Cathedral in Vienna, Austria by Andrew Bossi

Alluring Vienna

Vienna is different from the other European capitals. The city is a perfect reflection of history and art in a modern backdrop. The city allures art lovers with its extensive range of majestic museums, stunning art galleries, dynamic operas and ballets. For those who want a peek into history, they can visit the Schönbrunn Palace, Hofburg Palace and the Mozarthaus. After all, such museums are the perfect medium which can give you a sneak peek into the true culture and rich heritage of a country.

Delightful Salzburg

Every country has one must see tourist place and Salzburg is exactly that. Salzburg can be called the Mecca for music lovers. After all, it is the birthplace of Mozart and houses many exhibitions dedicated to him. Moreover, you can even take the “Sound of Music” tour, which is based on the world famous musical that was shot here in Salzburg.

Charming Hallstatt

Deemed as the World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, this place definitely lives up to its name. Hallstatt is known for salt production and has the oldest salt mine in the world. This snug town is well nestled in the Alps and offers many attractive places that will remain etched in your memory for years to come. If you are adventurous, you should explore the trails winding through the mountains. If you seek peace, then Lake Hallstatt is the place to be. If you want to be a little more indulgent, you can check out the ice and salt caves, the perfect ode to Mother Nature.

Hallstatt, Austria by pipimaru

Exciting Innsbruck

If you associate Austria with the snow-clad Alps, Innsbruck won’t disappoint you. It is the ideal place for tourists who want to enjoy some ski adventure and winter sports! The sparkling mountains are so tempting; you will definitely end up at some dandy ski resorts!

Stunning Hochosterwitz Castle

If natural beauty does not astonish you, this man made architectural marvel will definitely surprise you. The Hochosterwitz Castle was built in the Medieval times and looks exactly like a castle described in all fairy tales. It is grand by all means and the best part is, it is built on top of a 60 metre high Dolomite rock formation!

Elegant Krems an der Donau

If a place is making wine since 3000 years, it is obvious that they are the experts at it! Austrian wine is known all over the world and you can experience it first hand at the vineyards in this region. Also, if you are a photographer, you are most likely to find this place to be postcard perfect!

Krems an der Donau, Austria by Bauer Karl

Appealing Alpbach

For those who wish to enjoy the non-commercial side of Austria, Alpbach is the perfect slow paced village for you. Not only is it one of the most beautiful towns in Austria, it is also a great place for hiking. Imagine a hiker’s paradise spread over 900 kms that covers three distinct regions in the area.

Charismatic Mostviertel

Mostviertel is located in Southern Austria and is the heartland of Austria. There are interesting churches in this area that are located amidst charming landscapes. This region is a nature’s basket and is known for its pears. It is customary for tourist to enjoy perry while travelling in this region.

Austria is a goldmine for all those people who want to relish and revisit nature in its entirety. The various tourist places, villages and vineyards are the ideal gift for all those people who want to serenade themselves with the treasure of the European culture.

Author Bio- This post has been written by Anne Prantel. She loves to write about various issues related to Travelling. She recommends dcducks.com for organizing best washington dc duck tours.

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Spanish Riding School

A show that has been running for 440 years might not sound like the ideal way to entertain teenagers, but the performances put on by specially trained horses at the Spanish Riding School (Spanische Reitschule) at Michaelerplatz will impress even the most reluctant teen.  This supreme exhibition of equine power and grace is something any horse lover will remember forever.  Tickets are not cheap, but try to get front-row seats, as the cheaper ones will offer restricted views, and you won’t be able to appreciate the sheer magic in full.

Spanish Riding School, Vienna, Austria by Ethan Prater / License: Creative Commons

Kaffee und Kuchen

Viennese coffee-house culture appeals to all ages.  Whether you are a fan of lofty gilded ceilings and elegant snowy linens or you just cannot resist a good sugar rush, the cafe/bakeries of Vienna should provide a breathing space for all the family.  Even if your kids don’t appreciate the majestically historic settings, they are sure to enjoy a sumptuous stück of Sachertorte, with its dense chocolate interior, or a comforting wedge of apple strudel, warmly spiced and dripping with cream.

Prater

Although incredibly low-tech by the standards of most console-toting teens, the Vienna Prater is a proper amusement park that should awake a glimmer of excitement among your younger charges – especially if you let them batter you in the bumper cars.  A green escape from the city, the Prater is home to the Giant Ferris Wheel, one of Vienna’s most recognisable symbols and a great place to get a proper view of Vienna. It may seem so last-century to younger members of your family, but rent the classic thriller The Third Man before you leave:  There’s a legendary climactic scene set high up on the ferris wheel.  The Vienna Prater season runs from March to October, but the ferris wheel and some other attractions are open all year round.

Vienna Prater, Austria by Ethan Prater / License: Creative Commons

Danube Island

When they’re just one museum away from rebelling, underground lines U1 and U6 will bring you to the 21km-long seaside refuge of Danube Island.  Let them burn off energy (or resentment) swimming, surfing, careening down the waterslide, boating, cycling, skating, or playing beach volleyball while you lounge on the sand – or let them do the lounging while you burn off all that lovely cake.  It’s a great place for a picnic too.

Bungee Jumping

At 252 metres, the Vienna Donauturm is the tallest freestanding structure in Vienna and one of the 75 tallest towers in the world, making it the ideal location for a spot of bungee jumping.  Located close to the north bank of the Danube River in the Donaustadt district, the tower operates two high-speed lifts to a viewing tower, taking just 35 seconds to reach a height of 150 metres.  If this is not excitement enough, bungee jumping is offered from the observation platform during the summer months.

Danube tower (Donauturm), Vienna, Austria by Cha già José / License: Creative Commons

Aoife O’Carroll is a staff writer for Nova Car Hire, a convenient website for arranging car rental in 26,000 locations worldwide, including car hire in Vienna.

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1) Zurich

The number one place to live in Europe is Zurich. Zurich has a tiny population and a wealth of bars and restaurants as well as stunning views of the Alps. Taxes are some of the lowest in Switzerland and its education and medical facilities are superb. It is however extremely expensive and property here comes with an equally big price tag.

Zürich and lake Zürich, Switzerland by MadGeographer

2) Vienna

Voted number two is Vienna in Austria. The whole of the city centre in this beautiful city has been designated a UN World Heritage Site, and the city boasts an excellent education system and superb infrastructure. It hosts around 200 balls a year, the Opera Ball being the most famous, and a regular feature of the Viennese Carnival season.

Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna, Austria by Gryffindor

3) Geneva

Next up and following very closely – if not jointly tied – is Geneva in Switzerland. One of the most attractive and cultured cities in the world, this really is a stunning city and offers a fantastic quality of life. More than 40% of the population here comes from outside of Switzerland which is a testament to its huge appeal.

Brundwick Monument in Geneva, Switzerland by Zeke

4) Dusseldorf

In fourth place is Düsseldorf in Germany with a great infrastructure and international transport system. Set on the banks of the Rhine, another stunning city in which to live – and especially work. This German bastion is known as a business and financial hub, as well as for its renowned artisanal beer, and an intense rivalry with the nearby city of Cologne.

Dusseldorf, Germany by Johann H. Addicks

5) Munich

Munich is very close behind. Possibly best known for Oktoberfest, a two week festival featuring the best in beers. The Munich Biennale is another draw for tourists, and a great example of the rich operatic culture in the city. Known for its publishing houses, Munich is a popular destination for emigrating editors and writers.

Munich, Germany by Diliff

6) Frankfurt

Frankfurt is the largest financial centre in Europe, with significant commercial interests. It is also the most expensive place to live in Germany, but is very family friendly, and is known as a ‘Green City’; with over half of the area within the city limits being protected outdoor space. It also boasts 8 festivals a year and two botanical gardens.

Saint Bartholomew’s Cathedral, Frankfurt, Germany by rupp.de

7) Bern

Number 7 in our list is Bern, again in Switzerland, the world’s second safest city and excellent medical facilities. Like Vienna, the town centre has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to 114 significant heritage sites, making it the perfect expatriate destination for history buffs.

Bern, Switzerland by Daniel Schwen

8) Copenhagen

Number eight in our list is Copenhagen, capital of Denmark, again, an expensive city but it does boast no less than eleven Michelin Starred restaurants, the best international schools and medical facilities. The city is also known for its exquisite promenades and waterfront structures, contributing to the cultural beauty of Denmark.

Amagertorv in Copenhagen, Denmark by Furya

9) Amsterdam

Number nine sees Amsterdam step up to the mark with its liberal attitudes, network of canals and a family friendly reputation. Reliance on cycling helps make the city a healthier place to live, and the gay friendly vibe contributes to the feel good atmosphere for residents. 55% of housing is government owned, with tenants heavily favoured by law – making Amsterdam a haven for renters.

Amsterdam, Netherlands by Swimmerguy269

10)Brussels

Finally Brussels in Belgium makes it into our top ten with great schools and a thriving ex pat community. It has a mainly bilingual population, speaking both Dutch and French (making the city more accessible). In addition, 25% of the population are of Muslim background, making it a great place for Islamic expatriates.

Brussels, Belgium by Wouter Hagens

Written by Helen Shepard from Movers International, a professional ex pat with a spirit of wanderlust.

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The local animal park was founded in 1752 by Emperor Francis Stephen of Lorraine, husband of Maria Theresa, in order to invite his noble guests, and simply to show them what his summer residence Schönbrunn could offer. Since those times a lot of time have passed so today’s zoo elegantly combines baroque menagerie with the most modern pavilions for animals. From historical events could be mentioned that in 1906 the first elephant in captivity was born here, which was a rarity as it was previously considered impossible.

The staff in Zoo Schönbrunn do their best to get customer satisfied and Zoo offers even night tours with a guide and a night vision device. Such kind of visit you have to book in advance and the maximum number of participants is 20 persons.

The Day Pass costs €14 for adult, but there are discounts for children, family, and Year Pass.

Zoo Schönbrunn is one of the best and most modern in the world. Visiting it either in day or night means you take a lot of experiences, impressions and knowledge.

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Danube is still free flowing here and is the lifeline of the National Park. It creates a habitat for a number of animals and plants, some of which are rare species. Accompanied on guided walking tours or on boats, visitors have ample opportunity to get to know the fascinating world of the “Donau-Auen”, the Danube wetlands.

Donau-Auen National Park was established in 1996 and in 1977 the Lobau region was declared a preserved area by the Austrian government, as well as by UNESCO.

It is good alternate at your visit to Wienna.

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Photo by seegrotte.com

In the past, up to 1800, the cave was used for making red and white plaster. During World War II the cave housed also the factory for the production of combat aircraft. The first jet fighter in the world (Heinkel He162) was constructed right here.

The underground lake was explored in the 30′s of last century, and later open to the public. There are 9 °C in the cave and the tour lasting 45 minutes includes a boat trip. Seegrotte is now great tourist attraction with about 250,000 visitors a year. It is open every day, all year-round. The basic adult admission is €9 or €6 for children.

Open:
1st April – 31 October from 9.00 to 17.00
1st November – 31 March from 9.00 – 12.00 and 13.00 – 15.00

Seegrotte is one of the most impressive natural attractions in the world. Being also a cultural monument it should be definitely included in your list of places to visit when travelling to Austria.

For further information visit Seegrotte official site.

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