Holidays in Austria

Austria is not the most popular tourist destination, but this distant country has a special, mysterious charm that you can’t help but feel while walking along the quiet streets of Vienna, enjoying a cup of aromatic coffee or mulled wine in numerous cozy cafes. The landscape of Austria is very diverse, most of the country's guests strive to get to one of the ski resorts, the infrastructure here is well developed, and the beauty of the lakes, snow-capped mountain ranges and caves captivates at first sight, forcing you to return here again and again.

Sights of Austria

Like most countries Europe, Austria has a rich cultural and architectural heritage that dates back to the Middle Ages - castles, fortresses, monasteries and palaces, this in turn attracts tourists from all over the world. There are sights that were created in recent history; modern architectural monuments and outdoor natural museums are no less interesting and deserve the attention of guests of the country.

The majestic building of the palace and now museum complex Belvedere was erected by order of an Austrian prince in the 17-18 centuries; it is a real historical exhibit, the pride of Vienna and one of the most popular places. The castle, striking in its beauty, consists of two parts, upper and lower; on the territory there is a royal park with sculptures, cascading fountains and intricately trimmed bushes. The interior decoration of the Belvedere is no less luxurious - the marble halls have more than once witnessed the victories and defeats of the state.

The Hofburg is another castle whose royal appearance leaves no traveler indifferent. The Hofburg was originally built as a winter residence for the country's rulers and their entourage on the site of a medieval castle from the 15th century, of which only a chapel now remains. Each of the emperors added something different to the building; now it serves as the residence of the Austrian president and has about 2,500 rooms, many of which have reached us in their original form.

Hohensalzburg is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved fortresses in Europe in the Romanesque style, which was built in 1077 and saved the city from enemy invasions more than once. The picturesque peak of Mount Festung was chosen for its construction. The ancient structure rises 120 meters above the city. During its existence, Hohensalzburg was rebuilt more than once and changed its appearance. The fortress offers a beautiful view of Salzburg and its surroundings. In the year when the Swarovski company celebrated its centenary, it was decided to create a unique museum that would allow you to admire exclusive products at any time, the beauty of which is not inferior to real diamonds; it was given the name “Swarovski Crystal Worlds”. The location of the museum is very unusual - an underground cave, the entrance to the dungeon is guarded by a giant with shining eyes, then visitors find themselves in a tunnel made of glass, its walls are decorated with sayings of great people, which mention something about crystal or crystals.

The first mention of Mount Kaputzinberger dates back to 1000 BC; it is known that in ancient times a tower was built on it for defense against foreign invaders. It is from here that the most picturesque panorama of the city and the Hohensalzburg fortress opens up, but this is not all the advantages of the mountain, because nearby there is a medieval Capuchin monastery, in which monks still live. Since the 17th century, the church has experienced many different events - the eviction of monks by the French, the opening of a public garden on the territory, during the Second World War there were refugees in the monastery. Only in the 80s of the last century was a large-scale reconstruction carried out; today tourists can only visit the church.

The Volksgarten is one of the oldest parks near the imperial residence of the Hofburg. This magnificent green oasis was originally created for the relaxation of wealthy citizens; Johann Strauss himself gave concerts here. Volksgarten is truly a royal park with many rose bushes, fountains and the main architectural decoration, completely replicating the original in Athens, the Temple of Theseus.

Resorts in Austria

Austria is called a ski mecca, because fans of active winter recreation from all over the world come here - families, professional athletes and beginners, they are attracted not only by well-equipped slopes for skiing and snowboarding, but also by the unique atmosphere of the Alps. Favorite resorts The lands of Salzburg and Tyrol are considered.

Zell am See and Kaprun are a large ski resort near Salzburg, despite the enormous popularity and high quality of the slopes (there are about 130 km in total), the prices here are affordable. Zell am See and Kaprun are suitable for skiing all year round, the resort is suitable for fans of snowboarding and extreme skiing, there are no queues thanks to the lift system. The oldest natural national park is open to visitors.

The resort of Bad Gastein in the Gastein Valley is famous not only for its ski slopes, but also for its thermal springs; active recreation here is perfectly combined with wellness treatments. Bad Gastein is considered a prestigious place, often compared to Monte Carlo due to the abundance of gambling houses, fashionable hotels and a wealthy public.

Nassfeld is among the top ten Austrian resorts, although little known in Russia, it is located at an altitude of 1500 meters in the Carinthia region. There are about 30 ski lifts available to tourists, including a very fast, modern funicular. For those who prefer flat recreation, there are several types of cross-country ski trails.

The resorts of St. Anton and Lech in the Arlberg region are considered the cradle of the Austrian ski school and the most famous sports centers in Europe; it was here that the first ski lift was built in the 30s of the 20th century. There is snow at these resorts all year round, there are many heated ski lifts, cable cars and trails of all difficulty levels.

Best hotels in Austria

Hotels in Austria fully meet all international standards; if you choose a 5* hotel for your holiday, then rest assured that the service will satisfy you on all counts.

If you are not ready for compromises, the luxurious Palace Hotel Coburg 5*, located in a historic building in the center of Vienna, will suit you. Since the 19th century, it has not lost its chic and spirit of that era.

Bristol Hotel Vienna 5* is also located in the center of the capital's business and cultural life, next to the Vienna Opera building. The apartments in the hotel are decorated in a royal luxurious way, they contain many antiques, and the building itself is more reminiscent of a palace than a hotel. World celebrities, politicians and athletes often stop here.

Hotel Trofana Royal 5* in the city of Ischgl is suitable for lovers of ski holidays, has its own wellness center, a picturesque park and a wine cellar. The hotel's chefs prepare only gourmet dishes, and the hotel offers comfortable furnished rooms in classic Austrian style with a balcony.

Features of Austria

What first comes to mind when you mention Austria? As a rule, these are famous ski slopes and great composers - Mozart, Schubert, Haydn and many others. Of course, the interests of Austrians are not limited to a love of music and skiing; before going to a foreign country, spend a little time studying its features and traditions.

Austria is a tiny country, its population is small, and there are almost no immigrants here. Upon arrival, you will probably notice how leisurely the locals are; their purely German temperament allows them to be on time anywhere and everywhere, without unnecessary fuss.

Residents of Austria and Germany outwardly they are no different, but there are a number of differences, for example, the Austrians speak their own dialect, are more religious and are 90% Catholic, while among the Germans a significant part of the adherents of the teachings of Martin Luther King.

Residents of Austria are very clean, they are characterized by perfectionism, this applies both to their own country (Austria is one of the cleanest countries in the world) and to guests - no matter how many stars your hotel has, you will be surrounded by attention and care, especially since the state’s economy is heavily dependent on the tourism business.

How much will a holiday in Austria cost?

How much you will spend on a holiday in Austria depends on the season and the specific place you have chosen for your holiday; popular resorts are in demand all year round; getting there will not be so easy.

A trip to any European country begins with a visa. Of course, you can entrust this to a travel agency (about 5-6 thousand), but it will be cheaper to do it yourself; the registration itself will cost 35 euros, and the service fee will cost 26 euros.

The price of a round trip flight from Moscow starts from 150 euros.

If you plan to travel around Austria on your own, you will have to arrange accommodation in advance using numerous booking sites. There are a lot of options here - from a bed in a hostel and a budget hotel to luxury 5* apartments. Options in the center, as usual, are more expensive, but it would be unwise to settle on the very outskirts - spend money on transport, it is better to choose the golden mean, although private owners often put out very advantageous offers, for example, renting out a small room in the center or an entire apartment with a separate kitchen. The cheapest overnight stay in a hostel will cost from 180 euros per week, a double room in a 4* hotel costs from 450 euros.

Renting a car costs about 25 euros per day, a one-time bus trip costs 2 euros. In Austria, many people use special tourist cards, this will allow you to save on moving around the country and visit many attractions or get a good discount on them.

Food in Austria is a separate expense item; saving in this case is difficult, because it is impossible to ignore the famous Viennese strudel, schnitzel and casseroles. In a restaurant, for dinner for two plus alcoholic drinks you will pay 20-25 euros.