"AUSTRIA - MY ADOPTED HOMELAND - UNDER CONSTRUCTION" Austria by mel_bee

I fell in love with Austria in 1991 on a daytrip to Innsbruck. It was something to do with the Edelweiss flower on the one schilling coin and the beauty of the mountains.
In 1994 I got an English language assistantship in Vienna and since then I've been living there on and off doing all sorts of jobs and travelling, I feel like a part of me has really become Austrian. I have managed to pick up a hint of the local accent when I speak German, know what Blunzen is to eat (yuck!) and Sturm is to drink (ouch!), I have learnt how to make a good wiener schnitzel and even bake Austrian cookies each Christmas. I have tried to leave Austria a few times to do other things and live in other places but somehow I just keep coming back!!

THE BEST THINGS ABOUT AUSTRIA...
When I am away from this place I start to develop longings for the strangest things usually to do with food: Topfengolatsche (the curd filled pastries); Almdudler (the herbal lemonade); a good cafý latte or eiskaffee in an open air cafý in the summer or a melange with a piece of Apfelstrudel and vanilla custard sauce in the winter; potato salad that you get in a heuriger when you are out with friends; frankfurters with goulasch sauce and semmel bread rolls on a lazy pub garden afternoon; warm sauerkraut and a bratwurst after a tour of a weinkeller...then of course there are the mountains which we just don't have in England and always leave me speechless; the storks nests in the wine-making village of Rust near to Lake Neusiedl; colourful Christmas markets with hot glýhwein which leaves you with a very rosy glow on your cheeks and the need for a tasty garlicy fried langos to warm up your fingers; sunbathing on the banks of the River Danube in Vienna and then going to one of the riverside bars to enjoy the evening

AN OVERVIEW
Austria really is a central European melting pot of tradition, culture and modernity and a fascinating place to spend a long time in. Its a country with as many people as the population of London in a place the size of England so being in the capital is like visiting a large town rather than a major city. There's huge mountains in the East, beautiful Lakes in the North and South and the Transdanubian plain starts with Lake Neusiedl in the East where the weather is slightly warmer. Winter is cold and summer can be nice and warm with occasional rainy days. To really get the feel of this country you need to see both its winter and summer side and travel to the smaller villages where the way of life is slower and people are friendlier. I hope you have a great time here!

SOME HISTORY
(TO BE CONTINUED)

the Austrian flag (courtesy of worldatlas.com)

My pages here are just the highlights of what is in store when you get to the individual pages for places to go in Austria.
On the must see tips you will find the main places to visit during a trip to Austria.
On the off the beaten track pages you will find less known places to visit when you are spending longer in the country.
The restaurant pages provide insights into the type of food and wine you will find on a trip to Austria
Under cultural tips you will find local activities which take place during the year.
Transport covers much of what you will need to know for your travels within the country.
If you can't find some information please write me a mail!!