Austria – The enchantment of old Europe at its finest, Austria is one of those countries people rave about after visiting the European Continent. Austria is known for its superb cuisine as well as its rich heritage in the arts, architecture, wine making and its breathtaking countryside. No trip to Austria is complete without visits to Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck and the Danube valley.

Vienna, the capital of Austria, has enjoyed a well deserved reputation for representing the arts and culture of the country. Home to the Burgtheater, considered one of the best among Germanic countries, Vienna also features the Volkstheater Wien and Theater in der Josefstad, also held in high esteem among theater goers. If theater is not cultural enough for you there are plenty of opera houses, like the Staatsoper and Volksoper. Long known for the classical music of Mozart, Johann Strauss and Ludwig van Beethoven, their classical compositions can be heard through the popular venues of Wiener Musikverein and the Wiener Konzerthaus, as well as the Theater an der Wien, which is a favorite theater for musical premieres. Vienna is also home to many museums, most of them located in the Museumsquartier, formerly the Imperial Stalls, which were converted into a museum complex in 1992 to house the vast number of museums in Vienna. It is home to Museum of Modern Art Foundation Ludwig Vienna (MUMOK), The Leopold Museum and the Kunsthalle Wien, the city’s own exhibition center for contemporary and modern art, just to name some of the key attractions. The Museumquartier is one of the ten largest museum complexes in the world and was designed in the spirit of places like Lincoln center, Washington Mall, so that it is a focal point for major festivals and popular celebrations in the city.

As you visit the various attractions of the city you will notice that it is fully enriched by both its architecture and its fabulous parks. Vienna features several architectural styles ranging from modern to classical, including Baroque Karlskirche (baroque) and Romanesque Ruprechtskirche, whose tower and nave are romanesque. Known as a green city from the approximately 50% of the land that contains parks, most of the space is designated for public use.

Salzburg is a city whose name is derived from vast salt deposits that have played such a major role in the city’s wealth and development that it was known as white gold. It is also known for its various architectural styles, as represented by the Salzburg Cathedral (baroque), St. Peter’s Abbey (baroque) and the various styles that resulted in present day Hohenwerfen Fortress, the magnificent mountaintop fortification that was first built in the 10th century by Archbishop Gebhard and has since been enlarged, destroyed, rebuilt and modernized to become the largest fully preserved fortress in central Europe.

While in Salzburg, be sure to visit the Getreidegasse, Salzburg’s most famous, and incredibly charming, shopping district. Home to No.9, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s birthplace and a museum dedicated to his life, Getreidegasse has become so commercially successful that every available space has been turned into shops. As you wander from one to the other you will enjoy a labyrinth of buildings interconnected by covered passageways and ornate courtyards containing vaulted passageways, molded cornices, Marble balustrades, Pergolas, beautiful floral arrangements and much, much more. If you haven’t seen enough of Mozart, you can visit his regal dwelling of 1773 to 1780 at Makartplatz 8, where visiting hours run from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm

For pure beauty and old world charm visit the Hellbrunn Palace, with its world famous Wasserspiele, or trick fountains. Built at the bottom of Hellbrunn Mountain, the castle taps into that water source to supply its marvelous fountains (see http://www.hellbrunn.at/hellbrunn/english/start/index.asp). Whether you want to plan an event or simply visit, this is one of those attractions you won’t want to miss.

If you are headed to Italy after your trip to Austria, you take the Brenner Pass through the Tyrolese Mountains and have a terrific opportunity to visit Tyrol. This part of Austria represents a marvelous passage in the Alps that is rich in heritage, its own hearty cuisine and wonderful local fruit schnapps to top off the experience. With accommodations of every type, you will find the right lodging for you and your party. Once you have found lodging, take a break from the road and rent a bicycle. Cycling is a favorite pastime that allows tourists to take leisurely rides through the local countryside for a more intimate experience with the wonderful people of the Alps. During the summer months you can find hundreds of idyllic trails for hiking. In winter, the Alps offer every kind of winter sport imaginable for your enjoyment. The region has a superb infrastructure to support your stay in safety and health.

Go north of Vienna, in the Wachau Region to the banks of the Danube, and you will find a Valley filled with vineyards, charming little villages, castles, medievel ruins and spectacular monasteries. Visit Krems, a wine tourist mecca and hot spot for the Austrian wine industry. Visit Durnstein Monastery or Ride to Melk and visit the Benedictine Abbey in the morning and then enjoy a pleasant day investigating the 'Hueriger' (wine tavern) in the area. Whether in Vienna, or out in the Danube Valley, there is a Heuriger close by for you.

Global Net Trading’s recommended sites on Austria are:

http://www.skiaustria.com/ - This site gives you access to Austria’s many ski resorts and other tourist attractions

http://www.aboutaustria.org/ - A solid presentation on the facts and fascinations of Austria.

http://www.aba.gv.at/en/pages/ - The business site for those interested in pursuing business opportunities in Austria.