Austria

Do not be fooled by the small size of this country – the Austrian experience packs in more than its physical dimensions ever could. A country with a very established reputation – both in Europe and in the world, Austria is used to seeing large flocks of tourists that look forward to experience Mozart, Habsburg, and the Alps through their own eyes. While some meet their expectations, most wind up having seen and experienced much more than they though was possible. 

As one would expect – the mountainous scene is the highlight of Austria. The Eastern Alps are considered by many to be a miracle of nature, and create an irresistible spectacle. They are also contrasted with other related features that are a part of the landscape. One can pursue a variety of activities here – from skiing in St Anton and Kitzbühel, to roaming in the wildflower-filled meadows, and from riding horses through the wooden tracts, to skating on the icy lakes.

The remnants of the past hang heavy in Austria – and there are no dearth of historical places that show this. Tourists are known to visit many cultural cornerstones. These includes a variety of spots such as quaint coffee houses, secluded churches, old Habsburg palaces, rustic inns in the countryside that serve traditional goulash – there is much to see here for the history buff.

Vienna is a big an attraction here as the Alps itself – the city is a kaleidoscope of sights and sounds – and is bustling with art and culture. The creations of artists like Rembrandt, Rubens, and Raphael all but hang in the air, the compositions of musical stalwarts such as Strauss, Mozart, and Schubert permeate every aspect of people’s lives.

If you’re looking for something that is remarkable and low-key at the same time, Austria really is where you need to go.

Some facts about Austria:

• Arnold Schwarzenegger was born and raised in Austria before he moved to America to become a Hollywood actor and politician.
• As of 2013, Austria has 20 Nobel Prize laureates including seven in Physiology or Medicine, five in Chemistry, three in Physics and Economist Friedrich Hayek.
• Austria is bordered by 8 countries, Germany and the Czech Republic to the north, Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Hungary and Slovakia to the east.