Austria
Austria Overview
The opening words of Austrias national anthem are Land of Mountains and thats exactly what country is. According to one traveller, John Gunther, said The chief crop of provincial Austria is the scenery. And thats stand true now. Austria is Europes highest earner for the tourist industry. The year-round tourist industry accounts for the largest slice of national economy.
The Austria, once the undisputed cultural centre of Europe, still bears the signs of its glory days: majestic architecture, a haven of Western musical tradition (from waltzes, to classical music, to operatic creations), and museums dedicated to its artistic heritage. But while Viennas past glory still makes it an unmissable destination, Salzburg is the nations most popular destination, both for Austrians and tourists; like Vienna, it boasts a rich cultural heritage.
Located in central Europe, Austria is a landlocked country bordered by the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy and Switzerland. The capital Vienna was once the citadel of the Habsburgs who ruled the country for over 600 years. The city is an architectural gem and a centre of music from the medieval times.
If destinations off-the-beaten-track fascinate you, Austria has plenty of them too. Wels and Steyr are small cities worth a visit. Rust, and Gurk are some good places to explore along with the Eisriesenwelt Caves, which, incidentally, are the largest accessible ice caves in the world. Another interesting place to visit is Bad_Ischl, the famous spa, where the Austrian Emperors spend their holidays. The magnificent snow-capped peaks of the Alps, visitors will find it impossible to deny Austrias great beauty.
Austria is thronged by tourists round the year. Summer is the ideal time for sightseeing while in winter the slopes of the Alps offer ample opportunities for skiing.
The Arlberg region with St. Anton or Upper Austria with Radstadt has some of the best skiing resorts in Austria. Up in the Alps, the Gemuetlichkeit of the Austrians makes you enjoy a stay in the snow, skiing or hiking.
