Austria Holidays

Mountain peaks, majestic architecture, museums, Mozart and music, plus the sound of it, are ineluctably linked to Austria and provide numerous reasons why this relatively small country in the heart of Europe is Britain’s favourite destination for a summer holiday amongst high peaks and scenic lakes. Outdoor and urban cultures co-exist beautifully. The stunning beauty of the Alpine hinterland, its flower-filled meadows and sheer mountain flanks dissected by vista-friendly railways, gives way to the Baroque masterpiece that is Salzburg and the Imperial splendour of Vienna. Austria also boasts some of Europe’s most diverse museums and avant-garde architecture in addition to the most appealing and sophisticated of bars, cafés and restaurants where tradition and contemporary chic combine effortlessly.

The Great Outdoors

Austria offers spectacular scenery which is wonderfully accessible. Cable cars and scenic alpine railways carry you to stunning mountain peaks overlooking sparkling lakes. Hiking, walking and cycling trails for all levels and abilities are well marked and easily manageable. The leisurely progress of boats on water often sets the tempo for a relaxing holiday and, throughout the Austrian Lake District, ferries, paddle steamers and rowing boats compete to transport you as serenely, and on lakes such as Fuschl where motorised transport is proscribed, as silently, as possible. Lidos and terraces, with sun loungers and lakeside cafés, add to the sense of peace, tranquillity and enjoyment.

Art & Culture

To say that the Habsburgs were enthusiastic patrons of the fine arts and music is something of an understatement. They channelled huge amounts of money into both whilst collecting castles and palaces on a monumental scale. The country is the world capital of classical music with 10,000 music devotees attending concerts in lavishly gilded concert halls almost every evening. Music festivals in Salzburz and Bregenzer are staged against uplifting lakeside and mountain backdrops and people dance the Viennese waltz at more than 400 balls a year. But Austrian air is not only filled with music but with visual art and stunning architecture and more than one hundred museums exhibit significant world artworks from every era.

Cuisine

Viennese cuisine is often conflated with Austrian cuisine but, although Viennese cuisine has spread throughout Austria, the regions also have their own unique variations and a gastronomic heritage reflective of the reach of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire into Italy, Hungary, Bohemia, Germany and the Balkans. For an introduction to the variety of Austrian cuisine, the Naschmarkt in Vienna is a great starting point. An ethnic melting pot full of exotic scents, there’s row after row of food stalls selling fruit, vegetables, spices, seafood, pastas, pickles, breads and cheeses. Between the stalls are small bistros, as varied and culturally diverse as the market itself. Naschmarkt is open every day apart from Sunday, from early morning to late afternoon. Get there early to absorb the sights and flavours at their best and freshest.

Traditional Austrian dishes heavily depend on pork, beef, chicken, turkey and goose. Of course, there’s Wiener schnitzel, veal coated in breadcrumbs, and alsoTafelspitz, boiled beef, Beuschel, a ragout of veal lungs and heart, and Selchfleisch, smoked meat with sauerkraut and dumplings. Saftgulasch is a beautifully tender beef stew; an Austrian twist of the traditional Hungarian dish. Some sweet Viennese dishes include Palatschinken, pancakes similar to French crêpes, filled with jam, which can also be savoury with spinach and cheese. Strudel pastries are filled with apples, milk-cream or apricots and Kaiserschmarrn are shredded pancakes served with fruit compotes. Austrian cakes are so good they’re bad and none better or worse than Sachertorte; two layers of chocolate cake smothered with apricot compote to be enjoyed with coffee in a typical Kaffeehaus.

Austrian Etiquette

Formal greetings and good manners are important, and almost compulsory, in Austria. When meeting someone you'll more than likely hear Gruss Gott, whatever the time of day. Not only is it customary, but it is also expected, that you will return the same salutation. In coffee houses and restaurants the waiter will expect to hear Herr Ober, Mr Waiter, from diners seeking attention.

Resorts

Seefeld offers outstanding beauty and positively brims with Tyrolean culture. Hiking and cycling routes are plentiful and varied and there are numerous festivals and events to enjoy throughout the summer. Mayerhofen is a lively village and one of the most popular summer resorts in the Tyrol, offering an unrivalled range of activities, excursions and events. Charming, medieval Kitzbuhel is a fascinating place to explore; it hosts many international festivals, concerts and open-air events and is a superb area for walking and cycling. Mountains, operetta and some of the most staggeringly beautiful alpine scenery define the Salzkammergut. This is the land of lakes where shorelines, mountain foothills and woodland trails are a heaven for gentle walkers.