Austria Travel World | Trip to Austria | Austria Hotels Holidays Guide

The next time you are dancing the waltz with a partner, do not be surprised if you are called ‘old- fashioned’. For this beautiful dance, first originated in Austria, in as early as the 17th century. The waltz is just one of the other many contributions of this country to music and arts. Today, Austria is a European country surrounded by land on all sides and dates its origins all the way back to the 9th century. Vienna is the capital city of Austria. Languages such as German, Croatian and Hungarian are widely spoken.

Austria slowly rose in importance in the 17th century, as it engaged in wars with the Turks and the French in order to consolidate its own lands. In 1867, Austria and Hungary were united as one and soon became quite a force to deal with. However, all that changed in 1914, as with the assassination of the Archduke, the world saw the start of the First World War also. A lot of chaos followed, and there was plenty of disunity. Over the years, Austria has successfully picked itself up in many ways, and today has the reputation of being one of the richest countries in the world. The standard of living is also very high and plenty of foreign investors have found it viable to invest in this country.

Austrians have always had a good ear for music, and such arts were always encouraged under the different rulers. Vienna was renowned for being an important scene regarding innovations in music. In no time, it actually became the European capital of classical music. Austria has the distinction of being the birthplace of many famous composers, those whose music has inspired generations, and more importantly which has lived on through the centuries. Names such as Mozart, Strauss, Schubert and Bruckner are some of the composers who lived here. Besides them, it is believed that Beethoven too, lived in Austria for quite some time and produced some beautiful music. Austria’s importance in the world of science is also well known. Scientists such as Boltzmann and Victor Franz Hess were 19th century scientists. Contributions to nuclear research by Meitner and Pauli are also considered important.

Austria being such a cultural place there is so much for tourists to see and do. The best way to begin a tour would be to start with the Hofburg Palace, located in Vienna. This palace served as the seat of power for the Hapsburgs who ruled Austria for more than 600 years. Although this palace was first built in the 13th century, every generation that came to the throne added to the existing structure and today it is a prime attraction. The palace has more than 20 museums, but the Kaiserappartements is the one that is frequented the most. It allows tourists a peek into the royal quarters. Another palace which is a must see is the Schonbrunn Palace, which has many beautiful State rooms, ceiling frescoes in the gallery, and the famed Hall of Mirrors where Mozart is rumored to have played once. The gardens which have a maze and a zoo, are also a must see. The Hohensalzburg Fortress built in the 11th century, is another interesting historical place. This was the place where criminals were kept and the two museums here have on display weapons, uniforms and armour.

If you are a big enthusiast of arts and have an eye for the unusual, then there are a few treats in line for you. The Museum of Fine Arts is a must visit on your agenda. This museum, which was built in the 19th century, has amazing renaissance architecture and painted ceilings. It is the collection of paintings here ranging from Greek, Egyptian and Roman classics, that garner much interest. Painters such as Raphael, Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Dyke to name a few, are some of the masters whose works are kept here. Churches were not just considered places to worship at, but also important display centers of art and architecture. The St Peters Abbey church in Salzburg, is one such example. This abbey was built in the 18th century. There are many marble pillars here and the ceiling is also full of frescoes, making it an exquisite piece of art. The Vienna State Opera House, which was founded in the early 18th century, is a most romantic and regal setting. The many performances here, enthrall audiences year after year. Getting tickets could be a problem, so making an early booking is important. There is a Giant Wheel in Vienna, with a difference. This wheel was built in 1897, and is still standing. Lots of tourists enjoy taking a ride on the wheel, as one can get panoramic views of the entire city also.

Austria is not simply about the arts, but one can also practise skiing in the Alps over here. St Anton is one such destination which offers a lot of skiing and snowboarding activities. The small pubs located here also lend a nice warm touch to the environment. Kitzbuhel is another resort, which is located in a very beautiful and serene town. The streets have cobblestone paths and the horse carriages, transport you to a different world altogether. In winter a lot of performers from all over Austria, come here to put on various shows, which are a crowd puller.

A visit to Austria would be incomplete without sampling some of the cuisines on offer. French based cuisines, besides ethnic Austrian fare, are a huge favorite here. The number of small coffee shops, which sell specialty coffees besides other traditional pies and desserts, are the best places to go to when you want to relax. One can simply sit here by the window side and watch life go by, sipping a hot coffee or simply sampling a Sachertorte, which is a chocolate frosted cream cake. Whatever you have on your agenda, this musical city, has so much to offer an eager traveler. It is no wonder then that Austria continues to hold its place as one of the most important cultural centers in the world even today.

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