One of Europe’s most mountainous countries, Austria attracts skiers and fans of alpine beauty. It’s also brimming with history and architectural treasures, making an Austria vacation a fascinating journey into the past.
An Austria travel itinerary usually includes its two most popular cities, Vienna and Salzburg. Austria’s capital, Vienna is the country’s economic, political and cultural hub. It was the capital of the Austro-Hungarian empire, and the city stunningly reflects its imperial past. Vienna’s historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts baroque castles and gardens, grand buildings, monuments and parks. Salzburg’s Old Town has also been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Visitors revel in its beautiful baroque architecture and breathtaking Alps setting. Top things to do in Salzburg include visiting Mozart’s birthplace and scouting out the locations that were filmed in the movie The Sound of Music. Other options during a vacation in Austria include visiting Innsbruck, the internationally renowned winter sports center in Tyrol province; shopping at one of its famous Christmas markets in December; enjoying a musical performance in Vienna, the capital of classical music; and enjoying a pastry and coffee in one of the country’s famous coffeehouses.
U.S. citizens traveling to Austria require a valid passport. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days. Nonstop flights are available from several U.S. cities into Vienna International Airport. Travelers visiting Austria’s western provinces, including Salzburg and Tyrol, often fly into the Zurich or Munich airports. Traveling by rail is also convenient and scenic. An international driver’s license is required to rent a car in Austria. Driving is on the right, and cars must be equipped with a reflective safety vest and toll stickers. Austria has four distinct seasons, with weather varying depending on the area’s proximity to the mountains. In Vienna, the average temperature range in January is between 23°F and 34°F, while in July temperatures range between 60°F and 76°F. Currency is the Euro. For more information on a vacation to Austria, log on to www.austria.info, the Austrian National Tourist Office’s website.