Austria

Choose between an unforgettable city trip and a break in the haven for outdoor activities and chill out...

While Austria has long been recognised as a haven for outdoor active recreation, many overlook its potential as the ideal getaway to chill out. Austria has plenty of winter sports in the Alps, some of the most impressive architecture in Europe and an unrivalled musical tradition.

Vienna is the capital of the country's musical life and littered with beautiful buildings. Music, art and architecture reach baroque perfection in Salzburg, Mozart's birthplace. Innsbruck's snow-capped mountains frame its fascinating historic buildings.

For warm weather, aim for the months between April and October. June and September are quite often the best times for city trips and hiking in the Alps.  The length of the skiing season depends on the altitude of the resort – skiing and boarding are possible on glaciers nearly all year-round.

Local time: GMT/UTC +1                         Currency: Euro

Climate:  Although Austria is cold in the winter, in the summer temperatures can be relatively warm reaching 20-35 degrees Celsius

Language: German but English is widely spoken

Best time to visit: Fine destination year-round

Things to do: Beside Skiing and Boarding, Austria also provides lot of sport and leisure activities such as Golfing, Mountain biking, Nordic Walking or cultural sights and monuments

Insider tip:  Especially great spring sunshine ski combined with an array of cool musical acts performing slope-side and throughout favourite resort hangouts - these are all-out parties you won't want to miss