AUSTRIA

Austria, a pint sized republic in the very heart of the Continent, is one of the top tourist countries of Europe. Scenery and charm in solid comfort may be enough for most visitors, but Austria has much more to offer.

Austria just the place to spend your holiday! Playful waters, conquered summits, joyous cycling, calming wellness and much more, the list is endless!

Austria is a popular travel destination for guests from all over the world who appreciate its beautiful landscapes, rich culture, delicious local cuisine, hospitality and safety. Austria has been voted as the third safest country in the world.

CAPITAL:

Vienna is the capital of Austria.

VISA: The visa should be obtained prior to arrival in the country.

GETTING THERE:

By Air: Austrian Airlines (OS) has direct flights to Mumbai & Delhi into Vienna. Most European carriers fly into Vienna.

Train & Bus: Vienna to Salzburg – 3 hrs

                    Innsbruck – 5 hrs

CURRENCY: Euro (EUR)

GETTING AROUND

Transport systems in Austria are highly developed and very efficient.

By Air: Tyrolean Airways is the main domestic carrier and operates several flights a day between Austria's larger cities.

By Train: Austrian trains are comfortable, clean and reasonably frequent.

By Bus: The Bundesbus (federal bus) network supplements the rail service, and is used for local trips or to get to out-of-the-way places rather than for long-distance travel. Some ski resorts in Tirol and Vorarlberg can only be reached by Bundesbus or private transport.

By Car: Rental car companies have branches in main cities. Roads are generally good, but sufficient respect should be given to difficult mountain routes.

By Tram: Trams are a common feature in Austrian cities; so take care if you've never driven amongst these mechanical creatures before.

By Road or rail:

Vienna - Salzburg – 3hrs

Salzburg- Innsbruck – 2hrs

Innsbruck - Vienna – 5hrs

LANGUAGE:

German and English are widely spoken.

TIME: Austria is 4 hrs 30mins behind us.

CLIMATE:

Austria has a temperate climate. Summer sightseeing and winter sports make Austria a year-round destination. The summer high season is in July and August, when crowds will be bigger and prices higher. June and September are also busy months. During winter you will find things less crowded in the cities and the hotel prices lower (except over Christmas and Easter). Winter sports are in full swing from mid-December to late March with the high season over Christmas, New Year and February. Alpine resorts are very quiet from late April to late May and in November. Spring in the Alps is in June, when the Alpine flowers start coating the mountains with colour.

CLOTHING:

One should carry warm jackets, woollens, slip proof shoes, umbrella as it could rain anytime

ELECTRICITY:

The electrical current is 220 volts, AC 50 Hz. Plugs are European standard with 2 round pins.

DAILING CODE:

The dialing code is 00 43

REGIONS OF AUSTRIA:

- Vienna

- Lower Austria: Vienna Woods, Klosterneuberg, Baden bei Wien, the Wachau Danube   Valley, Krems and Durnstein as well as the Melk abbey.

- Burgenland: Eisenstadt

- Salzburg & Land Salzburg: Zell am See, Badgastein and Grossglockner Road.

- Upper Austria: Linz, Mondsee, Attersee, Zell am See, Salt Mountain, St.Wolfgang

- Tyrol: Innsbruck, Fulpmes, Upper Inn, Seefield, Achensee and Lienz.

- Voralberg: ski resorts of Lech and Zurs, the Montafon Valley

- Carinthia: Klagenfurt, Hochosterwitz Castle, Velden and Villach.

- Styria: Graz, Bad Ausseel, Mariazell

EVENTS:

The cycle of music festivals is unceasing. In January, New Year concerts consist of lavish balls in Vienna. February brings Fasching (Carnival) which celebrates the return of spring with masked processions and dances. Corpus Christi (the second Thursday after Whitsun) is heralded with more carnivals, some held on lakes in the Salzkammergut. The Vienna International Festival (from mid-May to mid-June) has a wide-ranging programme of arts and is considered the highlight of the year. Midsummer night's celebrations on 21 June light up the sky with magnificent bonfires. The Salzburg International Festival takes place in late-July and August and includes plenty of music by the city's favourite son, Mozart. National Day on 26 October involves lots of patriotic flag-waving. St Nicholas Day, on 5 December, marks the beginning of the Christmas season with parades. Every year on 31st of December Austrian people celebrate the oncoming New Year with parties, fireworks, sparkling wine and waltzing at midnight.

CITIES:

VIENNA:

Vienna is the glorious legacy of the Habsburg dynasty, which controlled much of Europe for over 600 years. Although it's full of architectural gems and has an impressive musical ancestry, a few years ago the city seemed to be the exclusive preserve of genteel old ladies whiling away their autumn years sipping coffee in Konditorei. Tradition, culture and vitality now make a heady combination that even listening to the Blue Danube thirty or forty times a day can't seem to ruin.

Vienna (VIE) (Wien-Schwechat) is 18km southeast of the city.

To/from the airport: Airport buses run between the airport and the South Train and West Train Station (journey time – 30 minutes).

Rail service is available at frequent intervals to and from stations. Local rail (S-Bahn) services also run to the city center (journey tima`e – 25 minutes). 

The City Airport Train travels express from the City Airport Terminal located at Vienna Mitte (journey time - 16 minutes). Taxis are available to the city and can be found north of the Arrivals Hall.

A chauffeur-driven car service is also available from the Arrival Hall.

The best ways to see Vienna are by trams, buses, buggies, and motorbikes.

Vienna Card:

One can travel using a Vienna Card priced at about 17 euros allows visitors to cover the city for 72hrs by subway, bus or streetcar.

MUST SEES:

Schönbrunn Palace :

The city's famous Baroque palace is the Schönbrunn Palace, once home to Maria Theresa, and later to Napoleon. It has an interior kitted out with Rococo excesses and contains the Mirror Room where Mozart played his first royal concert and the Napoleon Room, which strangely contains a stuffed crested lark.

Open: daily 08h30-17h00 (Apr-Jun); 08h30-18h00 (Jul-Aug); 08h30-16h30 (Nov-Mar)

Schönbrunn Zoo:

Schönbrunn Zoo is the world's oldest and only baroque zoo. The Schönbrunn Zoo is situated in the south-eastern part of the Habsburgs' summer residence and was built in 1760.

Tropical Vienna: Schönbrunn zoo is proud of its tropical piece of Borneo and presents colourful orchids, mangrove woods, miniature rice plantations and even tropical storms complete with hard rain, lights, thunder and fog. Vienna's Imperial castle houses exotic butterflies in a marvellous art-deco glasshouse!

Open: daily 08h30-17h00 (Apr-Jun); 08h30-18h00 (Jul-Aug); 08h30-16h30 (Nov-Mar)

St. Stephen's Cathedral:

St. Stephen's Cathedral is situated in the city centre, and for centuries, it has been the heart of Vienna. It is one of the most famous Viennese sights and was built in 1147. This is where Mozart got married and his funeral was held here.

The Hofburg (Imperial Palace):

The home of the Habsburgs and is a monumental repository of Austria's cultural heritage. It includes the 14th-century Augustinian Church, the opulent Imperial Apartments, the Royal Chapel (where the Vienna Boy's Choir sings at Sunday mass), the Imperial Treasury (including religious relics such as one of the nails from the Crucifixion and one of the thorns from Christ's crown), the National Library, the Baroque Prunksaal hall and the fascinating Collection of Old Musical Instruments.

The Albertina:

 An art gallery, one of the most significant museums in the world and home to major temporary exhibitions.

Belvedere Palace:

The two magnificient palaces on the Belvedere grounds lie in the middle of a splendid park. They were constructed for Prince Eugene of Savoy by J.L. von Hildebrandt, a famous Baroque architect. Europe's first alpine garden was created in the extensive park area of Belvedere castle. Spring and early summer are the best times to visit as many plants foliate and start to flower.

Open: daily 10h00-18h00.(Wed until 21h00).

Danube Tower and Danube Island:

If you want to enjoy a magnificent view over Vienna this is the right place to go. The Viennese affectionately call the tower "Concrete needle". It is 352 meters high.

Prater:

The Prater is Vienna's most popular fun fair. Enjoy a great view over Vienna from the giant Ferris wheel, or do some sports and relax in an expansive area of parks, forest land and fields.

Two further attractions in the Prater are the Vienna Wurschtlprater, a fun fair with the Giant Ferris Wheel (Riesenrad), where one can enjoy a terrific view over Vienna from 200 feet altitude and the Lilliputian Railroad (Liliputbahn), a 2.6 mile amusement park line on a auge of old steam locomotives.

Fair open: daily 09h00-00h00 (most rides close Oct-Mar).

Salzkammergut:

The scenic splendour of this rural region around Salzburg will soften even the most hardened urban dweller, with a seemingly endless expanse of lakes and mountains creating fabulous vistas.
Beautiful villages such as Hof, Fuschl and St Gilgen encircle Lake Wolfgang, making it a paradisal summer retreat. Several tour companies combine journeys across the lake with a visit to Mondsee where "The Sound of Music" was filmed. The region's salt mines make for a fun and interesting excursion, especially when you consider how we now take this once precious commodity for granted.

Wienerwald (Vienna Forest):

The Wienerwald surrounds the city on three sides and is a place of amazing natural beauty. Schubert, Beethoven and Mozart were all famously inspired by the region's charms. Naturally, a large part of the area is wooded but there are many beautiful rural towns scattered around as well as several chateaux hidden in the depths of the trees.
Vienna's sizeable hills, Leopoldsberg and Kahlenberg fall into the park area and both offer great views over the city. The grandiose spa town of Baden is in the woods to the south of the city and is a popular place to pamper oneself with its hot mineral springs. The Wienerwald is easily accessible by public transport being only half-an-hour away from Vienna by road

SALZBURG:

Austria's home town of Baroque, and the birthplace of that talented tunesmith Mozart, is picturesquely sheltered by surrounding mountains and straddles the Salzach River near the border with Germany. The old town, on the south bank of the river, is a Baroque masterpiece of churches, plazas, courtyards and fountains. Museums, houses, squares, chocolate bars, and liqueurs - you name it and it has a Mozart tag stuck on it.

Salzburg (SZG) (Maxglan) is 4km (2.5 miles) west of the city.

To/from the airport: Bus line 77 connects to the Hauptbahnhof (main railway station) in the city center (journey time – 20 minutes).

By train: It is also possible to go by train (journey time - 15 to 20 minutes).

Taxis are available from the front of the main building (journey time – 15 minutes).

MUST SEES:

Hohensalzburg Castle:

The high point of a visit to Salzburg (literally and metaphorically) is a tour of the Hohensalzburg Castle, which stands on a rock outcrop about 120m above the city. It is almost a separate village in its own right, with all the usual self-sufficient accoutrements of a tiny settlement like torture chambers, staterooms, a tower and two museums. On the east side of the old town, the stunning Museum of Natural History has the standard flora and fauna displays, good hands-on physics exhibits and some stomach-churning deformed human embryos.

Open: daily, 09h00-19h30 (Jun-Aug)

Sound of Music Tour:

The Sound of Music tour: 'The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music'. 4 km south of Salzburg's old town is the Baroque Hellbrunn Palace, built in the 17th-century by bishop Marcus Sitticus.

Filmed in the towns and hills of the Salkammergut the region is replete with places recognisable to fans of the movie, so much so that many take dedicated Sound of Music tours around the region, stopping at important places where scenes were filmed. Most famous among them is the church at Mondsee where Maria (Julie Andrews) married the Baron (Christopher Plummer) in the film's finale.

The fabulous facade of this massive church must be among the most photographed sights in the whole of the region, and in summer there is a permanent crowd of movie fans around the square in front.

Hellbrunn Castle
This hunting castle was built in the early 17th century by Prince-Archbishop Markus Sittikus. In the gardens the glass pavillion was reconstructed for the pleasure of those fans still returning after 30 yearsThe grounds contain ingenious trick fountains and water-powered figures thanks to the bishop's strange fascination with soaking unsuspecting visitors.

Mirabell Gardens’
The Mirabell Gardens were laid out in the 18th century. Maria and the children were seen dancing around the statue of Pegasus, the winged horse, and throughout the gardens singing 'Do-Re-Mi'.

Open: Tue-Sat 09h00-12h00 & 14h00-17h00; Sun 10h00-13h00

Leopoldskron Castle

The front side of the castle was used as the Trapp family home, the children were boating on the Leopoldskron Lake and fell into the water. The Venetian room was copied from the castle and used as the ballroom.

Nonnberg Abbey
Nonnberg Abbey is the oldest convent in the German speaking part of Europe. Maria was a novice there. The baron and Maria were married here in 1927. The scenes for the movie made here include the opening with the nuns going to Mass and Maria coming too late.

St.Gilgen and Lake Wolfgang
Scenery shown at the beginning of the movie was filmed at Lake Fuschl on the way to St. Gilgen. Like the Mozart family, visitors from all over the world appreciate the beautiful village in the Salzkammergut.

Wedding Church Mondsee
In Mondsee Cathedral the film wedding between Julie Andrews as Maria and Christopher Plummer as the Baron took place.

Mozart City Tour Salzburg:

Salzburg City Sightseeing Tour including the reopened Mozart Residence. Over the centuries, the Prince Archbishops represented the worldly and clerical power in their own independent principality. Many impressive monuments still stand witness to their reign. Renowned architects and artists worked throughout the centuries to create architectural jewels. Since the 18th century until today, you can hear the sound of Mozart's Magic Flute and other famous compositions between those historic walls. Panorama Tours give you an insight into the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque aspects of the city as Mozart saw it. You can also visit the newly reopened Mozart Residence, on Makart Square. You will have the opportunity to see an informative multi-media show. Salzburg City Sightseeing Tour including the reopened Mozart Residence

Open: Tue-Sun 10h00-17h00

Salt Mines:

Along the Königseeache valley, through the Bavarian mountains, past romantic farmhouses and the ruins of Obersalzberg - Hitler's former mountain retreat - we arrive at the highlight of the journey, the 450-year-old Saltmines.
Wearing the traditional miners' clothing, you enter the mines and hear the historical as well as the legendary tales of the fascinating underground world. Using the same slides as hundreds of miners before you, you go down a 100-foot-long slide into the grottos, the magical world beneath the surface of the earth. With a raft ride on the salt lake and a miniature train ride we end our romantic and educational adventure.
Afterwards you have the chance to regain your strength with some Bavarian specialities during a stop in Berchtesgaden.

View of Hitler's 'Eagle's Nest'. Magnificent views across the snow-capped peaks of the Bavarian mountains.

Ice Caves/Eisriesenwelt:

1600m above sea level in the higher ground south of Salzburg, you'll find some of the world's most spectacular caves. Some 40km of subterranean tunnels have been carved through the rock by patient water erosion over thousands of years.

The ice that lines the walls has contorted itself into tortuously twisted shapes, and translucent stalactites and stalagmites turn the entire cave complex into a wondrous crystal garden. Take the tour and you'll see the light of your torches reflected and refracted in the marvellous crystalline structures. The caves are only open from May-Oct, but even through the summer the temperature is zero degrees in some parts, so make sure you wear appropriate gear, no matter what the weather outside.

The caves are located around 40km from Salzburg at Werfen. You have to take a bus ride and cablecar up the mountain to access the caves

Salzburg Card:

The most economical way to enjoy Salzburg for 24, 48 or 72hrs, providing free admission to all of the city’s attractions, free use of public transport and a no. of other discounts.

TIROL

Tirol Alpine delight in the heart of Europe. The Austrian Federal  Provinces of Tirol Provides an insight to Central European Life with a unique blend of nature and culture.

Tirol is the centre of Europe, shares its border with Germany, Italy and Switzerland. Its scenery is definitely Alpine in character. Proud peaks and picturesque valleys, rugged rocks and green pastures, sparkling mountain lakes and breathtaking glaciers.

The beauty of the landscape, the cultural sights and the friendliness of the local people not only attract over 8 million visitors from all over the world per year, but also filmmakers. Building in the Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque style constitute treasure seldom found in such variety elsewhere. Churches, abbeys, castle and fortresses comprises an integral part of the Alpine environment, meaning that in Tirol, nature and culture forge together in a stimulating symbiosis.  

INNSBRUCK:

Where town meets nature, Innsbruck brings together a perfect combination of sports, health and culture.

One can go for a stroll down Innsbruck’s major shopping street Maria-Theresien-Strasse, take a coffee break in one of the old town’s cosy cafes, experience the exhilaration of skiing on Olympic runs, relax and breathe deeply walking through deserted forests and then round off the day with a graceful performance of internationally renowned ballet dancer.

Innsbruck is surrounded by the eight different ski region of the Olympic Ski world, which offer boundless winter fun.

In summer, sporty types simply switch from skis to mountain bikes or just set off into one of the many hiking areas.

Getting there:

The journey time from Innsbruck airport to the city centre is around 15 minutes. Public transport as well as taxis to the city centre and also to the train station is easily available.

Getting Around

Innsbruck Card:

The most economical way to enjoy Innsbruck for 24, 48 or 72hrs, providing free admission to all of the city’s attractions, free use of public transport and a no. of other discounts.

Must Sees:

Golden Roof 

The Golden Roof is Innsbruck´s greatest tourist attraction, built by Archduke Friedrich IV in the early 15th century as the residence of the Tirolean sovereigns. The Golden Roof is the three-story balcony on this house at the heart of Innsbruck´s Old Town. The late Gothic oriels are capped with 2,600 gold-plated copper tiles. It was constructed for Emperor Maximilian I to serve as a royal box where he could sit in luxury and enjoy tournaments in the square below.

Bell Museum & Graßmayr Bell Foundry 

The "Bell Museum" comprises of a Bell Foundry, Bell Museum, Sound Room and watching a bell actually being cast. This interesting blend at the Bell museum Innsbruck also received the Austrian Museum Award.

The Bell Foundry:

The bell foundry is the region of the Grassmayr Family that has been casting bells for the whole world for 14 generations with 400 years of experience, history and tradition to build upon. In the Casting Hall, bell forms of loam are modeled in accord with the age-old customs of traditional craftsmanship.

The Bell Museum:

From Ore to the Bell, This part of the Museum shows the complete process of making bells and their historical evolution in western civilization.

The Sound Room:

The sound room offers an acoustical adventure through the tones of bells become visible, audible and palpable.

Imperial Palace (Kaiserliche Hofburg):

The Imperial Palace is a majestic example of the city's former glory. A sumptuous palace it stands at the city centre as it has done for over 500 years. Built by the suitably named Archduke Siegmund the Rich in 1460 and renovated by Empress Maria Theresia in the 18th century, the rooms hark back to an age of Austrian opulence, with Innsbruck at its centre. The highlights are undoubtedly the Habsburg portraits that adorn the walls of the splendid reception hall and the over-the-top rococo opulence of the Giant Hall.
Nearby you can find the Hofkirche, built in memorium to Maximilian I and containinng his mausoleum, a sombre but impressive structure in black marble. Open: daily 09h00-17h00.

Swarovski Crystal Worlds:

The Swarovski Crystal Worlds are situated by car just a few minutes away from Innsbruck. From the Inntal motorway / A12 take the Wattens exit & follow the signs for the Swarovski Crystal Worlds.

Kristallwelten Shuttle:

The Kristallwelten Shuttle takes guests four times daily from Innsbruck to the entrance of the Kristallwelten and back.

Transfer and admission are free of charge for holders of a valid Innsbruck Card and for members of the Swarovski Crystal Society with a valid SCS Card.

Opening Hours:
Daily from 0900 – 1830 hours. Last admission at 1730 hours

24 Dec 2007 and 31 Dec 2007 until 1500 hours

Other Attractions:

Seefeld, Igls,  Holiday villages, Stubai Glacier, Achensee Boat trip, Schwaz Silver Mine, Riedel Glassworks, Tirolean Farmstead Museum, Tirolean Folk Show

Reidel Glass Factory: 40mins away from Innsbruck, here you can see how beautiful glass show pieces are created.

Zellamsee: 1 and half hrs from Salzburg. It’s a picturesque lake district of Austira with the Alps surrounding them. There are many mountain huts where one can enjoy cheese, wine etc.

Mutters:

The most beautiful village in the Tyrol, Mutters is undoubtedly full of charm with its picture-postcard looks.

Narrow streets of houses adorned with flower-strewn balconies lead to the village square with a well in its centre, creating an almost unreal atmosphere of a perfect Alpine village. All this character and quaintness is intensified by the horse-drawn carriages that take visitors on trips out to the surrounding countryside.

The village is just 5km south of Innsbruck and easily accessible by train.

Stubai Valley and Glacier:

Famed for its year-round skiing, the Stubai region with its impressive glacier less than 40km south-west of Innsbruck, is one of the best places to visit for serious skiers and snowboarders. There is an excellent choice of slopes to cater to all levels of ability, although the majority are not suited to absolute beginners.

Comprising the four villages of Fulpmes, Mieders, Schönberg and Telfes, the area is a great winter playground, still within easy reach of Innsbruck. To get there by public transport from Innsbruck station you can get the Stubaitalbahn tram to Telfes or Fulpmes or there is a bus to Schönberg, Mieders and Fulpmes

SHOPPING:

If you have, a passion for shopping then you will love wandering through Austria’s streets and squares, which are surrounded, by the most wonderful displays architecture. The best things to shop for in Austria are Lacework, Crystals, Chocolates and Leather goods.

Salzburg

Goldgasse:

The Goldgasse leads you to the Residenzplatz from the Judengasse and it honors its name. There are many gold and jewellery stores as well as antique shops.

Münzgasse and Griesgasse:

Clothes, shoes, bags - everything your heart desires. Apart from the trendy stores like Rieger or Penny Lane you will also find boutiques with great specials, such as the leathergoods shop Alpha in the Ava-Haus shopping arcade.

Linzergasse:

This shopping street is just as modern but not so busy.  Not only boutiques and an entire row of shoe shops but this street also has music and stationery shops as well as shops selling traditional gingerbreads, candles and wax figurines.

Vat Refund:

Indian tourists purchasing goods in excess of 90 euros in one store at one time will be refunded the Value Added Tax of aprriox 13% upon leaving the country. The shopkeeper has to to be asked the requiste tax free cheque form.

Vienna Malls and Department Stores

Kohlmarket and Graben

Karlplatze

Maria hilfe Strasse

Flee markets- on weekends

Gasometer

11, Guglgasse, Tel: 743 6430, Fax: 743 6430-30,

Open: 10am-7.30pm Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm Sat

Generali-Center

Mariahilferstraße 77, A-1060 Wien, Tel: 586 3024, Fax: 586 3024-14,

Gerngross

Mariahilfer Straße 38-40,

Alt Wiener Flohmarkt (Flea market )

Kettenbrückengasse, A-1050, U-Bahn: Kettenbrückengasse,

FOOD:

Lunch is usually served from 12 noon to 2pm and dinner from 6pm to 10pm,

Gratuities are expected.