Austria is located just east of Switzerland; northeast of Italy. The foremost attraction is skiing or hiking the Alps--equally breathtaking whether you're among its glorious peaks or at ground level. Visit the capital of Vienna, with its original coffee houses and the opera; or take a country drive and visit its charming villages.

Austria is almost a condensed country. Though it is one of the smallest in Europe, it contains in its boundaries an astonishing variety of landscapes, activities and attractions. Everywhere you go, there is history at every turn - a history that has not simply shaped the 2000 known years of culture of this unique nation, but impacted on the world at large. For Austria has always been at the crossroads of modern civilisation, from the ancient Romans to Charlemagne, Napoleon, the everlasting musical genius of the great composers, to the "Golden Age" of the Empire.

Indeed, it has more museums, castles and historic monuments open to the public than any other similar area in Europe. Central to the long and colourful history of Austria, the River Danube cuts a rich and colourful swathe through the land and centuries old towns, its banks studded with castles like sentinels from a long time past. The climate is as varied as the geography, from the icy winters of Voralberg and the Tirol to the hot summers of Burgenland. Politically, Austria is a Federal Republic, its population of nearly 8 million people divided among nine states - Burgenland, Carinthia, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Salzburg, Styria, Tirol, Voralberg and Vienna.

The course of time has left this small but breathtakingly beautiful country with a vast treasure, the legacy of centuries as the centre of a powerful Empire, the Habsbergs, perhaps the most famous dynasty in history. The capital, Vienna, home of the great composers is a show piece in itself, with its splendid palaces like the Hofburg and Schönbrunn, and the medieval St. Stephen's Cathedral. And in the provinces you will find historic splendours like the Abbeys of Gurk in
Carinthia and Melk in Lower Austria on the banks of the River Danube.

Austria is also a land of year round festivals celebrating the age old tradition of culture and the arts in an annual series of regional events and specialities renowned around the world.

The alpine regions are dedicated to an active sporting life and the great outdoors from legendary skiing, breathtakingly scenic hiking and fitness trails, mountaineering, white water canoeing to a host of post-sportive entertainments. Chief amongst these is the dining experience.

Austrian cuisine is hearty and rich reflecting the warmth and hospitality of the people A good many hours are spent - and justifiably so - in the famous coffee houses, wine taverns and beer gardens of the cities and towns enjoying exquisite cakes and pastries including the famous Sachertorte, and assorted gastronomic delights.