Tourism :
Leaving Vienna, the imperial capital, there is another Austria to discover, with its mountains and valleys, lakes and rivers.
Small villages and ancient towns relate Austrian life as it used to be and how it is today.
Austria has a rich historical and cultural heritage. Thre friendliness of the people make it a pleasant place to stay.

The federal state of Austria is made up of 9 provinces:
- Burgenland - Lower Austria
- Styrie - Upper Austria
- Carinthie - East Tyrol
- Tyrol - Vorarlberg
- Salzburg

The most beautiful regions to visit are : Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Salzburg and Styrie

1 - Vorarlberg:
2600 km2, is delimited by Lake of Constance (one of the biggest in Europe), the Rhine and the Alpine peak
It is an area of modern art, architecture harmonizing with nature, traditional handicraft and famous for its festivals, such as the Festspile, which takes place every year in Bregenz on a stage on the lake, and the Schubertiade.
Vorarlberg offers the possibility of walks and hikes in summer, climbing, skiing and cross country skiing in winter, as well as being a good starting point to visiting other beautiful provinces.
Information : Vorarlberg Tourismus, Römerstrasse 7, Postfach 302, A-6901 Bregenz

Bregenz :
The town nestles between gentle mountains (Mt Pfänder 1064m high) and Lake Constance.
Looking down from the mountains Bregenz is red roofs, the Martin Tower, the baroque bell tower which is the emblem of the town, the lakeside port with its long jetty, beaches around the lake and the Alpine Pfänder zoo which gives a magnificent demonstration of birds of prey in flight.
On the banks of Lake Constance cyclists overtake roller skaters and strollers around the 27 kms of public walkway.

2 - The Tyrol :
The Tyrol means "country in the mountains".
There are plenty of things to do, both in winter and summer, with the main attraction being the mountains. Hikes, climbing, cross country cycling, riding, fishing ...
Placed in the centre of the country, the Tyrol is a cultural province : 'exhibition itineries' have been set out to help you discover the art and the history of the country theme by theme : Gothic, Baroque, Rococo and Emperor Maximilien I.

Innsbruck :
A historical old town and an Olympic city Innsbruck is the biggest town in the Alps.
It offers cultural and sporting activities, exhibitions and shows, and shopping.
It is a town full of art treasures, famous for its 'Little Golden Roof', its 'Black Fellows', the Imperial Palace and the Ambras Castle.
The best way to visit it is on foot, walking through its arcades and under its rows of bay windows and its pastel coloured Renaissance facades.

Igls :
The winter Olympics which have taken place twice in Igls have made it internationally famous.
The town profits fully from the Olympic installations.
The countryside around Igls is magnificent.

Mutters:
A real paradise for nature lovers, Mutters is also a fantastic area for sun and sports, particularly skiing. Attached to its traditions of culture and hospitality, it is famous for its folklore and its gastronomy.
Mutters is situated on a sunny plateau to the south of Innsbruck at the foot of the Nockspitze.

St Johann in Tirol :
St Johann in Tirol is dominated by the Kitzbühler Horn (2000m) and the wild rocks of the Wilder Kaiser (2300m).
There is a lovely pedestrian area in town and St Johann enjoys a very healthy climate.

3 - Salzburg :
The famous town where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born, Salzburg is known for its works of art, its ancient castles, its beautiful churches.

Abtenau : A holiday resort in the Lammertal valley, Abtenau is a wonderful place to spend a holiday with its friendly village atmosphere.

4 - Styrie :

Graz,
the capital of Styrie is a quiet green, provincial town.
The old town offers a walk through the centurie : the Town Hall, one of the most impressive buildings in the town, the Clock tower where the hour and minute hands are inverted, the Castle of Graz which is mainly known for it double spiral staircase dating from 1499.

Main towns
Vienna is the capital of Austria.
According to the Corporate Resources Group, on a survey done on 120 towns, the Austrian capital comes in third position for its quality of living.
The urban transport system is excellent : trams, bus, underground. Several foreign companies have chosen Vienna to open their central European and oriental office in.
Things to do : take a coach ride to discover the imperial palace of the Hapsbourgs, which today is the seat of the Presidency and a congress centre, the Beaux Arts museum, Schönbrunn castle, the Spanish riding school, the Prater, the two baroque Belvedere castles, Grinzing : an old wine-growing village which is part of Vienna now, go to the Opera one evening ...

Other big towns are Salzburg, Innsbruck and Graz. (see a description in the chapter Observations 'Tourism')