Archive for the ‘Austria’ Category

Graz

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Graz is the second largest city in Austria, after Vienna. It’s also the capital of the province Styria in the southeast corner of Austria. The city of Graz is located in between rolling hills to the north, east and west, only open to the south. As of latest measurement the city has a population of 290 thousand people.

You can easily reach Graz within 2,5 hours by train or car from Vienna, the capital of Austria. Once arrived in the city you can notice the beautiful views and historical buildings while walking down the narrow streets, which luckily can be explored by foot. If you wish to make use of public transport, travel by tram, bus or taxi. Withing city limits there’s several sightseeing’s to be visited, these include; The historic old town, Glockenspiel at 11:00, 15:00 and 18:00, Spiral staircase in Burg, The symbol of Graz Uhrturm and the Kunsthaus, a art exhibit hall.

Graz has a large percentage of students living in the city, therefore it’s nightlife is outrageous and ongoing till sunrise. The many bars, pubs and discos are spread out over the city, with low prices and the busiest days of the week Saturdays and Sundays. During the university break the clubs are fuller than regular weekends. Average price for a alcoholic drink is $3.5 in Graz, Austria.

Visa-free travel to Austria lasts for no more than 3 months for Americans and other nationalities. You can request for an Austrian visa prior to traveling to the country in the Austrian embassy, or apply in Austria before the 90-day duration has expired.

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Linz

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Linz is the capital of the Upper Austria state as well the third largest city in the country after Vienna and Graz. It’s situated in the north of Austria and located on both sides of the Danube (Donau) river, approximately 18 miles south of the Czech Republic border. As of latest measurement Linz has a population of 190 thousand people.

Linz is often referred to as “In Linz beginnt’s” which is the tourist slogan of the city, It starts in Linz. The industrial city Linz has both modern and historical city parts spread over 9 districts due to the Nazi bombing. It’s old town city center is called Altstadt where you can find old houses, stores and several factories. In other districts of the city the modern Linz can be found, completely rebuild after Nazi bombings. Yet even the supposedly modern city parts feel ancient with churches, narrow streets with on each sides pubs and bars where the industrial workers go after work, before going home.

When visiting Linz it’s recommended seeing the main street Landstraße leading from the Blumauerplatz to the main square with several small cafes and pubs. But there are also historical and cultural sightseeing’s in the city including, St. Mary’s Cathedral Mariendom, Pöstlingberg Kirche, Brucknerhaus, Gugl Stadium, The Linzer Landestheater.

Visa-free travel to Austria lasts for no more than 3 months for Americans and other nationalities. You can request for an Austrian visa prior to traveling to the country in the Austrian embassy, or apply in Austria before the 90-day duration has expired.

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Klagenfurt

Friday, September 11th, 2009

Klagenfurt is the sixth largest city in Austria. It is the capital city of the federal state of Carinthia close to the southern borders with Slovenia and Italy. The city is surrounded by several hills with forests and mountains. Close to the city is Lake Worthersee and the Glan River. Klagenfurt has almost 90 thousand inhabitants.

Throughout the 16th and 17th century Italian architects developed the city center of Klagenfurt. This has given the center an almost southern atmosphere. Tourists can take an organized historic city walk during summer time. There were built over 50 romantic courtyards. Most of them were renovated and are open to public. Klagenfurt is nevertheless a living town. There are shopping arcades, cafes, shops and restaurants. The city is the native town of writer Robert Musil and his birth house is turned into a literature museum.

Lake Worthersee and Strandbank Beach offer good swimming and water sports. It is recommended to get to the Beach by bike. Every year the Beach volleyball Grand Slam Tournament is held here at the lake with the world’s top beach volleyball players. Other attractions are landmark the Lindworm, small zoo Reptilienzoo Happ, the park Minimundus with miniature models of famous buildings and the park Europapark.

Travelers to Klagenfurt need a valid passport. A visa is only necessary for stays of more than 90 days. The best time to visit the city is during the Summer months.

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Salzburg

Thursday, September 10th, 2009

Salzburg is the fourth largest city in Austria and is located on the banks of the Salzach River. It touches the northern boundaries of the Alps. The city has rolling plains in the north and mountains in the south. The closest alpine peak is the Untersberg. The city has a population of 210 thousand people.

Salzburg is the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the composer. His birth house is turned into a public museum. Salzburg is also the setting for parts of the musical and film the Sound of Music. Film fan might recognizes the water gardens of Hellbrunn Castle and some sections of the gardens of the 17th century palace Schloss Mirabell. Salzburg has many beautiful attractions of kitsch and class.

The center of the city, the Altstadt or “Old Town”, is known for its world famous baroque architecture. The center is listed as a UNECO World Heritage Site. It is a pretty compact city, so you can easily walk from one point to another. Walking through the city you will come across baroque towers, churches and mansions. There is also the massive fortress Festung Hohensalzburg and many museums.

Travelers to Salzburg need a valid passport. A visa is only necessary for stays of more than 90 days. In the surroundings of the city you can visit the ice caves or salt mines, the Silent Night Chapel in small city Oberndof or the mountains of the Alps.

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Innsbruck

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

Innsbruck is the provincial capital of Tyrol in Austria. It is located in the Inn Valley between high mountains of the Alps and the Inn River. The name of the city is German. ”Bruck” means bridge, so the city is named “the bridge over the Inn’. Innsbruck is an alpin ski village and it attracts many American winter visitors. The city has a population of over 100 thousand people.

Innsbruck is a popular winter destination and one of the finest ski resorts in the world. The city hosted two modern Winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976. The high mountains are the Nordkette in the north, the Patscherkofel and the Serles in the south. These are 7,657 feet, 7,369 feet and 8,917 feet high. The Nordpark offers several ski routes, as well as the Patscherkofelbahn in the south. Winter sports fans can use the Innsbruck-Card for one free ascent & descent. In the summer tourists can go hiking or mountain bike.

Although many tourists come to Innsbruck for skiing and other winter sports, the city has more to offer. It has a rich historical environment. Innsbruck knew two “golden” ages, one in 1500 and the second in the mid-1700’s. You will come across historic churches, palaces and buildings, monuments, museums and galleries. The focal point is the renowned Gold Roof. Visit the Ambras castle with its good art collection, the Gothic church Hofkirche, the palatial estate Hofburg Innsbruck, the Goldenes Dachl and many other beautiful buildings.

Travelers to Innsbruck require a valid passport. American citizens and other nationalities can stay in the country without a visa for no more than 3 months. Winters are cold and snowy. In summers hot and dry days are quite common, as well as days with cool and rainy spell, but nights can be cool. The people of the city are unpretentious and friendly. If you had enough of sports and sight seeing, you can relax at the riverside lounge bars, brewpubs and beer gardens.

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Vienna

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009

Vienna, the city of music, is the capital of Austria and lies along the banks of the Danube. Home to 1.7 million people, Vienna is the country’s center for communications, trade and politics. The city is also known for its rich history in music, as exemplified by its many concert halls and the world-famous composers born in the city, as well as for the Vienna Philharmonic, one of the most world-renowned orchestras in the world.

Austria’s unique culture is only one of the many things that one will not forget about the country. Austria is the land of rolling hills and music, great food and exciting recreation. Marvel at the smorgasbord of Baroque architecture and art noveau, or get a rush of adrenaline as you ski down the slopes of the Alps, and end with the day with a cup of coffee at one of the city’s many cafes that line on the Ringstrasse.

Austrians love their cars and it is not hard to find a car rental agency anywhere. Highways are well-kept but this is offset by the lack of good parking space. Other ways to go around Vienna include the rail network, which is comfortable and fast as well as buses and trams. Cycling is one more leisurely way of exploring the city. Designated cycling lanes crisscross the city. Locals especially love to cycle along the banks of the Danube. The best time to visit the city is from September to October, during the grape harvesting seasons. It is advisable to visit in the weekdays if you want to avoid large crowds.

Visa-free travel to Austria lasts for no more than 3 months for Americans and other nationalities. You can request for an Austrian visa prior to traveling to the country in the Austrian embassy, or apply in Austria before the 90-day duration has expired.

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