Destination attractions things to do in austria

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

Austria is a country full of rich history with a unique culture. There are many wonderful activities to do on your vacation, whether you are traveling alone, or with your family.

One of the most common reasons for visiting Austria is to ski in the beautiful Alps. The skiing season runs from November through April, of course depending on the weather conditions. The best slopes are said to be in Tyrol, Land Salzburg, and Vorarlberg; regions all found in western Austria.

Another travelers favorite is the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. You can watch the performances of the magnificent stallions and their decorated riders as they demonstrate the art of dressage. Dressage, a classical art, is defined as the exact movements performed by the horses with discreet cues from their riders. It is found within the Hofburg Palace Complex and the seating tends to fill up rather quickly. Therefore, it is recommended to reserve tickets for the shows six to eight weeks in advance.

Do you love the musical The Sound of Music starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer? If you answered yes, a visit to Salzburg is a must! There you can take The Sound of Music tour. You will visit the Nonnberg Abbey, the famous gazebo where Rolf and Liesl danced, and finally stop at the Felsenreitenschule.

If music is your passion, Austria is filled with historical sites for you. In Vienna, you can visit the house of Joseph Haydn where he lived from 1797 to his death in 1809. There is also the Pasqualati House where Beethoven is said to have lived from 1804 to 1814. The Figarohuas (Figaro House) is a 17th-century house in Vienna and a must see. It is here, that Mozart is said to have composed his famous opera The Marriage of Figaro.

Throughout the year, and throughout the country, Austrians hold many festivals to honor the great classical composers and other musicians from their past. For example, in July, the city of Innsbruck hosts the Festival of Early Music. This is a celebration of music ranging from plain song to elaborate operas. However, as with most festivals, the dates can change, so it is best to check in advance what festivals you can catch on your visit. This information can be found in most travel books, or by contacting your travel agent.

While Austria may be known for its great culture, there is also much to explore in its natural environment. Vienna alone has almost 200 miles of well-kept paths that pass through many of Europes most stunning parks. You can take a day cruise along the Danube, the main river of Vienna. However, if you prefer a more peaceful, relaxed atmosphere, you can rent a canoe or kayak and make your way down the Alte Donau. This is a smaller stream that bisects residential neighborhoods to the north of the Danube River. Or, if you prefer air to water, you should visit Voralberg in westen Austria, where you can go hot air ballooning over the countrys great landscapes.

A must see for any nature lover is the Wienerwald (Vienna Woods). This bountiful area stretches from city limits of Vienna all the way to the foothills of the Alps. There are many scenic, well-marked paths for the hiker. However, you can also see the picturesque area by taking a leisurely drive. A great thing about a tour by car is that you can visit some of the smaller country towns along the way. There you will find appetizing local cuisine and be able to partake in some wine sampling at the wineries. The best time of the year for this is September and October when the grapes are harvested. It is also advised to visit during the week, in order to avoid some of the crowds.

Of course, as in most European countries, there are also many splendid castles and palaces to visit. The Hapsburg family, a very powerful family that ruled much of Europe, owned two elaborate homes in Vienna. Their summer home, Sconbrunn Palace, has a total of 1,441 rooms. This palace is also a place of great history. It was here that on November 11th, 1918 Karl I signed his Act of Abdication that brought the familys rule to an end.

The Hofburg was their winter home. The amazing thing about this palace is that it seems to represent the entire span of the familys history from 1279 until 1918. It is almost a city within a city, and in fact, within these walls is where you will find the Spanish Riding School.

Another tremendously historical, and still operational site is the Baden bei Wien in Lower Austria. This is one of the most recognized bathhouses of the region. The Romans constructed the original buildings around 100 A.D. They were attracted to the 15 thermal springs that rose to a temperature of 95 degrees. Today, there are many bath establishments, as well four outdoor thermal springs. This is truly a place of relaxation and would make a wonderful end to your visit in Austria. However, no matter what your interests or favorite activities are, you are sure to find something to do in Austria.