiing. While there is ample opportunity to soar down mountains or glide through scenic valleys and woodlands on cross country tracks, discovering the alps on foot lets you experience the white-clad landscapes and fresh serenity more intimately. There is now a growing trend to cater for those who enjoy the quiet beauty of winter with walks and rambles rather than skiing. More and more walking trails are being groomed specifically for the snowy season, offering everything from relaxing strolls to longer hikes.

For winter walking in Austria, all you need is a comfortable pair of hiking boots and your usual outdoor clothes. Some walkers choose to bring along a pair of walking poles, but this is not a necessity, especially since there are a number of level paths. But they come in handy should you find yourself on an icy patch or when ascending a steeper hillside. Winter walking trails are specially flattened so you won’t find yourself sinking down to your knees.  These trails are called ‘Winterwanderwege’ in German. One region that is particularly attractive to winter walkers is SalzburgerLand. The Salzburger Sportwelt region, for example, consists of eight ski resorts, all of which have well-prepared winter walking trails in their vicinities.

An Irish Storyteller visits Austria

From Vienna I moved on to Graz, the second largest city in Austria, and the capital of the federal state of Styria. The train journey from Vienna to Graz was as beautiful as I’d hoped it would be. We went through lush green valleys, with views of mountain pastures and picturesque villages.


Arriving in Graz in the evening as a lone traveller, I found the tram system easy to use and quickly found my hotel. The Amedia is modern and friendly, and just the place for a business or leisure trip. For me high speed wifi is always an added bonus. The longer I stayed in Austria the more friendly I found the local people. I always seek advice on places to eat and was directed to a Chinese restaurant just a five minute walk away and I was not disappointed. It is worth pointing out that food & drink is much cheaper in Austria than in Switzerland or even in Germany. There is a good buzz around Graz, so walking round the streets by myself in the dark I felt perfectly safe.

Ski safari in Austria – Bregenzerwald / Vorarlberg & Salzburger Sportwelt

 on a tour through Austria. Discover with him Austria’s hidden gems.

“We are five days into the Grand Tour of Austria’s lesser known ski resorts, having just left St. Johann / Alpendorf en route for the Dachstein area.

We started the Tour in the village of Au in the Bregenzerwald in Vorarlberg. The area is magical, totally unspoilt and so accessible from the Southern German motorways and the main Vorarlberg town of Dornbirn. Friedrichshafen and Memmingen airports are both within an hour making it a perfect short break destination. We were lucky to stay at the Hotel Roessle in Au. It’s a 300 year old building, tastefully renovated and run with such passion and care by the Simma family. Good food, attentive service and a simple spa and sauna area.

Snow kept coming but we managed to get up to Damuels for 2 hours deep snow to reacquaint ourselves with our skis and trusted equipment on the first day. ‘Warm-up Day’; well that’s what we convinced ourselves as the afternoon refreshments slipped down easily. How good that Austrian beer always tastes!

Ski safari in Austria – Schladming / Ski Amadè

on a tour through Austria. Discover with him Austria’s hidden gems. This time he is skiing in Ski Amadé. 
“Day 6 of the Austrian Ski Tour began with the retrieval of the trusty BMW from an Alpendorf hillside where we had had to abandon it three evenings before with the endless snow and mammouth drive from Bregenzerwald. We were sad to leave the Salzburger Sportwelt, all of its villages covered by the extensive Ski Amadé pass. Tree skiing is always ‘good for the soul’ and there were still plenty of nearby ski areas left to explore – Grossarl, Gasteinertal, Hochkoenig, Kleinarl and Zauchensee. With light overnight snow, the pistes were never going to be in better condition.

We somewhat reluctantly accepted that we’re just going to have to put those resorts on the list for next winter! That’s the beauty of Austrian skiing. There are so many resorts in so many different parts of Austria; some suitable for a day, some perfect for a long weekend and some to keep you busy all week. But what Austria offers over and above any other country is a consistently good welcome, excellent service, classy family-run hotels, huts that serve decent food in beautiful surroundings and a lift and snowmaking infrastructure that has been upgraded and rivals anywhere these days.

Ski safari in Austria – Zugspitz Arena

on a tour through Austria. Discover with him Austria’s hidden gems. After some days in Schladming he is on his way to the Zugspitz Arena in Tirol.

“Our fourth Austrian ski area and fourth Austrian province in just over a week was the Zugspitz Arena where we stayed at the Sporthotel Loisach in Lermoos.
The hotel is a friendly ‘home from home’ run by the Rieder family. The 79 year old father Josl Rieder was World Slalom Champion in 1958 and the hotel’s bar areas are crammed with his many national & international trophies (as well as a signed, framed photograph for his daughter-in-law Hillo from Lady Di). Josl also won races in Kitzbuehel and Wengen and lit the Olympic flame at the 1964 Innsbruck Winter Games so he was the ‘Klammer’ of his day. We skied with him for a few runs on Grubigstein and he clearly still has the magic! If he was a champion with the old planks – Kaestle were his weapons of choice way back then- he has no problems with today’s carvers.

Lermoos coincidentally produced a string of 1960s ski champions like Walter Schuster & Berni Rauter and even today, nearby Bichlbach is the home of current Austrian darling Nicole Hosp. There’s clearly something in the water around here. You’ll also not go hungry at the Sporthotel Loisach either. A legendary breakfast selection, excellent evening cuisine and the most knowledgeable Belgian wine man Luc to walk you through a wide range of Austria’s high quality wines. Many guests particularly English, Irish and Dutch, return year after year and relax into the calm pace of life and endless quality food. One couple from Cheshire were on their 20th year!

Austrian Treasure Trail in London

The prize is not bad, if we do say so ourselves. A 10-night tour of Austria with flights, accommodation and activities in every region for the In Pursuit of Austria Competition winner and a lucky companion of their choice. Just imagine: You start your journey with a luscious spa treatment and a glass of sparkling wine on the roof terrace of your Bregenzerwald hotel, move on to Montafon and master a 3000m mountain, bake a “Brandteigtorte” in the Alpbach Valley to impress friends back home, discover breathtaking landscapes and spend the night in a traditional alpine hut  with your Eagle’s Walk guide in Tirol, have a cooking lession with one of Austria’s top chefs on the top of a Zillertal mountain, then complete your trip from a different angle by paraglider or hot air balloon in Innsbruck!

With such a fantastic prize at stake we have been keeping competition entrants preoccupied with weekly taster breaks and an Austrian Treasure Trail in London. The first week saw participants entered into an additional prize draw for a 2-night trip to Salzburg, including a guided “Walk of Modern Art” through the city. This inspired us to leave a mark of Austrian culture and the finer things of life on London’s famous sights with a giant Mozartkugel Measuring Tape – fully functional and, of course, edible! Someone who got to know all about Austrian indulgence was Jenny, winner of our epic Year’s Supply of Chocolate prize draw amongst those of you who joined us for afterwork drinks at the Kipferl restaurant in Angel.

Vacation in Austria. road

Austria not only has one of the most efficient rail networks in Europe, it also has some of the finest tourist and heritage railways, tramways and funiculars that can be found anywhere in the world.

The most outstanding perhaps is the world-famous Semmeringbahn, on ÖBB’s Westbahn from Gloggnitz to Mürzzuschlag, a thrilling 42 km (26 miles) crossing of the Semmering Pass (alt. 965m – 3,136ft).  The construction of the route in the mid-nineteenth century was a magnificent feat of engineering, later recognised by being the first railway to become a World Heritage Site.

The Semmeringbahn is not alone. Every part of Austria offers exciting journeys; the Brennerbahn crosses the mountainous Brenner Pass (alt. 1,370m – 4,495ft) into Italy; the Gesäuse runs down the exquisite valley of the same name; the Giselabahn, named after Emperor Franz Josef’s eldest daughter, follows the Brixen valley to reach the superb lakeland scenery at Zell am See; the Mittenwaldbahn climbs its way up Tirol’s mountains high above Innsbruck to Garmish Partenkirchen in Bavaria; and, the Mariazellerbahn (Pilgrim’s Railway) runs from St. Pölten to the town of Mariazell, the most important pilgrimage destination in Austria.

Midsummer Solstice in Schladming

Even the longest day of the year can pick up pace, as the Austrian National Tourist Office finds out at a global gathering in Schladming.

We stumble out of the conference hall, dazed by the glare of the afternoon sun. Days, weeks, months could have passed since we entered – well, that morning – and the initial euphoria of being reunited with colleagues from across the world has been reduced to scenes of solidarity such as splitting leftover  biscuits and sharing final drops of water. The scheduled activities, however, are by far not over. This is midsummer solstice – the longest day of the year – and we are to find out how the Austrian region of Schladming-Dachstein celebrates once dusk has crept in.

The troop ploughs to the Planai valley station where groups of six are bundled into cabins as they sweep by. After eight hours of seminars with more than 200 people, a blissful silence takes hold of the cable car as it sways its way up above Schladming. Looking out across the popular ski resort in summer is like watching your neighbour fetch the paper in his pyjamas – same traits, different perspective. The hotels turn steaming outdoor tubs into refreshing pools and the bars replace fragrant Glühwein by the fire with ice-cold drinks on the terrace. Our cabin follows the trail of once pristine white slopes speckled with skiers, long dissolved into crisp pastures entwined by dusty tracks and the odd pair of ramblers or a thrill-seeker on a bike here and there. Then, at 2000m, the doors jolt open, thrusting us out onto a dimming plateau.

World of Coffee Vienna

Guest blogger Emsal Leo wants to know what all the fuss is about over Viennese coffee, so heads to the Austrian capital for the World Barista Championship 2012.

“Full bodied, bright, with a grapefruity finish” is my verdict for what could be my 6th coffee of the day. In front of me is an assortment of brewing equipment. The barista describes the method of brewing and the beans she’s using as she pours another sample, this time from the central highlands of Kenya, for me to taste.  Around me, music is pumping. A cheer goes up from the crowd in the seats to my left, as they watch a contender vie for the title of World Barista Champion 2012. A chocolatey aroma from the coffee roasting competition tickles my nostrils. Another cheer goes up from further down the hall, where contestants are competing in the Coffee Tasting Championship.

We’re at an exhibition hosted by the Speciality Coffee Association of Europe, which aims to bring the coffee community, including farmers, roasters, brewers and drinkers, together. This year the event is being held in Vienna, a fitting city for it. This is where the first western coffee house is alleged to have opened a few hundred years ago, after a defeated Ottoman army left sacks of unroasted beans behind as they fled following the Battle of Vienna. From this unassuming beginning, grew what is now an integral part of Viennese culture.

Montafon – Vorarlberg’s Outdoor Playground

“Part of me knows that people are waving at me – and part of me smiles in response. On the other hand, the people waving are a good fifty metres below me on solid ground, whereas only a metal cable about as thick as my thumb separates me from clear, thin air.

This is via ferrata, or klettersteig as it’s called around here. It’s a modified kind of rock climbing whose origins date back to World War One, when soldiers unused to snowy peaks had to fight to the death on the mountains. Nearly 100 years have passed since then and I’m really, seriously hoping that death won’t be involved here.

Lukas, my guide, was incredibly cautious. At least at the beginning. “Are you sure you want to go?” he asked, looking at the scheming clouds overhead. “After all, I mean. It is raining.” Lukas, my dear, I’m British. If I never did anything because of the rain, I’d never do anything.

Bregenzerwald in Vorarlberg

Austria without the hype. Expect beauty, innovation and plenty of tradition, whatever the locals say.

I arrived in Schwarzenberg.
Schwarzenberg stands, indeed stands out, among the fresh mountains of the Bregenzerwald region in western Austria. The stone tower of the church faces a dancing pavilion, while two traditional guest houses look on. Their facades, like most around here, consist of stained wood layered like fish scales – or schindel as Irmtraud tells me.

“Bregenzerwald is my home,” she says. “And I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. People here – our young people – they leave to study or for work but they always come back. They always come home.”

By now, the mourners have gone and wedding guests begin to gather in front of the pavilion. The women wear juppe, embroidered aprons and bodices over long black skirts, accompanied by bright white blouses. It is, as Irmtraud tells me, the oldest traditional dress in Europe that’s still actually worn. I get a closer look at the juppe  in the  museum next to Angelika Kauffman’s paintings, where gold stitching and blue ribbon march across velvet, cotton and centuries of needlecraft.

Christmas Time in Austria

The weeks before Christmas are a time of romantic Christmas Markets and old traditions in Austria. If the alluring scents of roasted almonds, mulled wine and cinnamon fill the air, then Advent in Austria has begun. Christmas markets are a long-standing and typically Austrian tradition. In Vienna, for instance, the market is held in the large square in front of City Hall. This market can be traced back to the year 1298. Innsbruck opens its romantic Christmas market in the narrow medieval square at the foot of the Golden Roof. In Salzburg, the Christmas market takes over the area in front of the Cathedral with its picturesque stalls, while the tree vendors occupy Residenzplatz on the side of the huge Cathedral. Aside from these larger institutions, almost every small town in Austria has its own Christmas market, so simply take your pick for a truly magical festive break!

Matt Carroll's Hidden Austria: Episode 1 – Burgenland

It is done: Our first video of our Hidden Treasures road trip is online. Birdwatching, wine & great food – discover with

 us Burgenland, Austria’s eastern most province. We hope you like it.
Matt Carroll’s Hidden Austria: Episode 1 – Burgenland


To give you an experts view – you already read about our personal experience - we have asked Karen Bryan, founding editor of Europe a la Carte, to visit the region. Here is Karen’s feedback:

Three cities, three stories to tell – Graz

For food, history and culture, you can’t beat the Austrian cities of Graz, Innsbruck and Salzburg. In our video Matt meets ‘slow food’ pioneer Andi in Graz, who takes him shopping; in Salzburg he soaks up some culture at a classical concert; and in Innsbruck a local guide walks him through the ancient streets.

Here is Matt Carroll’s Hidden Treasures: Episode 2 – Graz, Innsbruck, Salzburg


That is our view, but to get an objective / non-Austrian view we also asked Andy Jarosz – www.501places.com - to visit the cities for us. Here are some of is highlights in Graz.

“I didn’t know what to expect from Graz. Although it is Austria’s second city in terms of size, it is very much overshadowed in terms of tourism by both Vienna and Salzburg, not to mention the winter sports resorts to the west of the country. Yet in a little under 24 hours in this pleasant city I found plenty to attract a visitor to Graz, the 900 year old capital of the southern province of Styria. Here are just a few of my highlights of a city that is blessed with many sites of historical interest.

 Schlossberg

Three cities, three stories to tell – Innsbruck

Innsbruck , definitely one of my favourits! Which is obvious as I studied there. (watch our video here: Matt Carroll’s Hidden Treasures: Episode 2 – Graz, Innsbruck, Salzburg ) But let’s see what Andy – www.501places.com -says about it.

“My return to Innsbruck was long overdue. I had been here once before in the summer of 1987 as a teenage backpacker. I remembered nothing about the city itself; only that I had been struck by its spectacular setting among the Alpine peaks. I really enjoyed my latest visit to Innsbruck. In fact I’d go so far as to list it among one of my favourite European cities. It’s easily covered on foot, full of impressive architecture to admire and enjoys a relaxed vibe. Oh, and the mountains: they are still there, looming over the city and creating that picture perfect backdrop.

One day on the Eagle Walk in Austria Tirol

The Eagle Walk in Tirol is one of the simplest ways to enjoy nature and the mountains. (watch our video here:  Matt Carroll’s Hidden Austria – Episode 4: Eagle Walk in Tirol ) But let’s see what Andy – www.501places.com -says about it.

Whether visitors arrive in Tirol in western Austria by air or overland it doesn’t take long for them to recognise that they have arrived in an outdoor paradise. Although well known for its winter sports Tirol also offers some of Europe’s best hiking terrain; I was here to sample the delights of one of the region’s most spectacular trails.

As part of the Tirol Tourist Board’s efforts to attract summer visitors to the region, the Adlerweg, (Eagle Walk) was set up in 2005. It connects a series of routes from a pre-existing network of paths that criss-cross the region. While the main route is 280km long and broken neatly into 23 stages, there are 1480 km of trails to choose from.  In this way the Eagle Walk can accommodate both the serious hiker who is looking for a challenging long-distance trail, as well as the casual day tripper who is looking for a gentle walk in beautiful surroundings.

Austria – Winter's Ultimate Choice – competition winner!

Tristen Westwood just got back from his holiday win in Austria and gave us some feedback on his stay in Zillertal:

We returned home yesterday after a truly enjoyable holiday. Fügen,  was breath-takingly beautiful and the hotel, room, and staff were fantastic. We had a superb view from our balcony and enjoyed walking and skiing. I’ve attached to this e-mail a photo of the view from our balcony at Landhaus Zillertal which was very impressive indeed.

We are sure to go back to Austria as were so impressed with our stay. Elizabeth at the hotel was delightful and very informative. We’re hoping to go back to Fügen, or to Kaprun, with friends later this year. (Tristen Westwood)

Regional Meeting in Zillertal (Austria)

Heathrow Airport, Friday 6am. The somewhat disshevelled looking ANTO team makes its way through security with only one thought on the mind at this time in the morning – coffee! But as soon as the first gulp of caffeine has made its way into the system, life springs into our Austrian-loving veins and we chat excitedly about the weekend’s regional meeting in the beautiful Zillertal.

We arrive at Munich airport to stunning sunshine, collect our hire car and commence on a picturesque road trip led by our regional manager, Herwig Kolzer, who steers on valiantly despite only 3 hours sleep, until we reach our destination of the Posthotel in Zell im Zillertal. Here we assemble with our regional colleagues from Stockholm and Copenhagen, before checking into our allocated appartments and rooms.


The hotel is fantastic, newly constructed from head to toe in natural materials, with its own swimming pool, sauna area and gym. What’s more, the views of the mountains are stunning, and once we have enjoyed a welcoming buffet of local bread, meat and cheese we are ready to put our heads together for the afternoon’s meetings, kick-started with an introduction to Zillertal by managing director Gernot Paesold.

Stress-free Family Holidays in Austria

When it comes to planning your family holiday, do you ever feel that it would be less hassle just to stay at home?! Thankfully, Austria’s ultra-family-friendly Kinderhotels are here to change your mind, having catered for children and their busy parents for over 20 years now.

Choose from 34 desirable locations, be it alpine views, lakeside pleasures, tranquil countryside or traditional village charms. Add the highest standard of accommodation, facilities and staff, up to 60 hours a week of free childcare and all-inclusive rates, and we guarantee that your family holiday will become just that – a break for the entire family!

Kite surfing in Austria?

Just a few more days and I am going back to Austria. Not just to see friends and family, but also to go kite surfing! Since I started – I have to confess I tried in the UK – I am addicted to this sport. But not just the UK has great kite surfing locations; also we in Austria have some nice spots. One is in Podersdorf at Lake Neusiedel in Burgenland. Because of the steady wind and due to the shallowness of the water Lake Neusiedel is a perfect place to learn kite surfing! The fact that one can stand everywhere in the lake makes it easy to learn kite surfing. They even offer “after work” lessons! Unfortunately, it is a bit too far from London for a quick lesson after work.

Karoline on tour: Bludenz in Vorarlberg

Karoline is again in Austria. This time in Voralrberg. She send us some impressions:

“Landed in Zuerich yesterday. After a short drive I finally arrived in Bludenz in Vorarlberg, city of milka chocolate! A little piece of this chocolate was already “waiting” for me on my pillow in my Hotel the VAL BLU, a sport & lifestyle resort. After a rainy night, the sun woke me up this morning. From my window I had a stunning panorama view on the Raetikon Mountains.  But the hotel does not just offer this fantastic view and invites to all kind of outdoor sports, it also has a great indoor sports area too. One of the walls is used as an indoor & outdoor climbingwall. I think I might try it in the afternoon.”

Carinthia meets Camden/London
Yesterday morning a nice surprise was waiting for me in my inbox. An invitation to a Carinthian Jause (typical Austrian “in-between” meal with smoked ham, smoked sausages, cheese, vegetables, beer, Almdudler, schnapps …). It was a bit short notice as it was for the same evening, but there was nothing that could stop me attending this culinary treat!

At 5 pm on the dot  – I did not want to be late – I left the office to rush home and get some Stiegl Bier, Grüner Veltliner (Austrian wine) and of course some salami (smoked sausage), saved for times when that homesickness gets to you. I arrived in Camden perfectly on time, as did 8 other Carinthians. Usually we tend to be late, but not this time! It seems that I was not the only one looking forward to this “Carinthina evening”. While we were enjoying our “Jause”, lots of stories were told, mainly about our homeregion of course. One of the Carinthians told me about his holidays this summer. He decided not to go to another standard beach resort, but to have an adventure holiday in his home region! Where else could you have a week full of adventure – from rafting, to hiking, to climbing, to skydiving and lots more – just within 20 to 25 km? The pictures he showed me on his phone were amazing. Another funny story which I heard was published in an Austrian paper: Carinthians like to try new food, but just to be on the safe side they always bring some of their homegrown goods with them. Wherever they might go. Well, that is more than true. It is strange, somehow, that we Carinthians always manage to find each other, no matter where we are! And it is always good to find a piece of home in London.

Take a break in Burgenland

Last week I was in Burgenland, the most eastern providence of Austria. We had our annual marketing workshop at the St. Martins Therme & Lodge. For people like me, who love mountains and adventure sports, the Burgenland might not be on top of the “must see list”. That has changed now! I was really surprised about the beauty of this part of Austria. Of course, I know that Lake Neusiedl is a perfect place for kite surfing, but apart from that …

We stayed at the St. Martins Therme & Lodge. The hotel or better the 4* resort / lodge is located in the middle of pristine nature, on the edge of the National park. Luckily we had some time to enjoy the fitness and spa area to distress and relax after our workshop.

A great weekend away in Austria at the Hahnenkamm!

Having skied all my life, but never been to a World Cup Ski Race before, it seemed to be the best way to celebrate my sister’s 35th Birthday.  I’m blessed enough to come from a great ski resort myself– if not the best – Kleinwalsertal.  Not getting the chance to see my parents often enough I decided to fly from London Stansted to Memmingen in south Germany. From here it is only an hour and a quarter to Kleinwalsertal, in Austria, which is great for skiing and Après-Ski and even suitable for mothers.

Next stop was “Going am Wilden Kaiser” for the annual “Weißwurstparty” at the Stanglwirt.  An exclusive 5* Hotel which hosts the “Weißwurstparty” on the night before the legendary World Cup ski race “Hahnenkamm” in Kitzbuehel. Situated at the “Wild Kaiser Mountain” this spa hotel hosts this most exclusive red carpet event.

"Summer in Austria" at the National Geographic

This week saw the launch of our Summer in Austria photo exhibition at the National Geographic Store, London, with travel journalists from across the UK, regional partners and the Austrian ambassador here in London attending the opening event.

The theme was “Fresh Sights and Enchanting Surprises” and the idea was to give an insight into summertime in Austria as the visitor might not yet know it. In line with this year’s Austria’s Hidden Treasures campaign, 39 images of Austria’s wonderful countryside, cities, culture, recreational offerings and culinary delights were selected, with coinciding story cards and a special Summer in Austria performance.

Salzburger Land

Hear what travel journalist Leslie Woit has to say about SalzburgerLand on her mystery shopping tour through Austria and watch Matt Carol’s latest video of the region!


Back to nature
Schnitza’s Holzpark (Wood Park) is a fabulous spot: 10/10. Would highly recommend this – and any other similar no-technology, back to nature attractions for families. Likewise, the Alm culture here is a unique product for families, walkers, couples of all ages.

It’s the Flintstones — in wood. Nestled at the end of the long Saalbach valley, the primal dream of Schnitza´s Holzpark, or woodpark, is the fantasy of funky local artist and woodcarver, Schnitza Aschaber. His open-air playground is the ultimate antidote to TV, computer, and Playstation hell your children live in.

Welcome to Hallstatt

Ms Green shares her holiday impressions with us -

Ms. Green\’s impressions of Hallstatt

“We arrived by train at the ferry stae on brilliantly blue day in September. Mesmerised by the dark waters of the Hallstätter See, we had our first view of this peaceful ancient village perched over the water as we crossed the lake. This was just the beginning. The week we spent in this lovely village was unforgettable. We visited the incredible Dachstein salt mine where some of the most ancient and carefully preserved archaeological treasures in the world have been discovered. Our hosts, Gerda & Eckbert Winkelmann at the Pension Hallberg have long expertise in local history, geography and archeaology and gave us wonderful and very helpful advice on visiting local sites. They even spent time with us in a detailed examination of maps for our boating and cycling trips around the Hallstatter See and up to the hidden glacial lakes of the Krippenstein. I’m so glad we didn’t miss that expedition, the views are stunning in this fascinating landscape and we lingered so long that we almost missed the last cable car back down! We also took time to visit the Hallstatt World Heritage Museum which is thoughtfully arranged to chronicle the cultural history of this unique region and its importance in world history. In the evenings we visited the local beer garden where local musicians played traditional dancing music under the full moon. It was altogether magical. Six nights is too short a time to learn about Hallstatt, explore this complex and deeply interesting area, from the depth of the deep waters of the Hallstatter See to the moutainous plateaus and peaks of the surrounding cliffs. The people of the region are universally friendly, respectful and polite. It remains one of the finest and most memorable holidays we have ever had and we hope to return one day. We will certainly stay with Frau und Herr Winkelmann (who we notice have maintained very reasonable prices since we saw them last). Thank you so much for sharing such a special place and we look forward to breathing the clean air of the Salzkammergut again soon.”

Leslie Woit's Mystery Shopper Tour: Zillertal

We sent travel journalist Leslie Woit off to discover and experience Austria’s Hidden Treasures in the summertime, making sure she disguised her excellent journalistic credentials to get the true visitor experience. We’ll be posting the results of her magical mystery shopper tour over the coming weeks, where you’ll be able to pick up tips on the best bits to look out for and those not so good bits to avoid. First up is culinary heartland Zillertal, and didn’t it do well?…

Mountain Culture
Full marks to the Erlbenis Sennerei. Have recently visited a similar laiterie in Livigno, and find the Zillertal one more interactive, interesting, with nice outdoor terrace. NB some very nice milk products for sale in Sennerei — Alpienne skincare (from Pitztal?) and Metzler.

It’s no coincidence that the biggest trachten store in Western Austria is located in the Ziller Valley. Trad rules here, and events like the Gauder festival let visitors join in and enjoy.

Leslie Woit’s Mystery Shopper Tour: Innsbruck and Eagle Way

Travel journalist Leslie Woit continues to discover Austria’s Hidden Treasures in the summertime. This time she explores Innsburck and goes on a little walk down Eagle Way. Read on to find out about her experience…

Beauty, old and new.

Headset guide sightseeing tour of the town: found the headsets annoying to work and difficult to figure out if I was standing in correct spot and indeed looking at correct site. However, just walking around was a real pleasure—beautiful city in the summer and top pedestrian-friendly layout. Among the highlights, the Nordkette and Bergisel Ski Jump for the Hadid design.

More of Matt Carroll's Hidden Treasures!

When people think of Austria people tend to think of Vienna’s architecture and waltzing traditions, or of skiing in the mountains, but this week Matt Caroll is experiencing some of the alternative, non-stop thrills, to be found in Austria in the summertime!

In these two new episodes of Matt Carroll’s Hidden Treasures, Matt gets in touch with his adrenaline junkie side.

Watch him combine a gruelling climb of 4,000 steps, reaching 700m, with the stunning views of the rugged countryside when he visits the world’s largest outdoor gym in Montafon. From there he takes on extreme mountain biking in Saalbach Hinterglemm and flies over a ravine on the longest zipwire in Europe, where he experiences a pure adrenaline rush under the Austrian sun.

Where to Ski and Snowboard in Austria

Chris Gill and Dave Watts, the editors of Where to Ski and Snowboard – Britain’s leading ski resort guide – are just back from a tour of half a dozen resorts in SalzburgerLand and Styria, described by Chris as “the snowiest week I’ve had in the Alps in years”. We invited Chris to tell us a bit about the trip. Below is the result; for more detail, go to the WTSS blog.

The trip got off to a flying start (on Thursday 11 March) in more ways that one: we repeated our standard Salzburg trick of getting the first flight of the day, changing in to ski gear at the airport and driving south for half an hour to get half a day’s skiing in the three-valley Salzburger Skiwelt Amadè area (which is unjustly neglected by the UK travel trade).

Last time, we started at the eastern end, in Flachau, and skied between there and the central resort, Wagrain. This time we started at the western end, in Alpendorf. We had a great afternoon, in the course of which light snowfall started. The snowfall was to continue, on and off, for the following five days.

Hidden Gem Sigmund-Thun-Klamm Gorge at Kaprun

Lesley took part in our competition to win a trip to Austria. She told us her experience of an Austrian Holiday.

“In May 2008 we visited Zell am See, a delightful lakeside resort. Taking the Schmittenhoehe cable car we discovered beautiful gentians, edelweiss and carpets of crocus peeping out from under the snow. Passing meadows full of flowers, we took gentle walks around the lake, with plenty of resting places to take in the views and watch the boats ferrying to and fro. The attractive town centre had an interesting museum and hosted a farmers market full of local cheeses, sausages and mouth watering preserves. Later in the week at the town festival, colourful local bands in traditional lederhosen played unusual instruments, including enormous long horns while we enjoyed a delicious lunch in an open air restaurant. Many local bus trips were available and we chose a short ride to Kaprun and discovered the gorge. A well constructed wooden walkway snaked through the trees just above the gushing glacial water below. Surrounded by dense forest and steep rock sides we meandered along the valley floor shouting to each other above the thunderous roar as the river gushed over waterfalls and under our feet. In contrast at the top we sat beside a tranquil lake of beautiful fluorescent green water. What a hidden gem!

Grossglockner High Alpine Road

Margaret Mills from York send us her personal Hidden Treasure of Austria.

Anybody who has been to Austria and has never experienced the journey up the Grossglockner High Alpine Road has missed out on something really special. Jump on a bus at Zell am See, enjoy the tranquil ride to Ferleiten and then through the toll booths and onto the road itself. Lots of Hairpin bends, fantastic views of the snow capped mountain ranges, wonderful views through the trees of Heiligenblut and up to Franz Josef Hohe. See Grossglockner, Austria’s highest mountain and walk down to the Pasterze glacier. Nature at its best. A hidden gem from November till May due to the snow but in summer, not to be missed.

Easter in Austria

Easter and the Easter holidays are already far away, but somehow I am still in Austria. That is maybe because we just had a traditional Easter “lunch” (Jause) in our office. Easter in Austria means spending  time with your family and relatives. It also means food – starting with Easter eggs, traditional sausages (Selchwürste) and of course the Easter ham. Mmm – just delicious.

While on the mountains there was still snow and many of the ski resorts were still open, in the valleys you can already see the first signs of spring. In a few weeks everything will be green and the temperatures will rise. Even where I live – the sunniest village of Austria – I could already see the first snowbells (Although it was snowing the day before and the village lies on 1157 m!).

Im Weissen Rössl at lake Wolfgang

Alison Burns from Edinburgh send us her personal hidden treasure: the Hotel “Im Weissen Rössl“

This is a beautiful, small, friendly hotel right on the beautiful Lake Wolfgang. The superb food is just what you need at the end of a day walking in the mountains and the spa is perfect for easing those tired legs. The icing on the cake though, is the wonderful heated pool set into the lake. You can enjoy the scenery and the clear air while enjoying the pool, reagardless of what the mountain weather decides to offer you!

Modern art in Graz

The Kunsthaus in Graz is also the favourite of Christa Campigli

A few years ago I visited Graz with my two sons. The older one went off to discover the place via its extensive tram network. I visited the Kunsthaus with my younger son. The building- also called the “blaue Blase” by locals is a very interesting structure, reminding me of an organ in the human body with bits of blood vessels sticking out. One of the several exhibitions there was by the late Italian architect and designer Colombo. My son liked his furniture because it was compact and modern looking. Parts of it could slide back easily in some cupboard making it look like a capsule. One also had good views of the city from its viewing platform. So this modern museum was a success – even for a young teenager.






original on treasures.austria.info

Soul on the Mountaintop: Alicia Keys heats up cool Ischgl. Holidays in Austria

Leslie Woit and Andy Mossack, travel writers for British national / regional papers and radio stations, travelled through Austria on search of their personal Hidden Treasure.  From contemporary art and outdoor adventure to culinary delights – Leslie and Andy were quite surprised what the Austrian summer has to offer. Interested in what they discovered? We will update you with their stories over the next weeks.

But before we start with Summer in Austria, we look back to the “winter farewell” concert in Ischgl. Leslie was there and it seemed she had some fun:

“Singing up on a mountain top — it’ll be an experience like I haven’t quite had before,” the sultry Alicia Keys admitted moments before heading uphill to a height of 2320 metres to the snow-covered outdoor arena at Ischgl this May.

Spring on the slopes Austria!

March, the month when spring starts and the temperatures are climbing up the thermometer again. It really seems to be true. The sun is shining here in London and it’s getting warmer and warmer. But still, I would love to be somewhere else. Why? Well, it probably has to do with last weekend, which I spent with my flatmates in the Austrian Tirol, which  was just fantastic.

We left rainy, windy London on Friday night after work to dash off on a weekend ski trip to Innsbruck. We went to Axamer Lizum just 30 minutes drive from Innsbruck’s centre. As I was studying there, in Innsbruck of course, not in Axamer Lizum, I know this area quite well. Although sometimes my “lessons” took place on the ski pistes, which was definitely not my fault! There’s a free shuttle bus directly from Innsbruck with a stop just in front of the university, so I frequently couldn’t resist hopping on board. The ski area is small but beautiful! In 1976 some of the Olympic ski races took place at Axamer Lizum. Somehow you still can feel that Innsbruck was host city of the Olympic Winter Games, especially in winter, when you see the crowds in their ski boots, carrying skis through the city, waiting for the next bus which takes them directly to the slopes within minutes. Innsbruck is for me a city which perfectly combines sports, nature and culture.

Summer in Austria!?

“We know Austria in summer, yet we don’t really!” When I heard this I had to smile! This simple sentence summarises exactly what I have experienced over the last year I whilst I’ve been working for the Austrian Tourist Office in London. Many Brits know Austria – especially in winter. I have to admit I also love Austria in winter because I am crazy about winter sports. Austria is known for its perfectly groomed slopes, the “Gemuetlichkeit” and of course the après-ski!

Meet the Zell am See-Kaprun Locals

Lake Zell and its surroundings offer visitors plenty of activities in both summer and winter. Here we introduce you to two people that know the region like the back of their hand - a local brewer and a local mountain guide.

Fritz Sendlhofer, Brewer
In my opinion, the region of Zell am See-Kaprun is absolutely and totally unique. The nature that surrounds us here has everything anyone could ever possibly want or need. On Sonnberg on Schmittenhöhe, I operate a brewery called ‘Saglbräu'.

Information for tourists Kaprun Austria

Nowhere else are the most beautiful features of Austria situated as closely together as they are in Zell am See-Kaprun. The combination of glaciers, mountains and lakes makes this region in SalzburgerLand absolutely unique. The interaction of the alpine landscape offers active spirits, families and those looking for relaxation a diverse choice of adventures. Hiking and biking, water sports on the crystal clear Lake Zell, paragliding with a view of the 3000m Hohe Tauern peaks, or perhaps a round of golf on one of the most beautiful courses in the Alps?

Vienna: A Tour of the City

We woke up at 7 today, and had a Semmel breakfast (just like at home). Then at 9 we began our tour of the city. I am ashamed to say, that I have no idea which buildings we saw. We hauled through Wien looking at as much as possible, but never learning much about the buildings we saw. From what I could tell, the first building was a museum (?). Out front there was a metal elephant, and many-a-picture were taken on it. Next we moved on to the National Library (I caught that name!) which was enormous. It spanned in a large horse-shoe shape all the way around and then went straight out for probably a 1/2 km into the city. We walked through one of the arches, and I think next we saw a Maria-Theresa monument. Unexplained ruins ensued, then we continued on into the fashion-strip, complete with Gucci and other big names.

Wiener Weekender

Some friends of mine were asking me about the best way to see Vienna as a tourist. How to find something ‘other than classical music and Schnitzel’.  Slightly outraged on my adopted city’s behalf, I replied that there is a huge variety to Vienna, you just need to know where to look! So, to prove the many wonders of this incredible city, I devised a plan for a  Weekend in Wien….

Right, it’s summer, you’ve had a long overnight journey and the last remaining days of sunshine are calling you to the water – but you’re traveling, you need see the city too! The perfect solution to this dilemma? Krapfenwaldbad:

Krapfenwaldbad has incredible views over the city of Vienna, being perfectly placed near the top of the Kahlenberg Mountain. There are multiple swimming pools, the main one being nicely deep & cold for swimming . Don’t expect anyone to be doing laps though, this is serious ‘see and be seen’ territory for the young trendy locals. It’s also relaxed enough that you can while away the day in relative peace. There’s an on-site cafe & bar too, so any and all your chill out needs are attended to. Plus, did I mention the crazy awesome views?

Weekend in Wien… (Austria)

So, you’ve had a taste of Schönbrunn Palace, a swim on top of the city and enjoyed the heights of Prater Park. If you missed it, check here.


Now for the seriously cultured side of Vienna.

Head first to the Museums Quartier, or MQ as it’s known to the locals. A hub of Museums surround an enclave of cafes and comfy hang out spots within a gorgeous courtyard. This place is always energetic and inspiring.

To fuel the next few hours of looking at art, its imperative to indulge in good coffee. I’m sure that’s why MQ has so many funky cafes, the better to fortify yourself for artistic discoveries!

The Leopold Museum is currently housing a magnificent exhibition of Schiele & Klimt, two big names of the Vienna Secession art movement. An artist friend of mine (http://sarahmasson.com.au/) was in town recently so it was the perfect excuse to finally check out the famous works.

family holiday in Austria in autumn

It may be fleeting, but Autumn is here and it is spectacular. We spent the last two weekends wandering around the city centre, re-acquainting ourselves with Viennese life and enjoying the slightly less crowded tourist hot spots. This is just a short photo post for you, to get a feel of Vienna right now, we’ll get on to the juicy stuff later this week!


Autumn means one delicious thing – Pumpkin time! Americans may hangout for their Pumpkin Spice lattes from Starbucks, but here in Austria its a little more traditional. Kürbis festivals (pumpkin festivals) are everywhere, celebrating that mighty vegetable the pumpkin. Most importantly, the festivals provide an excuse to sit, talk with friends and drink good wine while enjoying local products.

Austrian Adaptation - An Aussie girls perspective on living in Austria

6 steps to Survive an Austrian Winter
We don’t do snowy winters in Melbourne. Its more like, windy, grey and maybe a low of 7 degrees celsius. Nothing so serious as a snowy Austrian winter. Although Vienna has been remarkably warm this year, its still a lot bloody colder than Australia. So, when my family came across for their first Austrian winter, I offered them the following survival tips:

1. Invest in a decent jacket

Critical decision at the start of winter – what will be your jacket of choice through these long, dark, icy months? My heart always wants to get something fashionable but my thin cold skin needs the most effective gear in the business. Last year S got me an unbeatable Dynafit jacket and I haven’t been cold since. Seriously I can ski in this thing, walk to work, wear only a t-shirt underneath and it still keeps me warm. I love it – but its not exactly high fashion. My family took the same approach – warmth was #1 priority over look!

2. Shoes will save you

Family Cycling in Austria. St Moritz to Innsbruck

Mountain beauty in St Moritz and Innsbruck’s Golden Roof
Iced Alpine peaks, green river valleys and shady Swiss forests
Pine-clad villages, mountain churches and summer resort towns
Family-friendly cycling along the gentle terrain of the Inn Cycle Path


Experience St Moritz in summer, one of the Alp’s most exclusive ski resorts, where stylish chalets and spa hotels sit by a blue lake beneath glistening peaks – to fully appreciate the town’s stunning setting, arrive a day early. Despite the sheer mountains, the cycling is mostly easy-going and you’ll follow the Inn Cycle Path through the Upper Engadine Valley, into the green forests of the Swiss National Park and onwards into Austria.

Tick off one idyllic mountain village at a time, stopping off to see beautiful churches and tall stone houses or explore narrow streets and relax with a cold drink, ice-cream or a slice of Swiss nut cake. Following the River Inn into the Tyrol region, you’ll pass castles and green gorges, stopping off at Austrian summer resorts where children can make a splash in swimming pools while you drink in the mountain views. Riding into Innsbruck makes the last day extra special and you’ll have time to see the city’s famous Golden Roof and Hofkirche church.

Family Cycling in Austria

We offer a range of cycling holidays in Austria, a country famous for its beautiful alpine scenery and fairytale villages.

Cycle amidst the majestic Alps on our tours around Lake Constance, the Salzkammergut theTyrol and Styria. Alternatively, try one of our city to city tours such as  Innsbruck to Munich or Salzburg to Vienna. We also offer a range of tours along the Danube from the 'classic' Passau to Vienna to the more challenging Passau to Budapest and everything in between. You may also wish to consider our popular cruise and cycle tours along the Danube.

Family cycling holiday in Austria - Lake Neusiedl Family Bike and Beach

Protected reed beds, pink cherry trees and sun-drenched soda lakes
Migratory birds, wild ponies and nesting white storks
Waterside accommodation on the shores of Lake Neusiedl
Easy cycling and mostly flat terrain on a vast network of cycle paths

Set in a national park, the town of Podersorf makes a perfect base for exploring the protected wetlands and historic towns which line the shores of Lake Neusiedl – a World Heritage site which straddles the Austrian-Hungarian border. Scenic boat cruises ferry you to daily start points around the lake, where you can pick up the vast network of dedicated bike paths. The cycling is leisurely and, halfway through the tour, you can take a day off to stretch out in the sun or join the windsurfers on the lake. A natural paradise for more than 250 species of birds, take a pair of binoculars along to spot wildfowl in the reed beds, soda lakes and secret swamps, or see white storks nesting in chimney tops. Pedal past sprawling green vineyards, pink cherry trees and wide Hungarian lowlands as you cycle to winemaking towns, medieval villages and imposing castles. Throughout the tour, taking time out to taste some of the region’s fine wines and delicious cuisine makes this an unforgettable trip.

Kirchberg, Austria. Family holiday

Situated only 6km from Kitzbühel in the heart of the Kitzbüheler Alps, you will find Kirchberg, a pretty Tyrolean village with a cosy atmosphere. With countless miles of valley paths and tracks, it is an ideal resort for those who enjoy gentle walking and cycling, but there is also a wide range of more challenging panoramic trails, accessed by gondola. The village is well placed for excursions and a regular bus service to and from Kitzbühel runs during the day. Guests staying in Kirchberg can join all excursions available in Kitzbühel.

Lakes & Mountains Holidays TO Austria

As Britain's long-standing favourite 'Lakes & Mountains' destination, Austria holidays continue to charm with their combination of fairytale features and local traditions. Pretty alpine villages, meadows, and old fashioned folklore take you back to quieter, unhurried times.

Hiking trails for all levels are well marked and easily accessible from an array of excellent hotels in Austria. The lakes offer spectacular scenery and relaxing boat trips, and the cities are full of imperial architecture and medieval history.

There are many different resorts to choose from including: Kitzbühel, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Lech, Fuschl and Mayrhofen. Holidays in Austria have something for everyone which is why so many guests return every year to this much-loved country. Whichever destination you choose, you will be welcomed with a friendly "Grüss Gott!".