Austria Overview ‘From monarchy to modernism’ Austria, at the geographical heart of Europe, is renowned for its ski resorts set on spectacular mountains, overlooking crystal-clear lakes and voluptuously green valleys. Throughout the country are glorious architectural reminders of the once-powerful Hapsburgs, who dominated central Europe for seven centuries. Nowhere is the legacy more evident than in the capital, Vienna, with its ornate Opera House and the former imperial residence of the Hofburg. Austria’s other cities are similarly infused with a historical magic, notably Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, with stunning Baroque churches set before a backdrop of snow-covered peaks, and Innsbruck, in the centre of the Austrian Alps. But Austria is also a hothouse of striking contemporary architecture, reflecting a modern country at the forefront of engineering, invention and design, and whose modern, efficient social system ensures a high quality of living for most of its residents. Austria has a justifiable reputation for music, literature and the arts, but also boasts a gourmet culture. The legendary Gemütlichkeit – a relaxed enjoyment of life – is in evidence in the cafés, where the art of coffee-drinking has been raised to a high art, and the many Heurigen, where the latest vintages are accompanied by vast quantities of food. Nightlife is versatile, offering laid-back taverns, beer gardens and excellent après-ski, as well as trendy clubs and dance venues packed to the small hours. Sylvia Huber General Information Area: 83,858 sq km (32,378 sq miles). Population: 8,169,929 (official estimate 2002). Population Density: 97.4 per sq km. Capital: Vienna (Wien). Population: 1,608,144 (official estimate 1999). GEOGRAPHY: Austria is a landlocked country, bordered by Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Hungary, Slovenia and Italy. It is a mountainous country, nearly half of which is covered with forests. Austria’s nine Federal Provinces form a political entity, but reflect a diversity of landscapes falling into five sections: the Eastern Alps (62.8 per cent), the Alpine and Carpathian Foothills (11.3 per cent), the Pannonian Lowlands (11.3 per cent), the Vienna Basin (4.4 per cent) and the Granite and Gneiss Highlands or Bohemian Massif (10.1 per cent). Austria’s highest mountain is Grossglockner (3798m/12,465ft). On its way from the Black Forest in southern Germany to the Black Sea, the River Danube flows approximately 360km (220 miles) through Austria. The vegetation changes according to the climate: the lower regions are densely wooded, with fir predominating above 1600ft and giving way to larch and stone-pine beyond 4000ft; the Alpine foothills consist predominantly of arable land and grassland (above 2000ft). The Pannonian region is characterised by scrub and heathland. Government: Federal Republic. Head of State: President Thomas Klestil since 1992. Head of Government: Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel since 2000. Language: German is the official language. Regional dialects are pronounced and within the different regions of the country one will encounter marked variations from Hochdeutsch, ie ‘standard’ German. There are Croatian and Slovene-speaking minorities in the Burgenland and southern Carinthia respectively. Religion: Seventy-eight per cent Roman Catholic, 5 per cent Protestant, 4.5 per cent other denominations. Time: GMT + 1. Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin European plugs are standard. Communications:   Telephone Full IDD facilities available. Country code: 43. Outgoing international code: 00. Call boxes are grey and found in all areas. International calls can be made from payphones with four coin slots. Trunk calls within Austria and to 40 countries are cheaper Mon-Fri 1800-0800 and approximately 35 per cent cheaper at the weekend (from 1300 Saturday to 0800 Monday). Mobile telephone GSM 900/1800. Network operators include T-mobile (website: www.t-mobile.at) , Connect Austria (website: www.one.at) and Telering (website: www.telering.at). Fax Widely available, especially in cities. Internet There are many Internet cafes. ISPs include Nextra (website: www.nextra.at). Telegram Facilities are available from any post office; telegrams can also be sent by dialling 10 from any phone. Post Letters up to 20g and postcards within Europe are sent by airmail. Letters within Europe take two to four days, and to the USA four to six days. Stamps may be purchased in post offices or tobacco shops. Postcards and letters within Austria and Europe cost €0.51. Post boxes are yellow; red stripes mean that the box is also emptied weekends and bank holidays. A Poste Restante service is available at most post offices. Address mail to ‘Postlagernd’ (‘Hauptpostlagernd’ if a main post office), followed by the person’s name, town, and post code. Post office hours: generally Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1400-1700/1800, but main post offices and those at major railway stations are open for 24 hours, seven days a week, including public holidays. Press Newspapers are in German. The Wiener Zeitung, established in 1703, is the oldest newspaper in the world. The national daily with the largest circulation is the Neue Kronen-Zeitung, followed by Kurier, Der Standard and Die Presse. English-language newspapers and magazines are also widely available, particularly in the big cities and tourist resorts. BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 15.49 12.10 9.410 6.195 Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 15.21 11.82 9.760 1.197 Passport/Visa   Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required? British Yes No No Australian Yes No/2 Yes Canadian Yes No/2 Yes USA Yes No/2 Yes OtherEU 1 No No Japanese Yes No/3 No Note: Austria is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement. PASSPORTS: Valid passport required by all except 1. nationals of EU countries, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, Slovenia and Switzerland who may enter with a valid national ID card. VISAS: Required by all except the following: (a) nationals of EU countries and nationals of Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland for an unlimited period; (b) 2. nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Hungary, Israel, Korea (Rep), Latvia, Lithuania, Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Uruguay, USA, Vatican City and Venezuela for stays of up to three months; (c) 3. nationals of Japan for a period of up to six months; (d) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport. Note: Nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Congo (Dem Rep), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka passing through Austria always require a transit visa, even when not leaving the airport. Transit passengers are advised to check transit regulations with the relevant Embassy or Consulate before travelling. Types of visa and cost: A uniform type of visa, the Schengen visa, is issued for tourist, business and private visits. Short-stay: £16.50 (single-entry); £23.10 (double- or multiple- entry); Transit: £6.60 (single- and multiple-entry); Airport Transit: £6.60. Note: (a) Prices change with the prevalent exchange rate, so visitors are advised to check the exact price before applying. (b) Spouses and children of EU nationals (providing spouse’s passport and the original marriage certificate are produced), and nationals of some other countries, receive their visas free of charge (enquire at Embassy for details). Validity: Validity according to documents presented. Visas cannot be extended; a new application must be made each time. Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section. Travellers visiting just one Schengen country should apply to the Consulate of that country; travellers visiting more than one Schengen country should apply to the Consulate of the country chosen as the main destination or the first country they will enter that requires them to have a visa (if they have no main destination). Application requirements: (a) Completed application form(s). (b) Passport valid for at least three months beyond the validity of the visa with at least one blank page. (c) Fee (cash or postal order only); cheques, except certified bankers drafts, are not accepted. (d) Two passport-size photos. (e) Proof of intention to return to home country (applicants may submit return ticket or vehicle papers if returning by car). (f) Confirmed hotel or tour reservation or letter from business partner in Austria or letter of invitation from Austrian host. (g) For transit passengers, the visa from the destination country must be obtained first. (h) Proof of occupation/student status. (i) Proof of sufficient financial means to fund stay in Austria. Applicants may submit travellers cheques, a confirmed hotel booking, bank statements or records from a similar financial institution. (j) An all-risk medical insurance policy covering duration of visa. (k) Postal applicants should enclose a self-addressed, prepaid envelope (registered or recorded delivery) for the return of the passport. Working days required: Visa applications are usually dealt with within three to four working days. The processing of certain applications (including postal) may take up to four weeks. A self-addressed envelope (preferably registered or recorded delivery) is required for postal applications. Temporary residence: Seek advice from the Austrian Embassy. Money Single European currency (Euro): The Euro is now the official currency of 12 EU member states (including Austria). The first Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 2002; the Austrian Schilling was in circulation until 28 February 2002, when it was completely replaced by the Euro. Euro (€) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2, 1 and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. Currency exchange: Foreign currencies and travellers cheques can be exchanged at all banks, savings banks and exchange counters at airports and railway stations at the official exchange rates. Credit & debit cards: Most major credit cards and Eurocheque cards are accepted in large cities and tourist areas. However, credit and debit cards are less widely accepted in Austria than they are in the USA or the UK and some smaller hotels may require bills to be paid in cash. Travellers cheques: These are widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in a major currency (Euros, US Dollars, Pounds Sterling). Currency restrictions: No restrictions except for export of more than €7267.28, for which a permit is required. Exchange rate indicators The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Euro against Sterling and the US Dollar: Date May ’02 Aug ’02 Nov ’02 Feb ’03 €1= £0.63 £0.64 £0.63 £0.68 €1= $0.92 $0.97 $1.00 $1.08 Banking hours: Banks in Vienna are open Mon-Wed and Fri 0800-1230 and 1300-1500; Thurs 0800-1230 and 1330-1730 (head offices do not close for lunch). Different opening hours may be kept in the various Federal Provinces. The exchange counters at airports and at railway stations are generally open from the first to the last flight or train, which usually means 0800-2200 including weekends. Duty Free The following goods can be taken into Austria without incurring customs duty by travellers over 17 years arriving from countries outside the EU: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco; 1l of spirits over 22 per cent or 2l of fortified wine or spirits up to 22 per cent or 2l of sparkling wine or liqueur and 2l of still wine; 50g of perfume or eau de toilette; goods up to a value of €175. Abolition of duty-free goods within the EU: On 30 June 1999, the sale of duty-free alcohol and tobacco at airports and at sea was abolished in all 15 EU member states. Although there are now no limits imposed on importing tobacco and alcohol products from one EU country to another, (with the exceptions of Denmark, Finland and Sweden, where limits are imposed), travellers should note that they may be required to prove at customs that the goods purchased are for personal use only. Public Holidays Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Jan 6 Epiphany. Apr 18 Good Friday. Apr 21 Easter Monday. May 1 Labour Day. May 29 Ascension Day. Jun 9 Whit Monday. Jun 19 Corpus Christi. Aug 15 Assumption. Oct 26 National Day. Nov 1 All Saints’ Day. Dec 8 Immaculate Conception. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Dec 26 St Stephen’s Day. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Jan 6 Epiphany. Apr 9 Good Friday. Apr 12 Easter Monday. May 1 Labour Day. May 20 Ascension Day. May 31 Whit Monday. Jun 10 Corpus Christi. Aug 15 Assumption. Oct 26 National Day. Nov 1 All Saints’ Day. Dec 8 Immaculate Conception. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Dec 26 St Stephen’s Day. Health   Special Precautions Certificate Required Yellow Fever No No Cholera No No Typhoid and Polio No N/A Malaria No N/A Food & drink: Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally safe to eat. Other risks: Ticks often live in heavily afforested areas during the summer months in some of the more easterly parts of Austria and can create discomfort and, in very rare cases, serious infection to people who are bitten. Immunisation against tick-borne encephalitis is available and travellers likely to find themselves in these wooded areas should take a course of injections. Rabies is present in Austria, although there have been no incidents reported in recent years. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten seek medical advice without delay. For more information consult the Health appendix. Health care: The following emergency numbers are used: Police: 133; Ambulance: 144; Fire: 122. For UK nationals on a temporary visit to Austria, an E111 is not required – production of a British passport is sufficient to obtain medical treatment. For other EEA nationals (including Austrians), resident in the UK, an E111 is required. Visitors who are treated privately may receive a refund for part of the costs, up to the amount that would have been payable for public hospital treatment. Such refunds are available from Regional Health Insurance Offices (Gebietskrankenkassen) which also provide addresses of medical and dental practitioners. Referral to a public hospital will require an admission voucher issued by a doctor. In an emergency, UK nationals should show their passport to the hospital administration which will ascertain from the insurance office whether the costs of treatment will be met. Travel - International AIR: Austria has three national airlines, all of which are part of the Austrian Airlines Group: Austrian Airlines (OS), Lauda Air (NG) and Tyrolean Airways (VO). Approximate flight times: From Innsbruck to London is 2 hours and from Salzburg is 1 hour 50 minutes. From Vienna to London is 2 hours 10 minutes, to Los Angeles is 15 hours, to New York is 9 hours, to Singapore is 14 hours and to Sydney is 25 hours. International airports: a barVienna (VIE) (Wien-Schwechat) (website: www.viennaairport.com) is 18km (11 miles) south-east of the city. Airport facilities include duty-free shops, banks, bureaux de change (0600-2000), post office (0800-1700), restaurants (including 24-hour, self-service restaurant), cafes, left luggage (24-hours), conference facilities (0700-1030), medical facilities, tourist information, car hire, car park and nursery. Airport buses run between the airport and the city centre (Hilton Hotel) every 20 minutes, 24 hours a day (travel time – 20 minutes); and between the airport and two stations (Vienna Westbahnhof and Vienna Südbahnhof) approximately every hour (0530-0010) (travel time – 35 minutes). Rail service is available at frequent intervals (from 0500-2258) to and from two other stations (Vienna Mitte and Vienna Nordbahnhof; travel time – 40 minutes). Local rail (S-Bahn) services also run to the Vienna railway stations of Südbahnhof (travel time – 20 minutes) and Nordbahnhof (travel time – 35 minutes). Taxis are available to the city and can be found north of the Arrivals Hall, costing approximately €25-30. A chaffeur-driven car service is also available from the Arrivals Hall. Buses also run to Budapest four times a day (travel time – 3 hours 30 minutes); to Bratislava (Slovak Republic) about seven times a day (travel time – 1 hour 10 minutes). Innsbruck (INN) (Kranebitten) (website: www.innsbruck-airport.com) is 5.5km (3.5 miles) from the city. Airport facilities include duty-free shop (0530-1915), currency exchange, restaurant (0900-2230), medical facilities and car hire. Bus services are available every 20-30 minutes to the city centre (travel time – 20 minutes). Taxi services are also available. Salzburg (SZG) (Maxglan) (website: www.salzburg-airport.com) is 4km (2.5 miles) west of the city. Airport facilities include duty-free shopping (0500-2300), currency exchange, post office (0900-1200 and 1400-1800), restaurants and snack bars, bar, left luggage, conference rooms (within the Airest Restaurant, 0700-2300) and car hire. Bus no. 77 departs to the city centre every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes at the weekend (travel time – 25 minutes). Taxis are available from the front of the main building for approximately €13.08 (travel time – 15 minutes). Some hotels have courtesy coaches. Klagenfurt (KLU) (Wörther See) (website: www.klagenfurt-airport.at) is 4km (2.5 miles) from the city. Bus and taxi services are available. Airport facilities include a bar, duty-free shop and car hire. Linz (LNZ) (website: www.flughafen-linz.at) is 10km (6 miles) from the city. Taxi and bus services are available. Airport facilities include a bar, duty-free shop, bank and car hire. Graz (GRZ) (website: www.flughafen-graz.at) is 10km (6 miles) from the city. Taxis are available to the city (travel time – 20 minutes). Buses depart about 16 times a day and there are frequent train services. Airport facilities include a bar, restaurant, bank and car hire. Note: Airports have fixed charges for portering. Departure tax: None. RAIL: Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB) (Austrian Federal Railways) operates a wide network of trains throughout and beyond Austria. International connections from Vienna include trains to Germany (Berlin), to the Russian Federation (Moscow, via Warsaw/Kiev and Minsk), to Romania (Bucharest, via Budapest), to Greece (Athens) or Turkey (Istanbul, via Belgrade) and to Italy (Venice, Milan or Rome). The most common routes are from Calais to Innsbruck (Arlberg Express), from Ostend to Salzburg (no direct service in winter on this route) and from Ostend to Vienna (Austria Nachtexpress). For further details contact Österreichische Bundesbahnen, Elisabethstraße 9, 1010 Wien (tel: (1) 93000-0; fax (1) 25000; e-mail: Wien@ticketline.pv.oebb.at; website: www.oebb.at). Rail passes: Several international rail passes permitting unlimited travel in a number of European countries are valid in Austria. The Euro and Eurail passes are available to non-European residents and must be bought outside Europe. The Euro pass is valid for travel over practically the whole of the European rail network, while the Eurail pass has more limited validity The Inter-rail pass is available to European residents. Prices vary according to age, zones covered, time period, flexibility and class of travel. For more information, contact Rail Europe (tel: (08705) 848 848). The Channel Tunnel: The quickest route by train from the UK is through the channel tunnel with connections from Brussels or Paris to Austria. Eurostar operates direct high-speed trains through the channel tunnel from London (Waterloo International) to Paris (Gare du Nord) and to Brussels (Midi/Zuid). From London to Paris, the journey time is 3 hours; from London to Brussels the journey time is 2 hours 40 minutes. From Brussels there is a night train to Vienna leaving at 1910 and taking approximately 14 hours; from Paris (Gare de l’Est) there are two trains to Vienna, one at 0749 and another at 1749, taking approximately 15 hours. For further information and reservations contact Eurostar (tel: 0870 6000 792 (travel agents) or 08705 186 186 (public; within the UK) or +44 1233 617 575 (public; outside the UK); website: www.eurostar.com); or Rail Europe (tel: 08705 848 848). Travel agents can obtain refunds for unused tickets from Eurostar Trade Refunds, Second Floor, Kent House, 81 Station Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 1PD. Complaints and comments may be sent to Eurostar Customer Relations, Eurostar House, Waterloo Station, London SE1 8SE. General enquiries and information requests must be made by telephone. ROAD: There are numerous and excellent road links with all neighbouring countries. For information on traffic regulations and required documentation, see the Travel - Internal section. Coach: Coaches run regularly to a large number of European destinations. Eurolines, departing from Victoria Coach Station in London, serves destinations in Austria. For further information, contact Eurolines (4 Cardiff Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, L41 1PP; tel: (08705) 143 219; fax: (01582) 400 694; website: www.eurolines.com or www.gobycoach.com). Some tour operators offer package holidays to Austria by coach from the UK. A full list is available from the Austrian National Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses section). The Channel Tunnel: Eurotunnel operates trains 24 hours per day through the Channel Tunnel between Folkestone in Kent (with direct access from the M20) and Calais in France. All vehicles from motorcycles to campers can be accommodated. Eurotunnel operates three to four passenger trains per hour at peak times. The journey takes approximately 35 minutes. For further information see France, Travel - International section or contact Eurotunnel Reservations (tel: (08705) 353 535; e-mail: callcentre@eurotunnel.com ; website: www.eurotunnel.co.uk). Car ferry: There are regular ferry services across the English Channel. The quickest and most practical route from London to Vienna is via the Dover-Ostend ferry (crossing time – 3 hours 30 minutes). The distance by road is approximately 1600km (1000 miles). It is one day’s drive in summer, but can take longer in winter. Munich is four to five hours from Vienna; Milan and Zurich are a good day’s drive. RIVER: DDSG-Blue Danube Schiffahrt operates a passenger service on the Danube from Germany (Passau) to Vienna. For information and reservations, contact them at Friedrichstrasse 7, 1010 Vienna (tel: (1) 588 800; fax: (1) 5888 440; e-mail: info@ddsg-blue-danube.at; website: www.ddsg-blue-danube.at). The German operator Wurm und Köck offers both passenger services and cruises to Linz. Overnight cruise packages from Passau to Linz include hotel accommodation for only slightly more than the regular one-way passenger fare. Evening and music cruises are available in the summer. For further information, contact Wurm und Köck, Untere Donaulände, 4020 Linz (tel: (732) 783 607; fax: (732) 783 60720; e-mail: info@donauschiffahrt.de; website: info@donauschiffahrt.de). DDSG-Blue Danube Schiffahrt also operates a hydrofoil service from the Praterlande hydrofoil dock in Vienna to Hungary (Budapest) (travel time – 6 hours). Ardagger operates services between Linz and Germany (Krems) (tel: (7479) 64640; fax: (7479) 646 510; e-mail: dsa@pgv.at; website: www.tiscover.com/donauschiffahrt). Brandner concentrates its services between Melk and Krems. For further information, contact Brandner at Ufer 50, 3313 Wallsee (tel: (7433) 2590-21; fax: (7433) 259 025; e-mail: schiffahrt@brandner.at; website: www.ms-austria.at). A regular hydrofoil service also runs three times daily during the summer months from Vienna to the Slovak Republic (Bratislava) (travel time – 1.5 hours). International rail tickets are valid on Danube river boats. More information on the above services, and connections to Yugoslavia (Belgrade), Turkey (Istanbul) and Ukraine (Yalta), can be obtained from the ANTO (see Contact Addresses section). Travel - Internal AIR: Vienna is connected to Graz, Klagenfurt, Linz and Salzburg by Tyrolean Airways (VO). Rheintalflug (WE) also operates internal services. Charter: There are companies offering charter services for single- and twin-engined aircraft and executive jets. RIVER/LAKE: A number of operators run cruises along the Danube, and from Switzerland (Bregenz) across Lake Constance. On some cruises, a passport is needed; they last from one to eight days depending on the itinerary. These services run between spring and autumn. Ferries: There are regular passenger boat services from mid-May to mid-September along the Danube and on Austria’s lakes. The Danube steamer services are run by DDSG Blue Danube Schiffahrt (tel: (1) 588 800) and private companies. RAIL: Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB) (Austrian Federal Railways) runs an efficient internal service throughout Austria. There is a frequent intercity service from Vienna to Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz and Klagenfurt, and regular motorrail services through the Tauern Tunnel. Information and booking can be obtained from railway stations or Austrian Federal Railways (see Travel – International for contact details). Local information can be obtained on (1) 1717. For bookings from the UK, contact Deutsche Bahn (German Rail) (tel: (0870) 243 5363); or Rail Europe (tel: (08705) 848 848). The most scenic routes are Innsbruck–Brenner, Innsbruck–Buchs, Innsbruck–Bruck an der Mur–Vienna, Innsbruck–Feldkirch–Innsbruck, Innsbruck– Garmisch– Zugspitze, Innsbruck–Salzburg–Innsbruck, Linz–Selzthal–Amstetten–Linz, Salzburg–Zell am See–Innsbruck, Salzburg– Gmunden–Stainach–Salzburg, Salzburg–Vienna, Salzburg–Villach– Salzburg, Vienna–Puchberg am Schneeberg– Hochschneeberg–Vienna, Vienna–Bruck an der Mur–Innsbruck, Vienna–Klagenfurt–Udine–Trieste. Railways have fixed charges for portering. Tickets can be obtained from any station ticket office (Reisebüro am Bahnhof) or from most Austrian travel agents. For further information consult Austrian National Tourist Office. Discount fares: Throughout Austria, up to two children under six years who are accompanied or require no seat travel free and a third child qualifies for a 50 per cent discount. Children aged six to 15 pay half fare. Senior citizens (women 60 and over and men 65 and over) may buy train and bus tickets at half price after purchasing an ID card for approximately €25.40. This ID card can be purchased at all Austrian railway stations. Austria offers a number of discount rail passes including the Vorteilscard and the Euro Domino and Euro Domino Junior, both valid for three to eight days within a 30-day period. The Austrian Rail Pass is available to foreigners. Reductions are also available for groups of more than six people. For more information, contact the Austrian Railways Head Office (see Travel – International section) or enquire locally. ROAD: Austria has an excellent network of roads. Traffic drives on the right. Free help is readily given by the Austrian Motoring Association (ÖAMTC) – for emergency breakdowns, dial 120. Tolls must be paid on all Austrian motorways. Tourists can purchase either ten-day, two-monthly or one-year discs which are available at all major border crossings and at post offices. The weekly disc is valid for up to 10 days and costs approximately €7.63 for cars up to 3.5 tons. The two-monthly disc, valid for two consecutive calendar months costs €21.80 for cars below 3.5 tons. Heavy vehicles pay higher tariffs and motorcycles pay less. Seat belts must be worn and children under the age of 12 and under 150cm tall may not sit in the front seat unless a special child’s seat has been fitted. Both driver and passenger on a motorcycle must wear helmets, and the vehicle must have lights on at all times. Speed limits are 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas (the speed limit in Graz is 30kph), 100kph (62mph) outside built-up areas and 130kph (81mph) on motorways. Bus and coach services are run by federal and local authorities, as well as private companies. There are over 1800 services in operation. Some 70 international coach services travel to or through Austria and 22 routes with timetables and prices can be found in the Austrian bus guide which can be consulted via the Austrian National Tourist Office. For further information, contact Central Bus Information (tel: (1) 794440; e-mail: kundenservice@postbus.at; website: www.postbus.at). Coach excursions and sightseeing tours run from most major cities. Car hire: There are car hire firms with offices in most cities, as well as at airports and major railway stations. Documentation: National driving licences issued by EU countries, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are accepted, and enable holders to drive in Austria for up to one year. UK licenses without a photo must be accompanied by some form of photo ID such as a passport. The minimum legal age for driving is 18. Car registration papers issued in the UK are also valid in Austria. A Green Card is compulsory. URBAN: Vienna has an extensive system of metro, bus, light rail and tramway services. Most routes have a flat fare, and there are pre-purchase multi-journey tickets and passes. The Vienna Card entitles visitors to 72 hours of unlimited travel by underground, bus and tram. It also entitles the holder to reductions at several museums and other tourist attractions in the city as well as shops, cafes and wine taverns. The card can be purchased at hotels or at Vienna Transport’s ticket offices. Those trams marked schaffnerlos on the outside of the carriage do not have conductors, but tickets can be bought from machines on board. Tickets are available from newspaper shops or tobacconists called Trafik. The classic way to travel round the capital is by horse-drawn carriage (Fiaker); fares should be agreed in advance. There are bus systems in all the other main towns, and also tramways in Linz, Innsbruck and Graz, and trolleybuses in Linz, Innsbruck and Salzburg. TRAVEL TIMES: The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Vienna to other major cities/towns in Austria.   Air Road Rail Salzburg 0.45 3.00 3.18 Linz 0.45 2.00 1.54 Innsbruck 1.10 5.00 5.20 Bregenz - 7.00 7.58 Klagenfurt 0.50 4.00 4.25 Graz 0.40 2.40 2.45 Accommodation It is advisable to make enquiries and reservations well in advance (especially for July, August, Christmas and Easter). Room reservations are binding for the hotel-keeper and for the guest or travel agency. Compensation may be claimed if reserved rooms are not occupied. Hotels, pensions and other forms of tourist accommodation are classified by the Federal Chamber of Commerce and Industry. See the Grading section below for details. For further information contact the Austrian Hotel Association, Hofburg, Michaelertrakt, 1010 Vienna (tel: (1) 533 09520; fax: (1) 533 7071; e-mail: info@oehv.at; website: www.oehv.at). HOTELS: Eighty-seven per cent of 5-star hotels and 50 per cent of 4-star hotels in Austria belong to the Austrian Hotel Association. Grading: Classifications are according to the guidelines established by the International Hotel Association and relate to the facilities provided; 5-star for deluxe, 4-star for first class, 3-star for standard, 2-star for economy and 1-star for budget. The facilities offered are as follows: 5-star hotels: Private bathrooms with shower or bath, hand basin and WC with all bedrooms. Telephone, alarm bell, colour TV in all bedrooms. Room service, day and night reception and foreign languages spoken. Restaurant, bars, lifts and garage space (in the cities) in all hotels. 4-star hotels: Bedrooms with bath or shower, hand basin and WC. There is a telephone and alarm bell in all rooms, and TV in 50 per cent of them. Room service and day and night reception, dining rooms, foreign languages spoken, lifts in all hotels. 3-star hotels: All new bedrooms and at least 70 per cent of older bedrooms with bath or shower, handbasin and WC. Foreign languages spoken at reception. Lifts and dining room. 2-star hotels: Twenty per cent of bedrooms should have a bath or shower and WC. Thirty per cent should have at least a bath or shower. Toilet facilities may be shared. The dining room may serve as another public room. Some with reception and foreign language capability. 1-star hotels: All rooms have hand basins. Toilet facilities and showers may be shared. The dining room may double as a general public room. Note: Some hotels may still be under the old grades of A, B, C, etc. Full information and hotel list is available from the Austrian National Tourist Office. SELF-CATERING: Holiday apartments and chalets are available for rent throughout Austria. For full details contact your local travel agent or the the Austrian National Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses section). FARM HOLIDAYS: There are approximately 29,000 farmhouses with a total of 300,000 beds providing accommodation. Lists of farmhouses taking paying guests for most provinces in Austria are available from the Austrian National Tourist Office. Listings include farms as well as pensions and inns with an attached farming operation. CAMPING/CARAVANNING: There are approximately 500 camp sites in Austria, all of which can be entered without any major formalities; approximately 160 sites are equipped for winter camping. Reductions for children are available, and for members of FICC, AIT and FIA. It is advisable to take along the camping carnet. Fees are charged on the usual international scale for parking caravans, motorbikes and cars. The parking of caravans without traction vehicle on or beside the public highways (including motorway parking areas) is prohibited. One can park caravans with traction vehicle beside public highways, if the parking regulations are observed. Some mountain roads are closed for caravans. For detailed information, contact the automobile clubs or Austrian National Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses section). The address of the Camping & Caravanning Club is Schubertring 1-3, 1010 Vienna (tel: (1) 713 6151; e-mail: office@campingclub.at; website: www.campingclub.at). Note: When camping in private grounds, permission from the landowner, police and municipal council is needed. YOUTH HOSTELS: Youth hostels can be found throughout Austria and are at the disposal of anyone carrying a membership card of the International Youth Hostel Association. It is advisable to book in advance, especially during peak periods. For more details contact the Österreichische Jugendherbergsverband, Schottenring 28, 1010 Vienna (tel: (1) 533 5353; fax: (1) 535 0861; e-mail: oejhv-zentrale@oejhv.or.at; website: www.oejhv.or.at). DISABLED TRAVELLERS: There are hotels with special facilities for disabled persons in towns all over Austria. Hotel guides for disabled travellers (including a special guide for Vienna) are available from ANTO. Introduction Austria is a country of startling contrasts, from the Austrian Alps in the west to the Danube Basin in the east. It is not only famous as one of the world’s premier skiing regions, but also for its historical buildings, world-class museums and galleries, breathtaking scenery, magnificent mountains and established hiking trails. The nine Federal Provinces (Vienna, Upper Austria (Oberösterreich), Burgenland, Lower Austria (Niederösterreich), Styria (Steiermark), Carinthia (Kärtnen), Salzburg, Tyrol and Vorarlberg) divide the country along geographical and cultural lines. After Vienna, the western provinces of Salzburg, Tirol and Vorarlberg are the most popular tourist regions, although the southern province of Carinthia (bordering Italy and Slovenia) is now taking a larger share of the trade owing to its mild climate and attractive lakes. Austria lends itself to walking, cycling and climbing as well as skiing, with an extensive network of hiking and mountain routes carefully signposted and cross-referenced to detailed maps. Alpine huts between 915m and 2744m, with resident wardens in the summer, are for hire. Further information can be obtained from the Austrian Alpine Club (Österreichischer Alpenverein), Wilhelm-Greil-Strasse 15, 6010 Innsbruck (tel: (512) 595 470; fax: (512) 575 528). Skiing facilities can be found in over 600 wintersport resorts between Brand in the west and Semmering in the east. Skiing enthusiasts of all ages and levels have a choice of more than 400 schools and top ski-instructors. It is possible to travel leisurely by boat from Passau on the German border to Vienna; this stretch of the Danube includes some of the finest scenery of its entire course. Vienna The Austrian capital and one of the federal provinces is an important nexus for East–West trade and a frequent host to major congresses either in the Vienna International Centre (UNO City) or at the Austria Centre Vienna. Vienna is situated in the northeast of the country with the Danube River running through the northern suburbs of the city. The Ringstrasse forms the boundary of the elegant first District (the Innerstadt or Inner City), with its fine architecture, shops and hotels, much of it pedestrianised. Every major architectural style from the Baroque onwards can be found here, with especial importance given to the Art Nouveau (Secession) style which had its roots here. The Hapsburgs who ruled the country for six centuries resided in the Hofburg where the Kaiser-Appartements (Imperial Apartments) and the Crown Jewels are now open to the public. The Spanish Riding School in the Hofburg where the famous white Lipizzaner stallions perform finely executed dressage manoeuvres to Viennese classical music is very popular with tourists, (closed during July and August). Schloss Schönbrunn, the sumptuous Imperial summer palace can be compared with that at Versailles; its landscaped park is also home to the world’s oldest zoo. Many fine art collections like the Kunsthistorisches Museum, containing the works of Breughel, Dürer and Titian and the Akademie der bildenden Künste (Hieronymus Bosch) are internationally renowned. There are more than 50 museums open to the public, including the Natural History Museum, the Austrian Museum of Applied Arts, the Museum of the 20th Century, the Museum of Modern Art, the Museumsquartier, the Künstlerhaus, the Clock and Watch Museum and the Technology Museum. Immortalised in the film The Third Man, the Ferris Wheel (Riesenrad) in the Prater amusement park is also a popular attraction. Well worth a visit are St Stephen’s Cathedral, the art collection at the Belvedere Palace, the Chapel of the Hofburg, the Burgtheater (known as ‘Die Burg’), the Parliament, the Rathaus (Town Hall), the University and the Votive church along the Ringstrasse. There are also memorial sites for Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert, Strauss and Freud. On the southern and western edges of Vienna are the Wienerwald (Vienna Woods), ideal for both quiet time away from the city and rather wilder times at the many local Heurigen (wineries of the local vineyards). Burgenland Austria’s youngest Federal Province in the easternmost part of the country is a popular tourist destination. The wooded hills in the south of the region form the foothills of the Austrian Alps. The northeast largely consists of expanses of the Central European Plain. The mild climate is especially well suited for the cultivation of wine. EISENSTADT: The Esterhazy Palace, the Cathedral and the composer Haydn’s house (now a museum), as well as the Burgenländische Museum, the Berg and the Franciscan churches are well worth a visit. A thoughtful atmosphere lies over the Jewish Cemetery and the area of the former Jewish Ghetto. EXCURSIONS: The Neusiedler-Seewinkle National Park was Austria’s first World Conservation Union approved national park, located in the area where the Austrian Alps meet the Euro-Asiatic (pannonishe) Plains. Neusiedl am See’s Local History Museum is attractive, and Mörbisch, on Neusiedl Lake, hosts an important annual operetta festival. Raiding is the birthplace of Franz Liszt. Passion plays are staged every five years in St Margarethen. Bad Tatzmannsdorf is one of Austria’s important spa centres. Storks return each year to nest in the chimneys at the wine-making centre of Rust. Styria Styria is a popular and especially attractive holiday destination stretching from Salzburg to the Hungarian border in the East. In the Dachstein Gebirge overshadowing the Enns Valley, skiing is possible all year round. The south of the province known as the Weinstrasse (Wine Road) is dominated by large vineyards. Styria also has a wealth of green pine forests suitable for rambles and hikes during the summer. GRAZ: From the 15th century, Graz was a major bulwark against the Turks and, in the 17th century adopted the Baroque before the rest of the Austrian empire. The city is compact and most important sights are within walking distance of the market square of the Hauptplatz. The Landesmuseum Johanneum, a large complex of museums, is one of the world’s oldest; including the Alte Galerie with its superb Gothic paintings. The Neue Galerie in the Herbenstrein Palace displays 19th- and 20th-century paintings, including some works by Schiele and Klimt. The Cathedral, the Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II (begun in 1614), the Leech Church, the pedestrian zone of the old quarter, the Schlossberg (Castle Hill) with its Uhrtrum (clock tower) and Glockenturm (bell tower) should also be seen. Some distance west of the city is Schloss Eggenberg, the 16th-century palace noted for its state rooms and museums. More than any other provincial centre Graz preserves the old Kaffeehaus culture where one can sit all day enjoying a leisurely coffee, watching the life of the city. Excursions: Any itinerary should include a visit to the Museum and the Convent at Leoben and to the silver mine in Oberzeiring. Piber includes the stud farm for the famous Lipizzaner horses. Stübing/Gratwein, in the forests northeast of Graz, has an excellent open-air museum of furnished houses from all over the country. The Weinstrasse stretches from Ehrenhausen to Elbiswald. Also worth exploring are Bruck an der Mur, Eisenerz, Murau, Oberzeiring, Schladming, Bad Aussee and Ramsau. Carinthia Carinthia (Kärtnen), with Austria’s highest mountain, the Grossglockner (3798m/12,457ft) to the west and the Karawanken Mountains in the south, has a mild climate. The famous lakes reach temperatures of 28°C (82°F), and earned Carinthia the European Environment Award for their superb water quality. From the Wörther See to the Hohe Tauern National Park (which extends into Tirol and Salzburg provinces), Carinthia offers a wide variety of excursions even in winter, when the lakes become skating rinks and the ten ski resorts with 1000km (625-mile) pistes open their doors to the public. KLAGENFURT: The Provincial capital lies on the western edge of the Wörthersee, the largest lake in the region. The town is full of tradition, with more than 50 restored baroque arcades now housing shops and coffee houses. It is worth visiting the Dom (Cathedral), the museums and at least some of the 23 castles which encircle the town, now offering restaurants, cultural performances and even an animal sanctuary. The Naturpark Kreuzbergl overlooking the town offers trails, lakes and a way to see the Austrian hills without too much effort. Excursions: Carinthia has a rich legacy of gothic and renaissance churches, fortresses, palaces, and museums; history is always close at hand. The Wörthersee has many good beaches and attractive campsites. The cathedrals, churches and monasteries of Gurk, Maria Gail, Maria Saal and Viktring are popular, as is the City Museum of Friesach. The hot spring at Villach is known for its curative properties. The Hohe Tauern National Park is one of the last large undisturbed mountain environments in Europe. Also worth visiting for a leisurely holiday are the towns of Heiligenblut, Millstatt, Obervellach, Ossiach, St Veit an der Glan, Velden and Pörtschach. Lower Austria Lower Austria (Niederösterreich), to the north and west of Vienna, is the largest Federal Province, encompassing stark mountain scenery, the Alpine foothills, the Danube Valley, with its vineyards and the hilly country north of the Danube with its meadows, lakes and ponds. The Wachau Valley of the Danube River with its vineyards and ruins is an attrative destination, less well known than other parts of the country; the best stretch between Krems an der Donau and Melk can best be explored by bicycle or by riverboat. ST PÖLTEN: The Provincial capital is home to a Cathedral, the bishop’s residence, a Franciscan church, a church of the Carmelite Nuns, a museum and several Baroque patrician houses. EXCURSIONS: The spa of Baden bei Wien has a casino, a sulphur bath cure, a summer theatre and a harness-racing (trotting) course; the spa has long been popular with the Austrian aristocracy. Krems an der Donau has been a wine-growing town since the middle ages and the Piaristenkirche and the Winestadt Museum both feature the important works of the 18th-century artist Johann Martin Schmidt. To the north of Landstrasse much of the original town layout remains, with numerous renaissance houses and small squares. Melk an der Donau is famous for its enormous Benedictine Abbey on the bluff above the town (although it was less well known as a pilot for the next phase of Nazi concentration camps). Semmering is both a spa and an attrative ski resort. Bad Deutsch-Altenburg boasts a museum and the Roman archaeological park Carnuntum. In Dürnstein, the castle ruins where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned, the medieval town centre and the monastery church with its Baroque excess of statues of saints are part of every tour. The sights of Retz include subterranean wine-cellars, well-restored medieval city walls, windmills and a Dominican church, and Rohrau is noted as Joseph Haydn’s birthplace. The Austrian Military Academy (an old castle), the Cathedral, a Capuchin church and a former Jesuit church (now the city’s museum) can be visited in Wiener Neustadt. The abbey, library, state rooms and chapter house at Zwettl are of some interest. Burg Rosenau hosts a Museum of Freemasonry. The Thayatal National Park, on the Thaya River on the border with the Czech Republic is a transborder protected area of what is left of the European forest. The Donau-Auen National Park to the east of Vienna is the last protected area of European rainforest. Salzburg Province SALZBURG: An elegant and spacious baroque city, Salzburg is set against a backdrop of breathtaking mountain scenery. The snow-capped mountains of the Hohe Tauern rise in the south whereas the north offers the hills and lakes of the Salzkammergut. All sights are within walking distance of the old city centre, overlooked by the fortress Hohensalzburg, which can be reached either by walking up through the narrow, winding Festungsgasse or by taking the funicular. The Altstadt (the old city) was recently granted World Heritage Status by UNESCO and has now largely been pedestrianised. Considering its reputation as a ‘typically Austrian city’ it is ironic that it was either Bavarian or an independent city state, only coming under Hapsburg rule in 1816. Interesting sights include the Peterskirche (St Peter’s Abbey, with cemetery and catacombs), the Domkirche (intended to rival St Peter’s in Rome) and the Alter Markt (old market square). Salzburg’s most famous son – although only after his death – is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart who is commemorated in the yearly Salzburger Festspiele which take place in the Grosse and Kleine Festspielhäuser (festival halls) as well as on the Cathedral square or in the University church. Mozart’s birthplace (Mozart Geburtshaus) is in the Getreidegasse, also the city’s main shopping street, while the family residence (Mozart Wohnhaus) is on the market square. Both are museums, with the residence offering a particularly detailed insight into his life and work. Like Vienna, Salzburg contains fine examples of Baroque architecture which stands second only to music in the country’s cultural history. The Franciscan church, the Nonnberg Convent, the Trinity Church, St Sebastian’s Cemetery, the Church of Parsch, the Palace of the Prince-Archbishops, the carillon, the Town Hall, the Pferdeschwemme (a fountain), the festival halls, the Mirabell Palace with its landscaped gardens, the Mönchsberg and the Kapuzinerberg, many museums, the theatre, Hellbrunn Palace with the fountains, Leopoldskron and Klessheim Palaces, Maria Pein Pilgrimage Church, the Gaisberg and the Untersberg provide many possible tours and walks. EXCURSIONS: The original wealth of Salzburg and the province was based on the salt trade, and the mines and the Celtic Museum of Hallein are well worth a visit. Badgastein is a popular spa and winter resort, with a large casino, whilst Kaprun offers glacier skiing even in the summer. The Zell-am-See skiing area has an active nightlife. The Open-Air Folklife Museum at Grossgmain is also worth visiting, as are the Eisriesenwelt (ice caves, with wonderful ice sculptures) near Werfen. Kremsmünster Monastery is one of the country’s oldest; founded in 877, the buildings are full of paintings, frescos and Renaissance statues. The monastery is also famous for its white wines. Upper Austria The south of this Federal Province is dominated by the Salzkammergut lake district and the Salzkammergut peaks lie across the border of Upper Austria (Oberösterreich) and Salzburg province. This is an area less well known to tourists and, with its slower pace, is ideal for restful holidays. The north offers a relaxed holiday in the many quiet villages and farms – the Mühlviertel. Rolling plains, densely wooded highlands and lush meadows are interspersed with rocks of natural granite. The Pyhrn-Eisenwurzen region is more mountainous, while Innviertel (in the west) is an area of endless farmlands, rivers and forests. The many spas and convalescence centres of this region offer treatment for a wide range of illnesses. LINZ: The Province’s capital is an attractive town with a Baroque centre, straddling the Danube. Any tour should take in the 15th-century Schloss (castle) with its excellent museum, the numerous churches and museums, especially the Neue Gallerie. However, there are far more attractive offerings in the Urfahr suburb, with its interactive new technology Ars Electronica Center, and the narrow-gauge train, the Pöstlingbergbahn, which travels to the pilgrimage church of Pöstlingberg with its excellent views over the valley. The Augustinian Monastery of St Florian 7km (4 miles) from Linz was sponsored by the Hapsburgs and is an attractive day trip for Linz. The major Nazi concentration camp at Mauthausen, 20km (12 miles) east of Linz, is difficult to access by public transport but is well worth a day trip. EXCURSIONS: Bad Ischl, the 19th-century spa town is the hub of the region, near the three most scenic lakes: Wolfgangsee,Traunsee and Hallstättersee; the town offerings include a salt mine, several museums and the summer villa of Emperor Franz Josef. Hallstatt lent its name to a whole era in the Iron Age; surrounded by mountains it is known for its tranquility and scenery. The Mondsee is one of the warmest lakes in the Salzkammergut. St Wolfgang does not only offer an impressive altar, but a steam railway as well. Gmunden, the Nice of Upper Austria, is known for its many cultural festivals; located at the northern end of the Traunsee, the largest of the area’s lakes, it has been famous for centuries for its porcelain. The old city centres of Braunau and Schärding are not to be missed. Freistadt has medieval forts, whilst Grein offers a navigation museum, Clam Castle and the old theatre. Steyr, with its old inner city, delights visitors with its Working-World Museum and the Christkindl pilgrimage church. The National Park Kalkalpen in the Pyhrn-Eisenwurzen region is primarily a mountainous environment; Windischgarsten is an attractive town from which to explore the park. Much of the interior of Upper Austria is little known to foreign tourists and many towns including Bad Goisern, Gosau, Hinterstoder and Spital am Pyhrn are attractive destinations for a quiet vacation. There are excellent skiing facilities throughout the province, mainly at smaller resorts. Tirol Situated in the heart of the Alpine region, this is the most mountainous province, with forests, hamlets and alpine pastures, beautiful valleys and mountain lakes. In summer it is a popular destination for hikers; in winter, all winter sports are on offer. Traditional Tirolean architecture is reflected in the villages, churches and castles. INNSBRUCK: The Tirolean capital and twice home of the Winter Olympics, is the centre of another internationally renowned ski complex comprising six major resorts. An 800-year-old university town, it has numerous fine buildings dating from Austria’s cultural Renaissance in the 16th-18th centuries, and a 12th-century castle. When Kaiser Maximilian based the imperial court here in the 1490s, the city became a European centre of culture and politics. For spectacular views over the town and southern Alps, take the funicular to Hungerburg and then the cable car to Hafelekar at 2334m (5928ft). Do not miss the Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof), Helbling House, the City Tower, the Hofburg with its Cenotaph of Kaiser Maximiloan, and the Court Church, the parish Church of St Jakob, Mount Isel, the important Tiroler Landesmuseum Ferdinandeum and the Tiroler Volkkunstmuseum, the Landestheater, a conference centre and the Seegrube. EXCURSIONS: Passion plays take place every five years in Erl (next staging: 2007) and Thiersee (next staging: 2005). A sight not to be missed is the Mint Tower at the Hasegg Castle in Hall in Tirol. In Rattenberg, a medieval atmosphere prevails from the glass factories which date back to this period. A visit to the Cathedral Chapter of Stams and its basilica is recommended. Fifteen kilometres (9 miles) from Innsbruck lies Swarovski Crystal Worlds, a museum/exhibition centre featuring unusual displays of crystal. Kitzbühel rose as a 16th-century silver and copper mining town and is now an exclusive resort with a lovely central area. Seefeld in Tirol is an attractive year-round sports destination. The Schneewinkel Area is excellent for all winter sports; St Johann in Tirol in particular is an old market town offering a wide variety of sports and fitness centres, with a good nightlife as well. Vorarlberg Situated at the far western tip of Austria, the scenery of the Vorarlberg is dramatically diverse. The glaciers of the Silvretta mountain ranges drop dramatically to the shores of Lake Constance with its lush vegetation. Vorarlbergers speak a dialect close to Swiss German; in 1918 they declared independence and requested union with Switzerland but this was refused by the Allied Powers. BREGENZ: Bregenz in the summer lends itself to bicycle tours, swimming, sailing or sightseeing, whereas the winter season visitors populate the numerous slopes and hiking trails of the Vorarlberg. The town is noted for its Upper City with the St Martinstrum (St Martin’s Tower), the world’s largest floating stage for summer opera productions, the Congress Centre, the Mehrerau Abbey Church, the Vorarlberger Landesmuseum with its superb 16th-century paintings and works by late-18th-century Angelika Kauffmann. A cable car runs to the viewing platform on Mount Pfänder where one can watch the flight of birds of prey as well as scenic views over Lake Constance. EXCURSIONS: The historical old quarter of Feldkirch contains the Cathedral St Nicholas, the Schattenburg housing the Local History Museum, and the excellent National Conservatoire. In Levis, near Feldkirch, the Castle Amberg and the Hospital should not be missed. Tosters’ sights include the castle ruin and the St Corneli Church with a 1000-year-old yew tree. Visitors should pay a visit to the famous Renaissance palace of Hohenems; the town is also known for its Jewish Museum and the only Jewish Cemetery in the Vorarlberg. A picturesque, completely restored farming village, Schwarzenberg im Bregenzerwald is the birthplace of the painter Angelika Kauffmann; the Landesmuseum and the church there are worth a visit. Ischgl is an attractive unsophisticated Tirolean village, with excellent après-ski in the winter. Sport & Activities Wintersports: Austria is one of Europe’s major destinations for winter sports, particularly skiing and, more recently, snowboarding. The Austrian Alps take up approximately 60 per cent of the country’s surface area and there are more than 800 winter sports resorts, with ski runs stretching some 22,000km (13,750 miles), and a further 16,000km (10,000 miles) of cross-country skiing trails. Every year, Austria hosts a number of prestigious international ski competitions. Besides skiing, many other types of winter sports can be enjoyed, such as tobogganing, sleigh rides, curling or skating. Full details of skiing packages and tours, resort information, snow reports and winter sports events can be obtained from the Austrian National Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses section), which also publishes several brochures, some of which, such as the ‘Winter Tour Finder’, can be ordered directly and free of charge from the Internet. Walking tours: During summer, when the snow has melted, the Austrian Alps offer a vast network of hiking trails through varied landscapes, ranging from forests and green slopes to glaciers and rocks. Many rivers and lakes are suitable for swimming or fishing (the latter requiring a permit available from the local authorities). Detailed walking maps can be obtained either from ANTO or from local tourist offices. Guides can be hired locally. Footpaths are recognisable by red-white-red markings displayed on trees and rocks. Interesting routes include the Salt Road, once used by Austria’s salt merchants, from the salt mines in the Salzkammergut, through the Mühlviertel, via many historic towns and as far as the border with the Czech Republic; and the Styrian Timber Road, giving travellers an insight into the uses of wood. Near Vienna, a network of city paths (Stadtwanderwege) lead through the Vienna woods or the nearby Danube wetlands. The Vorarlberg’s alpine pastures are well suited for gentle walks while the Hohe Tauern National Park is popular for more demanding trekking. Accommodation is widely available along the paths in the form of hotels, inns or mountain huts. Mountaineering and climbing: Both are widely available throughout the Alps. For details of climbing associations and specialist operators, contact ANTO. Climbing tours are often combined with hang-gliding, which has recently gained in popularity and can be practised in many locations in the mountains. Cycling: Austria’s infrastructure for cyclists is excellent. There are clearly marked cycling routes both in the cities and throughout the countryside. Tourist offices can provide detailed touring maps and the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) offers substantial services to cyclists. Practically all local trains allow bicycles to be carried in the baggage car. For long-distance trains, cyclists should look out for a bicycle symbol next to the train number if they wish to take their bike. The ÖBB also offers a bicycle rental service (Fahrrad am Bahnhof) at 100 Austrian railway stations where visitors can rent bicycles directly from the station at a reduced fee. Along the cycling paths, many hotels and inns have lockable bicycle racks and other facilities for cyclists. Austria’s mountains offer extensive and challenging trails for mountain biking. For further information on planning either an organised or independent cycling tour, contact ANTO; or Radtouren in Österreich, c/o Salzburger Land Tourismus Gmbh, Postfach 1, Wiener Bundesstrasse 23, 5300 Hallwang bei Salzburg (tel: (662) 6688; fax: (662) 668 866; e-mail: info@salzburgerland.com; website: www.salzburgerland.com). Horseriding: There are many hotels and guest-houses specialising in horseriding holidays (Reitferien). Horses can be hired for short or longer periods and packages frequently include riding instruction. Wine tours: The ANTO has singled out three wine routes through Austria’s main wine-growing regions – Lower Austria, Southern Styria and the Burgenland. In Lower Austria, a whole area in the northeast is known as the Weinviertel (wine quarter), where Kellergassen (wine cellars and wine-press buildings located outside the villages in the hillsides) and Buschenschanken (small wine taverns) can be visited. The Wachau region, a section of the Danube Valley approximately 50km (32 miles) from Vienna, is reputed for its Riesling wines and the wine village of Gumpoldskirchen. Southern Styria enjoys a moist, warm climate and its token wine is the Schilcher, an onion-coloured to ruby red wine. The Burgenland produces more than a quarter of Austria’s wines and is known for sweet wines such as the Ausbruch. Most wine estates and cellars welcome visitors. Further information can be obtained from local tourist offices or ANTO. See also Food & Drink in the Social Profile section. Social Profile Food: Traditional Austrian dishes are Wiener Schnitzel, boiled beef (Tafelspitz), calf’s liver with herbs in butter (Geröstete Leber), Goulash, Kaiserschmarrn, Palatschinken and Salzburger Nockerln, as well as various types of smoked and cured pork. Viennese cuisine is strongly influenced by southeast European cuisine, notably that of Hungary, Serbia, Romania and Dalmatia. Many of the simpler meals are often made with rice, potatoes and dumplings (Knödel), with sauces. The main meal of the day is lunch. Mehlspeisen is the national term for cakes and puddings, all of which are wonderfully appetising. There are more than 57 varieties of Torte, which is often consumed with coffee at around 1500. Open all day, the Austrian coffee shop (Kaffeehaus) is little short of a national institution and often provides the social focus of a town or neighbourhood. Spirits such as whisky and gin, together with imported beers, tend to be on the expensive side, but local wines (often served in open carafes) are excellent and cheap. Most of the wines are white (Riesling, Veltliner) but there are also some good red wines from Baden and Burgenland, as well as imported wines from other European countries. Generally the strict registration laws mean that the quality of the wine will be fully reflected in its price. Obstler is a drink found in most German-speaking countries, and is made by distilling various fruits. It is usually very strong, and widely drunk as it is cheap and well flavoured. Most bars or coffee houses have waiter service and bills are settled with the arrival of drinks. All restaurants have waiter service. Note: There are no national licensing laws in Austria, but each region has local police closing hours. Most coffee houses and bars serve wine as well as soft drinks and beers. Shopping: High-quality goods such as handbags, glassware, chinaware and winter sports equipment represent the cream of specialist items found in Austria. A 20 to 32 per cent value-added-tax (called MwSt) is included in the list price of items sold. Shopping hours: Shops and stores are generally open from Mon-Fri 0800-1800 (with a one- or two-hour lunch break in the smaller towns). Some shops are open until 1930 on Thursday and on Saturday opening hours are until 1700. Nightlife: Viennese nightlife offers something for every taste: opera, theatre and cabaret as well as numerous discotheques, bars and nightclubs. There are cinemas of all types, some of them of architectural interest, showing films in different languages. A good way to spend a summer evening is in one of the beer gardens found all over Austria. The wine-growing area around Vienna features wine gardens (Heurigen) where visitors can sample local wines in an open-air setting. Special Events: For a full list of events celebrated in Austria, contact the Austrian National Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of special events held in Austria in 2003: Jan 4 International Four Jump Tournament (Innsbruck). Jan 5-19 International Ballooning Week, Tannheim. Jan 11-12 FIS World Cup Race, Ladies (Innsbruck). Jan 24-26 International Hahnenkamm Race (salolm skiing race), Kitzbühel. Jan 25 Snow Festival, Seefeld. Jan-Feb Mozart Week, Salzburg. Feb Carnival Festival, Bad Ischl; Vienna Opera Ball, Vienna. Feb 20-23 Arlberg Open Space – Big Mountain Freeriding, Lech in Vorarlberg. Mar 1-2 2nd International Nordic Night-Sprint. Mar-Apr The Sound of Easter, Vienna; Easter Festival, Salzburg. Apr Easter Bunny Party, Montafon. Apr-May Vienna Spring Festival. May Vienna Festival; International Gourmet Festival, Linz; Austrian Grand Prix, Formula One, Speilberg; Whitsunday Festival, Salzburg; Vienna City Marathon. May-Jun Daffodil Festival, Bad Aussee. Jun 29 Kitz Alp Bike – Mountainbike Marathon, Kizbüehel. Jun-Jul Styriarte, Graz; Innsbruck Dance Summer Festival; Jazz Festival, Vienna. Jul International Milka Chocolate Festival, Bludenz; International Youth & Music Festival, Vienna; Love Parade, Vienna; ‘Generali Open’, Kitzbüehel. Jul-Aug Carinthian Summer, Ossiach/Carinthia; Bregenzer Festival, Bregenz; Salzburg Festival. Jul 10-Aug 24 Innsbruck Festival Weeks of Early Music. Aug Ledehosen Festival, Windischgarsten; Lakefestival, St Gilgen. Aug-Sep International Cycling World Cup and World Masters Road Championships, St Johann. Sep Montafon Pumpkin Festival, Voralberg; International Hadyn Festival, Eisenstadt; 22nd Dumpling Festival, Tirol; 14th International Tirolean Ballooning Cup, Kirchberg; Octoberfestival (including cattle procession), Tirol; CA Tennis Trophy, Vienna. Oct-Nov Styrian Autumn, Graz. Nov-Dec ‘Magic of Advent’ Christmas Market, Vienna; Christmas Market Schönbrunn, Vienna. Dec Rave on Snow, Saalbach-Hinterglemm. Dec 31 Imperial Ball, Vienna. Social Conventions: Austrians tend to be quite formal in both their social and business dealings. They do not use first names when being introduced, but after the initial meeting first names are often used. Handshaking is normal when saying hello and goodbye. It is considered impolite to enter a restaurant or shop without saying Guten Tag or, more usually, Grüss Gott; similarly, to leave without saying Auf Wiedersehen can cause offence. Social pleasantries and some exchange of small-talk is appreciated. If invited out to dinner, flowers should be brought for the hostess. The Church enjoys a high and respected position in Austrian society, which should be kept in mind by the visitor. It is customary to dress up for the opera or the theatre. Tipping: Widespread, but large amounts are not expected. On restaurant bills a service charge of ten to 15 per cent is included, but it is usual to leave a further five per cent. Attendants at theatres, cloakrooms or petrol pumps, expect to be tipped €0.15-0.22. Railway and airports have fixed charges for portering. Taxi drivers expect €0.22-0.29 for a short trip and ten per cent for a longer one. Business Profile Economy: Austria is one of the most prosperous countries in the world. Manufacturing, including mining, accounts for nearly 30 per cent of GDP. Since World War II, much of the country’s industrial capacity has been in state hands and has only recently been removed from under the protective wing of the state holding company – OIAG. Iron and steel, chemicals, metalworking and engineering all fall into this category. Agriculture has proved equally successful with domestic products meeting 90 per cent of the country’s food needs. Crops include sugar beet, potatoes, grain, grapes, tobacco, flax, hemp and wine. Austria has moderate deposits of iron, lignite, magnesium, lead, copper, salt, zinc and silver. Although there are some oil reserves and an extensive hydroelectric programme, Austria must import the bulk of its energy requirements. Austria was a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) until joining the EU on 1 January 1995. This may be seen as a natural development from Austria’s recent export patterns: Germany is Austria’s largest trading partner by a considerable margin, followed by Italy, France and the UK and, outside the EU, Switzerland. Overall, the EU now accounts for around two-thirds of total Austrian trade. The previously substantial trade with both the USA and the former USSR has fallen as a proportion of the total in recent years. After implementing austerity measures to cut government spending, Austria was able to meet the criteria for membership of the single European currency and joined it upon its inception at the beginning of 1999. Since then, however, the economy has been at best sluggish and, by 2002, was in recession. Business: Austrians are quite formal in their business dealings. A working knowledge of German will be very advantageous. Best times to visit are the spring and autumn months. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1230 and 1330-1730. Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Wirtschaftskammer Österreich (Austrian Federal Economic Chamber), Wiednerhauptstrasse 63, 1045, Vienna (tel: (1) 501 050 4226; fax: (1) 5010 5255; e-mail: callcenter@wko.at; website: www.wko.at). Conferences/Conventions: Austria has 31 conference venues, including over 20 in Vienna and a floating conference centre, the MS Mozart, on the river Danube. The provincial capitals of Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz, Linz, Bregenz, Klagenfurt and Eisenstadt also offer convention venues, as do several health and spa resorts. Furthermore there are around 70 hotels in Austria which specialise in the conference/convention field. For more detailed information, contact the Austrian National Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses section). Climate Austria enjoys a moderate continental climate: summers are warm and pleasant with cool nights, and winters are sunny, with snow levels high enough for widespread winter sports. Required clothing: European clothes according to season. Alpine wear for mountain resorts. History and Government History: Austria’s history since the 13th century is bound up with that of the Hapsburg family. The region was conquered by Charlemagne and remained as a part of the Holy Roman Empire. By the 16th century, the Hapsburgs had gained a firm grip on the title of Emperor, although their power owed less to this often empty distinction than to the extensive family lands, many of which were to be found in Austria. Under Charles V, Austria was part of a vast empire, but after Charles’ abdication in 1556 the Spanish and Germanic parts of his lands were separated, passing to his son and his brother respectively. The Holy Roman Empire as a political unit became more and more fragmented, leading one 18th-century observer to comment that it was ‘neither holy, nor Roman nor an Empire’. It was formally abolished in August 1806, Francis II having already assumed the title of ‘Emperor of Austria’. Much of the northern and eastern parts of the Empire had by this time been absorbed into Prussia. During the 17th and 18th centuries Austria, and in particular Vienna, became one of the major centres of the cultural renaissance associated with the terms Baroque and The Enlightenment; the musical achievements of this period are particularly notable. The Austrian Empire (by this time the Austro-Hungarian Empire) came to an end after World War I and Austria was declared a republic. In 1938 it was incorporated into the Third Reich, but was liberated in 1945 and established as a republic once again under the protectorship of the allied powers. Full independence was restored in July 1955, and Austria has since been governed according to an orthodox Western European model. The major parties, the ÖVP (Österreichische Volkspartei – Austrian People’s Party) and the SPÖ (Sozialdemokratische Partei Österreichs – Social Democratic Party of Austria), enjoyed an effective monopoly of Austrian politics until the 1980s which saw the rise of the far right and environmentalists. The decade also brought unusual and unwelcome international attention to Austria when the former UN Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim stood for the presidency: although a largely titular post, the presidency carries great symbolic significance. The controversy mainly concerned Waldheim’s role during World War II, in which he served as a German army intelligence officer, and his alleged knowledge of, and complicity in, mass deportations and executions. Dogged by the allegations throughout his six-year tenure, Waldheim stood down in May 1992. His replacement at the election which followed was ÖVP candidate, Thomas Klestil, who was re-elected to a second term in April 1998. The Waldheim affair came soon after the first appearance of the far-right party Die Freiheitlichen (originally known as the Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs (FPÖ) – Austrian Freedom Party) under Joerg Haider as a major electoral force. With neither party able to secure an overall majority, they have consequently combined in coalition governments in order to exclude the Die Freiheitlichen. The administration which held office between December 1995 and the autumn of 1999 was typical of this pattern. Chancellor Franz Vranitsky led the Government from 1995 until his unexpected resignation in January 1997, at which point he was replaced by Finance Minister Viktor Klima. The belief that Die Freiheitlichen had peaked electorally was proved wrong in October 1999 when its vote increased again to 27 per cent. Once more, the SPÖ and ÖVP combined to exclude it, but, unable to secure a majority, they were forced in January 2000 to admit Haider’s party into government. After a furious initial reaction, which included diplomatic sanctions, the rest of the EU came to terms with the new Government which settled down with the ÖVP’s Wolfgang Schüssel as Chancellor and Haider’s deputy, Suzanne Riess-Passer, as Vice-Chancellor. The coalition has, against expectations, survived through mutual need: the only alternative being new elections. Government: Austria is a federal republic with bicameral legislature: the 183-member National Council is elected for four years; the 64 members of Federal Council do not have fixed terms. The President, elected for a six-year term, is head of state. Executive power is held by the Chancellor, normally the leader of the largest party in parliament, who leads a cabinet of ministers. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.