Austria

Austria Flag

Why visit Austria?

Offers something for everyone whether seeking architecture, castles, cultural performances, cycling, hiking, horseback riding, lakes, mountains, music, museums, palaces, shopping, skiing, spas, theaters, unique gastronomical and white water kayaking.

Lake Hallstatt, Hallstatt, Austria. Photo Credit: Julius Silver/Pixabay 

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy: Art, canvas embroidery, china, clocks, costume jewelry, crystal, hand painted porcelain, loden coats, pumpkin seed oil, ski equipment, snow globes, sweaters and wood carvings.
• Local Cuisine to Try: Apfelstrudel (apple strudel). Eierschwammerl (mushrooms). Kaiserschmarren (pancakes), Krapfen (jam filled donut). Millirahmstrudel (milk-cream strudel). Tafelspitz (boiled beef broth). Wiener Schnitzel (breaded veal).
• Local Drink to Try: Almdudler (s0da). Blaufränkisch (wine). Einspänner (coffee). Grüner Veltliner (wine). Red Bull (energy drink). Schnapps (fruity brandy). Spezi (soda).

Lünersee (Lüner Lake), Vorarlberg, Austria. Photo Credit: Felix Wolf/Pixabay 

Fun Facts

• Birthplace (Salzburg) to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), Composer.
  
• In 1890, Mannerschnitten founded, confectionery company. 
• In 1896, Austrians became highly recognized for their skiing locations and skills after a book publication,  Alpine Skiing Techniques (written by Matthias Zdarsky).
  
• In 1900, Erwin Perzy invented the snow globe later (1905) mastering mass production (Original Vienna Snow Globes).
  
• In 1905, native candy Mozartkugel (pistachio marzipan and nougat  covered in dark chocolate balls) won the gold medal at a fair (Paris).
• During 

  World War I (

  1914-1918), over one million Austro-Hungarian soldiers died.
• Between 1918-1919, known as the State of German Austria eventually changing to Republic of Austria (late 1919).
  
• In 1999, adopted the euro currency.
  
• In 2009, Hypo Alpe-Adria-Bank International was purchased by the government for 1Euro during a financial crisis.
  
• In 2020, according to Forbes the 40ᵗʰ wealthiest person (net worth $26.9 billion) in the world is Dietrich Mateschitz, Co-Founder & Owner of popular energy drink, Red Bull (Fuschl). Around 7.5 billion cans sold annually.
  
• Original setting of The Sound of Music (Salzburg).
  
• Nearly 70% of the country is mountainous.
• Where the sugar block dispenser, Pez was invented.
  
• Sixth highest per capita coffee consumption in the world.
  
• Birthplace to the classic Christmas song, "Silent Night" (Oberndorf).
• Producer of fine red and dessert wines.
  

Hohensalzburg Fortress (Festungsberg), Salzburg, Austria. Photo Credit: Hans Braxmeier/Pixabay 

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: Imperial Ball (January), Berg Isel Ski Jumping Competition (January), Eistraum (January), Hahnenkamm World Cup Ski Race (January), Mozart Week (January), Opera Ball (February), Ski Festival (February), Bregenz Spring Festival (March), Vienna Spring Festival (March), International Music Festival (May), Vienna Festival (May), Danube Lower Austria Festival (June), Midsummer Night Celebration (June), Styriarte Graz (June), Vienna Jazz Festival (June), Bregenz Summer Festival (July), Festival of Early Music (July), Music Film Festival (July), Salzburg Festival (July), Summer Stage (July), Vienna Summer of Music (July), Haydn Days (September), International Bruckner Festival (September), Viennale (October), Wien Modern (October), Vienna Schubert Festival (November) and Christkindlmarkt (December).
• Holidays: Epiphany Day (January), Labor Day (May), Ascension Day (May), Whit Monday (June), Corpus Christi Day (June), National Day (October) and Immaculate Conception (December).

Nockalmstrasse (Nockalm Road), Carinthia, Austria. Photo Credit: FelixMittermeier/Pixabay 

Good to Know

• Vienna Ball Season is between January - February hosted by every group, organization and union.
  
• Show attire is usually dressy, a suit (men) and dress (women).
• One of the most multicultural and transcultural in all Europe influenced by Balkan, Czech, French, Hungarian, Italian, Jewish and Polish cuisines.
  
• Beer is sold in litres: 0.2 litre (a Pfiff), 0.3 litre (Glas Bier, Kleines Bier, Seidel) or 0.5 litre (Großes Bier,Halbe, Krügerl).
  

Klostertal (Alpine Valley) Vorarlberg, Austria. Photo Credit: gsibergerin/Pixabay 

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport with six months of validity upon return and one blank page for entry stamp.
• Tourist VISA not required for visits under 90 days.
• Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $10,000EUR.

Belvedere Palace Museum,Vienna, Austria. Photo Credit: Anemone123/Pixabay 

• Best Time to Visit: May - November
• Coldest Month: January
• Hottest Month: July 
• Peak Season: May - September 

Linz, Austria. Photo Credit: Duernsteiner/Pixabay 

Your Must-See & Do

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe, City of Graz – Historic Centre and Schloss Eggenberg, Fertö/Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape, Hallstatt–Dachstein/Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape, Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg, Historic Centre of Vienna, Palace and Gardens of Schönbrunn, Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps, Semmering Railway and Wachau Cultural Landscape.

Schlögener Schlinge Loop (Danube Loop), Schlögen, Austria. Photo Credit: Leonhard Niederwimmer/Pixabay 

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Innsbruck, Austria. Photo Credit: David Mark/Pixabay 

All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.