Austrian Delight

Founded around 500 BC, Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a city of immeasurable culture and history. Music, theatre, opera, art, literature, waltzes, universities, architecture, cathedrals, museums, and more, all find their home in the wonderfully exuberant city of Vienna. Do try the cuisine also, which has produced such remarkable world famous dishes as Wiener Schnitzel, and Sachertorte. So, where to begin? Start anywhere, and try to visit the following places: Schonbrunn Palace, the Belvedere Palace, Hofburg Imperial Palace, The Rathaus, St. Stephens Cathedral, State Opera, Albertina, Naturhistorisches Museum, The Statue of Athena in front of the Austrian Parliament, The Secession building, The Riesenrad in the Wiener Prater, Heroes' Square, the Imperial Court Theatre, the University of Vienna, the Diplomatic Academy, and the UN complex. Also, take a boat ride on the Danube.

Famous for its baroque architecture, Salzburg is one of the largest cities in Austria, and is located on the northern boundary of the Alps, by the banks of the Salzach River. It has mountains to the south, and rolling green plains to the north. It is also the birthplace of the musical genius, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The Aldstadt, or Old Town, is where the best of the city can be observed, with narrow winding cobblestone lanes in between magnificent mansions and other baroque edifices. This is also the city where the famous movie, The Sound of Music, was shot. The Hohensalzburg Fortress looms over the city atop a mountain, and climbing its walls is a truly delightful experience, rewarding you with a view of the city with the river winding through and the Alps beyond.

Other places to see include: Schloss Hellbrunn, an erstwhile summer palace with lots of fountains and pretty gardens; Steintheater (Stone Theatre), where the first opera in Middle Europe was conducted; Mozart's birth house, which is now a popular museum devoted to Mozart and his family; and Schloss Mirabell, a beautiful castle. Also visit the Salzburg Zoo, and one of the many museums, such as the Toy Museum, Museum of Natural History, and the Salzburg Museum of Modern Art

Innsbruck is perched high in the Alps, and the surrounding snow-capped peaks picturesquely frame its historic buildings. A home of classical music, art and story-book scenery in Austria, Innsbruck is also a world famous resort for skiers and hikers and has even hosted the Winter Olympics twice. Innsbruck is a city with a rich cultural heritage, as can easily be seen in the numbers of beautiful buildings. There are palaces, arches, monuments and museums, all stunning in their opulent grandeur of the Habsburg Dynasty.

Weather:
Spring: March to May 4-15 C
Summer: June to August 12-24 C
Autumn: September to November 5-15 C
Winter: December to February -4-4 C

Shopping:
There are many international and local brands at Innsbruck, selling everything from toothpaste to high-fashion. But to truly get a feel of the city's unique character, one must try the speciality shops that are exclusive to Innsbruck. Some of them are: Swarovski Haus Crystal Shop - a glittering display of crystals, Grassmayr - a metalwork shop that specializes in bells, and Klammer - a jewellery shop that stocks a wide range of gemstones and designer watches. The best places to buy such typical Austrian products as bacon and schnapps are the specialist shops in Stiftgasse. Speckschwemme sells bacon and sausage of exceptional quality and in prodigious varieties, while Spezialitaten in der Stiftgasse also keep a large selection of fine schnapps, wines, oils and other delicacies.

Must Do:
There is a lot to do in Austria, other than just taking in the sights. Alpine sports are very popular here in Innsbruck, and some of the best terrain is available for them. The food is great, with Austrian Sausages, Goulash Soup (Gulasch Suppe), Austrian Emperor Rolls (Kaisersemmel), tortes, and various spreads, all giving you the chance to sample Austrian cuisine in one of the many cafes or restaurants! The nightlife is also quite vibrant, and one can be sure of a night suited to your desires at any time of the year. Also visit the Alpenzoo, and check out all manner of alpine animals! Swarovski Crystal Worlds is a must behold sight, displaying beautifully cut crystal and artworks. There is also a two-storey shopping facility. One must also visit Schmetterlonghaus, an exotic butterfly house that also has beautiful flowers. Also visit the Grassmayr Bell Museum, a bell foundry and museum, which showcases the work of the world renowned Grassmayr family, who have been the industry leader for 400 years. One of the many historical sights in Innsbruck is the Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof) which was built by Duke Friedrich in 1420. The Triumphforte is another such example, built in 1765. The Cenotaph of Emperor Maximilian contains 32 beautiful statuettes and 20 busts, and is very impressive. Another must visit is Tyrol Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum, a natural history museum founded in 1823. A trip to the Tyroler Volkskunst Museum (Folk-life Museum) is also a must. And finally, when on Innsbruck's main street Maria-Theresien-Strasse, observe the great rock wall edifice of the Nodrkette.

Travel Tools:
ISD Code: +43
Currency: (EUR) 1 EUR is approximately 65 Indian Rupees (INR)
Time Zone: GMT+1 hour. IST +4:30 hours. Summer (Daylight Savings): GMT+2 hours
Voltage: 220V - 240V