Germany Travel

Europe Travel - A European Vacation Travel Guide  You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors Travel Go Europe Essentials European Vacation Planning Map Europe Travel 101 - Before you Go European Distances The Best of Europe European Photo Gallery Articles & Resources Europe Travel Planning What to do In Europe Lodging - Hotels and More European Travel Maps Sex and Nudism Travel Photography Transportation Benelux Countries France Germany Austria Switzerland Greece Italy and Malta Travel Info Scandinavian Travel Spain and Portugal United Kingdom and Ireland Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Italy Travel Guidebooks Europe Travel Guidebooks German Travel Guidebooks Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Europe for Visitors From James Martin , Your Guide to Europe for Visitors . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Antwerp Pictures Antwerp is a fashion and diamond center for Belgium and the world, it has one of the most beautiful train stations in Europe, and it was home to artist Peter Paul Rubens in the 17th century. What's not to like about this Belgian port city? See what it's all about in our latest photo Gallery: Antwerp Pictures . More Antwerp Travel: Antwerp Travel Directory | Antwerp Lodging | Antwerp Museums Wednesday December 28, 2005 | permalink Like to Travel Well? Follow the CIA! I really should have paid attention when the CIA came recruiting at my college. Operatives really get to live it up when they travel, apparently. Imagine, the lucky seven of the "Surveillance Team" sent out to case the joint before kidnapping 39-year-old Muslim preacher Osama Moustafa Hassan Nasr, also known as Abu Omar, managed to spend "$39,995, not counting meals, parking and other services" for a week at Milan's Principe di Savoia ( check prices ), where a room goes for a mere $588 a night, according to Newsday . Once Abu Omar was behind bars in Cairo the CIA folks broke up and went their various ways, some to the renowned Grand Hotel Baglioni ( check prices ) in Florence , a few in cozy pairs to save the taxpayers money, no doubt. Travel Resources: Milan Profile | Florence Profile Tuesday December 27, 2005 | permalink Tapas from Cans? Ok, so you wander into one of Barcelona's most celebrated tapas bars thinking, "wow, I'm gonna down me some fine, fresh seafood this evening--non of that canned stuff like we get at home..." Well, Quimet and Quimet is one of Barcelona's best tapas bars, recommended by just about anyone. Joaquim Perez, owner of Quimet and Quimet, has been called Barcelona's culinary king of canned food. That's right, a tapas king devoted to high-quality goods preserved in metal. I had heard about the increasing interest in vintage sardines , whose flavors are said to increase in intensity and complexity with aging. But Mr. Perez has extended this idea of unlikely gourmet tinkering; he buys "fresh" Galician navajas (clams) from the cannery and sets them to aging for a year or two before serving them (plain) to his customers. And they love 'em. Maybe you should go and see what this canned gourmet thing is all about. There are worse places to spend time on a research expedition. More: Gastronomic Route: Barcelona, a tapas town? Travel Resources: Barcelona Guide | Barcelona Pictures Thursday December 22, 2005 | permalink North Holland: Noah's Ark Redux A pious north Holland businessman took out a 300 000 loan and turned his investment into a "faithful reconstruction of Noah's Ark in scaled down form on the basis of biblical texts," according to the Mail & Guardian . Spring is the expected launch date. No word on where the animals will come from. Travel Resources: North Holland Travel | Holland Map | Benelux Rail Passes Thursday December 22, 2005 | permalink Appreciate Long John Shivers? Head for the Alps I know I frequently extol the virtues of off season travel, but there's a whole bunch of adventurers willing to go the extra mile in their long johns to enjoy icier surroundings than I'd care to experience. Those would be the Ice Hotel People. Word from Vagablond is that "a new ice hotel is being constructed 7,000 feet up into the German Alps." HotelChatter says this ice hotel might well be part of the Iglu-Dorf chain, who specialize in things like Inuit igloos in Switzerland. Like it cold? Get you thrills in the Alps this winter. I'll toast your bravado at the hearth with a steaming hot toddy. Travel Resources: Germany map and Travel Essentials | Switzerland Map and Travel Essentials . Tuesday December 20, 2005 | permalink Europe Travel in the Off Season Why travel in the off season? Well, you know the reasons: fewer tourists, lower prices, and cooler temperatures, to name a few. But there's another reason for me, and that's the warm, slanting light that brings photos alive. See what I mean by taking a gander at: Liguria Pictures - Picture Gallery of Liguria in Autumn . And if you still want to see more pictures of Italy , try out Italy for Visitors Florence Pictures , taken in November. Travel Resources: Off Season Travel Tips | Italy Travel Map Sunday December 18, 2005 | permalink Travel Gifts Ok, you're thinkin' it's too late to post some ideas for gifts at this late date. Hey, you can chalk it up to sloth and indolence, but I don't start burdening my mind with thoughts about winter holidays in May like the rest of my family. The crunch starts now. So I've made up a list of recommended Travel Gifts . Of course, you could buy some of the stuff for yourself as well. Take a look. You've got language help, a deep, inside look at the Vatican, and more, not to mention that Tyrolean Boiled Wool Jacket like you've always wanted. More Stuff You Need: Top Travel Photography Gear Friday December 16, 2005 | permalink Joe Torre carries the Olympic Torch in Florence New York Yankee manager Joe Torre carried the Olympic torch 400 yards to the foot of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence yesterday as part of "American day" in the two-month Olympic torch relay. It was the first time he'd been to Italy in 20 years, despite the fact that his mother was born in the village of Patina near Naples. (Source: Indystar.com ) The torch Joe carried was designed by the folks at Pininfarina , who've banged out quite a few sexy Italian auto bodies in their time. The Olympic torch is designed to work in rain, snow and wind up to 74.56 miles per hour, not to mention temperatures from -4°F to +77°F. According to what I've heard, the torch suffered much less than Mr. Torre during the run. Travel Resources: Florence Travel Directory | Florence Pictures: Views from the Arno | Naples Travel Directory Photo above: Ponte Vecchio, Florence by Martha Bakerjian, Italy for Visitors ; click "read more" to see it larger. Read more... Thursday December 15, 2005 | permalink Sunny Valencia It's cold here in my corner of California, prime time to think of warmer climes. Valencia pops to mind. Host to the 2007 America's cup, the sunny Spanish port city has been spiffing itself up lately, and many travelers have remarked that Valencia seems to be passing Barcelona as Spain's city of tourist choice. What's not to like? The spring La Fallas festival is a not to be missed attraction (plan now if you're going), the City of Arts and Sciences holds 87 acres of fascinating art, science and architecture, and the Barrio del Carmen is chock full of music, restaurants and clubs. Find out more about Valence by taking a peek at our latest: Valencia Spain Travel Information - Valencia Profile , or peruse our Valencia Travel Directory . Wednesday December 14, 2005 | permalink Hey Santa! Take That! Scroogy Musings: So a couple guys in Germany get asked what they want for Christmas by Santa, who happens to be waiting for a train home. They've been out shopping all day, unsuccessfully one assumes, because the next thing you know they've latched on to Santa's sack and "beat him over the head with it, breaking his fingers as he tried to protect himself." ( Santa - Germany's new stress buster ) Santa on a train? in Germany? A bit early, isn't it? Has the Christmas spirit been so commercialized that the little people like us suffer with the stress of plunking down good cash for stuff we think people might like but probably won't? Where is the joy of it all? Everyone remembers the magical experience of visiting Santa in the mall when they were kids and the smile it brought to your face. Unfortunately over the last few years it seems the spirit of Christmas is slowly being lost due to many different reasons including political correctness, busier lifestyles and many more issues. Hold on a sec. Now I'm angrier than a red-nosed reindeer. Everyone doesn't remember. Some of us are way too old to conjure the disgraceful vision of mall Santas in their mothball costumes and fake beards. The statement above comes from Live From Lapland (dot com). For a bit less than 15 dollars they'll make a custom video staring Santa, who'll be talking to your kids using the words you put in his mouth via the web site's control panel. Their Santa evidently lives in a paneled room and wears mall Santa clothes and beardage. It's in the sample flick. He could be in Kansas. Still, where else you gonna get a five minute flick to your specs for $14.95? Travel Resources: Lapland (the real one) | Chrismas in Europe Tuesday December 13, 2005 | permalink Display Latest Headlines | | | Read Archives powered by Movable Type Advertisement Most Popular Europe Map - Distances Between Cities in Western Europe Europe's Best Nudist Beaches Europe Picture Galleries Italy Pictures Europe Travel 101 - Before You Travel to Europe for the Firs... What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Related Topics France for Visitors Greece for Visitors United Kingdom / Ireland for Visitors Eastern Europe for Visitors Italy for Visitors        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Headlines Antwerp Pictures Antwerp is a fashion and diamond center for Belgium and... Like to Travel Well? Follow the CIA! I really should have paid attention when the CIA came... Tapas from Cans? Ok, so you wander into one of Barcelona's most celebrated... North Holland: Noah's Ark Redux A pious north Holland businessman took out a 300 000...

Russia Travel Guide, climate:

Russia Travel Guide - Information and Advice Russia Travel Guide Information and Advice 'A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma' Churchill St Petersburg Travel Guide | Moscow Travel Guide Russia Map | Russia Pictures Russia Travel Guide, climate: Best: May, June, Sept, Oct. July/August can be wet . Worst: Nov-March [winter is long, dark and extremely cold with short days, but the snow scenes will be stunning. Early Spring is muddy, slushy and falling icicles kill! ] Length of stay: Minimum worthwhile stay, not including flights: Moscow or St Petersburg are excellent for a wild and wooly underwear weekend. Recommended: 2 weeks to take in Moscow, St Petersburg and some of the surrounding towns - such as the Golden Ring - and countryside. The Trans-Siberian Railway to Irkutsk [Lake Baikal] will require at least 5 days. Main Russia Festivals Guide : 25 Dec- 5 Jan, Russian Winter is celebrated with traditional activities such as music, dance, sleigh rides, folk shows. New Year's Eve tends to be a family/friends occasion, so not wildly exciting. late Feb-early March, Goodbye Russian Winter, as above. Easter Sunday, Moscow, procession and service in stunning Kolomenskoe [Orthodox] church. April/May, Moscow Music Spring Festival , classical music. May 9, Victory Day Parade, Moscow. A stirring military procession. June, the White Nights arts festival is St Petersburg's liveliest event. April/May, St Petersburg Music Spring Festival , classical music. For some precise dates, more suggestions and information see: Colourful Festivals or European Festivals Activities Guide: The country is spacious - to say the least - and outdoor activities are popular but facilities and safety measures can be primitive so get specialist advice before undertaking anything halfway dangerous. Hiking: There is no shortage of excellent trekking terrain, just a shortage of marked trails or maps, so extracting information from locals regularly is essential, and as a consequence a few words of the language are vital. Either that or get a good guide. Lake Baikal [see Russia travel favourites, right], the Elbrus area of the Caucasus, west Ural Mountains and Altay Mountains are prime targets. Check the travel safety situation . White Water rafting: The Katun River in the Altay Republic, Vladisvostok and Kamchatka. Climbing: The Elbrus area of the Caucasus are superb but get specialist advice before arriving in Russia, safety aspects included . Cycling: roads are often in bad shape, cars and drivers even worse shape, but bike travel can still be rewarding, with care, a tough bike and essential spares. Local hospitality is tremendous. Canoeing: rivers can be heavily polluted so inland water travel is difficult to recommend, though the Volga River delta is supposed to be alive and delightful, while the coasts up north offer prospects of isolated adventure. Boat cruises: either on posh tourist boats or cheap, dilapidated Russian craft. The main highway is the Volga River and boats go to/from Moscow, Novgorod, Volgograd and many other attractive cities. Volgograd to Rostov-Don is supposed to be the most interesting section. June-September only. Fishing: mostly salmon out east e.g. from Vladivostok and Khabarovsk. Skiing: Cross country skiing is traditionally more popular than down-hill skiing; snowboarding is becoming increasingly popular and heli-skiing is available and remarkably good value. There are more than a hundred ski areas, many of which need modernisation, though some resorts in the Caucasus Mountains offer good facilities and comfortable accommodation. For instance, Cheget in the Baksan Valley offers challenging runs, including the longest of 2.5 km; or Mount Elbus - Europe's highest peak at 5,642m [1,8513 ft] - hosts one of Russia's largest resorts, Prielbrusye. There are at least 20 ski slopes within 50 miles of Moscow and some can even be reached by metro! Ice Skating: Possibly the country's most popular pastime with frozen lakes and outdoor rinks all over during the long winter and even indoor rinks open in the summer. Inexpensive and very cheerful. Banya bathing: this Russian style sauna is a good way to experience authentic Russian social life, particularly if you are a graduate of an old British public school where extreme heat, cold and beatings were a way of life. There are banyas everywhere, ranging from appallingly dilapidated to highly polished. The Trans-Siberian Railway This week long, non-stop 10,000km [6,000mls] or so ride travels from Moscow to either: - Vladivostok on Russia's Pacific coast. - via Mongolia to Beijing. - via Manchuria and Harbin to Beijing. This is reputedly one of the world's great train journeys but does not necessarily deliver a comfortable or fascinating experience for everyone. Downside: - there are no showers, except for a few lucky 1st class travelers. - conditions will be cramped. - dining car food will be abysmal. - the scenery is mainly dull, tending towards endless forests and grassy plains, interspersed with the occasional log cabin, log village or vast lake. The train stops for 10 minutes a few times a day, leaving no time to explore, just time to aquire emergency supplies from the platform. - As a consequence, life on the train is paramount, and this depends on various factors coming together. Is your car attendant cordial? Are your fellow passengers interesting? Does anyone snore? Do you mind living off fairly basic food for six days? Can you happily stare out of a dirty window looking at birch trees for hours on end? Is TV an integral part of your life? Do you have a good selection of books with you? Do you like vodka? And so on... Upside: - you can arrange to take a stop over at key points en route, for example attractive Irkutsk [see Russia travel favourites, right] and nearby huge, mountain-hemmed Lake Baikal. Siberian timber buildings are often charming, colourfully decorated and carved. - due to the fame of the train and the number of serious travellers on it there will almost always be someone interesting you can find to chat to for days , though a good companion and a monster picnic hamper [loaded with - you've guessed - vodka] would be a useful starting point. - if you are actually going east/west for a purpose - such as for work in Japan or China - you will be saving the air fare. Train Survival hints: - don't drink the tap water. A samovar [hot water pot] in each carriage supplies sterile water. - clean your window to improve views and photos. - stand well clear when flushing the toilet , it can backfire if the train travels at speed. - learn a few key Russian phrases to charm your surly attendants. - take lots of vodka with you . You can buy some snacks, fruit, cigarettes etc during 15 minute stops at stations, but no alcohol, and you will be doing a lot of socialising! Russia Travel Star Guide: Monuments **** Shopping and souvenirs *** Walkability *** Food Quality and Variety *** Value for Money *** Hotel Prices and Value *** Beaches black sea Wildlife * Landscape *** Local People **** Architecture **** Safety ** Nightlife and Clubbing ***** Health Problems ** Museums ***** Why Travel to Russia? This vast and diverse country, occupying the top chunk of a continent all the way from Poland to Japan - and a big chunk of world history too - demands travel attention. The architecture is both glorious and hideous, the history is monstrous, the art is sensational and the people can be touchingly friendly . Absurd Fabergé eggs? Extraordinary onion domes? Caviar crepe? Yes, please. A hard day's White Night in St Petersburg? Slamming vodka with your taxi driver? Da! Big , brutal, beautiful and intriguing, Russia is an enigma that's got to be sampled by any serious traveller. Downside: - Accommodation is hardly cheap if comfort is an issue, though plenty of budget options are available. - Hygiene can be a problem. - Officials are often unpleasantly boorish . - Crime and corruption in the cities requires an ever-open eye . - Despite the size of the country, internal flights are unreliable and Russian airlines have the world's worst safety record. Some Russia tra vel favourites: 1] ***Moscow, a diverse and interesting city with masses of history, action and must-see spectacles, though not on the same planet as St Petersburg for elegance. See Moscow Travel Guide . 2] ***St Petersburg , one of the world's most beautiful cities, with many splendid buildings and museums, including the spectacular Hermitage, with a sophisticated service industry. See St Petersburg Travel Guide . 3] ***Novgorod, 190 km [118mls] south of St Petersburg , an important political and artistic centre from the 9th century and still holds a wide and varied collection of magnificent structures including Russia's oldest cathedral, frescoes galore, and plenty of glorious oddities. 4]***The Golden Ring,a few hours travel northeast of Moscow, are a collection of attractive historic towns dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. These can be visited on day trips, but better, hire a car or join a boat with a guide and take your time to enjoy: ***Suzdal , the most important town in the Golden Ring, Suzdal used be a political and religious centre and has more than fifty quaint and well-preserved old structures. About 210km [131 mls] from Moscow. It is a major tourist attraction, yet still retains an enchanting, pre-Soviet atmosphere. **Vladimir is famed for its Golden Gate and two splendid cathedrals. About 180km [112 mls] from Moscow. **Rostov. This quiet, rustic town offers the usual churches but also a lovely lake and spectacular kremlin. **Yaroslavl is much bigger than other towns in the Ring but totally crammed with gorgeous churches, if you haven't seen enough. 250kms [156mls] from Moscow. 5] **Irkutsk , the 'Paris of Siberia', is a long way from anywhere except Mongolia, but is on the Trans-Siberian train route [see more info left] and well worth a stop-off. The city is mostly charming, with considerable Chinese influence and some magnificent architecture, including typically elaborate Siberian 'gingerbread' houses. Another of Irkutsk's attractions is the proximity to lovely, 636km [398mls] long Lake Baikal where hiking, biking, horse trekking, fishing and boating are big time. The north end is the most beautiful and isolated. Listvyanka village is a popular place to stay for tourists. 6] ***Cruising the Volga River via some superb old towns like Kazan [ancient Tatar city], Shiryaeva and Ulyanovsk [Lenin's birthplace]. See Boat cruises, left. 7]**Black Sea, Sochi. This is a Russian beach resort town with a warm climate and sophisticated health spas [sanatoria], with beaches and tennis courts, scenically situated at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains. 8] ** Yekaterinburg in the Ural Mountains is a pretty, pleasant city except perhaps for Tsar Nick II and his family who met their end here and the USA's U2 spy pilot who was shot down in the area. The place offers excellent architecture, museums, entertainment and access to the Urals for varied activities. Cuisine Guide: You can eat well and inexpensively nowadays, especially in cafés and fast food places in the cities. Do choose places that look clean and are busy , poor hygiene could result in intestinal blowout. Moscow and St Petersburg in particular have seen an astronomical growth in cafés, bars and restaurants, including classic Chinese, Japanese and Italian offerings, western fast food chains and traditional Russian cuisine . Russian food tends to be rich and on the heavy side in winter , such as meaty dumplings, meaty cabbage rolls, cabbage soup with sour cream, and the national icons - borscht [beetroot soup], blinis [pancakes] and caviar, while lighter foods like superb soups and salads are around in the summer . Avoid eating shellfish except in St Petersburg and street ice cream anywhere. Drinks: We all know the varied pleasures of vodka, particularly drunk chilled and in one gulp, but Russia also does a fine line in local beers with lively flavours, good champagne, not such good wine , passable tea and effective coffee. Russians love to press drinks on foreigners so prepare your excuses now. Or practice chugging. Accommodation guide: You are supposed to have a place booked in order to get a tourist visa . There's a wide range of accommodation from luxury hotels at silly prices to cheapish hostels at around $20 pn, but it's important to book well ahead for the June-September season. Private home stays are widespread , giving the tourist relatively good value rooms and a close look at real Russian life. The downside is that the place may be out of the way, the bed lumpy and the morning-after breakfast provider in-your-face during your recovery time. Camping is fine in many places though - as usual - check with locals before bedding down. Organised camping sites are rare and usually open mid-June to mid-September. Russia Tours Tour operators offering travel to Russia can be found in our listings here: Russia Tours For links to Tourist Offices, Embassies, Cheap Air Tickets, Currency Converter, Climate, Language advice, other online Travel Guides and more, visit Bugbog Travel Directory Map of Europe Travel Safety: Travel to Chechenya and the north Caucasus is not recommended; check the Foreign Office site or tour operators for up-to-date warnings. Otherwise stay on the regular tourist routes. Don't flash your cash! Pickpocketing and bag filching may occur on crowded public transport while hotel rooms are by no means thief-proof. Lock everything into your bags before leaving the room and use a safe deposit if there is one. Take care with taxis. Don't get in if there is anyone other than the driver inside, and don't necessarily trust the driver. See Safety page. Travel Health: Do not drink Russian tap water , not even for cleaning your teeth. Check you are up to date with all jabs, and consider including vaccinations for diptheria, typhoid, hepatitis A and B. A flu jab is also useful if you plan to travel to Russia in spring or autumn when the bugs are rampant. Foreigners usually prefer to be treated at private clinics, which are very costly. Get Insurance! Costs: Russia can be good value if you don't mind slightly crude accommodation and eat/drink at local establishments rather than typical tourist places. Change money for roubles only at official exchanges or banks. Cash is easier to change than travellers cheques. Tipping: About 10% to taxi drivers and 10-15% to waiters in restaurants. Electricity : Electric sockets are 230v and take 2 round pin plugs. Internet: There are masses of reasonably priced web cafés in bigger cities. Local travel: The big cities have good metro and bus services at low prices . Locals enjoy life as illegal taxi drivers for extra cash. Beware though, some are pure evil, others wonderful, hospitable guides. Hitch-hiking is common for Russians but not advisable for tourists . Intercity travel: Trains connecting Moscow to St Petersburg are common, efficient and inexpensive . The Aurora day train takes 6 hours, the evening train 4 hours. Passenger boats are common between cities - tho' slow - including Moscow to St Pete. For exploring the countryside around big cities consider car hire, with or without a driver/guide. It's not expensive and very convenient. International travel: Moscow and St Petersburg are both easy to reach from many European cities by fast, efficient trains and buses ; other Russia cities are more difficult to access directly. Language: Some locals speak English, French, or German but ability to recognise the Cyrillic alphabet and a few words of Russian would really help your experience along. Visas: All visitors need a visa which needs a hotel/hostel booking . If you plan to travel in Russia you may want to see our: China Travel Guide Japan Travel Guide Austria Travel Guide Czech Republic Travel Guide Finland Travel Guide Hungary Travel Guide Turkey Travel Guide Travel Pictures | Destination Finder | Exotic Places | World Festivals | World Wonders | Safari Wildlife | Beaches | Top of Page European Places | Walking Tours | Travel Health | Travel Safety | Travel Directory | English Speaking Places | Tours Gap Year | Site Map | Travel Guide Homepage | Contact | Press | Advertising | Legal | Maps | Travelogue © 2000-2005 Bugbog

Austria Travel Specialists Client

Austria Vacations, Austria Travel, Austria Luxury Resorts, Austria Hotels Austria Luxury Vacations, Austria Cruises, and Austria Hotels Guide Austria Vacation Guide: Romantic Austria Hotels and Honeymoons Austria Vacations and Cruise Consultants Austria Luxury Vacation :Call 800 330 8820 to book your tour or cruise. Other Places in Austria Austria Glacial Skiing Austria Hiking Austria Mountain Biking Austria Skiing Vacations Graz Innsbrock Klagenfurt Linz Salzburg Vienna Other Places in Europe Albania Andorra Austria Belarus Belgium Bosnia-Herzegovina Bulgaria Croatia Czech Republic Denmark England Estonia Finland France Georgia Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy Vacatioin Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia Monaco Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Romania Russia Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey Ukraine United Kingdom Wales Europe Cruises River Cruises in Europe Mediterranean Guide Austria Vacation, Tours and Travel Guide In this section you will find all great Austria luxury hotels . Romantic Austria Honeymoon Destinations. Austria Yachting Vacations. Austria Hiking and Austria mountain biking ---Plus tons of enjoyable virtual tours and streaming videos---You will find everything here except the sunscreen. Austria luxury travel arrangements. Great Austria Skiing and Austria glacial skiing . romantic Austrian resorts and hotels--- Austria, located in the center of Western Europe, is famous for it fabulous skiing regions, but also for breathtaking scenery, magnificent mountains and wonderful hiking trails. The western Federal Provinces Vorarlberg, Tirol and Salzburg Province are the most popular tourist regions. The hilly terrain lends itself to fabulous hiking , walking and climbing as well as skiing . Alpine huts are available in the summer. Austria Skiing facilities can be found in hundreds winter sport resorts between Brand in the west and Semmering in the east. Skiing enthusiasts have the choice of some of the finest ski-instructors in the world. The capital, Vienna , is situated in the northeast of the country with the Danube running through the northern suburbs of the city. Variety and beauty, both natural and cultural, make Austria a (geographically) small jewel in the heart of Europe. Simply walking along one of the many cobblestone lanes, visiting a small country church, or standing awe-struck before a magnificent country abbey, brings you face to face with history and culture. During the 640-year reign of the Habsburg Empire, a few vivid symbols were brought into being, symbols that have remained alive and continue to define Austria in the minds of visitors today. Among these are the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Lipizzan stallions of the Spanish Riding School and the Vienna Boys' Choir. Of course, there's music: In Austria, it seems that music mirrors the almost melodious beauty of the land. For centuries, music has been both an integral part of everyday life and the crowning glory of special occasions. There is no other country that has made such enormous musical contributions to the world or had such an enduring influence on the international musical scene as has Austria over the course of its long and distinctive history. Austria offers the riches of Europe in the proverbial nutshell: spectacular vistas, Alpine splendor, pulsating nightlife, sophisticated shopping, classical culture and culinary adventure. And don't forget: Austria is the cradle of Alpine skiing--and skiing is a way of life in the country of any skier's dreams. Austria has been a favored travel destination for more than a thousand years. We would like to introduce you to Austria, its Imperial cities and Alpine splendor, and possibly whet your appetite to get to know more about it all. The Austrian capital is an important area for East, West trade and a frequent host to major congresses either in the Vienna International Center or at the >Austria Center Vienna. Vienna is situated in the northeast of the country with the Danube running through the northern suburbs of the city. The Ringstrasse forms the boundary of the Inner City or Innenstadt, with its fine architecture, shops and hotels. An atmosphere of elegance and bygone style prevails in this area, which should be experienced on foot. Art Nouveau buildings, such as the Majolikahaus, line the streets of some suburbs, as Vienna was the birthplace of this then controversial style. The Austrian National Library at the Josefsplatz is regarded as an outstanding example of Baroque architecture. Vienna was the center of the cultural Renaissance during the 18th and 19th centuries, and home not only to Mozart and to Strauss but also to Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert, Bruckner, Brahms and Mahler. Vienna is ideal for art and music enthusiasts. The Viennese Boys' Choir and the Viennese Philharmonic are internationally renowned. Tirol is situated in the heart of the Alpine region, it is the most mountainous region of all, with forests, hamlets and alpine pastures, beautiful valleys and mountain lakes. In summer it is a popular destination for hikes; in winter, skiing and other winter sports are available. Traditional Tirolean architecture is reflected in the villages, churches and castles. Innsbruck, the Tirolean capital was twice the home of the Winter Olympics. It is the center of another internationally renowned ski complex comprising six major resorts. An 800-year-old university town, it has numerous fine buildings dating from Austria's cultural Renaissance in the 16th-18th centuries, and a 12th-century castle. For spectacular views over the town and southern Alps, take the funicular to Hungerburg and then the cable car to Hafelekar. The Lech area is most beautiful skiing and hiking area in Austria and Europe. Lech has the longest skiing tradition and because of the romantic location, its natural beauty and the huge number of skiing lifts it developed to the top skiing area and also to the most expensive skiing village in Austria visited by the noble and famous people. During summer Lech is famous for beautiful trekking in the Alps. 85 lifts, 260 km prepared skiing slopes, snowboard funparks, 3 skiing schools, private skiing teachers, paragliding school, ballooning and hiking. Saalbach/Hinterglemm area has 2 villages and is one of the main skiing paradises in Austria which is famous because of several skiing world championships. Because of its wonderful mountains which are up to 2000 m and its natural beauty Saalbach/Hinterglemm became to a huge winter and summer resort. You will love this nice area with over 200 km slopes and over 60lifts and all the possibilities. Last not least you will enjoy the Apres Ski and the evening nightlife in Saalbach and Hinterglemm. If you have ever heard of the classic grand tour of the Alps, if you are enchanted by romantic names like Klippitzt? Turracher H? Grossglockner, and Silvretta, and if you love to drive with the air blowing through your hair, then you have come to the right web site. The thirty-four scenic routes through Austria's provinces and Italian South Tyrol presented here are in fact thirty-four very different travel experiences. Another advantage is that each itinerary interlocks with the next. So open-air fans can put together a complete tour of Austria, or just a small part according to their individual tastes and interests. Some of these scenic routes are challenging and require a degree of driving skill, but they lead through the most stunning scenery Austria and South Tyrol have to offer, so take plenty of time to look at what there is to see along the way: car and motorcycle museums, castles and palaces, not to mention nature preserves and trails. "Challenging? also does not mean that these routes are for rally drivers. They have been planned as interesting and enjoyable drives. So that they may continue to be so for others in the future, and in the interest of those who live along them, please drive carefully and with a minimum of noise. Of course, the itineraries described here by no means exhaust the variety of touring possibilities and sites to see in Austria. They should be taken merely as an introduction, and an invitation to explore other fascinating highways and byways on your own individual tour through Austria. Inclusive, custom designed Austrian honeymoons at excellent values. Select exactly the components you want in your vacation. You choose your hotel, room category -from sea views to suites-, rental car, private transfers and customized sightseeing tours. We do it all! Our Virtuoso Travel and Cruise Consultants will create the Austrian vacation you have always dreamed of. Book Your Austria Vacation Submit a vacation planner to our Austria Travel Specialists Client Testimonials about our services Search Your Vacation, Tour or Cruise Austria Overview Austria History Austria Culture Austria Geography Austria After Arriving Austria Practical Info Austria Luxury Accommodations Austria Virtuoso Hotels Austria Luxury Hotels Europe Luxury Hotels European Hotels & Villas Europe Luxury Tours Central Eastern & Western England & Ireland Tours Scandinavia & Russia Tour Portugal & Spain Tours Escape to Europe Cruises France Luxury Tours Italy Luxury Tours Europe Train Vacations Europe River Cruises Eastern Europe Packages Europe Bike Vacations Europe Active Vacations Moderatly Priced Europe Tours England & Ireland Tours France Vacations Italy Tours Central & Eastern Europe Tours European River Cruises Europe Luxury Cruises Western Europe Cruises European River Cruises Luxury Cruises World Luxury Cruises Helpful Travel Links Other Helpful Travel Links Instant Passports in 24 hours Travelex Luxury Travel Insurance CSA Luxury Travel Insurance Travel Guard Insurance Travel Safety Expert Current Travel Warnings Travel Agent Career Opportunities Bookmark this page Full Service Luxury Europe Vacation Planner Click here to save money, time and stress planning, making reservations, or booking your luxury vacation with our full service Virtuoso Travel Consultants. 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Italy travel. Italian travel and tourism destination guide. Italy Travel Guide Italian travel and tourism destination guide. Home Destinations Europe Italy Travel Guide Travel Directory Search Travel Directory Notes From the Editor Travel Blog Travel Photography Travel Photos Destination Guides Africa Asia Europe • Albania • Andorra • Armenia • Austria • Belarus • Belgium • Bosnia-Herzegovina • Bulgaria • Croatia • Cyprus • Czech Republic • Denmark • Estonia • Finland • France • Georgia • Germany • Greece • Hungary • Iceland • Ireland • Italy • Latvia • Liechtenstein • Lithuania • Luxembourg • Macedonia • Malta • Moldova • Monaco • Netherlands • Norway • Poland • Portugal • Romania • Russia • San Marino • Serbia-Montenegro • Slovakia • Slovenia • Spain • Sweden • Switzerland • Turkey • Ukraine • United Kingdom • Vatican City Latin America Middle East North America Oceania TRAVEL ITALY DESTINATION GUIDE Abruzzo Aosta Valley Apulia Basilicata Calabria - Tropea Campania - Naples - Sorrento Emilia-Romagna Friuli-Venezia Giulia Lazio - Rome Liguria Lombardy Marches Molise Piedmont Sardinia Sicily Trentino Alto Adige Tuscany - Florence - Siena Umbria Veneto - Venice OFFICIAL TRAVEL SITES enit.it Italian State Tourist Board. www.enit.it italiantourism.com Italian State Tourist Board (North America). Italian Tourism INDEPENDENT TRAVEL SITES discoveritalia.com Discover Italia initalytoday.com Art cities of Italy shown through photos and architectural description. Info on museums and exhibiitons, events and accommodation. Art Cities of Italy italy-notebook.com A comprehensive guide to major cities in Italy with beautiful photos and interesting facts. Travel Italy: An Essential Guide travelby.it TravelBy.it is the portal for the reservations online in tourist structures in the middle of National Parks and Castles of Italy. Reservation online in Italy Hotels. Travel By.it tuscanyumbriawalks.com Circular walks in Tuscany and Umbria. Book of 18 great circular walks in Tuscany and Umbria. Tuscany walking book. Many Lake Trasimeno walks. Guided Tuscany walks. Circular Walks in Tuscany and Umbria ultimateitaly.com Online travel guide that helps all visitors of Italy with detailed information on all tourist spots in Italy. Italy Travel Airfares | Car Rental | Hotels | Rail Europe | Travel Insurance Home | About us | Contact us | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Add a travel site