3 reasons to choose Austria!
Are you a winter sport- and/or nature lover? Can you intensely enjoy fresh mountain air, a mountain landscape as far as you can see and overwhelming nature? Then Austria is on the top of our list of recommended destinations. We can list at least ten reasons. Let us start with the three that we think are the decisive ones. Without a doubt, the mountainous landscape is the number one spot. Wow! No matter how often you get there, our experience is that the breathtaking views never get boring. Number 2 is the hospitality of the Austrians. The people are charming, friendly and sincere. They have no problem sharing their beautiful country with you. In fact, they enjoy it. The third reason why Austria is a popular destination is a special one. Austria has something to offer, which we all look for in our daily, hectic life. What is that you may ask? The feeling of freedom! Renting a holiday home, apartment or chalet in Austria gives you the ultimate feeling of freedom. I promise. From your own chalet on the slopes you can slide down the mountains with your skis. Pure enjoyment! Because let us be honest ... During your ski holiday you want to spend every free minute on the slopes, don't you? In the summer holidays you start with a wonderful walking or cycling tour, right from your front door. Whether you are staying in a simple traditional holiday home, or in a luxury villa with swimming pool in the mountains, booking a holiday in Austria is a unique experience that is incomparable. So where to go in Austria?
Austria consists of 9 different provinces. I am sure you have heard of Tyrol. Other famous provinces are Salzburgerland, Vorarlberg, Carinthia and Styria. We are happy to tell you more about these provinces, so that you can make your choice based on our advice. After all, each region has its own customs, culinary delights, nature and rich past. Are you looking for an authentic mountain village? Alpbach, Galtür, Seefeld (luxury authentic village), Rauris and Maria Alm are definitely worth a visit. For après ski and plenty of entertainment you should be in Kirchberg, Kitzbühel, Zell am See, Kaprun, Ischgl, Sölden, Gerlos, Kappl, Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis and Saalbach-Hinterglemm. Zillertal and Brixental also have many villages where you can have a great holiday. Just like the villages around the Wilder Kaiser. So, are you going on holiday with a group or family? With your partner? With the kids? And can your dog come along too? Austria welcomes you!
Why is Austria ideal for both skiers and nature lovers?
We can be brief about this. In Austria you will find slopes for all types of skiers. Do you race down the black slopes with ease? Or are you a talent in the making, but are you still a bit shaky on the blue slope? Austria is ideal for both, and everything in between. Another ingredient for a successful skiing holiday is, of course, snow security. There is hardly ever a lack of snow in Austria. From our own experience, the homely après ski is also an important reason to choose Austria. Every year millions of tourists visit the versatile ski regions. Even in summer, Austria can count on plenty of tourists. We would particularly advise you to travel to this country for its beautiful nature. After a strenuous hike, mountain bike tour or other mountain sport you can dive into crystal clear lakes. The water glistens in the sunlight, it cools you down immediately, lets your muscles relax and gives you the ultimate feeling of freedom.
A tip from our Austria Expert Pepijn: 'Don't forget to yodel when you have reached a mountain peak. In prehistoric times, yodelling was a way of communicating with each other from mountain pasture to mountain pasture. The world record in yodelling is over 7 hours... Try breaking it! "Holada-itti-jo! Are you a little less musical? Then enjoy musical performances in the mountain restaurants in the sunshine. In addition to musical entertainment, the eye also wants something. Men in leather hoses, women dressed in a dirndl: this is not something you should miss. Especially when you combine this with an enormous schnitzel, a warm apple strudel, a fresh weizenbier or the well-known schnapps.
What is the best means of transport to Austria?
Your holiday home is easily accessible by car, plane or train. We recommend a car holiday. You have the possibility of extra luggage, you can bring your own skis and you have a car available next to your holiday home whenever you need it, which is very convenient.
Our tips for travelling by car:
- Remember to buy a motorway vignette before you reach the Austrian border. This can be done online in advance. The vignettes can also be bought at motorway sales points. The price depends on your length of stay.
- Winter tires and snow chains are mandatory (in the period from October to April).
But there are also several airports in Austria. You can easily take the plane from most Dutch airports: Schiphol, Eindhoven and Rotterdam. Do you live near the border? There are also many flights from Germany and Belgium to Austria. Book a flight to the airports of Innsbruck, Salzburg, Munich or Vienna. This way you can easily get to Austria and enjoy your holiday in no time!
Do you prefer a relaxing outward and return journey by train? This is also possible. International ICE trains depart daily to Austria. You leave in the evening with the night train, the City Night Line and you arrive in the morning in the snow and can go skiing right away. Not bad either, right?
What delicacies are a must in Austria?
We have a slight obsession with good food. Which is why we are happy to give you advice. It would be a shame to miss the local delicacies! One thing many people do not know is that Austrian cuisine is originally farmer's cuisine. With a variety of pastries and desserts to round off your meal in style. Everyone can name a few regional dishes from the Austrian cuisine. Guests love the Wiener Schnitzel in its crispy coating. A - somewhat less known - favourite of ours is Kaiserschmarrn. A light and airy pancake with raisins, icing sugar, compote and/or apple sauce. Another recommendation is Sachertorte, a soft chocolate cake filled with apricot jam, covered with a thick layer of chocolate icing. Served with a cup of Wiener Melange... a mouth-watery thought. For lunch while hiking, mountain biking or skiing, our choice would be a Brettljause. This is a board with spicy bacon, different cheeses, lard, sausage and liver cheese. With a refreshing drink (e.g. Almdudler) you will have lunch in style.
The 7 top sights of Austria
Has Austria captured your heart yet or are you still not 100% sure about your choice? Then we would like to tell you a bit more about the sights. Because there is a lot to do both during your summer and winter holiday.
- The Hohe Tauern National Park. This is one of Europe's largest nature parks. Extra special: you will find Austria's highest mountain here. The Großglockner is 3789 meters high. Are you adventurous? Then do not forget your hiking boots.
- The Pasterze Glacier. This is the longest glacier in the East Alps and can be reached via the Großglockner Hochalpenstraße.
- The Krimmler waterfalls. They are known as the highest waterfalls in Europe.
- Beautiful lakes such as the Achensee, Wörthersee and Zellersee. This is the greatest enjoyment! Do you like to go on the waters? Then hire a boat or pedal boat or book a tour with a view of the Alps.
- Outdoor activities in the mountains. Take the cable car, which is already an adventure on its own. At the top of the mountain you can go hiking. Are you more of a bike rider? Then go mountain biking. Our tip? After an intensive afternoon, let yourself fall into the soft grass of the unspoilt alpine meadows. Look around you and realise how special this part of the world is.
- Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens. In both summer and winter, a visit to Swarovski Crystal Worlds is a unique experience.
- A city trip! Making a choice is not easy. Are you going to Innsbruck, with its famous attraction the Golden Roof? Would you like to see Mozart's birthplace in Salzburg? Or have you always wanted to see the famous Schönbrunn Castle in Vienna? It is all possible.
Is Austria a child-friendly holiday destination?
Yes, it is! Austria has many child-friendly ski areas. As a true winter sports lover, you can enjoy a skiing holiday with the whole family here. Families often choose to rent a holiday home near the slopes. This is highly recommendable. It is very practical, because you do not have to lug around all kinds of stuff and of course, because of the ultimate feeling of freedom. In addition, in every area you will find ski schools with programs for all age groups. For novice kids there are practice areas where they can learn the basics of skiing in a playful way and with a lot of angelic patience from ski instructors. There is often even a kindergarten for toddlers where they can play outside. In addition to the facilities for smaller children, the country also offers a lot of fun for your adventurous teenager. In summer they can go loose in one of the many climbing parks, fence off a toboggan run at an enormous speed, or do water sports on one of the mountain lakes.
Austria has many wildlife parks for a day of fun, where there is plenty to do and to see for the kids. After all, we, as parents, understand that your children are not always jumping to visit a historic castle or baroque palace. Yet our experience is that Austria is impressive and exciting enough to entertain them. Do your kids love animals? Then a visit to an authentic farm with traditional products and animals is a must. And during one of the many sunny days, a day at the outdoor swimming pool with high slides is something for them to enjoy. After all, Austria offers something for everyone and when the kids are happy then you are happy too!