Bad Hofgastein  Bad Hofgastein Bad Hofgastein is a market town and the historical hub of the Gastein Valley, located in the sunniest point of the valley. This resort is almost a satellite of the larger spa, Badgastein, as its radioactive waters are pumped from its neighbor. It is smaller than Badgastein but almost as charming. The skiing, mountains and Gastein's Alpen Therme create a unique ambience, where you can experience a wide range of sporting opportunities, both in summer and winter. You can also treat yourself to the joys of a variety-filled music and cultural programme. Bad Ischl Bad Ischl Bad Ischl is one of the country's most fashionable spas and was the summer seat of Emperor Franz Josef for more than 60 years. Located by a mountain, by a river and near several skiing areas, it offers a wide choice of activities: trips with the cableway, visits at the Emperor's Villa, the Salt Mine, the Operetta Festival or the Salzkammergut Gulf Club, sporting at tennis courts, hiking or cycling. Take time and explore Lake Wolfgangsee on a horse-drawn sleigh ride. Balloonists will find a paradise on Lake Wolfgangsee. This lake also offers: ice fishing, ice skating and alpine curling. Winter walks in the Bad Ischl - Wolfgangsee region are special. Skiers can take advantage of the nearby "Katrinalm" ski area. Badgastein Badgastein Badgastein is Austria's premier spa and also one of the greatest spa towns of Europe. At the Thermalkurhaus Bad Gastein you can treat yourself to a curative bath in the special water that contains quantities of the radioactive gas radon which are claimed to contribute to its therapeutic qualities. Other attractions are: the spectacular falls on the Gasteiner Ache that are the centerpiece of the town and, are worth a visit in their own right; the 15th century Sankt Nikolaus Kirche - the oldest historic building in the Gastein Valley and the Museum Bad Gastein that houses collections devoted to mineralogy, geology and gold mining, history of Gastein, local culture and folklore. | Graz Graz Graz is the second largest Austrian city with plentyful night-time diversions, lots of cultural events. It blends modern life and historical architecture in a wonderful mix of past and present. Graz's "Old Town" is one of the best-preserved city centers in Central Europe. In 1999, it was added to the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage Sites, due to the harmonious co-existence of typical buildings from different epochs and in different architectural styles. The most important sights in the old town are: Schloßberg, site of demolished fortress, Uhrturm clocktower, symbol of Graz, Schloßbergbahn, a funicular railway up the Schloßberg, The Landhaus, the building where the federal state parliament of Styria resides Hof bei Salzburg Hof bei Salzburg Located on Lake Fuschl, about 15 minutes from Salzburg, Hof bei Salzburg is an attractive destination full of surprises.
The city's picturesque central area boasts must-see landmarks like: Getreidegasse, Casino Salzburg, Stiegl's World of Brewing. While here, take time to visit a couple of Hof bei Salzburg's renowned museums, like Museum of Natural History, Baroque Museum, Museum Carolino Augusteum. Hof bei Salzburg is also known for its beautiful parks, like Kapuzinerberg and Capuchin Monastery. There is a 9-hole golf course in Hof bei Salzburg. From Hof bei Salzburg you can explore the Fuschlsee, the Wolfgangsee and the Mondsee.
Igls Igls Only 6 kilometers from Innsbruck, Igls is a small Austrian Alpine resort situated at the base of the Patscherköfel Mountain. The superb mountain setting and scenic hiking trails, combined with a laid-back atmosphere and good skiing, make Igls a popular holiday destination. Igls lies on a sunny plateau in the alpine foothills at an elevation of 908m. It boasts a rich variety of options to choose from: ski the immaculately groomed slopes and cross country ski tracks, exhilarating toboggan downhill ride, Olympic bobsled run, ice-skating rink, Alpine curling, tennis or squash. And as a cultural center, many folkloric and cultural events take place in Igls and Innsbruck during the winter season. | Innsbruck Innsbruck Innsbruck is one of Europe's oldest and most beautiful ski centers. Nestled in the Tyrolean Alps, the area has some 200 trails covering 500 kilometers (310 miles) and is perfect for beginner and intermediate-level skiers. It is a winter sports center with modern facilities. The world-famous Air and Style Competition at the Olympic Ski Jump stadium attracts over 25,000 visitors in early December and is a must-see for the ski lovers. Non-skiers and summer visitors can enjoy the sights of the medieval Old Town, the shops with Tyrolean specialties, and the many other outdoor activities that Tyrol offers. Culture seekers will be happy with world-class opera, gorgeous architecture, and superb museums. Klagenfurt Klagenfurt Klagenfurt is a lively attractive city, located the Austrian region of Carinthia (Kärnten). The Diocesan Museum with an astonishing display of religious art: sculpture, tapestries, artwork, and stained glass ranging from the 12th to the 18th century, is one of the landmarks of the city. Klagenfurt is also well worth a visit because of its many parks and the lake "Wörthersee". In addition to cultural attractions and activities available in Klagenfurt, this is a base to explore St. Veit, Hochosterwitz Castle, the Cathedral of Gurk and Magdelensberg, where you will find Austria's most extensive archaeological excavations of a Celto-roman settlement. Linz Linz Located about halfway between Vienna and Salzburg, Linz is Austria's third-largest city. It is an elegant city with an interesting historic Old Town Quarter with many nice patrician houses and a large pedestrian zone. Start exploring the city on the Main Square and then work your way to the Old Town Quarter. There is much to discover here, from original Roman foundations to vaults dating from medieval times. The city is now home to a vibrant music and arts scene. Between the Lentos Art Museum and the "Brucknerhaus", is the "Donaulände", which is also referred to as "Kulturmeile" ("culture mile"). This is a park alongside the river, where the Ars Electronica Festival and the "Linz Fest" take place. | Salzburg Salzburg Art lovers call Salzburg the Golden City of High Baroque; historians refer to it as the Florence of the North, or the German Rome; and music lovers know it as the Festival City - birthplace of Mozart and home of the world-famous Mozart Festival. Several beautiful castles and palaces dot the city. While Salzburg is a visual pageant of Baroque motifs, music is the element that shapes the life of the city. It is heard everywhere: in churches,castles, palaces, and, of course, concert halls. St Wolfgang am See St Wolfgang am See Enjoying a picturesque setting on the scenic shores of Lake Wolfgang, one of the most romantic lakes in Austria, St. Wolfgang is one of Europe's most enchanting lake resorts. Pretty painted houses and shops line the narrow cobbled streets delighting the tourists. The historic Schafberg cog railway (up to 5,800 ft.) provides a magnificent bird's eye view of the lake and surrounding Salzkammergut region. Lakeside activities are plentiful and St.Wolfgang also makes an excellent base for other varied excursions. Evening entertainment includes regular folklore. The lovely village of St.Gilgen is only a steam trip away. Vienna Vienna City of music, cafes, waltzes, parks, pastries, and wine - that's Vienna in a nutshell. Vienna doesn't hurry, and, as you saunter through its stately streets, marveling at its Baroque palaces, neither should you. Explore churches filled with statues of golden saints and pink-cheeked cherubs, wander through treasure-packed museums, or while away an afternoon in one of those countless meccas of mocha (the inevitable cafés), you will feel lapped in lashings of rich, delicious, whipped cream - the beloved Schlagobers that garnishes most Viennese pastries. | Villach Villach Located in the center of the Carinthian Lake District, Villach is a picturesque town, well-known for its cultural variety. The entire town is one big stage: street art and grand cultural events, marvelous festivals and enthusiastic artists. Take a walk through old streets and lanes and learn about the beauty and history of this charming town. Villach boasts a large number of sights of historical interest. The Heilige Kreuz church is among the most beautiful sacred Baroque-style buildings in Austria. Also, well worth a visit are: the Parkhotel and Parkcafé Villach that were built in 1910/11 and have been hosting major social events ever since. Zell am See Zell am See Founded by monks in 740, Zell am See is nested between the Schmittenhöhe and the waterfront of one of the cleanest European swimming lakes, Lake Zell. It has a charming old center that creates a calm, rustic, and adorned atmosphere - somewhat typically Austrian. The resort has a fascinating and fairly priced program of sportive, cultural, and just simply entertaining offerings throughout the year which include skiing, snowboarding, cross country, snow hiking, ice sailing, ice skating, hockey, sleigh rides and many others. The town makes an attractive base for holidaymakers who enjoy traveling around Saalbach - Hinterglemm, Bad Gastein -Bad Hofgastein, Wagrain, Schladming and Obertauern.
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