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| Austria
Country Information |
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Landlocked
in the heart of Europe, Austria runs from the Alps in
the west down to Vienna and the Danube in the east. For
six centuries it was the heart of the mighty Hapsburg
Empire, which at its peak included what is now Poland,
Hungary and the Czech Republic along with much of Romania,
Bulgaria and the Balkans. The country's imperial inheritance
is particularly striking in the grand buildings and cultural
institutions of the Baroque-flavoured capital, Vienna,
resplendent with palaces and captivating churches, cosy
coffeehouses and inns, and grand ballrooms where Strauss
waltzes still draw dancers onto the floor.
Another of the great classical composers spawned
by Austria was Mozart, born in Salzburg, a beautiful historic
city where stunning Baroque churches rise up against the
backdrop of the Austrian Alps. The Alps stretch west to
Switzerland and in winter skiers come from all continents
to carve the slopes and experience the charm of the alpine
villages and their welcoming inhabitants. The charm
of Austria may lie in its preservation of a romantic
classical past, but this does not mean modern Austria
has stood back from development. Behind the stunning
scenery and antique architecture a vibrant industrial
and commercial society goes about its business in the
cities and towns. Austrians work hard, but they also
know how to play hard. Austrian hospitality and cuisine
are legendary. From a cruise on the magnificent Danube
River to a cycle tour through the Alpine meadows or
a breath-taking day's sightseeing in busy Vienna, visitors
to Austria find it impossible to fit in a dull moment.
Vienna
It is difficult not to be moved to hum a Brahms lullaby
or a Strauss waltz as you explore the sights of Austria's
beautiful Baroque capital, Vienna, which for centuries
was the centre of the splendid Hapsburg Empire. The
city remains infused with the grand imperial spirit
in the form of magnificent palaces and grand mansions
peppering the Innerestadt. The city's cultural heritage
is mainly musical, the great classical composers like
Strauss, Brahms, Beethoven, Schubert, Haydn and Mozart
all having lived and performed here. Today the Vienna
Philharmonic Orchestra and the State Opera House help
keep alive the city's tradition by offering more classical
music performances a year than any other city in the
world.
Vienna is
a city of music, but it is also synonymous with gourmet
fare, cream cakes, superb coffee, the angelic strains
of the Vienna Boys' Choir and the proud prancing of
the Lippizaner stallions at the world-famous Spanish
Riding School.
Vienna started
out as a Celtic settlement on the banks of the Danube
and became one of the Roman's most important central
European bases. Its central location on the strategic
river contributed to the city becoming a mighty empire,
reaching its peak during the tumultuous reign of the
dazzling Hapsburg dynasty. At the end of the 19th century
the golden age of empire began to decline as Vienna's
coffee houses filled with radical intellectuals like
Freud, Klimt and Mahler. The Second World War Nazi occupation
left scars, but Vienna survived it all to remain a captivating
capital that blends Italian romanticism with a Germanic
orderliness.
Most of the
city's tourist attractions are within the largely pedestrianised
inner city area which was once enclosed by the city
walls. The walls have been replaced with the Ringstrasse,
a wide ring road. Further out in the suburbs is the
thrilling Prater amusement park with its massive ferris
wheel, and the opulent Schonbrunn summer palace. Visitors
also should not miss a trip to the Vienna Woods, peppered
with ancient 'heuringen' (wine taverns).
Salzburg
Until 1816 Salzburg was a city-state, independent of
the Hapsburgs and ruled by powerful prince-archbishops.
It is situated on the northern border of Austria, 70
miles (113km) southeast of Munich, in a picturesque
setting surrounded by mountains. Mozart was born here
and the city's fascination with its most famous son
is best demonstrated during the Salzburg Festival (www.salzburgfestival.at),
which presents world-class performances of opera, drama
and concerts over a period of five to six weeks each
summer. Even the non-musically minded will find it difficult
to avoid Mozart's impression on the town - his image
is on every postcard and chocolate box and both his
birthplace and family house are now museums offering
detailed insight into his life and work. The city is
also the home town of Baroque, the south side of the
river is a Baroque masterpiece of charming churches,
squares, houses and fountains. The original buildings
were cleared in the late 1500s by Prince Archbishop
Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau in order to create a 'German
Rome'. All sights are within walking distance from the
spacious old city (Altstadt), which is now largely pedestrianised.
A few miles to the south of the city are the historic
towns of Hallein and Werfen and to the west are the
lakes of Salzberger, which are especially worth visiting
during the spring and summer when the wild flowers are
out.
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Time:
GMT
+1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to the last
Sunday in October).
Electricity:
Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. The European
round 2-pin plugs are standard.
Language:
The official language is German.
Health:
No vaccinations are necessary for business visits or
general tourism. There is, however, a risk of tick-borne
encephalitis for long-term visitors who expect to be
visiting rural or forested areas in spring or summer.
These travellers should consider vaccination and ensure
they take precautions against tick infestation. Water
and food are safe. Medical facilities are excellent.
Medical insurance is advised unless from the UK - citizens
of EU countries can get free medical treatment at public
hospitals in Austria on production of passport.
Tipping:
A 10-15% service charge is automatically added to hotel
and restaurant bills, but it is usual to leave another
5% if satisfied with the service. It is customary to
give the money to the waiter rather than leave it on
the table. It is usual to leave small change for most
service personnel. Taxis expect a 10% tip.
Safety:
Travel to Austria is generally trouble-free, however
visitors are advised to take sensible safety precautions
particularly in larger cities.
Communications:
The international access code for Austria is +43. The
outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country
code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). Public telephone
boxes can be used for direct dial calls within the country
and overseas. Austria's mobile network operates on the
900 and 1800 bands for GSM. Internet cafes are widely
available.
Airports:
Vienna
International Airport (VIE)
Location:
The airport is located 11 miles (18km) southeast
of Vienna. Time: GMT +1 (GMT +2 between April to October).
Contacts: Tel: +43 (0)1 7007 0 or (0)1 7007 22233 (24
hour telephone information service). Transfer to the
city: Local trains and buses leave regularly for Vienna.
There is also a City Airport Train, which provides a
fast and direct service to the centrally-located City
Air Terminal that is connected to the underground, bus
and tram networks. Taxis are also available.
Facilities: There are more than 70 shops, including
duty-free, as well as various restaurants and bars in
both terminals. Bureaux de change and ATMs are available
all hours. Other facilities include airline lounges,
business centre, Internet cafes and a medical centre.
Parking: The parking lots and multistorey car parks
are connected to the terminal by signposted footpaths.
Departure tax: None. Website: www.viennaairport.com
Currency:
The unit of currency is the Euro (€), which
is divided into 100 cents. Currency can be exchanged
at banks and bureaux de change available in all towns,
but it may be easier to use the ATMs. Banks are closed
on Saturdays and Sundays, but exchange offices at airports
and major city rail terminals are open seven days a
week. Major credit and debit cards are widely accepted
though some small hotels and restaurants may only accept
cash. Travellers cheques are also accepted.
Visa
and Passports:
Entry requirements for Americans: US
passport holders do not require a visa for travel to
Austria providing they stay no longer than three months.
A passport is required.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK
passport holders do not require a visa for travel to
Austria. Those with passports designated 'British National
(Overseas) do require a visa. A passport is required.
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadian
passport holders do not require a visa for travel to
Austria providing they stay no longer than three months.
A passport is required.
Entry requirements for Australians: Australian
passport holders do not require a visa for travel to
Austria providing they stay no longer than three months.
A passport is required.
Entry requirements for South Africans: South
African nationals require a passport and visa for travel
to Austria.
Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New
Zealanders require a passport but a visa is not needed
for a stay of up to three months.
Entry requirements for Irish nationals:
Irish nationals do not require a visa, but a passport
must be shown.
Passport/Visa Note: The borderless
region known as the Schengen area includes the following
countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands,
Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. All these countries
issue a standard Schengen visa that, in principle, allows
the holder to travel freely within the borders of all.
All visitors holding proof of sufficient funds to cover
intended stay and to buy an onward ticket need only
enter Austria on a one-way ticket.
Note: Passport and visa requirements
are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are
advised to check their entry requirements with their
embassy or consulate.
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| Austria Contacts |
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Austrian
National Tourist Office, Vienna: +43 (0)1 588 660 or www.austria.info
Embassy of Austria, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 895 6700
Austrian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7235 3731
Austrian Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 789 1444
Embassy of Austria, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6295 1533
Consulate General of Austria, Cape Town, South Africa: +27 (0)21 421
1441
Austrian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 269 4577
Consulate of Austria, Auckland, New Zealand: +64 (0)9 489 8249
US Embassy, Vienna: +43 (0)1 313 390
British Embassy, Vienna: +43 (0)1 716 130
Canadian Embassy, Vienna: +43 (0)1 531 38 3000
Australian Embassy, Vienna: +43 (0)1 512 8580
South African Embassy, Vienna: +43 (0)1 320 6493
Embassy of Ireland, Vienna: +43 (0)1 715 4246
New Zealand Consulate-General, Vienna: +43 (0)1 318 8505
Emergencies: 112
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| Austria Temperatures |
Austria
enjoys a temperate Central European climate with four distinct
seasons. Summers are hot with cool nights. In Vienna and other
low-lying cities temperatures during the day can get uncomfortably
hot over July and August. Winters are cold, below freezing in
January and February. The ski season in the Alps runs from December
to April but the mountains are also popular with hikers and climbers
over the summer when the weather is usually warm and bright.
| Vienna |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| Min Temp |
-2 |
-1 |
2 |
6 |
10 |
13 |
15 |
15 |
12 |
7 |
2 |
0 |
| Max Temp |
3 |
5 |
10 |
15 |
20 |
23 |
26 |
25 |
20 |
14 |
7 |
4 |
| Salzburg |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| Min Temp |
-7 |
-5 |
0 |
4 |
8 |
11 |
13 |
12 |
10 |
5 |
0 |
-4 |
| Max Temp |
1 |
4 |
11 |
16 |
20 |
24 |
25 |
24 |
21 |
15 |
8 |
2 |
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| Austria Rental
& Leasing |
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Car Rental
If you like to drive and stay at hotels, lodges, bed and breakfasts,
that is fine. We offer a choice of 6
companies offering budget vehicles, new vehicles and mini-buse.
If you tell us your requirements we will happy prepare a
quotation for you. See details: Austria
Car Hire |
Car Lease
The cheapest way to use a car in France - Europe, for over
17 days, is normally the Tax Free Car
Leasing in Austria programme. Car
Lease - Leasing is an ideal low cost alternative to Austria
Car Rental, particularly for long term use. The longer
you have the vehicle, the lower the rates become.It offers
great flexibility with an extensive fleet from which to choose.
These include cars, station wagons, convertibles and people
movers/minibuses. |
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| Austria
Product Information |
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| Renault Car
Leasing |
| The
cheapest way to use a car in Europe, for over 17 days, is normally
the Tax Free car lease - leasing programme.
Renault
Car Lease -
Leasing is
an ideal low cost alternative to car hire, particularly for long
term use. The longer you have the vehicle, the lower the rates become.
It offers great flexibility with an extensive fleet from which to
choose. These include cars, station wagons, convertibles and people
movers/minibuses. |
| Citroen Car
Leasing |
| Citroën
DriveEurope Car Leasing is one of the best-kept secrets.
Lease your very own brand-new, TAX-FREE Citroën. This leasing
scheme offers a flexible, cost effective holiday package with
an extensive
fleet
from which to choose All cars are French specification and include
unlimited kilometres, comprehensive car insurance with no excess! |
| Peugeot Car
Leasing |
| Exploring
Europe by car is the perfect way to discover the real heart of Europe's
diverse culture and history. Peugeot
Car Leasing provides brand new TAX FREE VEHICLES to overseas
visitors saving hundreds of dollars over
longer lease periods. In addition diesel vehicles are also available
saving up to 40% on fuel costs during your travels. |
| Avis
Car Hire Austria |
| Avis
Car Hire in Austria provides you with a number of different
sized shaped and powered cars ranging from a coupe to a sedan. |
| Europcar
Car Hire Austria |
| With
10 different groups Europcar
Car Hire Will satisfy your needs! |
| Calandres
Luxury Car Hire Austria |
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Calandres offers
luxury car hire in europe ranging from Ferrari's to Porsches from
Mercedes to Bentley
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| Euro Airfares |
| Europe
Shoppe wants to offer our clients the best airfares to Europe in
the business.
If you have booked a Motorhome
Hire / Car
Lease / Car
Hire / Canal
Boat Rental / River
Cruising or tour…We
can offer you specially discounted fares with Emirates airlines
when sold in conjunction with land content
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| Euro Ferries |
| Europe
Shoppe would like to offer you an alternative means of making your
way around europe by catching a ferry over
the channels. |
| Euro Accommodation |
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Europe
Shoppe has a wide range of accommodation choices
from 2 star hotels to 5 star hotels all over europe!
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