L’Austria is one of those bellybutton nations of Europe. It is located halfway between the north and south, between the east and west of the old continent. Austria is narrow and elongated to the west, expanding in the eastern and northeastern part, crossing the Danube and reaching the southern foothills of the Bohemian massif.
The Alps occupy about three-fifths of the Country and are a constant in the variety of landscapes with an average altitude of about one thousand meters and open like a fan, softening towards the east. But a constant are also the valleys: that of the Rhine in Voralberg, the so-called forest of Bregenz dotted with small villages, the wide Inn valley, the Salzkammergut with its green and blue lakes. Moving eastward you find the fertile pre-Alpine regions of Upper and Lower Austria, then the plains at the edge of the Danube, which lead into the Bohemian Massif.
North of Vienna open the plains of the Marchfeld, reminiscent of the steppes of Eastern Europe, and, to the east, Burgenland runs around the Neusiedler See to the Hungarian lowlands. In its small size, Austria is a delightful and often unexpected kaleidoscope of environments and curiosities. To the east and south of Graz the landscape has already noticeably changed; vineyards, chestnut groves, maize and pumpkin crops are frequent, from whose seeds, through pressing, a dark green oil is obtained, used in local typical dishes. In neighboring Carinthia, landscapes and atmospheres have more Mediterranean tones due to the mild climate which, in summer, offers a gentle tan on the shore of one of its many beautiful lakes.
Health Documents and Advice for Austria
The documents required for entry into Austria are the passport or a valid identity card for travel abroad. If necessary, you are entitled to medical care in Austrian public facilities upon presentation of the Health Card, which replaces the E111 form.
Where to stay in Austria
From luxury or design hotels to the simplest farmhouses, accommodation in Austria is never a problem: cleanliness, efficiency, courtesy, and, generally, good value for money reign supreme almost everywhere. The wide range of accommodation options caters to all tastes and budgets. In larger, more developed cities like Vienna, frequented not only by private and cultural tourism but also by business travelers, international hotel chains see a steady flow of guests, followed by boutique hotels and other characterful locations.
In smaller towns, tucked within natural parks, by the lakes, in spa towns, and high mountain resorts, agritourism and guesthouses are also very common; B&Bs, farm stays; guest rooms and apartments equipped with all services, which are rented by the week or for longer periods. Their locations are absolutely breathtaking, starting with the wonderful Tyrol; Carinthia, which also offers a wide range of futuristic beauty farms; Styria or the small Vorarlberg. Another positive factor is that more and more hoteliers speak Italian and strive to provide comprehensive assistance, offering maps and informational material, recommending destinations and itineraries, along with services useful for the winter season and those linked to summer, hiking, and outdoor life.
Austria Profile
- Country: Austria
- Area of Austria: 83,858 km²
- Capital of Austria: Vienna
- Population of Austria: 8.5 million inhabitants
- Language of Austria: German
- Religion of Austria: the majority is Catholic, the minority is Protestant
- Form of Government: federal republic
- Major cities of Austria: Vienna, St. Pölten, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Bregenz, Klagenfurt, Graz, and Eisenstadt
Useful information about Austria
- Currency: Euro
- International dialing code: +43
- International car sign: A
- Driving side: right
- Entry documents: Identity Card or Passport
- Required vaccination: NN
- Electricity: 0.76 kW/person
- Units of measurement: metric decimal
- Climate: In winter the climate is very cold and foggy, in summer it is humid and stormy
- Fixed-date holidays: January 1: New Year’s Day; January 6: Epiphany; April: Easter Monday; April: Easter; May 1: Labor Day; Thursday 40 days after Easter: Ascension; Pentecost; 11 days after Pentecost: Corpus Christi; August 15: Assumption of Mary; October 26: National Day; November 1: All Saints’ Day; December 8: Immaculate Conception; December 25: Christmas; December 26: St. Stephen’s Day
- Average temperatures: the annual average in the country ranges from 6 °C to 9 °C. In summer between 14 °C and 19 °C
- Transportation: National airline Austrian Airlines; and many others Ryanair, Air Dolomiti, FlyWest, etc. Trains Austrian Federal Railways, Trenitalia, RailEurope, Eurostar.
- Airports: in Vienna, Graz, Klagenfurt, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Linz and Altenrhein
