Austria...

Holidays in Austria - Five Things to See on Your Holidays in Austria

2008-07-04T08:05:00.001-07:00

You can visit Austria at any time of year and you will have a wonderful experience. The only difference is that you will take part in activities as per the season. As we all know, you can go hiking, mountain biking and lake swimming in summer. Winter is the best time to ski. They have a number of festivals but they go on throughout the year, there is a music festival which takes place between May to October.

It is not in much news now, but at one time it was an important participant in economy, military and political scene and was also known as the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Now it is a smaller place and has developed as a perfect travel and holiday destination.

Officially the country is known as the Republic of Austria. It is a small country, roughly about 32,000 square miles in area. Vienna a very beautiful city is the capital of Austria. It has a population of 1.6 million people. The people living in Austria are called Austrians.

The heritage of Austria is exhibited in a very energetic way. Vienna's pompous Habsburg palaces and Salzburg's baroque Splendour are huge and when you go into the roots you will find Stone Age settlements, ruins of the Roman Empire combined with lively medieval festivals. There is no need to go searching for culture as it looks at your face.

Eisriesenwelt Hohle can be reached by a train which travels from Salzburg to Werfen. There are mini-buses which will take you to the caves, from here you can either walk down or take a cable car. Eisriesenwelt has very elaborate and beautiful ice formations; it's the world's largest accessible ice caves. It is good to take warm clothes as it gets cold in here.

Hohe Tauern National Park is another popular tourist destination. You can travel up to the site by car. It covers an area of about 1786 sq km and is one of the largest in Europe. Austria's highest mountain Grossglockner lies in the heart of this protected sanctuary of flora and fauna. Even the road through the park can be said to be most beautiful in the world.

Krimml Falls is a stunning sight and well worth a visit on your vacation. You can take a bus from Zell am See to this triple-level. It attracts many visitors in summer. On the other hand the slopes above Krimml village become a place to ski. The falls' combined height is 380m; it has 3 sections which are linked by a twisting river.

Kuenringerburg is a walk for about 15 minutes from Durnstein and you are there. It is very high up in the hill, and has a stunning view of the curve in Danube River, and the ruins of the castle of Kunringerburg.

Austria is a land of mystifying peaks, magical lakes and gushing rivers which makes it an amazing outdoor hunt. Here you can enjoy a number of activities at the same time. Like you want to climb mountains in Tyrol or ski on the slopes of the Alps or paddle in the furious Inn River, it's all there. Austria is a beautiful country with a rich cultural heritage and is definitely worth a visit.

Many holiday makers go on family skiing holidays to Austria and stay in ski chalets as holiday accommodation. Ski chalets are a popular holiday rental in Austria and some families also like to rent self catering holiday apartments in Austria.

Andrew Gibson is MD of Direct Holiday Bookings. It is one of the fastest growing online travel websites for booking holiday homes. To see an example of why Direct Holiday Bookings is growing so rapidly have a look at Holiday Villas.
Direct Holiday Bookings also has a great selection of Holiday Cottages and self catering holiday apartments that can be rented as holiday homes all over the world.

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Where to Stay When on Vacation in Austria

2008-07-04T08:04:00.001-07:00

Austria is a very popular holiday destination amongst people looking for activity holidays. Its stunning scenery draws back holiday makers year after year to its fantastic choice of self catering ski chalets and apartments. Holiday rental homes are becoming extremely popular in Austria with many tourists choosing to rent direct from the home owners.

Austria is world famous for its winter skiing in the Alps and now many holiday makers return in the summer for lakeside sunbathing. It is also a country of great tradition and culture and many tourists rent self catering apartments for a city break. They find that by renting a self catering ski chalet or apartment in Austria that it gives them the freedom to live and explore the area like the locals. They see holiday home rentals as a good base for a relaxing vacation for couples or a family holiday.

Vienna is the capital of Austria and it has some stunning architecture. Holiday makers are now lucky that some of these apartments are now available as direct holidays. Holiday apartments are available to rent direct from their owners in Vienna. Renting them enable people on vacation to sample the city's culture and musical life. There is a vast wealth of stunning and beautiful architecture making Vienna an extremely interesting and popular city to visit.

For those people not looking for the city breaks, renting a skiing holiday chalet or apartment in the Tyrol or Salzburg would give them a great chance to enjoy the winter sports and some of the finest scenery in Austria. There is a good selection of holiday apartments and chalets to choose from and the locals are renowned for their hospitality and warm welcome. They make tourists feel welcome and at home in their wonderful country. No matter what the time of year, tourists are to find quality holiday accommodation in Austria to suit people of all ages, interests and abilities.

For people looking for walking holidays there's hardly a better place than Austria. This warm weather activity becomes a nationally embraced outdoor pastime once the mountains and valleys are in bloom. A network of well-marked walking trails winds through some of Austria's best alpine recreational regions, including ones marked as push chair friendly and others as wheelchair accessible. Along all of the all routes are holiday chalets and self catering apartments available for rental.

Traditional food is one of the highlights of visiting Austria, however there are also many other mouth watering dishes available. One of the great advantages of staying in a ski chalet or holiday apartment is the freedom to experience the local cuisine. Popular dishes include backstube platter - medallions of pork in garlic, with rosti potato, or kaiserschmarren - an omelette with raisins and plum compote. A real favourite is mohr im hemd, a delicious chocolate pudding in a chocolate sauce.

Austrian food can be delicate with Italian influences in the south and Hungarian to the north, and a range of good local cheeses. Austria also has a great range of beers and is now starting to develop a reputation for good local wines.

It is little wonder that people return to Austria year after year on their vacations and enjoy the true flavour of local life staying in a holiday ski chalet or self catering apartment.

Andrew Gibson is MD of Direct Holiday Bookings. It is one of the fastest growing online travel websites for booking holiday homes. To see an example of why Direct Holiday Bookings is growing so rapidly have a look at Holiday Villas.

Direct Holiday Bookings also has a great selection of Holiday Cottages and self catering holiday apartments that can be rented as holiday homes all over the world.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Gibson

Austria Hotels Have A Class Of Their Own

2008-07-04T08:01:00.000-07:00

The awesome beauty of Alps, the architectural wonders, beautiful locales, places of interest and tourist interests Austria is an amazing country. One of the most sought-after holiday destinations, hordes of tourist make visit to Austria. Geographically, Austria is a non-coastal alpine country sited in Central Europe bordering Germany and Czech Republic to the north, Slovenia and Italy to the south Slovakia and Hungary to the east, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west. Austria, in conjunction with neighboring Switzerland, is deemed as the winter sports capital of Europe.

The best time to visit Austria is during the summer season. Months from April to October are generally crowded with tourists and visitors. This is the time when the locales flock around the places and shopping malls.

Although the place might seem exuberant the crowded streets and tourist spots might just get on your nerves on a sunny day. Months from June to September are the best time to tour around in Austria when you may enjoy hiking on the mighty Alps to the limit. On the other hand, winters are very cold in this region, but you may get the most out of other options available to you. For instance, the places of interest, streets and eateries are much less crowded. During the Christmas season the country looks all the more gorgeous. Lodgings in winters can be easily found at much cheaper rates and attractive packages. Austria Hotels have a class of their own and are well equipped with all the necessary facilities and luxury. Hotels Austria leaves no stone unturned to make the best of your stay in the country.

Some of the popular attractions in Austria include:

Krimml Falls

These well known triple-level falls make for an awesome sight. In winter, the slope above Krimml village becomes a happening ski area.

Hohe Tauern National Park

Being the biggest park in Europe, the Hohe Tauern National Park is a beautiful place to unwind. With rare and fine- looking flora and fauna thriving in this park, this park attracts many visitors. The Grossglockner Mountain which is Austria's highest one stands tall here.

Eisriesenwelt Caves

At a height of 5380 ft. the Eisriesenwelt Caves are the most easily accessible ice caves in the world. The iced up waterfalls, pointed icicles will leave you absolutely thunderstruck.

Salzburg's

The city of Salzburg is literally the Mecca of art and culture. Surrounded by Alps, the Old Town of Salzburg is where you will find numerous cathedrals, museums, chocolate bars among others.

Vienna

Vienna is the largest and the capital city of Austria. A city of many surprises and attractions, Vienna boasts of many interesting museums, architectural wonders, green public parks and famous musical groups. The well acclaimed loveliness of the region has very rightly earned it a place in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Innsbruck

The City of Innsbruck is the regional capital of Tyrol located in the western side of Austria. Being the fifth largest city in Austria, Innsbruck is an internationally acclaimed winter sports hub. Although summers are pleasant, Innsbruck gets most of the visitors during the winter season.

Hotels in Austria fall in every other price bracket and rage. Finding an accommodation in Austria of your kind is not at all difficult.

Author is an associate editor of stayresaustria. The website offers exclusive information of online reservation of Hotels in Austria. We also provide information about reservation of Hotels Austria

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Austria More Than A Winter Destination

2008-07-04T07:59:00.000-07:00

When I think of Austria, the first thing that comes to my mind is the Austrian Alps. Maybe just about everyone knows that Austria is one of the best places to go during the winter. It has countless winter resorts with amazing surroundings, perfect ski tracks suitable for all ages and difficulties and many more sport facilities in case you are not into skiing. For the tired skier or just for everyone who would like to relax and have fun, there are many suitable places to do it – from big swimming pools to hot bath-tubs and restaurants with specialties from around the world.
But if you think that Austria is only for the winter … think again!

If you prefer taking a holiday especially for skiing, you can do so even in the summer with the help of the gorgeous Austrian glaciers. One of the most famous glaciers is the one in the Stubai Valley – the Stubai Glacier. It is visible even from the road and can be a remarkable view even for non-skiers. Other perfect places for skiing in the summer are the Kaprun Glacier and Pasterze Glacier, which unfortunately is decreasing in size in the last years. And if you are keen on the big things than the largest glacier in Austria is for you – the Hintertux glacier.

In Austria there are also magnificent hiking trails, revealing a huge part of the country’s beauties. A beautiful place is Zell am See with its "Hohe Tauern" mountain range, the Zeller Lake and its belonging marked trails, suitable for both beginners and experts. There is also available biking, sailing and more. I am not going to give more examples of hiking trails because they are numerous in almost every resort in Austria and they surely bring the atmosphere of the amazing nature there.

If you are a nature lover I can recommend here only a small fraction of the many nature reserves in Austria. One of them is located just north of the city Innsbruck – the Karwendel nature reserve. The Karwendel mountain range is part of the Alps and can reveal many breath-taking types of scenery. Another one is the Pürgschachener Moor Nature Reserve which is in Styria, near Irdning / Ennstal and offers wonderful moments in fresh air. One can also visit the National Park Nockberge – part of the oldest mountain regions in Austria.

No matter where you are from, keep in mind while planning your holiday that nature is always perfect in every season. And I can assure you that one of the best places to go and see it is Austria. Whether you like skiing, hiking, looking from the top of a high mountain or just relaxing under the sun on the bank of a lake – it is all there just for you.

Ivaylo Kantardzhiev is the author and can provide you with additional information about Austria's resorts, by using the Contact Us page of the site below. Additionally, more comprehensive information is available at Austria trips hotels and holidays Ski vacations and summer holiday trips in Austria resorts and cities. Travel guide and tourist info.

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Austrian History Part II

2008-06-30T00:16:00.000-07:00

In 1804 the Austrian Empire (German: Kaisertum Österreich) was formed by Holy Roman emperor Francis II (who became Austrian emperor Franz I), although the Holy Roman Empire itself came to an end in 1806 as a result of the Napoleonic Wars. Despite many defeats at the hands of the French during the Napoleonic Wars, the Austrian Empire eventually emerged on the winning side, and played an important part in that victory, and ended up, together with Prussia, being a leading member of the German Confederation.

In 1864, Prussia and Austria cooperated in a war against Denmark in order to free the Dutchies of Schleswig and Holstein from the Danish Crown. However, following the war, the two countries could not agree on how these provinces hould be administered, and the Prussian-Austrian War of 1866 was a result. As a result of its defeat in this war, Austria had to leave the German Confederation, and end its participation in German politics.

In 1867, the Ausgleich ("Compromise") was signed by emperor Franz Joseph and a Hungarian delegation led by Ferenc Deák. The Ausgleich provided for a Hungarian government of near equal status to the Austrian government in Vienna, presided over by a single monarch (Franz Joseph) who had responsibility the military and foreign policy. This arrangement was known as the "dual monarch", and by this arrangement the Austrian Empire became the Austria-Hungary.

The 1914 assassination of the Austrian Archduke, Franz Ferdinand, in Sarajevo, was the trigger that led to World War I. Austria-Hungary was among the defeated Central Powers, and the Empire broke up along ethnic lines. The German speaking parts of the Empire became the Republic of German Austria (German: Republik Deutschösterreich), but the name was changed at the insistence of the Entente powers to the Republic of Austria (German: Republik Österreich). The new state was also forbidden to ever unite with Germany.

The First Austrian Republic came to an end in 1933, when the Chancellor, Engelbert Dollfuß, shut down parliament and established an authoritarian regime in an attempt to stabilize the country - paramilitary armies belonging to the Social Democrats and Conservatives were fighting each other on the streets, and a growing Nazi movement was advocating union with Germany.

Engelbert Dollfuß was assassinated in 1934, during an attempted Nazi coup, and succeeded by Kurt Schuschnigg. In 1938 however, German troops marched into Austria, and Adolf Hitler (who himself was Austrian) proclaimed the "Anschluss", the annexation of Austria into Greater Germany.

At the close of World War II, with the defeat of the Nazi regime, Austria, like Germany, was divided into American, British, French and Soviet Occupation Zones. However, just before the surrender, Austrian politican, Karl Renner, declared the separation of Austria from Germany, and set up a Provisional Government in Vienna. This government was in fact recognized by the Allies, and as a result, Austria was treated as the first victim of the Third Reich.

In 1955, as a result of the Austrian State Treaty (German: Österreichischer Staatsvertrag) , the country regained its independence. As part of the agreements surrounding this treaty, Austria became permanently neutral, a status which it maintains to this day. Austria joined the European Union in 1995, and became part of the Eurozone which it was established in 1999.

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Austrian History - Part I

2008-06-30T00:15:00.000-07:00

Austria can trace its history back to the dawn of civilization. In pre-Roman times, the country was occupied by various Celtic tribes including the Celtic kingdom of Noricum.

In Roman times, Noricum was annexed by the Romans and became a province of the Empire. In fact, most of what is now Austria (all parts to the South of the Danube River) were part of the Roman Empire.

When the Roman Empire collapsed in the 5th century, Austria was invaded by tribes of Bavarians, Avars and Slavs. Most of Austria was eventually conquered by the Charlemagne in 788, and eventually became part of Eastern Francia ("Francia Orientalis"), and was given to Leopold of Babenberg in 976.

The first reference to to the name "Österreich" comes from 996, where the term "Ostarrîchi" is used to refer to the Babenberg lands (also known as "marchia Orientalis").

Beginning in the 14th century, the Habsburgs began to gain more and more land around Austria. They also acquired more and more power in the Germany (which at that time fell within the Holy Roman Empire - after 1438, every single emperor but one, of the Holy Roman Empire, was a Habsburg). Eventually, through marriage, they also acquired Spain, Spanish lands in Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the New World. Additionally, their victories over the Ottoman Turks in 1526 at the Battle of Mohacs, and again in 1683 at the siege of Vienna, eventually brought Hungary and Bohemia (the area that is today the Czech Republic) under Habsburg control.

By the 18th century however, things had begun to change. The last Spanish Habsburg, Charles II, died childless in 1700, and rule of Spain passed to the Bourbon, Philippe of Anjou (King Philip V of Spain). Moreover, following the War of Austrian Succession (1740 to 1748), Prussia began to first match, and eventually displace, the Habsburg Empire as the dominant power in German affairs.

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Travel Guide - Austria

2008-06-30T00:14:00.000-07:00

Austria, my home country. Where do I start? I guess history is a good place and it was the Habsburg dynasty that shaped this country's fate for many centuries. Austria is known all over the world as the setting for the Sound of Music and people instantly associate the idyllic lake and mountain sceneries with Austria. From the High Alps in the West to the plains in the East, Austria is a beautiful country. Almost everyone has heard of its capital Vienna, of places like Salzburg and Innsbruck, but other cities like Graz, Linz, Bregenz and Klagenfurt have their own charm and definitely merit a visit.

The famous Alpine lake district where “Sound of Music” was filmed offers up almost dream-like landscapes with towering mountains, pristine lakes and charming villages. Visit the famous imperial castles in Vienna, check out the Opera or attend a concert by the world famous Vienna Boys Choir. Music lovers will enjoy Vienna which has been the home of many famous composers including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, Franz Schubert, Johannes Brahms, Johann Strauss Sr., Johann Strauss Jr., Ludwig van Beethoven and Arnold Schönberg. The famous white horses of the Vienna Riding Schoolare another unique attraction. You can experience culture galore here.

In the summer Austria is beautiful for hikers and sightseers, owing to the many baroque castles, monasteries and churches you can visit. Athletes such as mountain climbers, bikers, hang-gliders and even golfers will have a ball here.

During winter Austria becomes a veritable wonderland for winter sports, no wonder since it's one of the word's top destinations for skiers. In addition Austria offers many other activities, such as taking a cruise on the Danube, tasting fresh wine at one of the Heurigen in and outside of Vienna, attending one of the many festivals (such as the Mozart Festival in Salzburg, the Bruckner Festival in Linz), enjoy a luxurious spa treatment at one of the many spa towns or explore one of the quaint little villages and sample a taste of Austrian Gemütlichkeit.

Susanne Pacher is the publisher of a website called Travel and Transitions(http://www.travelandtransitions.com). Travel and Transitions deals with unconventional travel and is chock full of advice, tips, real life travel experiences, interviews with travellers and travel experts, insights and reflections, cross-cultural issues, contests and many other features. You will also find stories about life and the transitions that we face as we go through our own personal life-long journeys.

"Life is a Journey Explore New Horizons".

The interview with photos is published at Travel and Transitions - Interviews

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Austria - A Wonderfully Historic Indulgence

2008-06-30T00:13:00.000-07:00

When you mention Austria, many Americans automatically think of Arnold Schwarzenegger. After all, it's his home country. But even though Austria may have some sort of 'spiritual' link with California thanks to one of their most famous modern-day sons, the reality is that Austria is nothing like the west coast of the USA. And thank goodness for that - why travel so far just to find something the same as you left behind?

Austria is very much a country of mountains and snow. If you’re looking for sunny beaches, forget it - Austria is an inland country of Europe. It's also a wonderful way to get a feel for culture and traditions that have long since ceased to exist in many other parts of the world. And, of course, who can resist the wonderful tastes of schnitzel and apple strudel?

Although it's the historic and natural beauty of Austria that attracts visitors, the reality is that there are also many modern elements in the Austria of today. That's what makes it such an interesting mixture. The best place to start is undoubtedly Vienna, with its amazing legacy of the Habsburg dynasty. There are galleries and museums, gorgeous architecture and amazing palaces. It's also full of creative energy. If you only have a couple of days to spend in Austria, then you may find that spending it all in Vienna is the best option.

With a little more time, you can branch out and explore some other parts of Austria. Of course, all 'Sound of Music' fans will want to check out Salzburg. You can go on a tour of the numerous locations used in the movie. Salzburg is also famous as the birthplace of Mozart, so there's plenty here for fans of the more classical side of music.

A visit to the mountains of Austria is something you will never forget. Innsbruck is the center of a large skiing area throughout the Tirol region, and is guaranteed to warm the heart of any mountain and snow enthusiast. The best ski season is from Christmas to late February, with good snow available on either side of those months. If you want to see the glory of the mountains in the warmth of summer, then visit in May or June. It will certainly be a lot quieter then.

Visiting Austria for a day or two during a whistle stop tour of Europe really doesn't do it justice. Although I've mentioned a few highlights, there are so many more wonderful places to visit if you really want to get a true feeling for this stunning country. So give yourself plenty of time to explore, and you'll be well rewarded.

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Austria: Collection of Fabulous Destinations

2008-06-26T00:40:00.001-07:00

Flanked by several other important tourist destinations, Austria is located in central Europe. Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy and Switzerland border this country. It was the most powerful European country during the reign of mighty Habsburgs. And it does offer some of the most worth visiting places despite being considered a minor player in European Union now-a-days.

Out of many fabulous Austrian cities the capital city Vienna proves to be a fantastic spot for vacation. Adored with some gem architectures and well maintained medieval image, this city boasts of being a hub of medieval time music. You can find some marvelous buildings with architectural excellence including Hofburg and the adjoining Augustinian Church in the city. The museum of fine arts, Belvedere Palace, and the Sigmund Freud Museum are other notable sights this city features.

Salzburg is the city that produced one of the world’s most renowned musicians Mozart. This picturesque abode features tall mountains around it. Touring Salzburg is incomplete unless you visit the 11th century Hohensalzurg Castle. A few kilometers south of Salzburg is the fantastic Hellbrunn Palace that features trick fountains and water powered entertainments.

Austria is historically important too. Some great spots featuring monuments and many ancient structures interest the visitors to explore this country more and more. Eisriesenwelt Caves, Rust and Gurk are some of the names which have ample of facts to be unveiled. Bad_Ischl, the great spa in Austria is another interesting place to pay a visit. Summer is the ideal time for visiting Austria. Touring Austria in winter gives you splendid opportunity for skiing on the slopes of Alps. Accommodation in Austria is no problem at all. Many luxury hotels at affordable rates are available in every city.

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Budget Hotels in Austria

2008-06-26T00:39:00.001-07:00

A country where you find splendid avenues to entertain yourself is none other than Austria. Fringed with the border of Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy and Switzerland, this beautiful country offers you numerous reasons for coming here. Variety of culture, tradition and distinctive style of hospitality have recognized this country as a must visit destination in the world. The mighty Habsburg ruled Austria in the past and then it was central European power. Despite being a minor player in the European Union at present, Austria offers many a wonderful things for you to see and explore. Vienna, Salzburg, Wels and Steyr are few of the wonder destinations in the country. Budget hotels in Austria make it further convenient and interesting for the visitors to spend more and more time here. You can afford to stay in a budget hotel Austria without having any strain on your pocket. The low cost of these accommodations keep your budget to your requirement.

The capital city Vienna is quite a famous place for its gem architectures and medieval musical heritage. Do pay a visit to the Hofburg and the Augustinian Church in the city. These two are the marvelous architectures in the city. You will also notice the two other great assets that are Museum of fine arts and Belvedere Palace. Sigmund Freud Museum will also interest you a lot. Some other destinations within the country are Salzburg, Wels and Rust, too, keep you busy in exploring the things of your interest. A picturesque abode surrounded by tall mountains is Mozart in Salzburg where you never get bored. Eleventh century Hohensalzburg Castle, St. Peters Abbey and Museum of Fine Arts are some of the worth visiting spots in the city. Four kilometers south of Salzburg features the interesting Hellbrunn Palace whose ground trick fountains and water powered figures.

People with interest in offbeat places find Austria the most suitable destination. Rust and Gurk offer interesting things to you to explore. Eisriesenwelt Caves is the largest ice cave in the world enthralls you. Pay a visit to Bad_Ischl, the famous spa where emperors of Austria spent their days.

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Driving In Austria Could Enhance Your Holiday Experience

2008-06-26T00:33:00.001-07:00

From its stunning natural landscape and its rich musical heritage to its valuable artistic tradition, Austria is famous for a variety of tourist attractions; in fact, from Amadeus Mozart to Arnold Schwarzenegger, Austria is home to a veritable choice of allurements. Should you choose to travel to Austria on your next holiday, why not choose to rent a car? Hiring a car extols many benefits over using public transport or private tour coaches and can provide a novel way of exploring this fascinating country - particularly if you're on holiday with your family.

If you decide to hire a car in Austria, you'll enjoy hassle-free access to the country's various ski resorts, swimming lakes and nature parks. If you're travelling with small children, your ease of movement will be made that much simpler in a car, as you won't have to rely on public transport in order to move from one place to another. Skiing, for example, is a particularly popular pastime in Austria, and the country's major ski areas hold plenty in store for every ski or snowboarding fan. By renting a car for travelling in Austria, you'll be able to enjoy the delights of different ski resorts in a cost-effective and hassle-free way. So, if you want to go skiing in the family ski resort of Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis but would also like to enjoy the thrills of the Bregenzerwald ski resort, hiring a car will make it easier for you to do so.

Hiring a car and driving in Austria will also make it easier for you and your family to vary your holiday activities. For instance, if you're in Austria primarily on a skiing holiday, hiring a car will also make it possible for you to drive to nearby hiking trails or go rock climbing. Alternatively, you could drive to one of Austria's main cities, like Vienna, Innsbruck or Salzburg, and take pleasure in the range of musical, theatrical or artistic offerings in Austria's centres of culture.

Car hire in Austria is not difficult. Whether you choose to arrive at any of Austria's main airports such as Salzburg, Graz, Innsbruck, or to a range of other airports in Austria, you'll find plenty of car rental opportunities available at your chosen airport. But if you do decide to hire a car on your vacation in Austria, it's important to be aware of the different driving regulations. For example, in Austria, it's compulsory to drive with your head-lights on during both the day and night-time. Furthermore, the permissible alcohol limit in Austria is 0.5, which is lower than the legal alcohol limit in Britain. So make sure you're fully aware of the differing rules of the road when driving in Austria in order to avoid any mishaps: you'll be well on your way to an unforgettable driving holiday in one of Europe's most naturally beautiful countries.

Martin McAllister is a freelance online journalist. He lives in Scotland.

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An Overview of Austria for Travelers

2008-06-26T00:31:00.000-07:00

Although Austria is rarely in the headlines these days, it was once part of a dominant European power. Following is an overview of this postcard country.

An Overview of Austria for Travelers

With its prime location in mainland Europe, Austria was a major player in economic, military and political terms when it was known as the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Alas, this role was significantly diminished after World War I when victorious allies divided the empire. A much smaller Austria came onto the scene and has developed into an ideal travel and relocation destination.

Famous Austrians dot the historical record. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven were mavericks in music. In psychology, a certain Sigmund Freud made just a slight impact. Currently, the Governator, Arnold Schwarzenegger, was born in Austria.

The official name of the country is Republic of Austria. It covers a relatively small area of land, 32,000 square miles. The capital is beautiful Vienna, which has a population of just over 1.6 million people. Other cities of note include Salzburg and Innsbruck which has hosted a winter Olympics. The country is predominantly a mountainous one and has a climate categorized as continental with plenty of rain and snowfall. Summers in the mountains of Austria are simply dazzling. You can pull up pictures on the Internet or simply watch the movie, The Sound of Music.

The people of Austria are known as “Austrians.” The total population for the country is just over 8 million people, and barely growing each year at a rate of .4 percent. The ethnicity of Austrians breaks down as 98 percent German with a mix of neighboring country natives mixed in. The dominant language is German. Roman Catholic is the faith of 73 percent of Austrians although 12 percent claim no religion at all. The literacy rate in this well-developed country is 98 percent. Life expectancy for women is 81.7 years while men average 75.9.

As this overview of Austria demonstrates, the country has seen all sides of the power ledger. Regardless, Austria is a beautiful country with a rich cultural heritage and is definitely worth a visit.

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Where to Stay When on Vacation in Austria

2008-06-22T22:41:00.000-07:00

Car Hire - A Guide to Driving in Austria

2008-06-22T22:28:00.001-07:00

Austria is an outstanding country, with a wealth of natural and historical beauty on offer. With a car, you can explore its stunning landscape at leisure, without the constraints of timetables, spending as much or as little time in any spot.

Driving around the rugged mountain peaks, peaceful valleys, small towns and never-ending green forests is a truly unique experience. There are also a number of architectural hotspots throughout Austria, most notable of which can be found in Vienna, the countries capital.

Salzkammergut has been noted as a particularly beautiful area of the country, recommended for new-comers to explore. With its gorgeous lakes, mountainous peaks, small towns and villages, ice caves and salt mines it proves an exciting adventure.

Although the beauty of Austria can be enjoyed all year round, its best to avoid driving in the colder seasons, as snow often blocks some of the higher roads of the country. Driving laws throughout Austria are governed by EU rules and are obeyed and often strictly enforced.

The main dissimilarity to driving in the UK is of course that motorists in Austria drive on the right and overtake on the left. Headlights must also be used at all times and priority given to ascending vehicles.

When in Vienna, horns cannot be used. There are a great deals of rules that govern where you can and cannot park, the most important of which include not parking wherever you see a sign reading "Halten Verboten" and in front of any entrance.

Failure to comply with the parking rules can make you subject to heavy fines and you could have your vehicle towed. As is the case in Germany and France it is compulsory to carry a warning triangle with you at all times, visibility vests are also required in Austria.

Liam is a UK based author, currently focusing on car hire. For a competitive car hire quote or for more information on car rental then look online today.

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Hotels in Austria

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A landlocked country Austria is flanked by the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy and Switzerland. Once a Central European Power when Habsburgs ruled it, this country is full of splendors for the visitors. Though it is a minor player in European Union, Austria has plenty of attractive things to offer to the tourists. Impressive destinations, wonderful sceneries and fabulous sources of entertainment are the trademarks of Austria. And for paying a visit to all these spots, you need to stay here for a long time. Austria hotels prove to be your great companions in such a case.

Suitable for all kinds of visitors, be it an offbeat destination lover or a leisure traveler, Austria promises to entertain everyone. Vienna, Salzburg and several other cities have attributes that make it imperative for you to visit this country. You will find many exemplary monumental structures, splendid architectures and a bunch of modern sources of entertainment in each of the cities. The Hofburg (Imperial Palace) and the Augustinian Church are two of the magnificent structures which attract thousands of visitors from all across the globe. Vienna features a splendid museum of fine arts. You would also like to see the Belvedere Palace and the Sigmund Freud Museum.

While in Austria, it is a must for you to visit the city of Salzburg without which your journey would be incomplete. This city gave Mozart to the world, which is a picturesque place surrounded by tall mountains. Hohensalzburg Castle in Saalzburg is something that will effortlessly catch your attention. St. Peter’s Abbey and the museum of fine arts also have fabulous stuff to leave a lasting impression on you. And when you go four kilometers to south of Salzburg Hellbrunn Palace containing fountains and water-powered figures also interests you. Hotels in Austria serve you with some distinctive touch of culture and tradition.

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Austria

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Austria is a country that has a number of buildings in its cities and towns, which are remarkable for their architectural splendor. The buildings include churches, monasteries, fortresses, castles, palaces and museums.

If the buildings keep you awe struck for their magnificent architecture, the snow-capped peaks of the Alps invite you to play with nature. In Austria you could watch water cascading down in the triple level waterfall at Krimml, explore the largest ice caves near Salzburg, attend an orchestra in Vienna, visit the Mozart museum in Salzburg and appreciate art and architecture that reach Baroque perfection.

Skiing, the favorite past time of Austrians has resulted in the conversion of villages to skiing resorts. People from all over the world frequent skiing villages on the Alps. Austrian skiers rank top in the world and Innsbruck is a popular skiing destination and the snowboarding capital of Europe. Towns like Kitzbuhel are not only visited for skiing purposes but because it has become a party place and a meeting place for the high society. There is a very popular annual reindeer sled race held in Austria. This race is the best in the Europe.

Austria is a must visit country for the lovers of Mozart’s music. The cycle of musical festivals in Austria is unceasing. If it’s a lavish ball in January, its Shrovetide carnival in February a celebration of return of spring with masks and processions. Vienna International Festival in June and Slazburg festival in July offer arts and music programs respectively.

Ambassador hotel and Grand Hotel Wien are two five star hotels in Vienna. Schloss hotel IgIs and Europa Tyrol hotel are the two five star hotels in Innsbruck. Slazburg doesn’t have any five star hotel. But there are a number of 4 star and lower priced hotels to accommodate burgeoning number of tourists.

Written by Roger Donovan. the author of Austria Hotels and Holland Hotels - Hotel directories, with descriptions, photos, rates and on-line booking.

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