Schilderachtige bergdorpjes, bloeiende bergweiden, meren die glinsteren in de zon - dat is het beeld dat Oostenrijk voor u schildert op een mooie zomerdag. Bezoekers die kiezen voor een vakantiehuis, zijn onder de indruk van het kunstwerk van het Oostenrijkse landschap en komen elk jaar graag weer terug. Ook in de steden van Oostenrijk, met in het bijzonder het luisterrijke Wenen, de hoofdstad aan de Donau, valt er naast Sissi, Sachtertorte en het Prater, nog veel meer te ontdekken.
Wij raden u aan ook een bezoek te brengen aan
Voralberg en
Tirol.
The restaurants and inns serve tasty and carefully prepared cuisine. In the larger restaurants, lunch is served between 12 noon and 2 pm, sometimes earlier, in the little country inns. Dinner is served from 6 pm. Generally service (10–15%) is included in the bill. Nevertheless, a little extra tip is always welcomed.
Shops are generally open from 09.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. on weekdays and Saturday from 9am to 4pm and closed on Sundays except for gas station shops (expensive), shops at railway stations and restaurants. Be aware that paying by credit card is not as common as in the rest of Europe or as in the United States. In smaller towns and villages you normally find one or two small shops or bakeries, which carry nearly everything, called "Greißler", albeit they are more and more killed off by bigger shopping centers.
Some basic Etiquette (Of course most of this doesn't really matter when you are in a younger crowd):
When entering and leaving public places Austrians always say hello ("Guten Tag" or "Grüß Gott") and goodbye ("Auf Wiedersehen"). When entering a small shop, one should say "Grüß Gott" to the shop keeper when entering and "Wiedersehen" when leaving (the "Auf" is normally left off). When drinking alcohol you don't drink until you have toasted ("anstoßen"). Say "prost" or "cheers" and most importantly make eye contact when toasting.
Austrians (like other Central European nations) love their titles. People who think of themselves as being respectable always expect to be addressed by their proper title, be it Prof., Dr., Mag. (Master's), Dipl.Ing. (Master's in Engineering) or even Ing. (Technician) or B.A. What sets Austrians aside is that if one holds more than one title, they are all listed! This is especially true for older people.
Visa
People from countries within the EU (incl. new EU states), Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland do not require a Visa for entry into Austria. Nationals of the following countries may enter and remain in Austria without a Visa for up to 3 months - United States, Canada, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil. People from African/Arabian/South-American countries as well as people from the CIS states generally require a visa. Austria is a member of the Schengen Agreement so visas are valid for 24 other countries.
Money
Austria is a member of the European Union and the Eurozone. Consequently, the national currency is the Euro. The best rates for changing money are offered by banks. ATMs in Austria are called Bankomat. They are wide-spread and you will find them even in smaller, rural villages. Many shops (and some restaurants too) offer the service to pay directly with an ATM card. The majority of ATMs accept cards from abroad. All Bankomats in Austria can easily identified by a sign showing a green stripe above a blue stripe. The prices are comparable with Western European countries, and a bit higher than the USA because of 20 % sales tax (which is included in the prices). A can of coke will cost you about 40 cents, a good meal 15 Euros. Prices in tourist areas (Tyrol, Vienna, Salzburg, Zell am See) are a lot higher than the averages.
By car
The road network is very dense and consists of motorways, fast lanes, and departmental and communal roads. The motorways and fast lanes are toll roads. The road tax disc can be purchased from the border and petrol stations. The cost is EUR 72,60 per year for private vehicles, EUR 29,00 for motorcycles. A 2-months pass for cars costs EUR 21,80, for motorbikes EUR 10,90. A 10-days pass for car costs EUR 7,60, for motorbikes EUR 4,30. Some tunnels and passes also have a toll.
By train and bus
Trains are the best way to get around if you're visiting cities. Comfortable and moderately priced trains connect major cities and many towns; buses other towns and lakes. The two forms of transport are integrated and designed to complement each other, and intercity coaches (long distance buses) are hard to find in most of Austria.
Cycle Touring
Austria is well known for its scenic cycle routes along its largest rivers. Though Austria is a mountainous country, cycle routes along rivers are flat or gently downhill, and therefore suitable even for casual cyclists. The most famous route is the Danube cycle path from Passau to Vienna, one of the most popular cycle paths in Europe, drawing large crowds of cyclists from all over the world each summer. Other rivers with well-developed cycle routes are the Inn, Drau, Moell and Mur. Most routes follow a combination of dedicated cycle paths, country lanes, and traffic calmed roads, and are well suited for children.
Hiking
It is normally safe to hike without a guide in the Austrian Alps, as there is a dense network of marked trails and mountain shelters. However, a few lethal incidents do happen every year as a result of carelessness. Walkers are strongly advised not to stray off the trails and hike in bad weather or without suitable equipment. Before setting off, always check with the local tourist office whether the trail corresponds to your abilities. Also check the weather forecast. Sudden thunderstorms are frequent and are more likely to happen in the afternoon. A rule of thumb is that if you haven't reached the summit by noon it's time to give up and return to shelter. Though the scenery is by all accounts majestic, don't expect an empty wilderness. The Alps can be very crowded with mountaineers, especially in high season (there are even traffic jams of climbers on some popular mountains). Littering is a no-no in all of Austria, but especially in the mountains, and you will enrage fellow walkers if you're seen doing it. If you really want to show respect pick up any litter you happen to see in your path and dispose of it at the end of your hike (it's a bit of an unwritten rule). Long distance trails are marked with the Austrian flag (red-white-red horizontal stripes) painted onto rocks and tree trunks. Most trails and mountain huts are maintained by the Austrian Alpine Club. Some are run by other equivalent organizations, such as the German, Dutch and Italian Alpine Clubs. Mountain huts are meant to be shelters, not hotels. Though they are normally clean and well-equipped, standards of food and accommodation are basic. Don't expect a high level of customer service either. A sleeping bag is not required as blankets are provided. During the high season (August) it's a good idea to book in advance. Mountain huts will not turn anyone down for the night but if they're full you'll have to sleep on the floor. Detailed hiking maps showing the location of marked trails and shelters can be purchased online from the Austrian Alpine Society.