Compare prices on Retreats in Austria

Austria is a country rich in traditions, music and contrasts, from the Alps in the west to the Danube basin in the east. Country of Johann Strauss and Mozart Austria also distinguish with the historical buildings, museums and world-class alpine landscape that takes your breath away. In the cafés, in churches or ball parlors of castles, austrians seem to have something from the charm and mysticism of the italians combined with the discipline of the germans. Austria's glorious architectural riches are inherited from the mighty Hapsburgs, who dominated central Europe for several centuries. The Vienna Opera House and the imperial Hofburg are magnificent. Among other places infused in history notice Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart with its baroque churches and Innsbruck in...

central Alps.

Most tourists come to Austria attracted by the winter sports. Modern alpine skiing developed around 1900, when many skiing clubs were formed. Ski legend Hannes Schneider started his career as an instructor in 1907, and by 1930 already had developed the tradition of pan-Alpine skiing. In some areas ski season begins in late November, but more often for Christmas. Lasts until April, but in recent years this period varied widely due to global warming and unusual weather conditions. In areas with glaciers you can ski all year round but during the summer is more expensive .
Main ski areas are almost everywhere in the Alps. Resorts are rather divided on the skill level of skiers. For beginners the most suitable ski resorts are Lech am Arlberg, Tyrol regions, east of Innsbruck (Ötztal Alps, Alpbach, Niederau and Obergurgl), most areas of Salzburg (Neukirchen, Skiwelt Amade), Styria and Carinthia (Bad Kleinkirchheim). In these areas you'll find not only lighter ski tracks but also facilities for families with children .

The main tourist attractions in Austria:

• Admire the Baroque elegance of Vienna, especially in First District, Innerstadt. Hapsburgs Residence was in the Hofburg, where the Imperial Apartments contained the Crown Jewels. Imperial Palace Schloss Schönbrunn summer palace is the viennese version of the Versailles Palace in Paris. Within the palace park you can find the oldest botanic garden.
• Take your time and visit the famous galleries Akademie der bildenden Kunste and other art galleries in Vienna. In the city there are over 50 museums including the Natural History Museum and the Museum of Modern Art.
• Explore the city of Graz by foot. The attractions include: Johanneum Landesmuseum, gothic paintings from Neue Galerie Herbenstrein Palace, Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II, Old Town, Schlossberg and Glockenturm .
• Watch the famous lipizzan horses performing dressage figures on the Viennese music .
• Admire the crystalline lakes of Austria - Worthersee, Wolfgangsee, Traunsee, Hallstattersee and Mondsee, one of the warmest lakes in the Salzkammergut region.
• Explore the mountainous province of Tyrol, with forests, meadows, valleys, mountain lakes, alpine villages, churches and castles. In the capital Innsbruck there are several historic buildings, including a XII century castle. For spectacular views take the funicular up to Hungerburg, then cable car to Hafelekar at 2.334m high .
• Visit the birthplace of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Salzburg. In the city you can admire the Baroque architecture and splendor. The historic center is Hohensalzburg fortress. Other attractions include the Church Peterskirche, Domkirche and Alter Markt. Salzburg Festival offers a wide variety of programs, singers, orchestras and opera .Visit Eisriesenwelt in Werfen - ice caves hidden deep in the mountains which lies to the south of Salzburg .
• Visit the medieval city of Retz, which boasts with full quality wine cellars, restored city walls, windmills and a Dominican church.
• Visit the last protected tropical forest in Europe in Donau-Auen National Park, an area which shelter a vaste diversity of plants and animals .
• Linz city was declared European Cultural Capital for 2009 .

The most appropriate time to visit Austria depends on what you want. Skiing is best for Christmas and New Year and from january till the end of march. This is the top season, and when prices are higher. But if you'll take the time to browse our list of hotels in Austria there is no way you can't find unbeatable accommodation rates for this season. Book now the cheapest hotels in Austria with the cheapest hotels rates only with TodayDeals.co.uk!
Pleasant summer months are from may to september, if you're lucky you will find some sunny days in april and october. Generally, it is useful to have several types of clothing - alpine terrain can be very cold even in summer .

Tips: Austrians tend to display a corporate identity in society and in business. Presentations are made using the last name, but after the first meeting interlocutors often tend to be not so formal (Du means you ). Frau appellation is used for ladies such as Osterreich Frau and Herr for men. It is considered a disrespect to enter a restaurant or shop and not say Guten Tag or Gruss Gott, or go out without saying Auf Wiedersehen. Austria is the country where if your train is late for five minutes you will hear an apology from the staff. Punctuality is generally a very valued and respected. At a dinner a delay of 5-10 minutes is tolerated, but if you come 15 minutes later, the host might get upset. The church has an important role and is very respected in the Austrian society. German is the official language, but there are dialects that differ by region.