Travelling to Austria

A trip to Austria is a lot of fun because the country is rich in sights. It has beautiful baroque palaces, an opera house and many people associate it with Mozart. Austria has a population of over 9 million people and is visited by thousands of tourists every year. Visitors are drawn to the local architecture, the cozy streets, the mines.

Vienna

The capital of Austria, Vienna, is a thriving tourist destination in the eastern part of the country. Its main attraction is the Opera House. Many people plan a trip to the country for it. The building is beautiful both outside and inside, but the theatre’s orchestra is especially good.

Among the other highlights is the Catholic Cathedral of St. Stephen. It is considered the main symbol of the city and of the country in general. It is situated in the Old Town of Vienna. It is an architectural marvel to behold, and the experience of visiting it lasts a lifetime.

Tourists will also find the Town Hall on Friedrich Schmidt Square fascinating. The Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Albertina are well worth a visit.

There is really something to see in Vienna, such as Belvedere Castle, Schönbrunn Zoo, and St. Peter’s Church. It is difficult to list all the sights, as there are so many.

Salzburg

Right from Vienna, you can go to Salzburg, a city of many faces. It is definitely worth spending a few days here and visiting its many attractions. Salzburg is the birthplace of Mozart, the greatest composer of classical music.

Salzburg’s most famous landmark is the fortress Hohensalzburg. It is 900 years old, stands atop a mountain, and is one of the most photographed buildings in Europe. It takes at least half a day to walk around its many ramparts and take in the magnificent views of the spires of the city’s cathedrals.

The Carolino Augusteum is a fascinating tour of the Carolino museum, which tells the fascinating story of Salzburg’s early days. Its richly decorated rooms display a variety of artifacts, including Roman artefacts and portraits of kings.

A visit to the Museum of Modern Art is also recommended, with first-rate temporary exhibitions.

And then there’s the imposing Residenzplatz square with its elegant buildings and period carriages.

Worthy of particular note is Mirabel Palace, built by Archbishop Wolf Dietrich in 1606 to impress his mistress Salome Alt, who later bore him 15 children.

Innsbruck

Innsbruck is a must-see when you travel around Austria. This is where you will find the Ambras Castle, with its rich collection of artifacts. The Hofkirche, one of the most majestic religious buildings, is also on the list of local attractions.

Innsbruck is interesting for its Austro-German landscapes, undiscovered facts about King Ludwig and the Bavarian brewery. And then there’s the House with the Golden Roof, erected for Maximilian the First, ruler of the Roman Empire. The building’s bay window has beautiful frescoes and the roof is covered in shiny gilt copper plates.

Innsbruck offers a visit to the Ferdinandeum Tyrol State Museum, with exhibits focusing on Tyrolean history and art.

Of particular note is the Bergisel ski-jump, designed in glass and steel, which towers over the city. The observation platform can be reached by climbing a staircase with 455 steps.

Hallstatt

If you plan to visit Austria, consider a trip to Hallstatt, a small village nestled in the Austrian Alps. The local scenery is fascinating, making you feel at one with nature. The village is situated on the shore of a picturesque lake in a narrow valley, which resembles a fjord. The region is protected by UNESCO, a fact that speaks volumes. The crystal clear lake is surrounded by mountains on all sides, creating an atmosphere of peace and privacy.

In the beginning the village was a salt mine, which was difficult to reach. Salt has been extracted here for 5,000 years.

The lake is as clean as it was several centuries ago. There is a lot of fish from the family of salmon, which can be eaten in the local catering establishments. The water in the lake gets as warm as 22-25 degrees during the summer, making it ideal for swimming.

The distance from Vienna to Hallstatt is 300 km and most travellers arrive here by car, which takes about 2.5 hours.