Highlights
CarinthiaThis is the provincial capital of Carinthia, the region that borders Italy and Slovenia. Carinthia's sunny weather and numerous lakes make it a summer tourist center, though it seems to be visited little by North Americans.
Villach
This bustling town serves as a railway junction linking Carinthia to Italy and Slovenia. Straddling the River Drau, Villach is within easy driving distance of Lake Ossiach, Spittal, and Velden. In July and August, Villach hosts the Carinthian Summer Festival.
Badgastein
Situated on the slopes of the rugged Tauren, Badgastein is known for its radon thermal springs and its winter sports. Filled with elegant resort hotels and surrounded by the slopes of the high Alps, Badgastein has drawn such visitors as the philosopher Schopenhauer and the composer Johann Strauss.
Salzburg
The birthplace of Mozart, Salzburg is a city of music with the vibrant tones of church bells that peal throughout the day, the strains of symphonies that fill the concert halls, the organ pipes and choirs at Sunday mass, the hearty folk tunes and drinking songs, and even the birdsong heard in the gardens along the River Salzach.
Baden
The thermal springs here were frequented by ancient Romans, but Baden reached its height in the 18th century when members of the Habsburg court flocked to its sulfur-laced waters. Today both Austrians and visitors relax in the town's posh hotels or bathe in the public pools.
Vienna
The heart and soul of Austria lies in this sprawling metropolis that covers 414 square kilometers (160 square miles). Filled with palaces, churches, theaters, museums, shops, and parks, Vienna has a long history dating back to around AD 100, when it was founded as a Roman military encampment. It was once one of the major capitals of Europe and the base for the Habsburg rulers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Graz
Straddling the River Mur in southeastern Austria, this city is the provincial capital of Styria. With its brooding Schlossberg, garden parks, a university, and many museums, Graz has a cosmopolitan appeal, and yet it is relatively unknown to non-Austrian tourists.
Innsbruck
Once favored by Emperor Maximilian I, and today filled with skiers from mid-December to March, Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol, is a charming baroque town with unforgettable Alpine views. During the warm season, visitors can hike, tour glaciers, or linger in the Renaissance palaces.
Kitzbuhel
Just 130 kilometers (81 miles) from Munich, Germany, and 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Innsbruck, Kitzbuhel attracts the chic and well-heeled, plus skiers of every skill, who come to enjoy the soaring Kitzbuhel Alps that ring this small, walled city. More than 1,000 years old, Kitzbuhel offers postcard-perfect vistas of church spires and sharply defined roofs.
Seefeld
Situated 24 kilometers (15 miles) northwest of Innsbruck, Seefeld played host to the Winter Olympics in 1964 and again in 1976. Second in popularity after the resorts clustered in the Arlberg Alps, Seefeld offers numerous activities, both summer and winter.
St. Anton
The Arlberg Alps are beloved by skiers, and St. Anton is the center for the sport on the eastern slopes. Each December, World Cup Skiing is held here. It is also popular with strollers, who come to enjoy the flowers that carpet the mountain meadows and slopes during the brief warm season.
Feldkirch
Called "The Gateway to Austria," this small town is certainly worth a visit with its medieval buildings and cobbled squares nestled between rugged hills. Located only a short distance from bordering Switzerland and Liechtenstein, Feldkirch is close to popular Bregenz but is not overcrowded with Swiss and German tourists.
Schruns
Ernest Hemingway spent his winters here by the banks of the River Ill, writing his novel The Sun Also Rises. Today Schruns attracts skiers and hikers of every stripe. The region boasts 73 lifts that carry visitors up to 2,301 meters (7,550 feet).