Austria

The hills are alive with the sound of music in this Alpine country, at least if you believe Julie Andrews. This nation of Edelweis, once ruled it over a large part of Central and Eastern Europe under the Habsburg dynasty. That all came to an end after the First World War, when the Austro-Hungarian double monarchy was abolished and split up into several successor states.

These days Vienna still reminds the visitor of its former Imperial glory, with its grand palaces, stately buildings and wide avenues. The enduring popularity of Empress Sisi ensures a continued interest in all things ‘Kaiserlich’ (Imperial). And the world’s first rock-star Mozart, will put some waltz in your steps as you dance around the streets of Salzburg.

With Tirol in the west, the Danube in the east, and Styria in the south there is plenty to do. Ski the Alps, take a boat ride down the Danube, listen to a classical concert in Salzburg, walk through the Schönbrunn Palace parks, taste wine in traditional wine taverns in Styria, eat goulash or Wiener Schnitzel in a homely restaurant, and have a coffee and a ‘sacher-torte’ in a Viennese coffee house.

Austria is a country for culture and hiking, for music and dancing, for skiing and après-skiing, and for drinking and eating. And when it all becomes too much for you, just remember good old Sigmund and look at the flowers!