Once the haven of the nobility in summer, Upper Austria now attracts nearly two million visitors a year. They come to delight in its clean air, towering mountains and sparkling lakes. Beyond the beauty of the countryside, Austria’s magnificent churches, castles and museums, as well as its world-famous festivals and cultural events, make this kingdom a destination full of splendor.
Spas and hotels that host travelers with special interests, including golfers, mountain bikers, fishermen, horse riders – even those that insist on feng-shui- approved spaces, allow guests to indulge their passions. And across the country, the works of Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert and Strauss serenade, unforgettable melodies of the most beautiful music ever composed.
Tyroleans pride themselves on their friendliness, good humor, and love of tradition.
In the heart of the Alps, Austria’s Tyrol boasts rugged mountains that rise to over 10,000 feet and overlook green meadows and shady forests. Due to its relative inaccessibility, Tyrol escaped WWII virtually unscathed. But do not think that it is difficult to get around here: now, in a single day, you could travel aboard a cable car, a steamship, a sprocket locomotive, a railway and a tram, all perfectly meshed and capable of transporting you, for example, from Innsbruck to the Achensee , a charming town only 30 miles away.
Innsbruck , twice the site of the Winter Olympics, offers extensive summer attractions. From rafting to trekking, from hang gliding to horse-drawn carriage rides, there is something to delight all outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking the glacier with a guide is also a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Groups enjoy breathtaking views of the peaks, and once a week, nighttime lantern-lit walks cast a romantic glow over the landscape. In the city, don’t miss the Tyrolean Folk Art Museum, the Ambras Palace Museum of Fine Arts, the gilded-roofed Old Town building, and the Swarovski Crystal Worlds.
In Lech, equally snowy, in the province of Vorarlberg, Aurelio Hotel & Chalet, one of the best accommodations in the region, offers a unique activity: alpaca trekking. Walk through winter wonderland with one (or all three) of the hotel’s lovable creatures. After returning, warm up in the spa and float along the indoor pool.
In the foothills of the Alps, Salzberg is famous for its vibrant cultural life. The birthplace of Mozart, it is home to an annual music festival that draws a worldwide audience. Whenever you go, take time to see the city’s splendid Baroque architecture and the elaborate Residenz, Mirabel, and Hellbrunn palaces.
Take a tour
Flowing from west to east, the Danube , shared with Germany, is another must-see. Some visitors combine a cruise with a train ride and navigate the most beautiful stretch of the river, spending a night on the boat. Others go kayaking, canoeing or rafting on this legendary waterway.
You can travel back in time on one of Austria’s narrow gauge trains, which scale mountains and negotiate thin passes. The steam-powered Mariazellerbahn echoes over hills and valleys, allowing passengers to stop at inns and hotels along the way. Passengers on the Ötscherland-Express board a train whose carriages date back to 1900. To reach the Austrian limestone Alps , board the Schneebergbahn , a rack railway that offers views of Hungary in the east and glaciers in the west.
Motorcycle enthusiasts on the 1,800-mile Austria Classic Tour traverse glorious landscapes and pass through Austria’s 16 small historic towns . A shorter route, the three- mile trip from the Three Mountain Pass , follows the Old Brenner Highway to Italy’s South Tyrol before turning back.
Savor the summer at the lake
Alpine lakes have water so pure that you can drink from them. The picturesque westernmost province of Austria, Bregenz , is located on the shores of Lake Constance . In addition to the wonderful views of the Pfänder Mountain, you can visit the 11th century Mehrerau monastery, as well as the largest floating stage in Europe, where the annual Bregenz opera festival is held, with seating for the audience in a tribune based on land. Contemporary art and architecture mix at the Kunsthaus Bregenz.
In Salzkammergut , Austria’s most popular tourist region, there are 76 crystal clear lakes alone where you can swim, surf and sail. An eight-day bike tour of the lakes of the Salzkammergut combines cycling, sailing, and train travel. In addition to crossing some of the best scenery in Europe, the tour stops at the gigantic Dachstein Ice Caves and Emperor Franz Joseph’s summer villa in Bad Ischl .
Surrounded by rolling hills and crisscrossed by tour boats, Lake Attersee is one of the largest bodies of water in the country. A lake vacation can include a stay at an affordable country inn, biking, hiking, lake cruising, swimming, surfing, and even scuba lessons.
The area around Lake Weissensee has carefully added eleven marked hiking trails that face the water. Those who take scuba lessons here sail to secluded spots on a catamaran and hone their skills under the guidance of experts. Lake Seewaldsee in the Grosses Walsertal is one of the warmest in the region, attracting enthusiastic swimmers and bathers throughout the radiant Alpine summer.
