The Republic of Austria is a landlocked country in central Europe. It borders Germany and the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west.
Austria is a largely mountainous country due to its location in the Alps. The Central Eastern Alps, Northern Limestone Alps and Southern Limestone Alps are all partly in Austria. Of the total area of Austria, only about a quarter can be considered low lying, and only 32% of the country is below 1,640 ft. The high mountainous Alps in the west of Austria flatten somewhat into low lands and plains in the east of the country.
For all its bucolic charm and fondness for the days of empire, when Vienna sat at the centre of the vast, multinational Habsburg dynasty, Austria today is thoroughly modern, clean, efficient and eminently civilized, with uniformly excellent tourist facilities.
Transportation in Austria
By Road: Austria has an excellent network of roads. Tolls must be paid on all Austrian motorways and 'S' roads. Tourists can purchase either 10-day, two-month or one-year discs which are available at all major border crossings, newsagents, petrol stations, automobile clubs, ÖAMTC and ARBÖ, and at post offices. The 10-day disc costs approximately €7.60 for passenger cars and €4.30 for motorcycles. The two-monthly disc costs €21.80 for cars.
By Bus/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. Coach excursions and sightseeing tours run from most major cities.
By Rail: Österreichische Bundesbahnen (ÖBB) (Austrian Federal Railways) runs an efficient internal service, with 5700km network of tracks throughout Austria. There is a frequent intercity service from Vienna to Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz and Klagenfurt, and regular motorrail services through the Tauern Tunnel.
By Air: Austria has three national airlines, all of which are part of the Austrian Airlines Group; Austrian Airlines (OS), Austrian Arrows (formerly Tyrolean Airways) (VO) and Lauda Air (NG). Many European airlines serve Austria, as do some budget airlines. Approximate flight times: From Innsbruck to London is two hours and from Salzburg is one hour 50 minutes. From Vienna to London is two hours 10 minutes, to Los Angeles is 15 hours, to New York is nine hours, to Singapore is 14 hours and to Sydney is 25 hours.
Vienna is a unique blend of the historic and the modern, so full of tradition it can be read on the face of the city, yet with a forward-looking approach that will surprise the visitor.
Encircled by mountains and straddling the river of Salzach, Salzburg has a dramatic setting that matches its own Baroque splendour. With its Alpine surroundings and an historic centre that was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1997.
Graz is the second-largest city in Austria after Vienna and the capital of the federal state of Styria. In the last few years some groundbreakingly modern new public buildings have been erected in the city. The most famous of these include the "Kunsthaus" (house of modern art) designed by Peter Cook and Colin Fournier, a museum constructed right next to the river Mur, and the "Murinsel" (island in the Mur), an island made of steel, situated in the river.
Main Attractions
Hofburg
The Hapsburgs, who ruled the country for six centuries, resided in the Hofburg where the Kaiser-Appartements (Imperial Apartments) are - the Crown Jewels are now open to the public.
Hohe Tauern National Park
The Hohe Tauern National Park is one of the last large undisturbed mountain environments in Europe; and the glaciers of the Silvretta mountain ranges drop dramatically to the shores of Lake Constance with its lush vegetation.
Landesmuseum Johanneum
The city of Graz 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, and includes the Alte Galerie with its superb Gothic paintings.
Hohensalzburg
The Altstadt (the old city) of Salzburg features the fortress, Hohensalzburg, and was also recently granted World Heritage Status by UNESCO.
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