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> Austria (a.k.a. Österreich)
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Click on the colored areas of the
map to access a travelogue. The colors indicate different regions of
Austria -- scroll down for explanation and introduction for each location. (Original
map comes from the CIA
World Factbook)
Introduction. It's hard not to like Austria. It is one of the most
beautiful countries in the world, populated by one of the most cultured people
in the world. Once the seat of the most progressive of the 19th Century
empires, Austria still celebrates its hey-day as the home of Mozart and many
other great artists and musicians.
The entire country is one big photo opportunity waiting to
happen. The Alps dominate, but even the lower lands to the north are
mountainous and picturesq
ue. Steep river valleys about everywhere, and
nearly every town and hamlet has a ski resort or cross-country ski track.
The Austro-Hungarian Empire was known for its big and gorgeous castles,
particularly the white ones (like the Hohensalzburg) that we Americans often
envision in our fairy tales.
Tourists and businessmen alike will find Austria as I have --
clean, friendly, safe, and town proud. It's transportation and
communication services are among the best I've used. Austrian cuisine is
similar to Bavarian cuisine, but generally better. Some of the finest, and
least expensive, guesthouses I and my colleagues have stayed in were Austrian.
Several of the places I have visited rate high on my list of
most-recommended. I cited Vienna top dog in my 10 Romantic Places
list, and photos from Austria are regulars for my E-Cards!
Travelogues by Region. The
coloring of the locations on the map above indicate different regions in
Austria, as shown below.
PURPLE:
VIENNA (4-Chapter travelogue). Vienna is
rated #1 in my list of top Romantic Places to visit... and the #1 place I
recommend to anyone coming to Europe,
especially in the summertime. It is simply too fantastic for words
-- the biggest museums, the grandest churches, the hugest market district,
and the city most lavishly decorated with flowers that you will ever
see. Here, I offer a four-chapter travelogue on Vienna -- an
introductory page, plus travelogues on the Museum Quarter,
the Schonbrunn Palace and City Ring, and a
gallery of city Architecture. |
RED:
The Danube River. The Danube River is among the longest in
Europe, spanning across several countries, but for many reasons the Danube
is most often thought
of as Austrian -- perhaps because it is immortalized in classical
music. It is also in Austria where the Danube turns from a moderate
river to a mighty one, and the cities along it are beautiful and
striking. The city of Linz (pictured) is classy, with
fabulous churches and huge palaces gracing a winding section of the river. Lording over Linz is the Pöstlingberg
Castle, now a very popular tourist attraction with its fabulous manor and
museums. There is also the
city of Wels that is loaded with gorgeous
architecture. Wels sits on the Traun River, a small Danube
tributary. |
ORANGE: SALZBURG (3 Chapters).
Welcome to the land where Mozart was born and the "Sound
of Music" was filmed! The city of Salzburg is a fabulous place to
visit with
all
its museums, churches, squares, gardens, palaces, and views. The
chapters include a tour of the
Hohensalzburg Castle (shown) and its
surrounding areas including St. Peter's Cemetery and the Catacombs,
Salzburg's Old City
that includes tours of the Cathedral and a visit to Mozart's Birthplace
museum, and a visit to the north bank to see the
Kapuziner Kloster and the Mirabellenplatz.
Even at three chapters, this travelogue is very brief and we hope to get
back there sometime! |
BLUE: Western
Austria (Tirol and Vorarlberg). This is
the part of Austria most tourists visit during ski season, as it is the
most accessible from Germany and Switzerland. It is also very lively
in the summertime with its proximity
to Lake Constance (including Bregenz, which is
included here). The best known of the western Austrian cities is Innsbruck,
home to two Olympiads and a true all-weather destination. The
aforementioned Bregenz is popular for its outdoor concerts and cultural
events, while Feldkirch is a very popular
small town destination with the beautiful Schattenburg Castle as a
backdrop. |
GREEN: Salzach
River Valley. The Salzach is a Danube
tributary that cuts through some of Austria's most breathtaking scenery.
Each town is a ski re sort,
with hospitality galore and photo ops in all directions. Three
travelogues are available here. The first
is Bischofshofen, located roughly a
half-hour southeast of Salzburg and home of one of the
world's premier ski-jumping stadiums. St. Johann
(im Pongau) (pictured) is a classic ski resort town that provided me with
dozens of Christmas card-like shots. Also available is Villach,
a small town in the far southern province of Carinthian (Kaernten). |
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Links. The below links connect you to
external sites in a new window. All links are official sites sanctioned by
the national, state, or local governments unless otherwise indicated.
These links will open to the German-language home page, which will offer an icon
or link to an English-language section (normally limited content). If an
English language link is not available, click on the "Tourismus" section.
This is for the tourism page, which should have English content available.
Links updated 27 December 2005.
Country
Links:
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City
and Town Links:
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