Small Austrialocated in the foothills of the Alps, is truly a pearl of Central Europe. What attracts travelers here so much? Of course, numerous Austrian architectural and historical monuments, delightful national parks and world-famous ski resorts. And also - the amazing aura of this country, which helped Mozart, Schubert and other great creators to create their works, which today make up the pride of world cultural heritage.
The Republic of Austria borders with eight European countries: its neighbors are Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. About 8.1 million people live in the country, including Austrians, Slovenes, Hungarians, Croats, Czechs and Slovaks. Such a heterogeneous ethnic composition of Austria is explained by its former domination in the territories of neighboring countries. The official language of Austria is German, the currency is Euro. The traditional religions practiced by the majority of the population in the country are Catholicism and Lutheranism.
Austria - the capital and major cities
The capital of Austria is beautiful Vienna. Its history goes back to the middle of the 1st century AD, when a settlement for civilians began to be built on the territory of the present old city of the outpost of the 15th Roman Legion. Today, this city, with a population of about 1.68 million inhabitants (with suburbs - 2.3 million), located in the east of the country, is the largest in Austria in terms of population and the ninth in the European Union. As befits the capital, Vienna is considered the cultural, economic and political center of the country. In addition, Vienna, along with New York and Geneva, is the UN resident city.
Other significant Austrian settlements include the cities of Graz, Salzburg, Linz, Klagenfurt and Innsbruck, each of which also has its own unique history and culture.
Austria - holidays and tours
No wonder the tours to Austria are one of the most popular, because in this beautiful camp you can find rest for every taste.
The most popular tours to Austria are related to ski holidays. Tourists who choose an active winter holiday in Austria are waiting for 3.5 thousand lifts and more than 20 thousand ski slopes of any complexity, as well as comfortable hotels with first-class service. The most popular ski resorts include Innsbruck, Baden-Bai-Vin, Saalbach-Hinterglemm and many others.
In summer, with steep ski slopes, a magical transformation takes place, and they become famous Alpine meadows, filled with the aroma of herbs and lovely wildflowers. Summer is the best time to get acquainted with the national Austrian flavor and visit the traditional villages located on the picturesque alpine slopes with their taverns and excellent cuisine.
However, the real glory of Austria is made up of priceless historical sights. Visiting Vienna, Salzburg, Graz with their architectural splendor and plunging into the mesmerizing ancient atmosphere of these ancient European cities, you can learn a lot and get real pleasure from exploring this amazing country.
Austria is also famous for its resorts, where you can improve your health and recharge for a long time with vivacity and positive. The most famous resort in Austria is Baden. Here in SPA-centers there are many healing procedures that can significantly improve well-being. In between therapeutic sessions, guests of the resort can walk around the city and admire the ancient architecture, as well as visit the park on the mountain and enjoy the magnificent scenery and the rose garden - one of the best in Europe.
But the main thing is that no matter what vacation in Austria you choose, you will meet with the hospitality and hospitality of the inhabitants of this small country, and at the same time, with a perfectly organized impeccable service.
Austria - Attractions
Tourists who visit Austria in order to get acquainted with its sights are attracted primarily by Vienna. Like every self-respecting ancient capital, it has its own Old Town surrounding the ancient fortress. Numerous museums await tourists in the Austrian capital. Having visited the Mozart Museum House, the Museum of the History of Arts, Technology, Folklore and Ethnography, as well as Natural History, the Museum of the 20th Century, the Austrian Gallery, you begin to feel more deeply what a huge contribution to world history and culture can make even such a small country. In Vienna, you can also walk around the zoo, the creation of which dates back to 1752, and through the most beautiful parks that make up the pride of the Austrian capital (among them the Vienna Forest famous for Strauss).
Another city that cannot be ignored in Austria is Salzburg, which is called the city of festivals. Music lovers honor him as the birthplace of the great Mozart, who lived there for more than half of his short but vibrant life. Tourists can visit his house-museum, located on the shore on the banks of the Salzach River, as well as enjoy the tranquil silence of this town, walking through its beautiful parks with clean reservoirs and original sculptures.
Austria - weather
Weather in Austria is in direct proportion to the relief of a particular area. The eastern and northeastern regions of the country, which are located in the lowland, have a temperate-warm climate, with sunny and dry summers, average temperatures of about 20 degrees and mild winters, during which the thermometer rarely drops below -3 degrees.
Weather in the mountainous regions of Austria is determined by humid western air currents and is characterized by heavy rainfall, especially in the western and northern ranges of the Alps.
In the lowlands of the Alps, the climate is moderately warm, on the upper parts of the slopes it is moderately cold and alpine. Anyone who goes to rest there in the winter should be ready to meet with harsh and snowy winters with an average temperature of -15 in the colder months. Tourists should be aware that sometimes it is impossible to travel by car and train through mountain passes littered with snow, and in the spring avalanches descend.
Weather in Austria now:
Austria - cuisine
Since the rich history of Austria developed on lands inhabited by different peoples, its cuisine is also very diverse and famous for its magnificent dishes that are world famous today, for example, strudel - apple roll made from very thin dough.
Therefore, holidays in Austria are traditionally not only interesting and fun for tourists, but also very tasty. What do Austrians like to treat guests? Delicious beer and fatty meat, strudel and Viennese coffee, Sacher cake, Salzburg dumplings, old-style boiled beef, Burgenland crypto, goulash, ham and peasant bran bran bread. The Austrians carefully pass the recipes of their national dishes from generation to generation. Moreover, the inclusion of national dishes in the menu is the rule for many Austrian hotels.
Austria - interesting facts
The Austrians are very hospitable people, they easily make contact, love fun, and at the same time are impeccably polite and punctual. But, in order not to lose their disposition in communication, one should not call them Germans, the inhabitants of Austria do not like this. Then, you need to contact the Austrian only as he recommended himself. In all hotels and restaurants, the staff speaks English, but in private pensions, in taxis, in municipal services they speak German, so tourists should consider this fact before traveling.
The tip size in Austria is 5% of the order value. For large restaurants, it increases to 10%. In bars and cafes, small coins can be used for tips, but in street ones they are generally not accepted. Tips when traveling in a taxi are 10% of the amount shown on the meter.
If you want to use a card for calculations, then remember that in Austria there are a lot of places where you can pay only in cash, including shops and restaurants. You should also know that the exchange rate in Austria is much lower, and in the exchangers you will have to pay a high percentage, so it is better to take cash with you.
Another point: on weekends, trading establishments do not work in Austria, and many cultural institutions close early. So that you do not have to change your plans with frustration on the go, carefully read the work schedule of the places that you plan to visit.
Austria - visa application
Citizens of Russia and the CIS countries who want to travel to Austria must obtain a visa from the Austrian consulate (of course, for this they must have a valid passport). Depending on the purpose of the trip, you can get:
- a visa for a short visit to Austria or other countries of the Schengen zone, which will be valid for 90 days within six months from the moment you cross the border of any country that has signed the Schengen agreement;
- a national Austrian visa, with which you can stay in the country from 3 to 6 months and travel in transit through the borders of all Schengen countries.
To obtain a visa, you must submit documents to the Austrian consular department, no later than 21 days before the planned departure. The language of paperwork is English or German, with notarized translations. The consular fee is 35 euros for a short stay visa and 75 euros for a national Austrian visa.
Austria - Embassy
The Austrian Embassy in Moscow is located at Starokonyushenny Lane, Building 1. You can call there by calling (495) 502-9512, 780-6066, (495) 937-4269 (fax).
The consular section of the Austrian Embassy in Moscow is located at 7. Bolshoy Levshinsky Lane. You can call there by calling (495) 956-1660, (495) 637-4268 (fax).
Map of Austria
