AUSTRIA
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, composed of 9 'Bundesländer' (federal states). It's capital, Vienna has been chosen to be the most livable city in the world for three years in a row!
Austria has a gorgeous landscape with tall mountains, thick forests and charming cities. The terrain is mostly mountainous, which makes the Austrian Alps a popular skiing and hiking destination, but it is a great place for road trips as well. The Danube River flows through the country and its banks are rich with monasteries, castles and vineyards. There are also beautiful lakes and waterfalls among the mountains like Lake Zell or Stuibenfall Waterfall. If you're lucky, you can meet animals in the conservation areas, such as eagles, owls, falcons, storks or brown bears.
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Austria has a rich history and traditions and it has been the center of the European cultural and scientific life for decades as the seat of the House of Habsburg, one of the most influential royal dynasties in history. Austria has tons of historical and architectural sights from grandiose baroque palaces, medieval castles, spectacular cathedrals and monastery to classicist boulevards and modern museums. The country is considered to be the heart of classical music as famous composers like Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Liszt or Johann Strauß were born here. ​A unique singing technique called "yodeling" is originated from this region. Another known Austrian artists Gustav Klimt and Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Also, there are several other famous Austrians, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Christoph Waltz and Niki Lauda.
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GOOD TO KNOW
Language: German (Austrian German), many Austrians speak English, except in remote and less touristy areas
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Money: The official currency is the Euro. ATMs are abundant, foreign cards are accepted in almost anywhere
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Plugs: Type C and Type F
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Safety: Safe to visit, one of the world's lowest crime rate
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Tap Water: Safe to drink, if it's not in some fountains, labelled as "Kein Trinkwasser"
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Visa and Passport: As part of the Schengen Area, some nationalities are required visa even for tourism purposes. Over 90 nationalities can travel without visa and the citizens of the Schengen Area countries can travel with an ID Card, while the around 150 other countries are required to apply for a Schengen visa. From 2022, these travelers from outside the Schengen Area will need to apply for an ETIAS visa. Check the conditions here.
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Transportation: The public transport networks consists of U-Bahn (subway), Schnellbahn or S-Bahn (local train), Straßenbahn (tram) and Autobus (bus). It is reliable and efficient; you can buy tickets online beforehand. The road conditions are really good. You'll need to buy a vignette to use motorways and expressways.
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Driving: On the right side
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Tipping: There is often a service charge added to the bill (around 12.5%), but you can leave a tip around 5% or round the bill up to convenient number.
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Internet: Internet is all right, though in some areas the coverage is not so good. Many restaurants, shopping centers and public areas have free wi-fi.
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Must Try: Wiener Schnitzel, Spargel (Spring Asparagus), Tafelspitz, Vienna Sausage, Knödel, Sachertorte, and Apfelstrudel (Apple Strudel). Coffee is an important part of the culture in Vienna so you must visit a Kaffeehaus! In Upper Austria (closer to Germany), beer is a favourite, while around Vienna and Graz, wine is preferred. The most popular drink of Austria is Almdudler.
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Weather & Climate: Austria is always a nice destination all year round. The peak seasons are in Summer and Winter. In Summer (June to August), the weather is warm, great for summer hiking and hop on a boat or taking a bath in the mirror lakes. Winters are mild and the world-class snow season (around November to April) is perfect for winter sports. If you're not into winter sports, the wonderful Christmas markets in the cities and the steamy spa pools in the Alps are good options to go for. By visiting Austria in Spring or Autumn you can avoid peak seasons, and the weather is quite nice for outdoor activities. What is more, festivals and museums are there all year round. Note that Sunday is a day of rest, therefore most businesses are closed on Sunday. Also, Austrians take holidays seriously, don't expect to find open shops on an Easter weekend.