Austria
At one time center of the powerful state of the Habsburgs, Austria sits at the cross-roads of Europe: gateway between east and west. Today an EU member and popular tourist destination, Austria is a must-see for fans of classical music and baroque architecture. As I do not enjoy either, Austria just isn't my cup of tea.
Essential facts
The national language is German, albeit a Southern dialect. Most Austrians, especially in the larger cities also speak English, so communication isn't a problem though a well-placed Gr�ss Gott will earn appreciation. The currency is the Schilling, worth about 14 to the USD, with the Euro scheduled to take over soon. ATMs are ubiquitous - from the largest city to smallest provincial town - getting town is never a problem. Costs are average for the West.
Getting there and away
Vienna is a major travel hub, especially to destinations in the Balkans. |
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Chances are good that you will transit the city should you be heading to eastern or southern europe. She also sports a plethora of connections to the west. While Vienna is well served by air as well, it's not as much of an air gateway as it is train - not shocking considering the proximity of Munich.
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Birthplace of Mozart, location of the Sound of Music, Salzburg is oft heralded as being a �can't-miss' destination. While I don't dislike the city, I can't be among the chorus - not surprising for someone who likes neither classical music nor baroque architecture.
Attractions
The old town is a baroque museum - to all the ridiculous excess of the style. Walking around the streets, plazas and the like can be an enjoyable way to spend time. Just make sure you have an umbrella. I didn't and had to buy one downtown when it started pouring rain. Above the city is the Festung Hohensalzburg, the hill-top fortress that offers great views of the city. The Haus der Natur is a mediocre nature museum, with alright displays (especially on freakish animals: two-headed beasts and the like), but suffers from the lack of captions in any language but German. Save it for a rainy day. There's an Internet Cafe tucked away against the side of the mountain by the musuem - a tad expensive, but decent.
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The Mirabellgarten (left) archived fame through its role in the Sound of Music. It's worth a quick look - little else. | |
The popularity of the movie (at least among Americans) has spawned the Sound of Music tour, a popular excursion among groups of package tourists - it's just wrong. Very wrong.
Mozart (right) and Mozarty kitsch reign supreme. There's his birthplace, museum, statuses, mausoleums, and far best - Chocolates. The latter are great little chocolate covered confections of nougat and marzipan that are almost good enough to warrant a detour into town. |
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Food and Lodging
I stayed at the Jugendherberge Haunsperstra�e, not a bad little place - near the train station and not too far from the center, with decent dorm rooms and common area. Avoid doing your laundry there - the cost is outrageous! I don't remember where I ate, but they had good goulash soup and linzer torte.
Vienna just really didn't do it for me. I spent some time there waiting for connections in S�dbanhof and Westbanhof, and rode the Metro between the two, but never had the desire to actually stay. The stations and metro were nice. Perhaps in the future, or perhaps not.