Hello,

After graduating I plan on taking a year long trip to visit all the different countries that interest me. Some countries will take more time than others, but this will be calculated after puting all the information together.

Austria is one of the countries that spike my interest the most. However, I must confess I know very little of the country. I was wondering if anyone could give me information on which places I should visit (i.e. palaces, lakes, castles, valleys, museums, art galleries, clubs, restaurants, pubs, vineyards, breweries, etc.) Also, when I was looking up travel information every website takes me straight to Vienna, I am sure there are more places to see. If anyone is willing to tell me the different cities that would be of interest to see and photograph, also around how much time (a week - a month) would it take to visit various cities, and last but not least, what is the best time to visit (not too cold/ freezing or too hot) I would really appreciate it.

Thank you so much for your thoughts and advise!

Alexandra

Vienna is certainly a city that deserves a thorough visit. Apart from visiting the artistic and historic sights, I recommend to try at least one of the few surviving cafés in the old Viennese style.
Apart from Vienna, my favourite towns are Salzburg, Klagenfurt and Innsbruck. I am sure that if you search these locations here on Virtual Tourist you will find inspiring pages about these locations.
I suggest to devote 4 days to Vienna, 4 to Salzburg, 3 to Klagenfurt and 3 to Innsbruck.

hi ;)

It really depends on WHAT you like ...
In wintertime we have very nice christmas-markets, then it would be best to see the cities.

in the first 3 month of a year you find a lot of people in skiing aereas (thats more the west of austria, you could start seeing "Salzburg" and "Innsbruck" and then stay 3 days in the mountains between ;)

From April to June I would set the start to "Vienna" and see the region "Steiermark" afterwards.
(same to end of august until october - (!) in autumn its wine season in Steiermark ;)

In summer the cities could be hot, try to shorten sightseeing there and focus on some lakes in "Kärnten" or "Salzburg", they are beautiful.

If you like it a bit morbid and romantic try Vienna in november - its foggy and a bit more quiet these days ... visit all crypts with real imperial bones *gg* and "Zentralfriedhof" our very large cementary for very good photo-sessions.

a link to find all regions ...
http://www.austria.info/xxl/_site/uk/_area/416152/home.html

and a tipp - austria is a small country - so you easily can combine it with others .. eg. from "salzburg" you are in one hour in "München", from Vienna it takes the same time to "Bratislava" ...

Hi,
there is definately more to see than Vienna.Although visiting Austria you should spent some time in Vienna.I would also recommend Salzburg and Graz.Hallstadt and the lake there is also worth seeing.Austria has a lot to offer,if you like mountains you should visit the western part(Tyrol,Salzburg,Carinthia,Vorarlberg,parts of Styria).The area near the river Danube(called Wachau)is also beautiful.You could also travel on the river Danube(from Passau via Linz to Vienna for example).Weather,I think you look for springtime or fall.
Hope I could help a bit?If you have more questions please let me know.
Regards
Herwig

Hi,
regarding the boatride on the river danube.You may try this website: www.ddsg-blue-danube.at Click on English. Also you may try this one, www.stiftmelk.at
Regards