an independent travel guide about Austria
Hochobir is a large freestanding mountain at 2139 meters / 7017 ft above sea level. The mountain is separated from the nearby peaks by deep valleys and rises almost 1800 m / 5900 ft above the Drau Valley in southern Carinthia. The starting point for the hike, Eisenkappeler Hütte, is located on the hillside in […]
We have been cruising the lakes to find the best boat trips in Austria. Passenger boats have been crisscrossing Austrian lakes for centuries. Initially, the boats served the communities on the lake shores, but since the 18th century, it has also been on tourist cruises. Some lakes still have historic cruises with steam-driving boats, making […]
Green Lake and its setting are stunning — a green emerald surrounded by the Hochschwab Mountains and forests. Consequently, the Green Lake (Grüner See) in Styria has become a very popular destination. During the main central European holiday period, it can be very crowded. Nonetheless, if you visit outside the busiest times in the summer, […]
Innere Stadt, Vienna’s historical city centre within Ringstrasse, is a delightful place to discover on foot. You find everything from narrow alleys, picturesque houses, and small idyllic squares to majestic palaces, sumptuous cathedrals and beautiful parks. The first of our Vienna city walks takes us from Schwedenplatz to Stadtpark. Schwedenplatz, where several buses, trams, and […]
Vienna is perfect for streetcar sightseeing. I discovered I could experience many of the city’s different facets within 2-3 hours with the D-line. You can experience imperial Vienna, busy shopping streets, workers housing estates, and the Nussberg wine district, to name a few. Streetcar line D takes you from the city’s central railway station (Hauptbahnhof) […]
With the mountains and lakes, castles and villages, historic towns and idyllic villages, Austria is bar none when it comes to the variety of holiday features. While the mountains are the main attraction in Austria, summer or winter, we would like to put the spotlight on the country’s wonderful lakes. Swimming, bathing, boat trips, water […]
In a mountain valley far north in the state of Styria you find the holiday resort Mariazell, that is particularly suitable for families. Whether you want a holiday to relax or participate in a range outdoor activities, you never travel far to have fun. Furthermore, there is also a small lake nearby where you can […]
In the 19th century, tourists wanted to climb mountain peaks more comfortably than hiking or climbing. Therefore, cog railway tracks were built in several places in the Alps, where narrow-track steam trains ferry people up and down the mountains to this day. The 5.8-kilometre-long trip up Schafberg (Sheep Mountain) takes approx. 35 minutes. The Schafbergbahn […]
Southern Burgenland does not feature the same dramatic landscapes as the rest of Austria, where the Alps dominate. However, this does not in any way detract from he region’s charm. Furthermore, the mixture of oak and beech forests, rolling hills and open, rural landcapes as well, and culture makes this part of Austria an exciting […]
The small town of Melk by the Danube receives tens of thousands of visitors yearly who see the huge Melk Abbey. However, regardless arrive at Melk Abbey by land or water; you cannot avoid being mightily impressed by the grand splendour of the monastery. 1000-year history Melk was, for the first time, mentioned in written […]
The castle in Mauterndorf is not to be overlooked as it is located on a mountain cliff at the edge of the village. The site has been fortified since 326 A.D., guarding the Roman trade route crossing the Tauern mountain pass. However, the castle itself is first mentioned in written records from 1253. The castle […]
Both scuba diving and snorkelling are popular in Austria, despite not having a single centimetre coastline by the ocean. In return, you will find many large and small lakes scattered throughout the country. Not to mention that many of Austria’s lakes hold drinking water quality and have a great underwater fauna. In most places it […]