How I Would Describe It In One Sentence
Rolling green hills lead into stunningly beautiful alpine ranges in this country with a history as rich as gold.
Summary
Austria has so many diverse aspects to it, that it can’t be summed up with just a couple of words.
The country has stunning nature, a lively community of arts, and a historical past jam-packed with interesting stories. In addition, it is the birthplace of Mozart, home to one of Europe’s most notorious opera houses, and loaded with one-lift ski resorts.
And with a strong economy and tourism sector, this place is always buzzing with activity. Though the people may be a bit shy and reserved at first, they are usually more than happy to help show lost sightseers around their beautiful country.
What It’s Best For
Outdoors, outdoors, and more outdoors. And how could anyone forget – history.
Austria is simply packed with beautiful landscapes. In fact, it’s so full of great nature, that even the worst part is still postcard-worthy.
So why exactly is it so damn pretty? Well for one, it hosts an extremely large amount of the Central Eastern Alps. Just like the Italian and French Alps, these Alps are wildly impressive as they loom in the distance. The snow-capped mountains are wild and jagged, yet are surrounded with alpine forests full of wild game. Furthermore, they offer unbelievably good skiing, hiking, mountaineering, and views which simply can’t be matched anywhere else.
And for those who have ever wanted to drink directly from a stream, Austria is probably the place to do it. There are tons of creeks and tributaries which trickle down from the mountainous glaciers, offering adventurous souls a taste of pure H2O.
However, Austria also has quite the offering when it comes to history. Beautiful castles can be found across the country, many of which date back multiple centuries. Take Hohensalzburg, the main castle of Salzburg, for example. The fortress was commissioned by the archbishop Gebhard von Helfenstein in the year 1077, and still stands in nearly perfect condition. But Hohensalzburg is just one of many historical sites which need to be visited, as other locations such as Hallstatt, Innsbruck, and even Vienna also offer visitors a peek inside an earlier time.
Cities/Events/Attractions I Visited
Salzburg
There is something magical about Salzburg. The quaint old town seems to have hidden secrets and history around every corner, which likely contribute to its splendor.
Salzburg was originally founded by the Celts in the 5th century BC, making it one of the oldest settlements in the region. However, the settlement has changed hands many times and ultimately belongs to present-day Austria.
Visitors to the city can explore the medieval Hohensalzburg fortress, the Stiegl brewery, or the former residence of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. And those who are movie buffs can visit many of the locations that The Sound of Music was filmed at.
Hallstatt
Hallstatt is everything and more that a visitor to Europe would like to see. It’s a small town built on the side of a lake, with a history dating back to the prehistoric times.
The area is surrounded by jagged and massive mountains, which trickle crystal clear water back into the body of water. At the top of one of the central mountains, visitors can walk out onto a Unesco recognized viewing deck that gives a terrific 180-degree view of the area. Holidaymakers can plan a day trip, or choose to stay in one of the many accommodations that line the side of the lake.
Vienna
European style and culture seem to stem from cities like Vienna. The largest city in Austria offers visitors a high-class experience that few other cities can offer. This is mainly done by the beautiful Baroque style architecture which comprises a good majority of the city. Every corner in the city reveals another piece of brilliant architecture, which makes it totally understandable why Austrian architects were so desirable as Europe developed.
Vienna is quite a large city with over 2.5 million residents in the greater area. So like any big city, there is plenty to see and do. There’s wild nightlife, a great culinary scene, tons of artistic venues/shows, and plenty of places to shop for luxury items.
Rupertikirtag
An Austrian twist on the traditional Oktoberfest is the Rupertikirtag event in Salzburg. The event pays homage to Saint Rupert, who was the first Bishop of the city. Traditional beer tents, beautiful craft work, and homemade sweets can all be found throughout the stalls filling the old town. Locals dress in lederhosen and dirndls to celebrate this warm and cozy event that takes place in the last week of September every year.
Cities/Events/Attractions I’ll Return to See
Snowbombing Music Festival
Drinking ice cold beer and rocking out to ultra-popular DJs at a world-class resort makes Snowbombing a one of a kind festival. The winter music fest in Mayrhofen, Austria, pulls some of the greatest DJs from around the continent to perform at the top of a mountain.
Snowboming gives festival goers more than just a fun beat to enjoy, as it also offers simply breathtaking winter views. While visiting, festival goers can rent out the local hotels and condos at Mayrhofen. Condos and hotels range from 2 to 5 stars, with some even having rooftop jacuzzis. Snowbombing music fest takes place April 8-13th.
JUST A REMINDER – Though I have been to every country that I write about, I occasionally throw in places and events that I may have missed, or plan on going back to see. Those events/locations are in blue text.
Ryan Hicks' Travels 