Best Travel Destinations - Austria
One of the most noteworthy features along the Vienna skyline is a grandiose Ferris wheel: the Wiener Riesenrad. As the tallest Ferris wheel in Vienna (212.4 ft.), the Wiener Riesenrad is a timeless testament to quality fun, and the impressive size and antiquity of the Wiener Riesenrad will capture the imagination of any traveller. Erected in 1897 for the golden jubilee of Emperor Franz Josef I, the Riesenrad is one of the only surviving Ferris wheels of its time. The Riesenrad has shown impressive resilience over the years, withstanding a threat of demolition in 1916, a damaging fire in 1944, and the Second World War. The passenger cabins of the Wiener Riesenrad resemble old fashioned railway cars, and feature wooden floors, large windows and a ...
The Spanish Riding School in Vienna is a traditional riding school and training centre for the equestrian art of dressage. This is an elegant sport where horses perform graceful ballet-like dance movements at the (barely visible) commands of their riders. Dressage is a popular sport around the world, and is even a competitive Olympic event. But it is at the Spanish Riding School that the charming white Lipizzan stallions and their riders have been trained in classical dressage since the 1500s. The Spanish Riding School is the oldest of its kind, and is located inside the Hofburg: Vienna's historic and grandiose imperial palace. The architecture of the training arena, known as the Winter Riding School, is well worth a look. Even if you aren't a ...
Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Austria, and rightfully so, as it is said to be surpassed in beauty and grandeur only by Versailles in France. If the beautifully decorated palace rooms are not enough to encourage a visit, travellers will be easily lured in by the remarkable gardens and the striking hedge maze. The site of Schonbrunn Palace originally served as a hunting ground for the Austrian Imperial family. A mansion was erected by the family in 1548, and this mansion was eventually transformed into a palace by Eleonore Gonzaga, the widow of Ferdinand II, and a prominent member of the House of Hapsburg. Schonbrunn Palace has been remodelled several times according to the whims of its ...
The Eisriesenwelt Werfen Ice Caves are an extraordinary spectacle mother nature has created and hidden high up in the Austrian Alps. Located just outside of Salzburg, it is often overshadowed by the famous Oscar winning film, 'The Sound of Music', which was produced nearby. It was in 1879 that Austria's claim to fame was discovered. To this day the Eisriesenwelt Werfen Ice Caves are still the largest caves of their kind in the world. This discovery was made by Anton Posselt, a scientist from Salzburg. Although his discovery was published in 1880 the caves remained widely unknown until Alexander von Mörk, a speleologist or cave scientist, read about the caves and along with others increased it's popularity. In 1920, the Forscherhütte or discoverer’s refuge was ...
When you travel to Innsbruck, Austria in June, you can watch athletes leap for the sky during the Golden Roof Challenge. This much-anticipated event for athletes, tourists and locals alike, creates a carnival atmosphere in Innsbruck as pole-vaulters and long jumpers compete in this unique challenge. Labelled as something out of the ordinary for all to see, Innsbruck's Golden Roof Challenge captures people’s attention near and far. The Golden Roof Challenge is designed to see if anyone can fly as high as The Golden Roof's 2,657 fire-gilded copper tiles. Debuting in 2004, the Challenge has evolved to include other entertainment aside from the main event, such as gymnasts and entertainers throughout the Innsbruck square to keep the crowd as energized as the competing athletes. Over ...
If you have visited the more popular European cities such as Paris, London, Venice and Lisbon, you might want to look for an alternative route in your next European tour. Hailed as having the most beautiful lake in the world, Hallstatt is a city in the northern part of Austria encircled with stunning scenery of the lush alpine mountains. The name of the city is derived from the meaning “people of salt,” as it is known as the cradle of the world’s first ever salt mine. Aside from its world-renowned lake, Hallstatt is also famous for its ancient churches, wooden chalets, medieval castle and architecture that give the city an “old world” charm and ambiance. The cityscape of Hallstatt is very far from the flickering ...
The Staatsoper Opera (“state opera”) in Vienna is considered by some to be the best place to travel in Vienna for classical and opera music. The opera is the starting ground for many members of the Vienna Philharmonic. However, the beginnings of the state opera in Vienna got off to a rocky start. The Vienna State Opera proved to be controversial at the time of its opening-it was deemed a failure by the public and neither of the building’s primary architects lived to see its completion. Despite this, an opera by Mozart christened the building in the presence of then Emperor Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sissi. The Vienna State Opera suffered greatly during the second world war, and rarely operated under Nazi oppression. It ...
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