Vacation in

Besides its beautiful landscapes, its varied cultural offerings, its rich 1000-year-old historical treasures, and its warm-hearted people - who really know how to cook - Austria is also worth a visit because it's literally located in the heart of Europe, surrounded by eight nations:

So here's the first hot tip for your Austrian vacation: plan a side trip to one or more of the neighboring countries ;o)

(FYI: you can turn off the looping Austrian-tourist background music by using the controller in the sidebar)

But let's stay in Austria for now. The shaded areas in the graphic above depict the nine provinces with their capitals. I'm partial to Salzburg (my home), but you can learn about the special charm of each province at the Austrian Tourism Office.

About the seasons: summer and winter are most popular and can be crowded. Tip: come in spring or fall, whichever you prefer. Both offer lovely weather and nature presents itself in wonderful colors. And you can still catch interesting cultural festivities.

Three tips for a "theme" vacation:
For college students - Austrian summer schools: in the spirit of its fourteen Nobel Prize winners, universities, technical colleges, and private schools in various cities hold classes for students from all over the world. Get all the information online.

For couples: choose your province and take a nice "Pension" (bed and breakfast) in or near the capitol. Visit the museums and other special places of interest, go to the theatre and take guided tours. Ask the locals for the secret treasure coves and the best restaurants. Simply enjoy the relaxed Austrian ambience!

For families:

Vacation on the farm!

Farming is big in Austria. To get the farmers some extra income there is an official program that lets families stay at or near a farm.

You will have a different kind of adventure staying in the country and helping on the farm if you want to! Look at all your choices. They'll even send you a free catalogue!

Finally, check out my previous "Insights" for a preview of all the things that await you in Austria. Have a great vacation!