Austria - What To Do When The Snow Melts

By: Gordon Phillips
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:42:59
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

For many of us, our image of Austria is of stunning mountain ranges, covered in snow. That's probably the reason that the ski season is the peak time for tourists to visit Austria. But if you want to see a different side of Austria, and avoid the worst of the crowds of tourists, why not visit in summer?

Vienna is certainly a beautiful city, with something to offer almost every traveler. But there's another area of Austria that is worth visiting in the warmer months - the Salzkammergut, or Lakes District. It's located east of Salzburg, and is a picturesque region dotted with more than 80 lakes amongst the mountains. If you want to do some hiking, indulge in some water sports or just relax, then this is the place for you to go.

Bad Ischl is at the heart of the Lakes District, and so makes a great base for you to explore the whole region. It's easy to access from other parts of Austria and Europe, and there's a wide variety of accommodation to suit every taste and budget. Once there, it's also possible to get around the district by either bus or train, although having your own car does make it easier to explore any out of the way places.

Bad Ischl has always been a spa resort, and nowadays is also a very popular place for retirees. Interestingly enough, it's also the place where World War I was declared in 1914, which hardly seems in keeping with its laid back and relaxed image. Still, Emperor Franz Josef had his summer residence here, and he was visiting when events took a turn for the worse at that time. Nowadays you can still visit his villa on a guided tour, or visit the photo museum that used to be his wife's teahouse.

Hallstatt is also worth a visit, mainly because of its interesting history. It's now a UNESCO World Heritage site, with evidence of human occupation from as long ago as 4,500 years having been found there. It's also a breathtaking location - the village clings to the side of a mountain, right beside a beautiful lake. Salt mining in the mountains above the village was the main source of industry for the village for many centuries, but nowadays tourists are a more common sight than miners. It's a great destination for a day-trip, but it can also be interesting to stay overnight and see how things change when all the visitors are gone.

There are also some interesting places to visit close by, including the Beinhaus, or Bone House, which is located near the village parish church. It contains a collection of decorated skulls from around the 15th century. You can also visit the Giant Ice Caves, although these are mostly stone, but they are magnificent anyway! You can also take a funicular ride to the Salzbergwerk (Salt works), which is worthwhile just for the ride.

There's plenty more to see in the Lakes District of Austria, including Wolfgangsee, a very popular lake close to Salzburg. So give yourself plenty of time to explore, and you'll return home having experienced a side of Austria that most people never get to see.

If you want to find out more about great places to visit in Austria, click over to Gordon's site at http://www.travelaustriainfozone.com.

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Travel & Leisure category

  • Australian Student Activities and Highlights - By: Dexter Nicholson
    Culture shock is probably the most abrupt effect felt by new international students studying in Australia. The Land of Opportunities is multicultural, this is something that student visa holders should know right before they decide to study down south. However, possessing multiple types of culture is not a negative issue. It can actually ease up your aim for faster adjustments. Even though you're novice to an Australian life, everything will be easier and handy. Coping up with the new environment is just like learning the alphabet. Everything will come automatic. Because as you try to keep up with an Australia life, most of the people around you would slow down and help you learn what you need to learn. Boredom and homesick is a big joke because there are a lot of recreations waiting for you inside and outside your school.
  • Recommended Budget Hotels in New York - By: Larry Austin
    New York City is the most populated city in the United States and even as a region New York is very popular among travelers. This is the number one destination in the Untied States for foreign visitors as it is the cultural, financial, entertainment, industrial, fashion and commercial center of the United States.
  • The Old Vicarage Ambleside Guest House Now Has an Indoor Swimming Pool - By: Kathleen Maze
    The Lake District is best known for its lakes but there is also a phenomenal amount of walking that can be enjoyed by all abilities. It is easy to find something suitable for all abilities, ranging from a gentle ramble, a mountain walk or an exhilarating high-level traverse.
  • 3 Ways Beach Chairs Make a Day at the Beach Bearable - By: MJ Marks
    Not sure if you are a beach type persons? Well, find out how beach chairs keep you comfortable and happy at the beach.
  • Working Students in Australia - By: Dexter Nicholson
    A lot of families and individual cannot support their studies so they either look for a scholarship, not study at all or work part time. As education is very important for the development of the young mind, every thing should be done to be able to get that diploma. Read more for the working students in Australia.
  • Six Reasons Why to Choose Aluminum Beach Chairs - By: MJ Marks
    If you go on a tropical getaway this summer, don't forget your beach chair! A great option are aluminum beach chairs. Here are six reasons why you should consider them for your
  • Tourism After Katrina - By: Jesse Henson
    Hurricane Katrina affected not only the local populations but also the once-thriving tourist industry in the area.
  • 101Malta and 101Dublin - a far cry from the usual online travel guides - By: Luciano Borg
    Log on to any site that claims to be your perfect travel guide and what do you get - a multitude of travel deals. Wherever you click you are instantly overwhelmed with special offers: book this, buy that, fly with us, hop on this, reserve that!
  • Getting in Touch with Nature in Malta - By: Luciano Borg
    The Maltese countryside is small and, like that of many other countries, threatened by over development. Thankfully, there is still enough of it that is protected to help one get away from the urban areas on the Island to be able to get in touch with nature.
  • Wreck Diving in Malta - the paradise of the Mediterranean Sea - By: Luciano Borg
    The Maltese Archipelago is a real paradise for divers and snorkellers. In the case of wreck diving, for many it is a dream come true. The islands have fortunately retained their natural state due, to a large extent, to the sea and its fauna.