Austria: attractions and interesting places. Sights of Austria
September 15-28, 2012
Route:
Vienna - Graz - Thal - Obertraun - Hohe Tauern Nature Reserve - Hallstatt - Grossglockner Highway - Zell am See - Krimml -
Liechtenstein Klamm - Salzburg - Kufstein - Kitzbühel - Innsbruck - St. Anton am Arlberg - Liechtenstein - Zurich - Hittsau
- Bregenz - Neuschwanstein - Dachau - Munich -
St. Valentin
-Enns-Ibs-Maria-Taferl-
Melk - Aggstein Castle - Wachau Valley - Dürnstein - Krems - Vienna
≈2400 km
1. Drive on Austrian roads
Austrian roads, like almost everywhere else in Europe, are delightful. Drivers strictly follow the rules and almost all speed limits. What was especially pleasing was the opportunity to use the highways using the purchased vignette. The vignette costs 8 euros for 10 days and is attached to the front window of the car. And that's it: hit the freeway. Roads local significance We were pleased with the picturesque surroundings, but the speed limit does not allow us to cover long distances in them in a short time. But driving and seeing picturesque alpine hills with picturesque cows and sheep is a real pleasure!
2. See the church in Tala
Tal is the birthplace of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Perhaps this is the only thing a small village five kilometers from the capital of Styria, Graz, would be famous for, if not for the amazing church. The artist Ernst Fuchs, a representative of the Austrian school of fantastic realism, had a hand in its design. There really is plenty of fantastic stuff in this church, but there is a big question about observing church canons. One thing is for sure: initiates travel from afar to see these curved benches. Everything connected with the great fellow countryman - “great” in every sense of the word - is also a bait for tourists. Here, several memorials have been erected in his honor and a walking path has been laid, repeating the silhouette of the head of “Iron Schwartz”. 
3. Watch the sunrise on Lake Hallstatt
However, the lake can be anything, the main thing is that it lies among gentle mountains, swans swam on its smooth surface, ducks warmed and dried on wooden pontoons, and thoughtful horses in the dawn fog gave rise to associations with the famous Soviet cartoon by Yuri Norshtein.
There is a suspicion that most alpine lakes are like this. But we were lucky to meet the morning in Hallstatt. This lake, together with the surrounding cultural and historical landscape, is protected by UNESCO: the Hallstatt-Dachstein region is famous for the fact that people lived here and mined salt 4.5 thousand years ago. 
4. Walk through the Ice Cave
As a matter of fact, there are several caves on the shores of Lake Hallstatt, the most visited are Ice, Mammoth and Salt. If everything is clear with the names of the first and last (remember about relative adjectives), then with the second everything is not so simple (forget about possessive adjectives): Mammoth means big.
Entrance to the cave is with groups, by electronic queue. The guide's story is duplicated on laminated cards in Russian. The excursion is about 30 minutes. 
5. Climb to the “5 fingers” platform
It is located at an altitude of 2100 m above sea level. It got its name from its shape: on five “fingers”-paths, people hover over the abyss and take pictures with all their might against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks and the city of Hallstatt and the lake spread out below. Local black crows and paragliders fly nearby completely silently. There is a cable car leading to the top, consisting of two sections. In one, the cabin shudders treacherously and plummets downwards. Everyone is joyful and friendly, including the dogs and the driver. 
6. Buy salt in Hallstatt
This is a branded souvenir small town, squeezed into a tiny space between mountain slopes and lake water. Even the incredible number of tourists does not prevent everyone from enjoying square meter this toy town. There is so little space there that even with the funeral of residents, difficulties arise: after several years, the remains are removed from the graves and placed in stacks in the chapel, with the skulls painted with oak leaves and roses. Despite the gloominess of the ritual, thoughts after becoming acquainted with this local custom are not so depressing: on the contrary, in the midst of the Hallstatt idyll you think about how to live well, and to live well... well, you know the rest. 
7. Drive along the Grossglockner highway
The high mountain highway is not open all year round: during the snowy months you have to wait for favorable weather conditions. The highest point of the highway is the Khokhtor pass, with a tunnel built through it. Having driven to the end, you can see the glacier and the highest point, Mount Grossglockner. And if in the morning you look out the window from a hotel located at an altitude of 2500 meters above sea level, you will see clouds on the desert slopes and a group of independent sheep: “No one is herding us...”
What else you pay attention to is the incredible number of collapsing waterfalls and the lack of vegetation on the mountain slopes covered with snow remains. 
8. Meet a pumpkin stand in Zell am See
Pumpkin is a favorite and popular vegetable in Austria. It is used to make very dark and fragrant pumpkin oil, a signature souvenir of Austrian cuisine. 
9. Climb to the Krimml Falls
Krimml lies almost right next to the border: some 30-40 kilometers and the Austrian Alps will replace the Italian ones. It is in this place, as the guidebook promises, that the highest waterfall in Europe is located. Consisting of four cascades, it brings down streams of water with such power that the rocks nearby hum and tremble slightly. The climb to the very top is quite steep and long—about an hour and a half one way. But photographing this water miracle is very difficult: both because the splashes fly like a solid wall, and because it is difficult to convey the scale and grandeur of this phenomenon. 
10. Walk along the Lichtensteinklamm gorge
More than a hundred years ago, the Liechtenstein princes landscaped this gorge for walks for local and other residents. Over time, the opportunity to walk along wooden walkways over the raging stream and through tunnels cut into the rocks began to attract more and more tourists. With every hundred steps, the gorge becomes higher and narrower, and the water squeezed between the rocks easily carries logs until they are stopped by stone blockages. Because of the rain that day, it is impossible to say what this gorge looks like on a fine day, but in the evening, during heavy rain, water fell from the steep walls in many large and small streams, waterfalls and just drops of water. 
11. Take a photo in Salzburg Mozarts Gebursthaus - the house where Mozart was born
Either Weil or Genis, with their characteristic cunning insight and ability to give biting definitions, noticed that the Austrians were brilliant people: they managed to convince the whole world that Mozart was an Austrian and Hitler was a German. As for the second, some other time, but with Mozart this is really the case. This is how Russia in the eighties proved that real vodka is made in Russia. So for the Austrians, Mozart is a brand. Or rather, it’s a BRAND! BRANDY!
If Vienna still has options (opera, museums and a Spanish riding school), then for the residents of glorious Solegrad there are almost no options: the house where Mozart was born, the house where Mozart lived, the font in which baby Mozart was baptized.
Sitting in the evening in a tiny restaurant in the Old Town, you turn towards a volley of photo flashes: on the opposite edge of the square, a group of dark-haired tourists with a characteristic eye shape are clicking their cameras as if on command. On the ground floor of Mozarts Gebursthaus - SPAR Mozart. It sells a Mozart gentleman's set: chocolate, liqueur, mugs, refrigerator magnets. I buy liqueur and a box of chocolates and photograph the SAME HOUSE WHERE MOZART WAS BORN. How am I better or worse than others? 
12. See the “salt capital” of Austria from a bird’s eye view
This is if we assume that birds fly at an altitude of 150-200 meters. This is probably how much the castle of the Electors of Salzburg rises above the rest of the city. Seeming tall and arrogant from below, from above it is completely “tame”: tourists wander along the creaking floorboards and look at the terrifying medieval artifacts: spears, cannons and chastity belts. Lots of interesting and simply piquant details: a restroom with a thoughtful view of the old city, a multi-volume history in the library Russo-Japanese War(in German, of course). 
13. Buy a yodeling bear
Tyrol, one of the federal states of Austria, is associated in the minds of many with leather shorts, green hats with a pointed feather and yodelling, a characteristic iridescent singing without words.
There is an object in which this set of stamps is fully embodied - a Tyrolean teddy bear. When pressed on the solar plexus, he cheerfully voices the traditional tunes of Alpine shepherds: this is how they once called to each other and communicated with each other.
One of the best places to buy a bear is the small Tyrolean town of Kufstein. On his own high point there is a medieval castle, which over time became too large for this cozy place. Today there is always a holiday on its streets: in winter skiers relax here, and many people come here from Germany. In the summer, relaxed and pampered people sit in numerous cafes near the walls of painted houses: the atmosphere is most conducive to delicious food and drink.
Speaking of food: local shops have a huge selection of homemade smoked meats such as bacon and sausages, many varieties of different liqueurs and kilogram briquettes with Viennese coffee. Right there, to the bear! 
14. Climb the town hall tower in Innsbruck
The capital of the state of Tyrol and twice the capital of the Winter Olympics, Innsbruck has so many attractions and simply pleasant places to relax that getting to know it can last more than one day. If you are limited in time, then you need to follow general principle: Climb higher and look further away.
In Innsbruck, the tower in the former town hall building is most suitable for this purpose. A few minutes - and now you are looking down at the golden box and into the distance at the ring of the Alps around the city. By the way, a ticket to the tower gives you free access to the toilet. 
15. Check into a mountain hotel
St. Anton is one of many towns with the prefix “St.” in the state of Arlberg, which is located in the far west of Austria and borders Switzerland. Liechtenstein also squeezed in somewhere between them.
St. Anton am Arlberg is a famous ski resort with a long history and a high level of service. There are many chalet hotels in traditional style, but even among them there are real pearls. This is the Berg Schlossl Otel: during the season, places here are booked many months in advance, and the same clients have been coming to the hotel for years. In the summer, you can get a 50 percent discount, which will allow you to enjoy the coziness and comfort of this family business for just 100 euros: the owners live here, on the second floor.
A strong feeling that you have been waiting here all your life! With scrambled eggs and a basket of baked goods! 
16. Make a trip to Switzerland and Liechtenstein
Wits interpret the name Zurich as zu reich - “too rich.”
No comments! 
The capital of Liechtenstein, Vaduz, is remembered primarily for its many unusual street sculptures. 
17. See the lake scene in Bregenz
The city of Bregenz is architecturally divided into two distinct parts: the upper and lower town. If the first, as the name suggests, is located on a hill, then the latter lies at the very shore of Lake Constance. Upper is an old town with traditional buildings and a cozy Saturday market where Italians sell salami and delicious hard cheeses that come off in flaky pieces. The lower one is modern, with glass cubes of buildings. Pleasure boats depart from the pier and, moving further and further away, almost disappear from view towards the horizon. If you turn left from the pier and walk along the alley, then on a cloudy autumn day you have to be very careful: under the slightest gust of wind, glossy and even heavy-looking chestnuts are torn from the branches. Along the way there will be a cafe with wet wicker chairs piled on top of each other. And then, around the bend, a strange structure on the water will appear to your eyes: this is the world-famous lake scene. The biggest. But that’s not what’s valuable about her. And what's under open air Every summer it hosts one single opera performance almost every day - a different one every year. This past summer, music lovers were delighted with the production of “Henri Chénier”. In September, the skeleton of the structure looks sad and evokes regret about the past summer. 
18. Drink beer at Oktoberfest
This is possible in Austria, but you can also get to Munich itself - fortunately in this part of Europe everything is close to each other. And the outfits of noble Oktoberfesters are almost the same: there are many of them for sale in shop windows (almost all of them have four-digit price tags).
This festival, with a two-hundred-year history, is not for the faint of heart and not for the weak in general: you must either also drink beer by the liter of masa, or be lenient about how others do it. Or at least love crazy rides. Or horses. They are the ones who are the most strong impression traditional procession at the opening of Oktoberfest: these are probably the most prosperous horses in the world and happy with their burgher life! 
19. Buy glass candies in Enns
Enns was immortalized by Leo Tolstoy in the novel War and Peace. It is this toponym that is mentioned in the next multi-page description of the battle of 1807 or 1805, which now remains in the memory only of some maniacal historians or maniacal literary scholars.
The average tourist wouldn’t even remember about this (because he wouldn’t know), but the guidebook helpfully suggests the necessary quote. Now nothing reminds us of this battle in Enns. In the tourist office, in addition to the standard set of multi-colored booklets and tear-out maps describing routes to local attractions, there are glass counters. Under the glass are glass candies and blown colored rings. 
Local wines and cider are on display. In the central square of Enns there is a fountain that looks like a citramon tablet broken in half 
You can get around the town in not much more than an hour; you will still have to extend the parking for another 30 minutes. Unconsciously you succumb to the unhurried rhythm of this place, where everyone knows each other, and you walk in a circle again and again: a tobacco shop, a cafe, a newsstand, again a cafe...
Tolstoy doesn’t say a word about this. 
20. See your reflection on the endless stairs of Melk Abbey
Melk is also mentioned in classical literature, albeit modern: the narrator in Umberto Eco’s novel “The Name of the Rose,” the unforgettable Adson, began and ended his days in the beloved and blessed Melk monastery. The abbey rises above the city and sparkles with walls the color of the egg yolk of a well-fed village hen. Mel Abbey differs from other rich monasteries for two reasons. The first of them is a magnificent library with more than 100 thousand items. Second spiral staircase with a mirror installed at its base so that the illusion of infinity is created, and everyone who looks into this depth sees his own reflection. This anthropocentrism strangely correlates with the idea of monastic self-denial, but it flatters the vanity of the beholder. 
21. Find out how the pirates saw the Danube
Aggstein Castle is visible from afar: like many of its brothers, it sleeps on the top and dreams of its former power. But his fate is not entirely ordinary. Already about five hundred years ago it fell into disrepair and became what abandoned houses for homeless people become today: pirates settled in its ruins. Where and why are pirates and not robbers? But because from here, from above, the merchant ships sailing along the Danube for their merchant needs were very clearly visible. “Polundra!” - or whatever they were shouting? - “Achtung!” - and honest traders had to fight back against crime. Battle statistics are unknown, but today the lovingly restored pirate lair in the center of Europe on a mountain top is a very good place for an excursion. As a last resort, if you are not a fan of Jack Sparrow’s colleagues, you can look at the installations dedicated to the Song of the Nibelungs. Or throw away all this surroundings and simply be stunned by the beauty that will open at sunset in this place. 
22. Understand which shore more beautiful view on the Danube in the Wachau Valley
It is very difficult to do this: both sides open completely charming views on the Danube, vineyards, churches, cozy houses and picturesque castle ruins. Once upon a time, King Richard the Lionheart languished in captivity here; in Dürnstein, stone hearts with a flowing mop of hair remind us of this with simple-minded straightforwardness.
Ybs, Maria Taferl, Krems - each of the towns is charming in its own way, but all of them already bear the stamp of pre-elegance. In these places you begin to understand that somewhere nearby is the sophisticated and majestic Vienna at the same time. But this imperial capital has its own reasons to visit -
Austria is a small country. But there are so many places in it that you definitely need to go to in order to be enchanted by it - and return again and again. Ten of the most interesting and cool places - from an ancient magnificent castle on top of a cliff to a bridge hanging over an abyss. You will definitely like it.
Austria— European country with one of the most high levels life in the world. The capital, Vienna, periodically becomes the leader in the ranking of cities that are recognized as the most convenient for modern life.
Famous Austrians
The most famous Austrians are the artist Gustav Klimt, his paintings are a must see in the Belvedere Palace in Vienna; the founder of the school of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Franz Schubert were born in Austria, and Ludwig van Beethoven spent most of his adult life in this country, creating in the capital. Few people know that the former governor of one of the American states, the invincible “Terminator” Arnold Schwarzenegger, is also an Austrian by origin.
One of the largest, most beautiful and vibrant festivals in Europe and the world, dedicated to opera and theatrical art. If your visit coincides with the dates of the event, you should definitely attend it: the purpose of the entire event is to perpetuate the music of the immortal Mozart. Therefore, you can hear both the most famous and unfamiliar works of the great composer to the general public.
The most famous dish in Austria
Of course, this is Wiener schnitzel - although other dishes are definitely worth a try. These are veal cutlets that are first thinly beaten, dipped in an egg mixture, sprinkled with bread crumbs and fried in hot oil. In Austria itself, schnitzel is always served without sauce. Be careful: the dish is very high in calories, which, combined with the taste of some local hop drinks, can lead to a quick gain of centimeters and kilograms. However, the taste is, of course, divine.
Austrian baked goods
The world-famous Austrian cakes appeared in such variety thanks to the centuries-old fierce competition between the cities of this country for the right to produce the best of desserts. Even in tiny villages, housewives have since ancient times tried to outdo each other. As a result, every Austrian city has its own “ideal cake”, the most famous of which is the Viennese Sachertorte - Viennese cake. This amazing work of culinary art was invented in 1832 by chef Franz Sacher.
10 coolest places
Old town in Vienna
Like many cities, the Old Town is full of magic. In the inner center of the capital of Austria - Vienna - the architecture, layout and, of course, the atmosphere of past centuries have been preserved. Narrow cobblestone streets, tiny coffee shops, small cozy squares and majestic cathedrals. Almost everyone who is in Vienna for the first time goes here first.
The Old Town contains the main attractions of the capital.
St. Stephen's Cathedral is more than 800 years old; it amazes with its grandiose size, grandeur and beauty.
Not far from it is the Hofburg Palace, the century-old residence of the Habsburgs, the ancient city hall with an amazing clock, the art historical museum with a collection of masterpieces, and the world-famous Vienna Opera.
Schönbrunn
The Austrian analogue of Versailles, the summer residence of the Austrian emperors is rightfully considered one of the most interesting and luxurious palace and park complexes of the Old World.
The palace is surrounded by a park with endless labyrinths of unique plants and planted with an incredible number of flowers. Fountains and sculptures are created in antique style.
The world's oldest zoo is also located there. Giraffes, funny pandas and koalas, huge leisurely turtles, arrogantly looking emperor penguins will certainly delight both children and adults.
Every hour in Schönbrunn there is a unique “strudel show”, during which they explain in detail and show how to prepare the famous Austrian dessert from the finest dough.
Salzburg and Hohensalzburg Fortress
The house in which the brilliant Mozart was born is still preserved in this city. The oldest restaurant in Europe and the superbly preserved ancient fortress, which is almost a thousand years old, are very interesting.
Salzburg is often called the “Rome of the north” for its exquisite, sophisticated beauty, amazing architecture, many sculptures and an atmosphere of eternal celebration.
Hohensalzburg Fortress
Founded in 1077. It is open to visitors all year round. It is worth seeing the medieval princely chambers, the fortress museum and the “golden hall”, which amazes with its luxury. From the observation deck, the view of the formidable snow-capped Alps opens up, which will take your breath away.
You can get to the attraction by train from Westbahnhof station in Vienna.
Hellbrunn Palace in Salzburg
This is the summer residence of the Archbishop of Salzburg. The place is interesting for its unique amusing fountains - there is no other analogue in the whole world. In the shady park there is an interesting collection of sculptures depicting unicorns and other mythical creatures.
There are also two amazing theaters there. The first is the oldest stage in Europe, carved directly into the rock - this is a stone open-air theater. The second is a theater of moving mechanical toys, they are powered by a flow of water. Created three centuries ago, it is still in excellent condition. To get from Salzburg train station - take bus number 25, you need to go to the final station.
Hochosterwitz Castle
One of the most beautiful castles in the country is located in the south of Austria. This is a fortress on a gloomy rock, built by a wealthy duke to protect against numerous enemy attacks in the 9th century.
The powerful structure consists of four massive rings stone walls with towers: in the entire history of the fortress, no one has managed to overcome these obstacles. You can get to the fortress by train from Klagenfurt to Launsdorf-Hochosterwitz station, from there you will have a 2.5 km walk along a picturesque road.
Graz
It is the second largest and most important city in the country after the capital. It is interesting because carefully preserved medieval architecture is organically combined with ultra-modern buildings in a variety of styles.
Graz has many remarkable historical monuments: a grand late Gothic cathedral, a mausoleum that houses the ashes of Emperor Ferdinand II, a huge collection of historical weapons from different eras in the arsenal museum.
Getting there from the train station in Vienna; the road is no less interesting. The train travels through the endless tunnels and arches of the Semmering mountain road. This is the oldest railway line in the world from the mid-19th century.
The small alpine town in the north-west of the country has become famous throughout the world for its stunning landscapes and mystical-looking chapel with skulls. You can simply wander around the city among the streets and houses of the 15th–16th centuries or take a boat ride on the nearby lake, enjoying the views of the surrounding area and the ringing silence. You can bike to the world's oldest salt mine, which is over 3,000 years old.
Travel by train from Vienna.
Bad Ischl
This is a mountain resort in Upper Austria. There is a villa of the last emperor of Austria-Hungary, Franz Joseph.
Today it is a magnificent network of ski slopes and thermal springs. In Bad Ischl you can have a wonderful holiday among the mountains - the local gastronomic tradition deserves special mention; the locally produced cheese, bacon and ham are truly legendary. The resort is open all year round.
Travel from Westbahnhof station in Vienna to Bad Ischl station.
One of the largest European waterfalls is located in the Hohe Tauern National Park. This is a cascading waterfall of three steps. There are walking paths along it, along which you can walk through the forest with centuries-old giant pines and spreading ferns to observation platforms. Access to the waterfall is open from April to October.
Get there from Mirabell Palace in Salzburg by bus number 260.
Bridge over the abyss
Bad Gastein is a great opportunity to get a dose of adrenaline. The hanging bridge is located in the Alps at an altitude of 2300 meters. It is mobile and sways from gusts of wind - along with the daredevils on it, of course. There is an abyss underfoot, around there is an endless echo of breathing reflected from the slopes of inaccessible mountains. Such a walk in the clouds will be remembered for a long time.
Get from Salzburg to Bad Gastein Bahnhof station, then take the funicular to the top of the mountain.
Austria is a country of mountains and music. Both Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, Strauss were born here, for a long time Beethoven lived. The Vienna Opera and autumn balls, classical music festivals are famous all over the world.
There are 422 museums and many art galleries in Austria. The most sophisticated art critics will find interesting and exquisite creations here. More than 50 large forts and palace complexes have been preserved in Austria. Fans of medieval romance will not only be able to admire the castles, but also rent luxurious apartments in some of them. The rich architecture of Vienna, Graz, Salzburg, Innsbruck impresses with its variety of styles, neatness and harmony of lines, solemnity and chic. Modern Austria is trying, without rejecting the past, to take a step into the future. The modern exhibition hall in Graz is impressive in the form of spaceship, the Giant's Treasures museum near Isbruck, where sparkling Swarovski crystals are on display.
Most of the country is occupied by the Alps. The indescribable beauty of the mountains in summer and winter can be observed from countless observation platforms, castle and church towers. The Austrians have long learned to live in harmony with nature, without disturbing the landscape, to build modern buildings and create their own way of life. Even under the highways, tunnels are built for migrating frogs.
Austria is a universally recognized ski capital with a huge number of mountain and balneological resorts. Tourists have about 70 ski slopes of varying difficulty and many offers for cyclists, climbers, kayakers, and hikers. You can rent any sports equipment, a convenient system of general tickets (ski pass) for ski resorts. Everything is thought out here down to the smallest detail: where to go and what to do with children, or what to do after skiing. Pubs, cafes, and restaurants are famous for their local wines and delicious dishes. Be sure to try some of the national cuisine: trout baked in dough, schnitzel, Sachertorte.
And you can buy Swarovski crystals, Tyrolean bells or Salzburg chocolate as souvenirs for your home. Local wines, of course, do not need advertising.
Popular hotels and inns at affordable prices.
from 500 rubles/day
What to see in Austria?
The most interesting and beautiful places, photographs and brief descriptions.
The center of Salzburg is included in the UNESCO list. Baroque and Gothic, Renaissance and Classicism are organically combined here. The famous Spanish masters Vincenzo Scamozzi and Santini Solari worked on the creation of architectural compositions. It was in the center of Salzburg on Getreidegasse street at number 9 that Mozart was born. The Hohensalzburg fortress has become a unique symbol of the city; it is interesting to see the Cathedral, square 17 in Residenzplatz.
Belverdere was built in the 17th and 18th centuries as the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy. It consists of two parts: the Upper and Lower Palace, between which there is a beautiful park. Cascading fountains, sculptural compositions, intricately trimmed bushes, and herbal designs carry a special royal chic. The halls made of red and white marble, the Golden Cabinet, and the Grotesque Hall are impressive.
The temple of the musical capital - the Vienna State Opera - was opened in 1869. Mozart's Don Giovanni. The interior decoration is impressive with lush interiors. Each box has its own wardrobe and mirror. During intermission you can drink champagne. All seats are equipped with an electronic screen on which you can select the translation language of the opera. It is better to buy a ticket in advance by ordering it online.
The Wachau region is located 80 km from Vienna. In 2000 it was included in the UNESCO list. Ancient towns with monasteries, churches, castles, and palaces have been preserved here. The valley in the Danube Delta is surrounded by forest, and vineyards are laid out on the mountain slopes. Local monks are famous for their long, almost Roman-era winemaking traditions.
The monastery occupies an area of more than 17 thousand square meters, and the southern wall stretches for 362 m. There is a museum on the territory, there is a restaurant, parking, a huge park, the plants in which are over 300 years old. The most significant places in the monastery are the Marble Hall, the church and the library. The church's gilded altar represents the scene of the farewell of Peter and Paul, a magnificent hall. The church has 5 bells, one of them weighs more than 7000 kg.
Even in summer time the glacier functions as a full-fledged winter resort. There are excellent ski slopes for beginners and professionals. Equipment can be rented. There is a restaurant, casino, swimming pools, tennis, and ski school on the plateau. From here you have a beautiful view of the Alps. Mount Kitzsteinhorn rises 3000m above sea level.
Vienna's inner city is luxurious, rich and beautiful. Castles, palaces, sculptures, churches, parks and gardens are included in the UNESCO list. It is better to start your walk from the square in front of the Cathedral of St. Stefan, you can rent a bicycle or take the tram that goes around the historical center. Don’t be surprised if you see an old carriage next to the cars - all the best from past centuries has remained in Vienna.
One of the best mountain resorts in Austria and Europe. Hiking routes along Alpine trails, rope and climbing parks for climbers, ski holiday, bicycle racing over the pass, paragliding, ice skating rinks, there are tennis courts, swimming pools, a golf club - Arlberg is rich in offers. In addition, the presence of mountain lakes and rivers allows the development of kayaking and rafting. The elite vacation was appreciated by world celebrities. Here you can easily meet a movie star or even a prince on skis or a bicycle.
The prototype of Schönbrunn was the Parisian Versailles. Around the luxurious palace there is a constantly blooming park, with green galleries, a ceremonial arch, an even green wall of trees, and rows of sculptures. Visit the green labyrinth - there are many pleasant surprises there. The pavilion on Glorietta Hill offers an amazing view of the palace. The palace itself has more than 1000 rooms, but only 40 are open to the public. At one time, Napoleon lived in the palace.
The castle on Mount Hohensalzburg was built by Archbishop Gebhardt. Since 1077, the building has been constantly expanded and strengthened. In the 19th century there was a barracks here, later a German prison. Inside is a large collection of weapons and ancient torture devices. The castle is connected to the city of Salzburg by a functioning funicular. From here there is a beautiful view of the dark city roofs, valley and mountains.
Innsbruck is a city with a rich history. It was founded before 1200. Maximilian I was crowned here, the first pan-European thaler was minted here, the city is famous for the magnificent decoration of its churches and monasteries. Modern Innsbruck is a sports resort and tourist center. It has hosted the Winter Olympics twice and its stadiums are open to international competitions and tournaments.
From a height of 380m, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Europe falls down with a deafening roar. You can admire how Kriemler rushes to the foot from April to October - in winter the waterfall freezes, and the Hohe Tauern Nature Park is closed to the public. Here you can take a taxi and go up to the second cascade, and from there walk down to the first threshold. You need to have a raincoat with you.
The main temple of Vienna, one of the symbols of Austria, was built in 1147. Due to reconstructions and additional rooms at a later time, Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque styles were organically intertwined in the architecture of the cathedral. An organ and carved choirs were installed inside. The modern organ of the cathedral has 10 thousand pipes. There are 23 bells in the bell tower. Among the treasures of the temple you can see the icon of the Virgin Mary of Pecs, a carved pulpit from the 15th century, the relics of St. Valentine, a piece of fabric from the tablecloth of the Last Supper. The cathedral contains the tombs of princes, church rectors, and representatives of the Habsburg dynasty.
Tauern is one of the largest mountain reserves in Europe - its area is about 181,500 hectares. Here is the highest peak in Austria - Grossglockner (about 4000m), the narrowest gorge of the Alps - Lichtensteinklamm, and in addition about two hundred peaks up to 3000m, glaciers, waterfalls (one of them is almost 400m Krimler waterfall), caves, rivers and lakes. A mountain road runs like a serpentine through the park. It is short in length and turns 36 times. There are many different hiking routes through the nature reserve.
The majestic fortress on a 160m cliff in Carinthia has 14 gates and five drawbridges. Each pair of gates has its own history, name and purpose. Part of the castle is open to the public. A museum has been created on its territory, which has a good collection of knightly armor, a wooden statue of the mythical giant defender of the fortress, and medieval interiors have been preserved. In the courtyard there is a 20m cistern carved into the rock to collect water.
The turquoise Lake Faker See became this way because of the inflowing river Voronitsa, which carries limestone from the mountains. The beauty of the water and surroundings inspires photographers and tourists. This place is great for a family holiday. Here you can fish, swim, hike, and boat. In summer the water warms up to 27 degrees. There is a tourist center with shops and bars next to the lake, and accommodation is available in the local villages of Egg and Drobollach.
The Großglockner panoramic road runs through the High Tower Nature Reserve. You can rent a car or motorcycle and climb the serpentine road. The tourist route is paid, it is open from 5 a.m. and from May to October. The road rises to a height of 2500m. Steep descents, ascents, and turns allow you to feel the full adrenaline of a mountain road. There are many panoramic spots and observation platforms along the way.
Near the city of Werfen, at an altitude of about 1600m, there is the largest ice cave in the world - Eisriesenwelt (trans.: world of the ice giants). You need to climb partly by cable car, partly on foot, be sure to take warm clothes - it’s cold in the cave, and the excursion lasts about an hour. The path inside is equipped with railings. The first ski lifts began to be built in 1920. Since then, interest in this place has been constantly growing. Huge ice columns, towers, frozen rivers, waterfalls, bizarre boulders, stalactites and stalagmites gradually change their shape due to penetrating air currents and water seeping through the limestone.
A visit to the castle can be combined with a visit to the Eisriesenwelt ice cave. From here it is not far to Salzburg, and Werfen is clearly visible. The castle was built on the 155th mountain back in the 11th century. It changed hands many times and was restored in the 16th century after complete destruction. Now in Hohenwerfen it is interesting to see the falconry museum, climb the bell tower, and explore the medieval halls.
Bad Gastein is sometimes called the Monte Carlo of the mountains due to its operating casino. The resort was chosen by the rich and famous. There are many luxury hotels here, proud of their thousand-year history or famous visitors, who try to please tourists with the most exquisite treatments and massages. Bad Gastein is famous for its radon galleries and thermal springs.
